MACRO SETTING OR LENS
While you can use a digital camera at the standard settings you can often see much more detail by using the macro setting on the camera. A macro setting changes the focus of the camera so it can focus on very close objects. The macro setting is for photographing objects within a few inches or feet away. One of my digital cameras has a macro setting that works within one centimeter, to get very close shots (light can be an issue when you get that close). You can use the macro setting to improve your ability to see small details, similar to using a magnifying glass. You might want to use a small tripod to hold the camera steady. I also find that an active display screen is the easiest to use, since you don't have to estimate which portion of the viewfinder is focusing for the macro setting. Don't forget to change away from the macro setting when you are finished (if the camera doesn't do it automatically). People who wear bifocals especially should be careful to remember to change the camera setting back to normal when finished with macro, as it may appear out of focus when looking at the LCD screen with the glasses. If the camera is set at macro and you are trying to take a normal picture then the focus will be set wrong and the image will be out of focus. I know of one teacher who took a few pictures up close on the macro setting, and then forgot to change back to the normal setting, and she used up the rest of her camera memory space with the pictures all out of focus.
With the macro setting you can often get so close that you create a highly magnified image without any accessory lenses. Use the macro and get a glimpse of worlds that you may not have noticed.
| The two images to the right are of the micro printing on a twenty dollar bill, taken with a Casio 2800. The surface of the lens was less than two centimeters away from the bill. An additional light source was used because the camera was blocking the ambient light. |
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| Here the macro setting on the camera was used to capture an image of the Lincoln memorial on the back of a penny. Notice that when enlarged you can see Lincoln inside the memorial. |
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| The macro setting was used to view the detail of the stamens and pistils of this small blossom. |
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| The tiny ant in this bright tropical flower was invisible until it was photographed using macro. |
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| Many features of this small spider can now be observed thanks to macro. |
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| The macro setting is perfect for zooming in progressively to reveal more and more detail in this mosquito. |
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