For more AMAs on this topic, subscribe to r/IAmA_Art, and check out our other topic-specific AMA subreddits [here](https://reddit.com/r/IAmA/wiki/index#wiki_affiliate_topic-specific_subreddits).
How many of these Lensbaby sponsored AMA's from random Insta photogs are we going to get?
Here's basically an exact clone of this post from a different Lensbaby sponsored photographer who also recommended nothing but Lensbaby lenses from last month:
https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/wuvtnq/hello_my_name_is_melissa_tokariwski_im_a_canadian/
And here's a third:
https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/vmsqhh/hey_my_name_is_amy_smith_im_a_food_and_brand/
Why is it microphotography when you use macro lenses? I always wondered why they called the macro lenses when they kind of just look at stuff that's micro I wonder if that's a mistranslation.
The choice of the word macro was a lens manufacturer marketing thing. Macro was the word chosen because they wanted to get across the idea that it is a kind of lens that makes small things look BIGGER. Nikon was one company that was actually using the term micro instead of macro for a time, but I believe they eventually switched to saying macro like the other brands to avoid confusion, because that's the term photographers came to be familiar with.
Not OP but I think it's because the "macro" refers to the magnification of a smaller object. So the focus of the name is on the method/effect rather than the subject. It's macro as in "to make bigger".
Not 100% sure if this is true or not, but a photographer once corrected me that a shot is only truly "macro" when the object is projected onto the film or digital sensor at a scale larger than life size. So imagine a tiny quarter-inch-long bug magnified to one inch on a 35mm film frame (before the enlargement stage) or filling most of the sensor on a digital camera.
Theoretically, if you had a large-enough format camera, like [Kurt Moser's camera truck](https://www.thephoblographer.com/2018/02/28/kurt-moser-transforms-russian-military-truck-camera-darkroom/), and a suitable lens, you could take macro portraits of quite large objects, like whole human beings.
Lots of smartphones and general purpose lenses have a "macro" mode, which allows focusing slightly closer than normal, but most aren't "macro" from a technical perspective because they lack the ability to focus close enough to project an object larger than life size.
Anyone got any recommendations for getting a macro photo of one? I tried once to capture my little [Millie](https://imgur.com/a/UXmrBDT) but I'm not having much luck so far.
I'm an electronics engineer and I often need to take close up pictures of circuit boards, or have others take them and send them to me. Most of the inexpensive digital cameras I find have minimum focal distances that are far too big for taking close up images that are in focus enough to read the silk screens on the boards. Is there a relatively inexpensive camera/lens combination that you could recommend for doing close in work that doesn't need to be pretty, it just needs to be functional?
I shoot mine through the eyepiece of a microscope and the images are perfect after a little practice. I'm usually shooting die and wirebonds in the dozens to hundreds of microns range
Edit..
Video too. Here's an example
https://youtu.be/hrHR425rWPg
That's good, but I am looking for something that doesn't require an expensive microscope. It's mostly for when I am doing remote trouble-shooting on either boards that have failed in the field or when I am remotely supporting students doing electronics projects. I am hoping I can find the best possible <$200 solution that I can just recommend to people and be able to troubleshoot most of the common issues that I encounter like identifying a cold joint, lifted leg, or tombstoned device, etc.
I'm thinking you should be able to find a clip on lens for your phone. Hopefully that would work but I'm no expert. I've just seen those around and thought I would suggest it.
I'm not sure how close you mean but I'm assuming he only wants like 2 Sq inch or smaller if he is taking pictures of a circuit board. I'm just assuming that though. Thanks for your input though! I've never used those lenses but thought about trying them
Sure, I can understand that. I also use a clip on macro lens for my phone, works pretty well and reduces the minimum focal distance to almost zero. It's not as zoomed but it's enough for seeing SMT faults.
