Photography Project I:

Macro Photography

Misa Yamada

Photography 4

Project Outline

In this first photography project, I decided to choose macro

photography. I chose macro photography because I find that it is

fascinating to be able to observe an object that is extremely small in a

one to one ratio that is greatly larger than the actual size of the

object.

Researched Notes and Examples

The definition of macro photography is close-up photography

usually of objects that can barely be seen by the naked eye. In which

macro photography is photographed in the ratio scale of one to one

that makes the size of the subject a lot greater than its actual life size.

In order to create macro photography, a macro lens is needed unless

using a normal digital camera with the macro mode setting. Although

using a typical compact digital camera will not create the full affect

and dimensions of an actual one to one macro sized photograph.

http://www.macrophotography.com/Galleries/Flower.R01/Flower.R01.html

Macro lenses are designed specifically for close-up

photography that has the capability of producing larger scales of the

subject, which is the one to one ratio size. In macro photography,

when using a macro lens the subjects almost invisible details make it

possible to view all the tiny specific aspects of each detail. Also in

macro lenses, they are built with a long barrel that makes it able to

focus on the subject closely and most modern macro lenses are able

to focus continuously to infinity. Macro lenses may also be optimized

to provide exceptional optical quality when it is used for normal

photography as well as providing its best performance at its highest

magnification.

http://www.macrophotography.com/Galleries/Flower.R01/Flower.R01.html

To construct basic macro photography, the lens should be

zoomed right at the one to one ratio and the distance between the

camera lens and the subject that controls the depth of field is what

focuses and clarifies the visibility of the subject. Accordingly, to

capture an object that is fine with a lot of textures and details, if the

camera has the live-view mode, it should be put on live-view and

either placed onto a tripod or an area that is stable and solid. While

the camera lens is zoomed to the one to one ratio size, the camera can

just be moved closer or away from the object, depending on the

desired depth of field. Also when shooting macro photography, like in

any other type of photography, the lighting is essential as well. To

create a photograph that is clear and in focus, the lighting assists the

aperture and shutter speed to capture a focused picture.

http://www.macrophotography.com/Galleries/Flower.R01/Flower.R01.html

Thus, I decided on the macro photography unit because I found

it spectacular to be able to take photographs at a one to one scale to

capture the specific details that can barely be seen by the naked eye

itself. While starting and studying the different basic aspects in

starting out macro photography, I practiced shooting subjects that

were very small. The subjects I started out shooting with was small

letterings from keyboards, cell phones, and other random objects.

From shooting different small subjects, I was able to capture details

and clearly see details. Having practiced shooting several objects, I

was going to settle on one subject; flowers, although as seen in my

contact sheet that I did not only focus on flowers. During my research

on macro photography, I was only able to practice and study the

basic fundamentals. In which I enjoyed practicing and would like to

further my study on macro photography in an in depth manner.

http://media.photobucket.com/image/macro+photography+flowers+/Keefers_/

Keefers_Macro%20Photography/Keefers_MacroPhotography1003.jpg

http://www.google.co.th/imgres?

q=macro+photography+flowers&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=658&tbm=isch&tbnid=ebz71uesBGdgoM:&imgrefurl=htt

p://visuallens.wordpress.com/2008/06/&docid=ojyd38NYFFLp6M&imgurl=http://visuallens.files.wordpress.com/

2008/06/img_3817a.jpg&w=500&h=370&ei=MEFUT4u-

H4eJrAey7cmzDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=559&vpy=193&dur=452&hovh=182&hovw=246&tx=123&ty=98&sig=11714

3587651300761450&page=1&tbnh=132&tbnw=175&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrophotography

http://photo.net/learn/macro/

http://www.bmpt1.com/

Contact Sheet

Final Selections

Final Selection Descriptions:

1. The photograph above is of a yellow flower that shows the

fine details of the flower’s stigma. I chose this photograph

because the depth of field shows clarity towards the center

of the flower.

2. The second photograph I chose is of a flower’s stigma and

anthers. I chose this photography because the background

is a light white color that makes the photograph look

smooth and soft, with an interesting composition.

3. The third photo I chose is part of a red rose is vibrantly

colored with a clear view of the rose petals. I decided to

shoot pictures of red roses because I tried to imitate the

photo example shown above with the water droplets

although it was not successful.

4. The fourth photo is of a double-sided gold ring that has

different illustrations on both sides. I chose this

photograph because I think that with the illustration in

focus and the ring out of focus creates an interesting

composition.

5. The fifth photo is the other side of the double-sided gold

ring with the other illustration. Again, I think that the

composition and the way the ring itself fades into a dusk of

whiteness create a smooth appearance.

6. The last photo I chose is of another ring that has small fine

skulls around it. In which I chose this photograph because

the composition with the other details in the back out of

focus makes the eye focus on the focused skull then it leads

you to the out of focus areas.

(All photographs above were taken on manual and live-view

mode while placed on a sturdy table.)