Macro Work Diary

In this shoot for macro I took the series of images in the studio with a black backdrop, this was to add depth of field and add all focus on the subject and the contrast between skin tone and the darkness of the backdrop. I used a macro lens, a tripod, the studio lights and a light meter; to set my camera settings. 

In this shot I decided to focus on the main features of her face being lips, nose and part of her eyes. Her skin tone is the best thing captured in the image, also her lips and teeth, they all contrast well, the shot is very clear and the macro is amplified by the dark background. I instructed her to have a deadpan expression on her face, I think this is very effective as it gives the shot a very neutral, art pose. I think that the top frame part of the image is a little too dark, I like the way a shadow is cast on the right side of her face, however I think the top part of the shot could be a little lighter to draw attention to her eyes. Also I wish I highlighted more attention on her nose as the change in tone because of her freckles would've been an interesting contrast within the shot. 

This is my favorite of the two as I love the depth of field, the way the backdrop is out of focus and so is the subjects ear and parts of her face, the part of the shot which id in focus is the subject's glasses, the skin underneath and her eyes, this gives a really cool effect as ones attention is automatically drawn to this part of the image as it is totally in focus, the color and clarity of her glasses are very strong and attention catching. There is a lot of unused space i.e. the black backdrop, however I like this as it draws more attention on to the subject instead and adds greater depth of field and contrast.

                                                                        Progression- 

In the future I'd like to continue using macro, I'm not sure how much of a role it would play n my own personal shoot, as I am using documentary style photography, but maybe within portraiture, macro may be something that could help me explore British culture, I won't be shooting macro in the study within my project but It can still be used outside rather than a controlled environment. 

Macro Image Bank

Due to the macro setting used in the image, definition is very strong, all the parts of the complex makeup of an eye are visible, the black and white really helps to bring out the subtle differences in certain tones, The reflection in the eye is also really cool. The frame captures all the main components of the eye, the iris in this looks amazing, al the intricate parts are so clear and contrasting.

The backdrop of the mute blues and purples really help to bring out the same colours in the fly, the backdrop almost appears floral, as though the insect has just been collecting pollen. The macro shot is very detailed, clear and intricate, the way that the backdrop is  out of focus really helps to add definition to the fly, making the viewers attention drawn automatically to the main subject. 

The backdrop being out of focus and the focus being all on the ladybird and parts of the plant, help to bring out the colours, the detail is so strong that the viewer can even see the hairs n moisture on the leaves of the plant. The ladybird is the punctum of the shot and is therefore the most poignant aspect of the image. In my opinion the frame could be a little bit smaller to get rid of excess unused space that doesn't add to the shot.

This image shows the intricacy of an animals eye, it appears to be a big cat. The colour is really strong in this, and i like the reflection in the creatures eye. The focus is all on the eye and diverts attention from the somewhat blurry hair on the animal. The dark line contrasts heavily with the eye itself, the macro technique effectively shows the miniature parts as life-size. 

The angle really makes the shot, enabling the viewer to see the eye of  cat in a brand new perspective, the transparency of the eyeball extends outwards, appearing as a transparent sphere. The image looks really good against the backdrop as it makes all the parts of the animal come alive. The whole image looks like its illuminated with a sort of purple light bouncing off all the lighter parts of the cat, like the chin for example, the cat also looks like its staring up towards the projected light. 

Macro Straight Images

Macro Technique Post

Definition-
Photography producing photographs of small items larger than life size.

1) Magnification
Macro photography has to do with the size that your subject is projected onto your camera's sensor.
magnification on a macro lens would be life size . A 1:2 is half of life size. Above 1:10 you aren't really shooting macro anymore.

2) Working distance
working distance is the distance between your sensor and your subject at the closest possible focus distance for your lens.

1) Tripod
2) Fast shutter speed
3) manual camera settings
4) manual focus
5) no camera shake (be careful when pressing the button)
6) direct the shoot (composition/framing and where the moving elements will move from and to are important)
7) photo-editing software