We have a guest host for today’s Lens-Artist challenge – Anne Sandler – and she just taught me the difference between macro, micro, and close up photography. Since I only have one lens, my choices for today’s challenge are all simple close-up shots.
I do have to date myself and say that I remember learning to sing the Disney song in elementary school chorus. Later, when I lived in California, I visited Disneyland and took the Small World ride. Favorite verse: “There is just one moon and one golden sun, and a smile means friendship to everyone. Though the oceans are wide and the mountains divide, it’s a small world after all.” That is totally from memory. Didn’t even Google the lyrics. 
I have to admit that it took me years to realize I had an automatic close-up setting on my Canon Rebel T3i. What a wonder…so much easier!
Still, I’d like to treat myself to a macro lens and learn more about that 1:1 ratio. 
I cropped the image above to get the extreme close-up I wanted…those tender little “hairs”. 
I really enjoy how photography has helped me to see things in detail with my own eyeballs. I am always fascinated by what my eyes can do almost instantaneously. My photos are never as breath-taking as what I see with my very own lenses. 
I love really getting in there with my nose up to the subject. 
Especially when it’s truffle cheese!
There are worlds in a droplet…
…and communities atop a flower. How fun to study them and learn appreciation and affection for them!
scillagrace 
Love your photos! But what I’d also love is your instruction: I have a Canon but I don’t know if I have an automatic close-up lens. Can you show/tell me where it is?
And thanks for all these great shots — my favorites are those unfurling tendrils. You really did get the details on those!!!
Thanks! On the settings dial with your M, AV, TV and other automatic selection icons, you should see one that looks like a flower or tulip with two leaves on either side. That’s the close-up setting. There should be another that looks like a mountain with a cloud beside it. That’s the landscape setting. I use that one quite a bit, too.
Yay!!! Thanks for telling me! I’m headed to look for these now.
Thank you Priscilla for the pingback! Your close up photography is amazing! I liked how you cropped in to get those hairs on the leaf. The little frog was so cute. Keep getting in close!
Thanks for being our host, Anne! Great job!
Beautiful!
Thank you so much!
Such fantastic images.
Thank you!
Great examples, well done!
Thanks, Ana!
What a wonderful group of “close-up” photos – with text that made them even better.
Thanks so much, Pat!
Some wonderful examples Priscilla – I loved your little frog especially! Macro lenses are really expensive so I tend to hang in there with close-ups and crops. I fear I’m not as committed to macro as I should be i order to justify the expense! In the meanwhile, I do love a good close-up!
Thanks, Tina! It’s good to find ways to look closely without too much expensive technology. Stretching our powers is a good exercise!
Priscilla,
These are wonderful words and images! I understand the notion that what we photograph is not wheat our eyes actually show us. This afternoon I went through most of the photos from 2020 and discovered some were actually more engaging than what I remember seeing! What fun!
One other thought: I am considering macro lenses and am wondering what you are using.
May you be well and safe.
Thank you, Michael, for your kind comment and your visit today. I’m sorry that I can’t advise you on the use of macro lenses because I don’t have one. I just use the close-up settings on my Canon Rebel T3i 35mm camera. I’m sure you will be able to find good information from another source. Peace to you and joy in the wonders around you!
Thank you. That helps. I have not tried those settings on my Canon and now will.
Lovely, Priscilla – as usual I find your photos and thoughts interesting. I finaklly bought a macrio lens two years ago, and Tamron offers reasonable prices compared to others.
Thanks, Leya – and thanks for the tip! Maybe for my next birthday…