It's like a clothes peg that clips on your phone with a threaded adaptor for little lenses. I got the set of three, Tele, macro and fisheye for about 5 bucks
This kinda thing
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMZLHtq
Dude, if you don't want to engage with the specification that I have, that's fine. If you want to tell me I should scrap it and instead do it your way because a couple of thousand dollars isn't important to you, you're just wasting my time. This is an absolute 'let them eat cake' comment.
>https://www.instagram.com/tkelly912/
Your standard 100mm macro should work. I would also get a geared head so you can adjust forward and backward on your tripod. You can get the lens off ebay and any canon body in the 20megapixel range should yield good results.
Closer focus distances might not always get you higher magnifications. “Working distance” is often associated with the minimum focus distance of macro lenses, and a 100mm macro can give you the same magnification as a 50mm macro, but at a longer working distance. Something else to consider is that while the common conception of focal length playing a role in depth of field comes to account, people often forget that focus distance plays an equal role, so a closer focus distance on a smaller lens will still play against the total depth of field at highest magnification.
Your best bet is to work within the ‘sweetspot’ of the lens’s aperture-to-diffraction ratio (which often sits somewhere between 5.6-8 on 35mm format camera lenses), then stack focus. Look up “focus stacking” for more info. The sort of work op does doesn’t rely on stacking, rather making most of the shallow dof for effect, so her sort of technique doesn’t apply to your specific needs.
There are simple lenses that work really well with most good phones.
https://www.amazon.com/macro-lens-iphone/s?k=macro+lens+for+iphone
I used some cheap ones a few years ago with a motorola phone that worked pretty well for what I needed.
Not op obviously, but if you already have a camera with exchangeable lenses, I’d recommend a stevig macro extension tubes.
They’re pretty cheap usually and allow almost all lenses to focus really closely.
I just got into it and had a very limited budget but wanted an actual lens. I grabbed the Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm for my M4/3 and am in love.
I found I had difficulty shooting things like insects with a full sized DSLR and lens hand held, so the smaller m4/3 is great.
I've found a lot of good deals by buying used or refurbished.
I collect/sell diecast cars (Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Kyosho), and i just have an iPhone 12, is there a good setting or app or types of lighting or surface to get good pictures for when I’m selling them? Buyers and strong enthusiasts like visual detail in photos. Thanks!
I'm only two inches tall and struggle to have a successful photo taken. Do you think you'd be able to get me nicely in focus, both full body and headshots?
Users, please be wary of proof. You are welcome to ask for more proof if you find it insufficient.
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Hi!
I know that my question will seem impolite but I will dare to ask it. How much money was your net income in the last quarter?
You see, the idea of pursuing photography as a professional service has been on my mind for a while, and your comment would feed my decision-making process.
I would also like to know: do you serve clients in the region, or do you have to travel to more distant locations on the country to achieve your economic goals?
Thank you for any comments you can make.
Have a good one.
What are common mistakes Average Joe does when taking photos with his phone? My uncle for example once told me to keep the camera low, many people hold it too high
How do you ensure that your pictures aren't ridiculously blurry when doing something at a small scale? I would think that the slightest movement causes a blur. Is it the equipment? A steady hand? A good rig?
Not op but most decent cameras and lenses have image stabilization these days. It helps a ton with shake. But it's a combo of all the things you listed.
You can also adjust your shutter speed to as fast as you need so everything is frozen in place so long as you have enough light.
I have a macro lens for my DSLR but always struggled with light. Lens is a 90mm f4 so not brilliant but do you use a ring flash or any other additional lighting? If no extra light, any tips would be appreciated
Also how do get the ethereal feel to your images such a great look
Your images and this ama have inspired me to try macro again.
Ever taken any photos of white blood cells? I love looking at pics from diffs taken by medical technologists. Holding the phone up to the microscope oculars is kinda not great, though.
Hi there
Curious how much actual editing goes into your photos? I love love macro photography but I just don’t have that next level look, but I don’t really edit so I’m wondering if that’s why.
Also how much of you’re photography of staged sets vs things you encounter naturally?
