Chapter 7 Close-up Photography and Photomacrography

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Chapter 7
Close-up
Photography and
Photomacrography
Objectives
Information in this chapter will enable you to:
• Discuss the differences between closeup photography, photomacrography, and
photomicrography.
• Discuss the reason why the terms above are
vastly different from macrophotography and
microphotography.
• List and describe six different systems of
close-up photography and photomacrography.
Technical Terms
bellows
close-up lenses
close-up photography
extension tube
macrophotography
microphotography
photomacrography
photomicrography
ring flash
There are situations where an image is
made of a very small object, insect, or flower
for the purpose of enlarging the image. You
may need to illustrate the raised lettering of a
coin or show the beautiful colors of the inside
of a flower or capture the texture of the eyes
of an insect. See Figure 7-1. All of these tasks
depend on your ability to photograph the
subject in such a way that, when the image
is enlarged, all of the important details are
clear.
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Chapter 7 Close-up Photography and Photomacrography
Figure 7-5. This photomural is an example of
macrophotography.
Figure 7-3. A 1″ (25 mm) subject that fills a 35 mm
sensor vertically has an image to subject ratio of 1:1.
Figure 7-1. These examples of close-up and photomacrography photos are images that you can create.
Figure 7-4. A 1/2″ (13 mm) subject that fills a 35 mm
sensor vertically has an image to subject ratio of 2:1
(2X).
Imagine a full-frame sensor in a camera. It is about 1″ (25 mm) high. An object 3″
(75 mm) high filling this frame is reproduced
as 1/3 life size. This example has an image
to subject ratio of 1:3. See Figure 7-2. A 1″
(25 mm) high object filling the sensor has a
1:1 ratio that is life-size. See Figure 7-3. A 1/2″
(13 mm) high subject filling the sensor must
be enlarged. It has a ratio of 2:1 or a magnification of 2X. The symbol “X” indicates magnification or times. See Figure 7-4.
Magnification Terms
The term close-up photography is generally understood to cover the range of 1:10
through 1:1 (1/10 size to life-size). Photographing objects larger than life-size through
25:1 (25X) is called photomacrography. The
terms macrophotography and macrography
Figure 7-2. A 3″ (75 mm) subject that fills a 35 mm
sensor vertically has an image to subject ratio of 1:3.
are often used incorrectly in place of photomacrography. Macrophotography is the process of creating a photograph that is larger
than typical, such as photomurals and billboards. See Figure 7-5.
The technique of mounting a camera on a
microscope to increase magnification is called
photomicrography. See Figure 7-6. Magnifications of 40X with a standard microscope to
500,000X and higher with a scanning electron
microscope is possible. See Figure 7-7. The
coverage of photomicrography will be minimal due to the limited access most schools
have to this type of equipment. The terms
microphotography and micrography are often
used incorrectly in place of photomicrography.
Figure 7-6. Photomicrography, mounting a camera
to a microscope, provides the opportunity to
photograph the smallest of subjects.
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History Brief
Stanhope Photos
Stanhopes are small cylindrical
lenses with a microphotograph
attached. The microphotograph is
typically 2 × 2 mm. These lenses were mounted
in knives, jewelry, pens, and tobacco pipes. The
following describes the time, people, and events
related to this curious novelty.
• 1780s Charles Stanhope invents
cylindrical lens.
• 1851 John Benjamin Dancer invents
microphotographs.
• 1857 René Prudent Patrice Dagron
combines the lens and the microphotograph
to produce novelties called stanhopes.
Figure 7-7. This photomicrograph of pollen grains
was taken on a scanning electron microscope.
Microphotography is the process of creating
a photograph that is small enough to require
a magnifying lens to view the image. Microphotography was used in devices called stanhopes from the 1860s to today. See the History
Brief for more information.
The terms in the previous paragraphs are
very similar with very different meanings. To
avoid using these terms incorrectly, study the
chart in Figure 7-8.
section, research the various ways to gain
access to the equipment. Your lenses may be
applicable as designed, or you may be able
to use these lenses in a nonstandard way to
get the intended image. Check the equipment in your school, including the science
department—you may be able to use one of
the microscopes. Consider renting lenses for
a project. This is a great way to get experience
with expensive equipment that you will not
use that often.
