What is the difference between close-up, macro, extreme macro & micro photography?
Do you know the difference between macro, close-up, extreme macro, and micro photography? Are they all same?
I captured a photograph of a coin (using my mobile phone) and cropped it as shown in the below photograph. Can I express the final output as a macro photograph?
What are the suitable lenses or equipment for each of the mentioned photography types?
What is the “macro option” mentioned in some point-and-shoot cameras?
You can solve above questions by reading this blog article. Before proceed, you must learn about the reproduction ratio and magnification in the photography. You can refer my previous article: “01-What is the reproduction ratio/ magnification — Damith Danthanarayana” to have a basic idea bout that topic.
Macro photography
True macro photography is anything that has a reproduction ratio of at least 1:1 (or 1X magnification). It means that any subject you shoot will look same as its life size on the sensor (or film).
size of the image on the sensor (or film) = actual life size
When comparing these sizes, the size of the image on the sensor (or on the film) should always be used. It should not be confused with a photograph appears on a computer screen or the size of a photo resized by editing (e.g. the photo of the coin I mentioned above).
If you have a normal macro lens with 1:1 reproduction ratio (Sony 90mm f/2.8 G, Nikon 105mm f/2.8 G, Canon 100mm f/2.8, Tokina 100mm f/2.8..etc), you can capture a 1:1 macro photograph at the minimum focus distance of that lens (distance between the subject and the camera sensor). Camera sensor plane is marked on most of the camera bodies. And there some alternative methods also. Those methods will be explained as separate blog articles.
Some macro photographs are shown below.
Close up photography
Any photo that shows the subject closer and in more detail than we are used to. But below 1:1 magnification ratio.
Most point and shoot cameras have a “Macro” option, that lets you to focus in on something small or photograph a small area with great detail. This can even be seen on some mobile phones. But the output of the most of them are below the 1:1 magnification ratio. So they are considered under the close-up photography (not under the macro photography).
Some close up photographs are shown below.
Extreme macro and micro photography
There is no standard range or definition for extreme macro and micro photography.
Macro photography : 1:1 magnification ratio: (Ex: Using normal macro lenses or other alternative methods)
Extreme macro : Between 1:1 and 10:1 magnification ratios (sometimes this is explained as between 1:1 and 5:1) : (Ex: Using extreme macro/ microscope lenses or other alternative methods…etc.)
Microphotography : 10:1 and above magnification ratios : (Ex: Using microscope equipment)
Few examples for the extreme macro and micro photographs are shown below.
More sample photographs: Extreme Macro-Damith Danthanarayana Photography — Damith Danthanarayana
An article about the process (behind the scenes) of an extreme macro photograph: “02-Extreme macro photography-behind the scenes (01)”
Equipment for close up, macro, extreme macro and micro photography?
There are lot of lenses, accessories and equipment those can be used for close up, macro, extreme macro and micro photography. Those items will be explained as separate blog articles.
