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April Topic: Closeup/Macro
Our judge is Chris Whonsetler:
My full name is Christopher Robert Whonsetler, friends call me Chris and children in Guatemala call me WhonPhoto. Take your pick. I am a freelance photographer based in Indianapolis and available worldwide. I’m a fairly sarcastic, down to earth kind of guy with big ideas & ambitions.
I will never be able to see enough of the world, I am always thinking about my next trip. A bit of a coffee snob, my favorite beans come from a friend's family plantation in Guatemala. I love to cook, am jealous of great painters and musicians, and most importantly love my wife Stephanie and three boys Grayson, Calvin and Sawyer with all my heart! My interest in photography started in late middle school after my mother encouraged me to take photos in 4H. I fell in love.
My love for photography grew through High School and eventually through College. Since graduation, I’ve been doing the solo freelance thing around the world. Photography is my way of revealing the way I see the world. Although photographers capture what already exists, how we choose to capture our subject matter stems from our personalities, and it is very evident in the images I create.
My goals as a photographer are to connect with businesses and help visually brand who they are, what they do, and where they do it. I love working with business owners who aren’t afraid of doing things a little unorthodox. Together we will create images that scream your message and populate your marketing & advertising with the personality of your business.
Learn more about Chris by visiting his website
Macro photography involves taking close-up pictures of small subjects, making them appear life-sized, or larger in the final image. It's ideal for capturing tiny wonders like insects, dewdrops, or the intricate details of a flower at a real scale of 1:1 to 10:1, ie, the size of the subject on the camera sensor is as large as, or larger than, its size in real life
To capture compelling macro photographs, consider the following artistic approaches:
• Focus on Detail: Macro photography allows you to capture intricate details that are not visible to the naked eye, such as the texture of a leaf or the patterns on an insect's wings
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• Play with Depth of Field: A shallow depth of field can isolate your subject, making it stand out against a blurred background
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• Experiment with Lighting: Proper lighting can enhance the textures and colors of your subject. Natural light is often preferred, but diffusers and artificial light sources can also be used effectively.
• Change Your Perspective: Try shooting from different angles to find unique compositions. For example, photographing a subject from below can provide a fresh perspective.
• Add Elements: Introducing elements like water droplets can add visual interest to your macro shots.
• Use Manual Focus: Autofocus may struggle with the fine details in macro photography, so manual focusing can help you achieve the desired sharpness
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• Be Patient: Macro photography often requires waiting for the perfect moment, especially when dealing with moving subjects like insects.
Close-up photography focuses a larger portion of the subject compared to the background but the magnification is less than life size (1:1). It's well-suited for portraits focusing on facial features, capturing textures of food, or showcasing the details of a piece of jewelry. which can include any photo that shows the subject in more detail than usual.
Here are some Tips on capturing captivating close-up images:
Light plays a starring role: Lighting is crucial for highlighting textures, patterns, and tiny details. Experiment with natural light, diffusers, or artificial lighting to create dramatic effects.
Shallow depth of field: This technique throws the background out of focus, drawing the viewer's eye right to your close-up subject. Achieve this with a wide aperture (low f-number) on your lens.
Find unique angles and perspectives: Don't be afraid to get down low, tilt your camera, or explore unconventional angles. This can add a fresh perspective to a familiar subject.
Abstract interpretations: Close-up shots can be used to create abstract compositions by focusing on textures, shapes, and patterns. Let the viewer use their imagination to interpret the image.
This month’s topic includes images taken using both of the approaches.
Resourceful Websites with Macro/Closeup Photography Samples:
https://www.naturephotographers.network/articles/the-changing-face-of-macro-photography/
https://www.thephotoargus.com/beautiful-examples-of-macro-photography/