Macro Photography + Alessandro Zocchi

A macro photograph (National Geographic)

Macro photography is the extreme close up of an object such as an insect that is magnified to a larger than life size.  Macro photographs also focus on the subject, blurring the background as they have a small depth of field.  It allows the subject to be seen in greater detail, and previously unseen textures and patterns can emerge.

The physics of macro photography (Naperville Wildcat)

It works by focusing light through the camera's lenses.  The longer the focal length of the lens, the more focused and detailed the resulting picture will be.

Most cameras come with the ability to take macro photographs, although some are capable of much more detailed and zoomed in pictures.  Lenses for DSLR cameras are available in different focal lengths, depending on the camera and how detailed you want the zoom to be.  A tripod is often necessary as the camera needs to be close to the subject, which is not conducive to a well-lit photo, so a slow shutter speed will be necessary.  Additional lighting may often be required.  Ring flashes are usually used to light the area around the subject for a better picture.  Telephoto lenses are another option, as by allowing distance between the subject and the camera, extra lighting is allowed.

Nikon DX AF-S Micro Nikkor
40mm f2.8G lens for macro
 photography - Nikon calls them micro
(Wikimedia)

Before the invention of digital cameras, macro photography was a long and complicated process, involving a lot of equipment.  Nowadays it is a simple process to take macro photographs.

W.H. Walmsey coined the term photo-macrograph in 1899 to distinguish this type of photography from photo-micrographs, which are taken through microscopes to show the magnified image of what's on the slide.

Dandelion Seeds (Nature Macrophotography)

An example of a macro photographer is nature photographer Alessandro Zocchi.  He takes pictures of animals and plants in extreme close up.  His pictures are visually stunning and strikingly focus on patterns and details that you would ordinarily miss.

Palm Leaf Detail (Nature Macrophotography)

This photo shows a palm tree leaf, which surprised me as I never would have guessed what it was (which is part of the appeal with some macro photographs).  It looks like those paper concertinas you make in class with scrap bits of paper.

The colours are really nice, and he's obviously used sufficient lighting as the shadows are really clear and the folds of the leaf are very defined.  The light seems like the sun so the photo appears very bright, contrasting with shadows.

The diagonal nature of the leaf is interesting and I like it because it shows off more of the lines and also doesn't make it as easy to guess the subject.  Zocchi's photographs, whether obvious or mysterious, are all very pleasant and are good examples of what you can do with macro photography.











Sources used:

http://digital-photography-school.com/macro-photography-for-beginners-part-1/
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/macro-photo-tips/#/solitary-bee-macro_26208_600x450.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro_photography
http://www.naturemacrophotography.com/WebGallery-Plants/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nikon_DX_AF-S_Micro_Nikkor_40mm_f2,8G.jpg
http://napervillewildcat.wikispaces.com/Macro+Photography