Macro Photography - "The World Up Close"

I have chosen macro photography as my topic because I am interested in the textures and patterns of the world up close.

I will use this project to find interesting macro photos by others and post them on the blog and in the zine. I will also post several of my own macro photographs. Finally I will research equipment used to take such photography and the techniques involved for the best results.

Closer and Closer - A Weekly Online Macro Photography Contest

Closer and Closer is a blog that posts the weekly top photos from the close and closer macro photography group on flicker. Each week participants can submit their photos based on a theme.

The most recent theme was repeating pattern, the subject could be natural or man made with no photo shop modifications.

This is a neat blog because you can stay current with the best photos on flicker and it's interesting to see the different entries based on the same theme.

Archives are also posted on the blog so you can also check out past themes and winners.

What is Macro Photography?

As many of us know Wikipedia is an open drafted online encyclopedia. The entry for macro photography details how it is defined, what equiptment is used, technical considerations, and gives examples of photographs that match it's definition.

Check out the entry for a run down of what it's all about.

Tips For Taking Quality Macro Photographs

The Tamron online learning center for macro photography helps everyone get the most out of photography with tips, photo projects, interviews with famous photographers, on-line exhibitions, reviews of exciting new products, a Photo Help Hotline, and more.

I think this site is valuable because it gives clear and concise information about how to take quality macro photographs. It explains extreme close up basics as well as specific step-by-step instructions for taking macro photos of specific subjects such as: flowers, shells, mechanical objects, coins, etc.

Flicker Macro Awards - A Great Online Venue to View Macro Photography

The Flicker macro awards site is a great place to view macro photography because the photos displayed must have been invited and given a macro award to be added to the pool!

This award is given to photos based on photographic excellence, creativity, and artistry and all photos awarded must be worthy of any print publication. And although the award is supposed to be given to only truly inspirational photography some odd balls slip in.

The Flicker award page is also a neat arena to view photos because you can instantly find out more about the photographer by clicking on the photo, this brings you to the individuals flicker page where you can see their other work and find out more about them if you like.

Macro Art in Nature

Michael Brown - Photographer
South Carolina - USA

This is my blog journal, a journal about the art that can be found in nature, about macro photography, and other topics of interest! I’m just a typical American boy, from a typical American home in South Carolina, and one who enjoys exploring all the possibilites of capturing artistic abstracts in the world of macro. This journal has been created not only as a outlet for my thoughts about the world of nature photography, but hopefully as a place where others may visit, … and maybe learn something from it. Currently I am working with various clients and art buyers, finishing up a site strictly for sales, plus working on a area here at home for the new printer and other systems that I will be installing.

Photographing Flowers with the Bucket Method

Are your outdoor shots blurred by wind?
Do you want photos with black backgrounds?
Would you prefer to leave blooms alive?

With a minimum of cost and effort, you can shield your subject from wind movement, while providing a strong background contrast, and without having to pluck it and set up indoors. By surrounding a bloom, or lower stalk, or tree branch with a suitable bucket device, great photos will be easier to capture without damaging the plant (especially good if it’s not yours).

From simple to more complex, the usefulness of this method will be determined by your individual needs. The size of the container, the material of which it’s made, your choice of holding / mounting it will all play a part in its successful use.