M A C R O

As easy as effective

To see the original: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tico_josefco/7362920318/in/photostream
and for the full set look for that on the right.

Hi again! now we`r going to talk about Macro Photography. 

First step: What `s that? Macro means BIG and this is the basic purpose of that branch of photography, make the world bigger and see all beautiful details. There is a lot of common things around you susceptible for a macro shot: a single pencil, a bug, flowers... nature is a big area!! almost whatever your creative let your camera.

Do I need special accessories? Well the controversial is here!!: If you haven`t a reflex camera but want an extra increase view don`t worry you can use a magnifying glass!!! For reflex there is so, so many special accessories for macro photography from cheap single lens to very expensive bellows or lighting for example. I have any accessories on my macro shots yet. If you are starting on that, maybe you wouldn`t need any of this! At first it depend on your ability and knowledge about your own camera.

And now,  How can I do it? every or at least almost cameras (reflex or not) have an specific program for macro represented by a flower (always a Tulipan); it has the advantage of use, is really easy and get the focus ready. By my own amateur criterion, it has some important disadvantages: you can`t move the foucs area, you can`t select the ISO (for macro is better as low as your camera can +/-80-100) and your camera restrict itself the focus capacity. For all that I always use Manual mode (an M ) that ,with a bit of practise, you get amazing results. 

A little advice: On macro you should always try to get high definition because of details, so on post-processing, apart of effects or corrective exposure or colours, convert JPEG to PNG at least. It will give you and extra definition. PNG is "stronger" and unzip the quality level of JPEG.

Find a subject, frame it, select the focus, exposure balance, ISO and let your creativity fly!!! 

Tico