I always enjoyed looking at macro photos. I found the detail to be quite mesmerizing. Seeing something that close gives a different view of the world. A new perspective, if you will. So my journey to macros, as I like to call them, started with a normal 35mm SLR. Never really had a proper “Macro” lens, so it was a hit and miss, mostly the latter. I gave that up quickly because I found that I was wasting film like crazy. Next came several digital point & shoots. They were better at this task, since they have a separate macro setting.

These were better, because I did not waste any film, but the picture quality wasn’t the best, and I could never really get close enough. Finally getting a proper macro lens for my Canon Digital Rebel XTI, was a dream come true.
So I’ve been practicing my “macro” technique, off and on for a few months now. I found that taking macros is not an easy task. It can be frustrating, to the point of ripping your hair out, specially when hunting bugs in the backyard. Forget autofocus. Maybe because the macro lens I have is an older non-USM version, and the motor in the lens is slow and loud, but it never worked the way I wanted it to. So everything is manual focus, and mostly tripod based. I was able to do some with out a tripod, but they were in full sunlight.
These latest shots were done in very controlled environment. Basically kitchen table, tripod, and a couple of mini candles. I would set the stage with full lights on, and manually focus on the subject. Then I turned off the lights, set my aperture and time, and took the photo. I posted the ones I like the most. Maybe you’ll like them or not…..