The Manual of

Close-Up and Macro Photography

Vol. 1 The basics: Magnification to 1X

This volume is appropriate for hobbyists and professionals, medical practitioners, engineers, scientists, lovers of tiny flora and fauna, and subjects living and dead, be they biologic, geologic, mechanical or electronic. A prior familiarity with basic photographic techniques – camera controls for exposure and focus – is appropriate.

The definitive book – 360 pages, over 1,000 photographs, , 3 pages of equipment suppliers, 50 links to online resources, a Glossary with 93 entries – for those starting their journey into photographing the fascinating, but often unnoticed, world of the very small. It thoroughly covers techniques and equipment to achieve magnification up to 1X, subjects as small as about 1 inch (25mm) in size.

All photographs have been created specifically for this volume. They are not only beautiful and large and easy to see, but there are hundreds that show HOW the photos were made, the equipment used and any lighting setups. Numerous examples show before/after, right/wrong, and variations.

Topics covered in great depth include:

• Camera types and features.

• Techniques for critical focus.

• An entire chapter on using smartphones.

• Definition and examples of magnification, depth-of-field and diffraction.

• Equipment and techniques for camera stability and for positioning subjects.

• Detailed information on the use of close-up filters, extension tubes and macro lenses.

• Extensive chapter on lighting: available, indoor, outdoor, flash, continuous, light boxes and tents.

• A 34-page chapter specifically on flowers and bugs.

• Post-production suggestions for enhancing what comes out of the camera.