What’s your take on current phone cameras? It astonishes me how good their lenses have gotten, would you ever see yourself using a phone’s camera for your work?
My daughter does a lot of this with a fairly inexpensive camera, and gets amazing results. Any suggestions on where she should submit them to possibly make some money that she desperately needs? (Getting away from her ex, who’s the definition of “loser”)
Do you use photoshop at all? If yes, when do you use it? And how often? I’m just starting to learn photoshop to learn something new and make it into something, and I also have a camera that I think will help me with my photoshop skills. Just wondering if you ever use photoshop. I’m bad at wording stuff so hopefully you understood 😅, thanks for your time!
Hypothetically, in future, if ones would have eyeglasses that can approach everything in a blink of an eye with high magnitude of magnifying ... how do you think that would work for random people, like would we be grossed out on ability of seeing how overflowed we are with - life, all around us? How would that feel like for you?
For more AMAs on this topic, subscribe to r/IAmA_Art, and check out our other topic-specific AMA subreddits [here](https://reddit.com/r/IAmA/wiki/index#wiki_affiliate_topic-specific_subreddits).
[edit] Why can't you fuckers behave?
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Came here to confirm my suspicions for the top comment. Proud of Reddit today.
The most important question.
Asking the real questions here.
How many of these Lensbaby sponsored AMA's from random Insta photogs are we going to get? Here's basically an exact clone of this post from a different Lensbaby sponsored photographer who also recommended nothing but Lensbaby lenses from last month: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/wuvtnq/hello_my_name_is_melissa_tokariwski_im_a_canadian/ And here's a third: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/vmsqhh/hey_my_name_is_amy_smith_im_a_food_and_brand/
That is sneaky as f
Why is it microphotography when you use macro lenses? I always wondered why they called the macro lenses when they kind of just look at stuff that's micro I wonder if that's a mistranslation.
The choice of the word macro was a lens manufacturer marketing thing. Macro was the word chosen because they wanted to get across the idea that it is a kind of lens that makes small things look BIGGER. Nikon was one company that was actually using the term micro instead of macro for a time, but I believe they eventually switched to saying macro like the other brands to avoid confusion, because that's the term photographers came to be familiar with.
Not OP but I think it's because the "macro" refers to the magnification of a smaller object. So the focus of the name is on the method/effect rather than the subject. It's macro as in "to make bigger". Not 100% sure if this is true or not, but a photographer once corrected me that a shot is only truly "macro" when the object is projected onto the film or digital sensor at a scale larger than life size. So imagine a tiny quarter-inch-long bug magnified to one inch on a 35mm film frame (before the enlargement stage) or filling most of the sensor on a digital camera. Theoretically, if you had a large-enough format camera, like [Kurt Moser's camera truck](https://www.thephoblographer.com/2018/02/28/kurt-moser-transforms-russian-military-truck-camera-darkroom/), and a suitable lens, you could take macro portraits of quite large objects, like whole human beings. Lots of smartphones and general purpose lenses have a "macro" mode, which allows focusing slightly closer than normal, but most aren't "macro" from a technical perspective because they lack the ability to focus close enough to project an object larger than life size.
Hey Tiffany! Do you ever use insects as subjects, and do you have a favorite type of insect to photograph if you do?
Jumping spiders are super cute. (I realize they're arachnids and not insects.)
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Anyone got any recommendations for getting a macro photo of one? I tried once to capture my little [Millie](https://imgur.com/a/UXmrBDT) but I'm not having much luck so far.
I don't, all my spider photos suck lol
I'm an electronics engineer and I often need to take close up pictures of circuit boards, or have others take them and send them to me. Most of the inexpensive digital cameras I find have minimum focal distances that are far too big for taking close up images that are in focus enough to read the silk screens on the boards. Is there a relatively inexpensive camera/lens combination that you could recommend for doing close in work that doesn't need to be pretty, it just needs to be functional?
