Real macro photography is where you are working around 1:1 ratio and closer thereby giving an image on film that is equal in size or larger than the subject being photographed. The range from life size on film (1:1) up to ten times (10:1 , or even bigger) enlargement on film is be the strict definition of macro photography.

Most lenses are not capable of getting you a clear macro shot because they are not able to get close enough to the subject. Zoom lenses ( on point and shoot cameras) are usually equipped with a “macro” setting where they may get close enough to get a 1:4 ratio ( that means the image on film is 1/4 the size of the subject) If your shot is crisp and clear you might be able to crop the subject , but I have to point out that when shooting at anything less than 1:1 ratio (e.g. 1:4) we are no longer talking macro.

When I say film, I mean the actual negative NOT the result you see on a print. So if you use a 35mm film, the subject should not be bigger than 35mm so it fits with a 1:1 ratio aspect on that negative. Same goes for sensor, it depends on how big your sensor is, the subject should not be bigger than the sensor. And no what you see on your computer screen has nothing to do with it either, of course the picture on the computer is way bigger then life size.

Point and Shoot cameras usually have a "macro" setting where the zoom lens may get close enough to give maybe 1:4 ratio (image on film/sensor is 1/4 the size of the subject). Any normal 4"x6" print made from that negative will make a picture of the subject about life size due to the approximately 4x enlargement needed to make the print. But if it was a small flower/bug it still will be a small flower/bug on the print. But please keep in mind that all this ratio aspect talk has nothing to do with the print or what you see on your computer screen. This is very important for you to understand. Macro photography is a technique where you need some expensive equipment and there is no BUT about this. No offense to any point and shoot camera people but you need to understand that real macro just isn’t done with such cameras.

Again the macro community on dA is small and I will work hard on getting those galleries cleaned up for them. As fast as I move images out of there , people just add new miscats. Is it so hard to read the gallery description ? Is it so hard to understand that ? Can people not take 1 minute reading it or caring about it ? We gallery directors take time to clean up the mess, if people would only care for one minute all would be less of a mess.


News : Welcome to the World of Macro !

_{Those are not all macros, but I also feature close ups.}

* Suggest photography only !
* Make sure the deviant has no more then 3 or 4 DDs and none were given within the last 3 months !
* Have some dignity !

_{p.s. I will no longer respond to any complains about why a picture did not get a DD nor will I answer any questions about why I stopped featuring unposted suggestions. Sorry guys, but I am fed up with whiners !}

Please read the gallery descriptions, if you are not sure where to submit, it really helps us GDs if you care for only one minute and read them. We move thousands of miscats and that should not be. So please care.



On a personal note, I am still a bit silent around dA these days but this is because of the bad condition my grandfather is in and because I am seriously pissed at the US immigration system that will not allow me to re-enter the US if I go to Germany now. So much for emergency leave, its not going to happen and yes I am sad, mad and what not !

Have a great week
^hellfirediva