Equipment and Methods
Close-up Lenses
Each stage of magnification requires specific cameras, lenses, and accessories to produce a usable image. While studying this
Close-up lenses are an inexpensive way
to get started in close-up photography. These
lenses can be added to almost any camera.
Type of
photography
Image to subject
ratio
Subject size
Image size
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Chapter 7 Close-up Photography and Photomacrography
Close-up lenses are positive supplementary
lenses that shorten the focal length. A supplementary lens is an extra or add-on lens. See
Chapter 3 for the definition of a positive lens.
They are available in different powers. Each
is good for a different limited range of closeup distances.
The lenses usually come in a set of three,
+1, +2, and +4. See Figure 7-9. The higher the
number, the greater the magnifying power.
They may be stacked to increase magnification. A +1 lens and a +2 lens equals a magnification power of a +3 lens. You should always
attach the highest number to the lens first.
Stacking reduces sharpness.
Close-up lenses are easy to attach. Like
filters, they are threaded to fit the front of the
regular lens. See Figure 7-10. Close-up lenses
are simple, convenient, inexpensive, and do
not require exposure compensation.
Reversing Ring
A reversing ring, Figure 7-11, is an adapter
that permits the lens to be reversed on a camera. It is the least expensive way to practice
photomacrography. The reversed lens will
give a magnification ratio of 1:1 or life-size
with a 50 mm or “normal lens.” However, the
automatic features of the lens are lost.
Lens Extension Tubes
Closer focusing of a lens is possible by
using an extension tube, a device for moving
the lens farther from the film plane. Extension tubes, Figure 7-12, are used to extend
the lens. This technique has limitations. As
the lens extension length grows, the exposure time increases and image sharpness
decreases.
The way a lens is normally
mounted to camera body
Figure 7-9. Close-up lenses are positive
supplementary lenses that shorten the focal length of
the regular lens.
Reversal
ring
Part of lens that is
normally locked to
camera body
Typical subjects
Close-up
photography
1:1 to 1:10
1″ to 5″
Any
Flowers
Photomacrography
40:1 to 1:1
.025″ to 1″
Any
Insects, coins
Photomicrography
Less than 40:1
Less than .025″
Any
Skin cells
Microphotography
Any
Very small
Any
Macrophotography
Any
Very large
Any
Figure 7-8. Study this chart of the terms used referring to the various levels of magnification in photography so
you do not use them incorrectly.
Figure 7-11. A reversing ring is an adapter that
permits the lens to be reversed on the camera for
very close focusing.
Figure 7-10. Close-up lenses are threaded to attach
to the front of the regular lens.
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Bellows
A bellows is not a variation of an extension tube. A bellows is a folding cloth sleeve
device that provides a lighttight adjustable tube between the lens and camera. See
Figure 7-13. A bellows has a different range of
magnification. A bellows is best used when the
subject is smaller than 1″. They are rather bulky
for portable operations and are expensive.
Usually, bellows have a scale showing the
magnification ratio. As with extension tubes,
additional exposure time is required with
bellows.
Macro and Close-Focus Lenses
Figure 7-12. Extension tubes are fitted between the
lens and camera body. These tubes can be used
individually or in combination. The longer the tube,
the closer the lens can be focused on the subject.
There are some things to remember when
using extension tubes:
• Longer focal length lenses will give a
greater working distance.
• Wide-angle lenses do not give a greater
depth of field than normal lenses when
used with extension tubes. A wide angle
lens with extension tubes will give a
greater magnification of the subject at the
cost of more distortion.
• Magnification ratios must be determined
from data charts furnished with the
extension tubes.
• If your camera does not have through-thelens metering, exposure compensation
must be calculated. Again, refer to the data
charts furnished with the extension tubes.
In general, as the lens is moved farther
from the film, more light is needed to
make the exposure. This requires a larger
lens opening or slower shutter speed.
Bracketing shots is recommended.
• Extension tubes give best results when the
subject is larger than 1″.
Macro lenses will focus much closer than
regular lenses. In a true sense, a macro lens
is capable of providing a 1:1 magnification
ratio (life-size image). The term is sometimes
incorrectly used to describe a close focus lens.
Magnification ratios are usually engraved on
the macro lens barrel. See Figure 7-14. Many
will focus to 1/2X or a 1:2 ratio, but may be
fitted with an extension ring to allow focusing down to life-size. Still, others will focus to
a 1:1 ratio or life-size without any additional
accessories. Macro lenses can also be used at
normal subject distances.