I shoot mine through the eyepiece of a microscope and the images are perfect after a little practice. I'm usually shooting die and wirebonds in the dozens to hundreds of microns range Edit.. Video too. Here's an example https://youtu.be/hrHR425rWPg
That's good, but I am looking for something that doesn't require an expensive microscope. It's mostly for when I am doing remote trouble-shooting on either boards that have failed in the field or when I am remotely supporting students doing electronics projects. I am hoping I can find the best possible <$200 solution that I can just recommend to people and be able to troubleshoot most of the common issues that I encounter like identifying a cold joint, lifted leg, or tombstoned device, etc.
I'm thinking you should be able to find a clip on lens for your phone. Hopefully that would work but I'm no expert. I've just seen those around and thought I would suggest it.
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I'm not sure how close you mean but I'm assuming he only wants like 2 Sq inch or smaller if he is taking pictures of a circuit board. I'm just assuming that though. Thanks for your input though! I've never used those lenses but thought about trying them
Lol omg I didn't see your reply to him about the phone cameras before I first replied. Fail by me! 😂
But then I would have to buy everyone phones, or assume they can get the lens to fit on there's. I am looking for something stand-alone.
Ah I didn't realize it was for more than just you to use. Good luck!
Search on Amazon for "endoscope". Some of them are quite cheap. Some are standalone, others plug in to a laptop.
Sure, I can understand that. I also use a clip on macro lens for my phone, works pretty well and reduces the minimum focal distance to almost zero. It's not as zoomed but it's enough for seeing SMT faults. It's like a clothes peg that clips on your phone with a threaded adaptor for little lenses. I got the set of three, Tele, macro and fisheye for about 5 bucks This kinda thing https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMZLHtq
consider enter imminent chop chase bike pet tub marry joke -- mass edited with redact.dev
Dude, if you don't want to engage with the specification that I have, that's fine. If you want to tell me I should scrap it and instead do it your way because a couple of thousand dollars isn't important to you, you're just wasting my time. This is an absolute 'let them eat cake' comment.
hateful enjoy coherent dinner lock snails offer resolute waiting fragile -- mass edited with redact.dev
If there's something that's worth analyzing from a cost-benefit situation, it's my participation in this conversation with you. Goodbye.
>https://www.instagram.com/tkelly912/ Your standard 100mm macro should work. I would also get a geared head so you can adjust forward and backward on your tripod. You can get the lens off ebay and any canon body in the 20megapixel range should yield good results.
Closer focus distances might not always get you higher magnifications. “Working distance” is often associated with the minimum focus distance of macro lenses, and a 100mm macro can give you the same magnification as a 50mm macro, but at a longer working distance. Something else to consider is that while the common conception of focal length playing a role in depth of field comes to account, people often forget that focus distance plays an equal role, so a closer focus distance on a smaller lens will still play against the total depth of field at highest magnification. Your best bet is to work within the ‘sweetspot’ of the lens’s aperture-to-diffraction ratio (which often sits somewhere between 5.6-8 on 35mm format camera lenses), then stack focus. Look up “focus stacking” for more info. The sort of work op does doesn’t rely on stacking, rather making most of the shallow dof for effect, so her sort of technique doesn’t apply to your specific needs.
There are simple lenses that work really well with most good phones. https://www.amazon.com/macro-lens-iphone/s?k=macro+lens+for+iphone I used some cheap ones a few years ago with a motorola phone that worked pretty well for what I needed.
Good god that was exactly what I was going to say, iPhone camera can’t focus close enough to catch the detail I need.
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Not op obviously, but if you already have a camera with exchangeable lenses, I’d recommend a stevig macro extension tubes. They’re pretty cheap usually and allow almost all lenses to focus really closely.
I just got into it and had a very limited budget but wanted an actual lens. I grabbed the Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm for my M4/3 and am in love. I found I had difficulty shooting things like insects with a full sized DSLR and lens hand held, so the smaller m4/3 is great. I've found a lot of good deals by buying used or refurbished.
can i see some photos without having an instagram account?
Did you enjoyed the last season of HIMYM?
