While browsing the Macro category of the stock gallery it became apparent that we have educational opportunities on the topic of Macro Photography. Thankfully, we have a Macro Photography Gallery Director. Her name is ^hellfirediva for those that may not be familiar with her and she has written a series of News Articles, which are listed here. I have added a link to this index on the left side of my journal. Below are excerpts from her articles to cover some of the basics. If you would like more details, I encourage you to read the articles in their entirety.


"The definition of macro is capturing an image of a subject the same size or larger than life size on the recording media, whether that be film or digital sensor size. For example if you photograph an insect that is 2 cm (3/4 inch) long, it's image will be 2 cm (3/4 inch)long on the film or digital sensor. The smaller the recording media the smaller the subject must be. Cropping an image does not make a close-up image a macro image."


"Any small object can be a subject for macro photography. A good macro photo reveals details and textures in the object that can't be observed with normal photography or by casual observation. For photographers just beginning to experiment with macro photography, here are some possible subject ideas:

butterfly wings, clockwork gears, feathers, fern fronds, flower petals, insects, small sea shells, spider webs, Water drops.

While nature provides the most obvious subjects for macro photography, common items around the house or parts of the human body are also
possible subjects."

Keep in mind that human body macros should follow the rules above. Areas of the body larger than the size of an eye should be placed in the Anatomy category of stock.