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Chapter 7 Close-up Photography and Photomacrography
Figure 7-14. A modern macro lens can be switched
between auto focus and manual focus. This lens has
a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1. This means
a 1 inch high object will appear life-size on 35 mm
film which has a frame height of 24 mm or 1 inch.
(Tamron)
Parallax occurs because the viewfinder
and taking lens are separated. It can be corrected by slightly tipping the lens toward the
viewfinder just before the picture is taken.
Many close-up photos are taken outdoors.
In such cases, it may be necessary to supplement or modify available light. Using a white
cardboard reflector or light tent can eliminate
shadows. See Figure 7-15.
A special electronic flash called a ring flash
fits on the end of a lens and puts even light all
around the subject. See Figure 7-16. A flash
allows the use of a higher shutter speed and
smaller aperture. This will provide for a greater
depth of field. A distracting background will be
very dark. See Figure 7-17. It may be necessary
to experiment to get the best exposure.
There are three basic requirements for
taking good close-up and macro pictures.
• If your camera does not have throughthe-lens metering, it will be necessary to
compensate for the reduced light reaching
the sensor.
• Keep the camera steady. Use a tripod.
• Use a small aperture setting for maximum
depth of field.
White reflector fills in shadows
Macro lenses should not be confused
with macro zoom lenses. The latter are really
close-focus lenses. They do not focus as close
as macro lenses and are not optically corrected for flatness. They are fine for taking
close-ups of flowers, insects, and the like, but
should not be used for flat subjects.
Focusing and Framing
Figure 7-13. Although more costly and cumbersome,
a bellows is more flexible to use than a close-up lens
or an extension tube. (Pentax Corp.)
With a single lens reflex camera, close-up
focusing is no different than regular subject
focusing. Rangefinder and twin lens reflex
cameras present a slight problem. At close distances, the viewfinder does not show exactly
what will be photographed. You know this as
parallax.
Figure 7-15. Lighting can be a problem when doing
close-up photography. Shadows can often be
eliminated by using white cardboard reflectors or
special light tents.
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Chapter 7 Close-up Photography and Photomacrography
133
Test Your Knowledge
Without flash
With flash
Figure 7-16. A ring flash fits on the end of a macro
lens to provide light close to the subject. (Sigma)
Figure 7-17. A flash allows the use of a high shutter
speed and small aperture. This combination provides
a greater depth of field and usually darkens a
distracting background.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper. Please do not write in this book.
1. A 3″ (75 mm) high subject that fills a full-frame sensor has an image to subject ratio
of _____.
2. A subject having an image to subject ratio of 5:1 has a magnification of _____.
A. 1/5X
B. .2X
C. 5X
D. All of the above.
E. None of the above.
3. How does photomicrography differ from photomacrography?
4. The optical device that permits close-up photography by shortening the lens’ focal length
is called a _____.
5. A reversing ring offers the following advantage when making close-up photographs:
_____.
6. The reversing ring, however, has the following disadvantage when making close-up
photographs: _____.
7. A lens _____ _____ is used to extend the lens for closer focusing.
8. Bellows are considered _____.
A. a very complicated way to make close-up photos
B. a variable length extension tube
C. useless if the subject is less than 1″ high
D. All of the above.
E. None of the above.
9. What problem can be caused by parallax when making close-up photographs?
10. The following are necessary for good close-up and macro photographs: _____.
A. exposure compensation for reduced light if the camera does not have through-thelens metering
B. a lens free of fingerprints
C. a steady camera
D. use of a small aperture for maximum depth of field
E. All of the above.
F. None of the above.
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Things to Do
1. Prepare a paper on the industrial or medical uses of photomacrography.
2. Secure samples of photomicrography used in industrial or medical research.
3. Take a series of close-up photos. Submit the photos to your instructor with an evaluation
of your work.
4. Demonstrate how close-up lenses are used. Illustrate the demonstration with photos or
slides you have taken using the technique.
5. Demonstrate how lens extension tubes are used. Illustrate the problems and limitations
of the technique with photos or slides you have taken.
6. Demonstrate how bellows are used. Illustrate the demonstration with photos or slides
you have taken using the technique.