And let’s not forget colour images working in square format too.
Nikon Z6, 18mm Extension Tube, Nikkor 24-70mm f/4 S, Exposure X5, Color Efex Pro 2Nikon Z6, Lensbaby Composer Pro II, Sweet 35 Optic, Exposure X5, Color Efex Pro 4
So it’s been another while since I’ve posted here. Lockdown contributed to this, as I became quite bored with photography. This eventually passed and I’ve been snapping away again.
I’ve also got the film itch again, so once I’ve developed some film, I’ll be putting the resultant shots up here.
For now, here are a few macro shots I’m quite happy with.
So, I’ve been in a bit of a Lensbaby mood these past few days. I’ve also done some macro photography, but I’ve definitely been leaning towards the happy distortion a Lensbaby brings…
I’m a bit contrary like that, focusing on one or two lenses then getting bored of them and needing something different to do. This is also due to the 365 project I’m doing, as having to take a “good” photo every day gets a bit tiresome at times. Anyway, some more photos 🙂
I opened an unripe poppy seed head to find little nascent seeds. Taken with my Tamron 90mm Macro Lense and the Raynox 250.Another shot of the poppy seedsA Blue/Purple Petunia, Taken with my Tamron 90mm Macro LenseSitting by the beach. Taken with Lensbaby Composer, Edge 35 OpticFishing by the sea. Taken with Lensbaby Composer, Edge 35 Optic Fuchsia Sticking Out Of A Bush. Taken with Lensbaby Composer, Edge 35 Optic .
So today I remembered my camera battery and took some photos on a dog walk, along the cliff path and up to a cafe. All shots were taken with a Lensbaby Composer, with the Edge 35 Optic.
Just a pretty flowerLeaves with an almost metallic sheenCliff pathNumber 8 at the cafeAll alone on the sea.
A Woodlouse. Taken with Tamron 90mm Macro Lense, 20mm Extension Tube and Ring Flash.
Getting up close to an object and exploring it can be a great way of creating photographs. I’m no expert, but here’s what works for me and how I do it, for the macro-curious.
Dandelion seeds. Taken with Tamron 90mm Lense, 12mm + 20mm +36mm Extension Tubes and Ring Flash.
The first stop is the macro lense. There are lots of macro lenses out there, but I went for the Tamron 90mm. It was cheaper than other brands at the time (many years ago now) but once I got it, I discovered that it has a wonderfully soft bokeh, as I’ve mentioned in another post. This lense can get up to 1:1 , which means objects are the same size on the sensor (or film) of your camera as they are in real life.
The fibres of a jumper. Taken with Tamron 90mm Macro Lense, 12mm + 20mm + 36mm Extension tubes and ring flash.
So, this is a good start, but how can we get closer? Well there are extension tubes, which sit between the lense and the camera. It really is worth spending out on tubes that keep aperture and computer connections between camera and lense. They aren’t too expensive nowadays. You can use any lense with your extension tubes, but one of the downsides of the Tamron is the long barrel, which extends past the optics. This means your lense gets very close to the subject, which, if it’s alive, might scare it off!
You can also get filters/dioptres/diopters that screw into the filter thread of your lense. I’ve had little experience of these, as I find extension tubes less finicky and easier to change in and out. They are however cheaper and less bulky than extension tubes. You can even get clip on ones for your phone.
Reversal rings also need a nod, though I’ve never used them, so can’t give any real advice on whether they are good or not. The closest I’ve come, is to reverse one lense on another and tape them together. This does work, though don’t do it with your expensive lenses!
The bottom of a leather camera case. Taken with Lensbaby Composer, Sweet 35 Optic, 12mm + 20mm Extension Tubes
Lighting is difficult with macro and I don’t profess to be an expert at it. I just use what works. I have a ring flash, which fits on the front of my lense. It was relatively cheap but does the job. It can leave what your photographing seem a bit washed out if you’re up close. This can be fixed when editing, but it’s not ideal. It does, however, help bring out detail and having a higher f/stop and shutter speed is a boon.
My other lighting setup is a normal angle lamp, with an LED bulb in it. I sort out a background, usually some paper of some sort, and move the lamp around until I’m happy. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who would be horrified at this lighting setup!
As for holding the camera, I prefer to hand hold. I like to move around the subject a lot, looking for views that work. I occasionally use a tripod, but don’t like how it holds me back. You can also get focusing rails for your tripod, which allows you to move your camera forward and backwards and side to side in small increments. I’ve never used one but can see how they’d be useful, especially for focus stacking.
A very macro flower. Taken with Lensbaby Composer, Sweet 35 Optic, 12mm + 20mm + 36mm Extension Tubes
While trying not to be a broken record, I’d like to mention Lensbabies again. Using an optic such as the Sweet 35 with extension tubes, you can get very interesting macro photos. It can be great for creating abstract images too. It’s worth looking into at any rate.
I hope explaining how I make macro images is helpful to anyone who is looking to dabble in macro photography.
… Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the blur.
Totland Pier (2008) – Lensbaby Composer, probably Double Optic with the distortion caused by the Wide Angle Adapter
What are lensbabies ? Essentially they allow you to create certain effects in camera. They come as lenses or as optics for a lense, having a modular approach. I have only explored the optics for the lensbaby composer series, the other lenses being currently outside of my price range. The Lensbaby Website can explain better than I can.
Our dog looking adorably up – Lensbaby Composer, Sweet 35 Optic
They create distortion and imperfect images, which I fine very appealing. Different optics give different effects, some more subtle than others. You can also use certain lensbaby optics with extension tubes, to create interesting macro effects.
If you can afford the initial purchase, lensbabies can give you a lot of pleasure as a photographer, as long and you’re not in pursuit of the “perfect” image.
Trees from a dog walk – Lensbaby Composer, Sweet 35 Optic
There’s a reason why I called this blog “Up Close And Personal”. I love macro (close up) photography. I enjoy finding objects and exploring them, looking for interesting composition.
Back to the start again for a moment. I was agoraphobic for 7 1/2 years. During this time, I quickly ran out of subjects for my growing love of photography. So, getting closer and closer was one of the few options available to me.
Through this state of affairs, I’ve found macro photography, and the general practice of viewing small things up close, very enjoyable. Whether it be insects, flowers, strange industrial looking objects or other natural wonders, I like photographing them. I’m also a fan of abstraction, creating strange macro landscapes that make you scratch your head, trying to figure it out.
I hand hold the camera for most of my macro subjects, as I find it makes it easier to explore an object. This does however mean that I make a lot of “bad” photos, where the focus is off. It’s a process with lots of serendipity and one I enjoy.
One of the first (good) photos I ever took, taken back in 2004. Little did I know then, what photography would come to mean for me.
I found my Gramp’s old Praktica camera, an LTL 3. I asked my mum if I could run a film through it and that was it. I was hooked! Over the years, my love of capturing images has grown, has become obsession, habit, fun, frustrating and a passion.
I shoot digital and film. Each having it’s own advantages and disadvantages. But most of all, they’re both fun!
I hope that with this blog, I can share my love of photography with others and that people will enjoy the images I choose to share.
Up Close And Personal 