Up close and personal

"Macro Photography" is the term used if you wanna take close-up pictures of small things. The Macro Setting, is a standard function for most digital cameras including your point-and-shoot camera, though Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras are commonly used to do these types of photos, because it allows you to attach special-purpose macro lenses.

Now a days, some point-and-shoot digital cameras have remarkable macro capabilities and even allow you to attach of the lenses and lens filters used by SLRs (using camera specific conversion lens adapters).

Moss Rose

Makahiya aka "Touch-me-not"

Mardon Skipper Butterfly

Camera Basics

Shooting Close-ups (Macro)

To be able to take photos of small subjects up close or wanting to empahsize small details, just activate the (Macro) Function in your camera.

Shutter Speed

A faster shutter speed allows you to catch and instantaneous image of a moving object, while slower speeds create at flowing effect and allow you to shoot without a flash in dark areas. A value of 1/160 indicates 1/160 second, while 0"3 indicates 0.3 seconds and 2" indicates 2 seconds.

Note: The maximun and minimum Shutter Speed would depend on the Model and Brand of the camera being used.

Aperture Size

The aperture adjust the amount of light entering throught the lens. Selecting a lower aperture value (opening the aperture) allows you to blur the background and create a beautiful portriat. A higher aperture value (closing it) brings the entire range from foreground to background in focus. The larger the aperture value, the greater the range of image brought into clear focus.

Note: The maximun and minimum Aperture Value would depend on the Model and Brand of the camera being used.

ISO Speed

Raise the ISO speed when you wish to reduce the effects of camera shake, turn the flash off when shooting in dark areas, or use a faster shutter speed.

Note: Higher ISO speeds increase image noise. To take clean images, use as low an ISO speed as possible.

My Camera

" Size does not matters, but it's how you use it... "

The same can be applied in taking good photos, and I know some would say otherwise. But for beginners and amatuer photographers, I suggest getting a good point-and-shoot camera.

I'm currently using a Canon Powershot A620 as my primary camera, and for my quick shots i'm using the camera on my mobile phone (Nokia 6120c) . I was also able to take decent photos using my Nokia 3230.

In choosing the ideal point-and-shoot camera, look for camera which allows you to do Manual Settings/Functions (this will allow you to adjust the Shutter Speed and Aperture Size).

Welcome to my Blog..

I've created this blog for all those guys and gals out there who are into photography... beginners and amateurs alike. I hope that in sharing some of my knowledge and experience in taking photos, I'd be able to encourage more people to give it a try. =)

This shot was take from the terrace of my home a few minutes after the sun went down.