About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Saturday, April 07, 2012

M is for MACROS

Since learning so much more about photography, I have found that my favourite form is that of "macros." In short, macros are extremely close-up and detailed shots of usually small subjects, like flowers and insects to the point where the photo is larger than the real-life size of the subject. In other words, you are able to see tiny details of the subject. With plants, you can see the veins of leaves or the inside of a flower and with insects, you can see their antennae, the fuzz of their bodies, or the variations of colours in a butterfly's wings. To read more about photographing insects, check out this site. It's full of information about how to take macros of insects - the whys, the equipment, patience, timing, etc. To read more about how to take macros of flowers, check out this site.

For those who use DSLR cameras, there are special lenses that you attach to your camera. With my type of digital camera, there are special settings that I use for macro shots. For very close-up I use the macro setting and for extra close-up shots, I have a "super macro" setting. In my little slideshow below, I think you'll be able to tell which shots are regular macro and which are super macro. Check out your camera's abilities and if you haven't experimented with macros yet, give it a try. It's one of my favourite types of photography and I will continue to practise until I've mastered the form.

Before viewing the slideshow of my macro shots, remember to give massive thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt, our hostess at ABC Wednesday. She and her mighty mountain of assistants mobilize each week to maintain this fun site. We massage your egos, move mountains to manufacture magical comments, and mesmerize you with our ministrations.

And now...on with the show! Don't forget to turn on your speakers to hear the music. To pause the slideshow, simply click the double vertical line at the bottom left of the screen.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow
Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox

36 comments:

Reader Wil said...

You have done a great job, Leslie! Especially the pink flowers are very photogenic!
Thanks for your comment. I was in Israel from the seventh of March till the twenty second, and I had a great time in Jerusalem and in the north of Israel together with Dina.

Powell River Books said...

I always wanted to learn how to do macros. I wish I had time to take a class to get more out of my camera. - Margy

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Happy Easter Monday, Leslie. xx

mrsnesbitt said...

Magical, marvellous and moving! As ever Leslie, a MOUNTAIN of talent and information!
Denise
ABC Team

Meryl said...

How mesmerizingly, magically, marvelous!!!! Truly breathtaking. Not sure I have a favorite but the fireburst Dahlia, the hydrangia petal fairy wings are stuck in my mind. I love these posts. Thank you for sharing!

Carver said...

Wonderful slideshow of your beautiful macro shots. Carver, ABC Wednesday Team

photowannabe said...

Absolutely A+++
I love taking Macros too.
I think its amazing to see the intricate detail done by our Master Creator.
Your Macro Pansy is a work of art. Print that one enlarged.

Luna Miranda said...

i love macros, too, but i haven't mastered it yet. it's still a hit or miss for me, and i'm learning everyday. marvelous photos.

Roger Owen Green said...

you're such a pro, and i'm such a piker
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

EG CameraGirl said...

I enjoyed your slide show, Leslie! Nice macros.

VioletSky said...

I do enjoy macros of flowers - there is so much detail that can be missed by the naked eye.
Macros of bugs and insects, I can do without!

Dhemz said...

very nice slideshow! great job on utilizing letter M Ms.Leslie!

Joy said...

Mesmerising macros. It is a fascinating, and engrossing, form of photography,

Anonymous said...

i like coming in close on things too. there's a whole different world out them when you focus in on things.

jill said...

Magical xx

Barbara said...

Lovely macro photos, I do like taking macro photos but it does take some practice.

Kate said...

It was a pleasure viewing this video, and you have inspired me to try maces more seriously than I have been.

Anne said...

WOW, those photos are aMazing!!!

Hildred said...

I love Smilebox, - it is so easy to use. But more than that I love your beautiful macros, Leslie. I learn something from you every week!

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

The macro setting is one of my favorites without a doubt. I love macro shots. The silver petals on that one flower is magnificent! Did you know that Flickr has a macro group that you can join and post there?

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I like a camera like yours, to take the macros like your lady bug.

Annie said...

Thanks for this great info. I love love the ladybug!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Love, love, love the Macro slideshow. I don't have high reso lens so I get frustrated with taking close ups sometimes.

Little MISSES
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Carol said...

Beautiful macros, Leslie, I enjoyed the slide show!

Penelope Notes said...

Hi Leslie, Love the adorable lady bug and the technique you describe so well that enables us to focus on the gems in front of our cameras. :)

MaR said...

Love macros too! beautiful shots and lovely slide presentation.

Hazel said...

Details in photos are fun to observe. It's why I love macros. Your video presentation is marvelous. Love that ladybug! I used to chase them when I was a little girl.

Ann said...

I'm blown away at the clarity of each flower. The Daisy from the side is beautiful. Your yard must be a sight for sore eyes.
Very creative and talented.
Ann

Gattina said...

With macro photos you see a world where even ugly insects can be beautiful !

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Thank you for the info about macros - I have been wanting to know how to do it.

Thank you also for your comment at my ABC post. I do hope you enjoy Blenheim Palace if you visit. It is beautiful, there are acres of parkland, a wonderful lake and the palace itself is very interesting. Hope you have good weather, it was very cold when we were there. The maze was very enjoyable and fairly easy!

Shrinky said...

Wow, wow, wow - spectacular, Leslie, this is one mode I truly struggle with - you, on the other hand, obviously have no problem at all there. I'm very impressed!

Gordon said...

I am very impressed with your post; great photos and lots of valuable information.

Also thanks for dropping by to my site.

Lisa said...

What other world could M-day be except Macro! I covet macro lenses (because I don't have one)! Sigh. Maybe someday. Great post.

Liz Hinds said...

I can never get my macro to focus as it should. I must take some lessons from you.

You must come and see us in Swansea in August! We can put you up.

Mildred said...

Great post for M day!
Thanks for sharing the information and video;o)

***
Hope you are having a fabulous week****

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