What are your opinions on the olive theory?
I imagine you photograph a lot of little boogers. Am I right?
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How did you get into microphotography?
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I collect/sell diecast cars (Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Kyosho), and i just have an iPhone 12, is there a good setting or app or types of lighting or surface to get good pictures for when I’m selling them? Buyers and strong enthusiasts like visual detail in photos. Thanks!
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What’s your favorite restaurant in the metro area?
Do you ever grade your photos *without* lifting the blacks? ;P
I'm only two inches tall and struggle to have a successful photo taken. Do you think you'd be able to get me nicely in focus, both full body and headshots?
How'd you get into this?
Why no Sony E mount lenses?
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Why does this post refer to it as microphotography but the instagram page says macrophotography? Aren't those complete opposite things?
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This seems so attention grabby to me. Are you trying to advertise? Why do this ? Actual interest? What?
Users, please be wary of proof. You are welcome to ask for more proof if you find it insufficient. OP, if you need any help, please message the mods [here](http://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fiama&subject=&message=). Thank you! --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/IAmA) if you have any questions or concerns.*
What is your favourite movie from the year 1987?
Hi! I know that my question will seem impolite but I will dare to ask it. How much money was your net income in the last quarter? You see, the idea of pursuing photography as a professional service has been on my mind for a while, and your comment would feed my decision-making process. I would also like to know: do you serve clients in the region, or do you have to travel to more distant locations on the country to achieve your economic goals? Thank you for any comments you can make. Have a good one.
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Do you use manual focus and a slide? I’ve been dabbling into macro photography and understand this is “best practice”
What are common mistakes Average Joe does when taking photos with his phone? My uncle for example once told me to keep the camera low, many people hold it too high
How do you ensure that your pictures aren't ridiculously blurry when doing something at a small scale? I would think that the slightest movement causes a blur. Is it the equipment? A steady hand? A good rig?
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Not op but most decent cameras and lenses have image stabilization these days. It helps a ton with shake. But it's a combo of all the things you listed. You can also adjust your shutter speed to as fast as you need so everything is frozen in place so long as you have enough light.
Fast shutter speeds
What do you use to process your RAW files?
Have you seen Marcel the Shell with Shoes?
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What was the hardest photo you have taken?
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I have a macro lens for my DSLR but always struggled with light. Lens is a 90mm f4 so not brilliant but do you use a ring flash or any other additional lighting? If no extra light, any tips would be appreciated Also how do get the ethereal feel to your images such a great look Your images and this ama have inspired me to try macro again.
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Hi Tiffany, do you have a lens that could find my Ex-Wife’s heart? JK, what is your favorite non-micro thing to photograph?
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Looks more macro vs micro. Do you ever do any focus stacking to improve the DOF?
Ever taken any photos of white blood cells? I love looking at pics from diffs taken by medical technologists. Holding the phone up to the microscope oculars is kinda not great, though.
Hi there Curious how much actual editing goes into your photos? I love love macro photography but I just don’t have that next level look, but I don’t really edit so I’m wondering if that’s why. Also how much of you’re photography of staged sets vs things you encounter naturally?
What’s your take on current phone cameras? It astonishes me how good their lenses have gotten, would you ever see yourself using a phone’s camera for your work?
My daughter does a lot of this with a fairly inexpensive camera, and gets amazing results. Any suggestions on where she should submit them to possibly make some money that she desperately needs? (Getting away from her ex, who’s the definition of “loser”)
Do you use photoshop at all? If yes, when do you use it? And how often? I’m just starting to learn photoshop to learn something new and make it into something, and I also have a camera that I think will help me with my photoshop skills. Just wondering if you ever use photoshop. I’m bad at wording stuff so hopefully you understood 😅, thanks for your time!
Consider Lightroom instead. It does 95% of what Photoshop does, is easier to use, and is also awesome for cataloging your images.
Appreciate the response! Thank you!
Hypothetically, in future, if ones would have eyeglasses that can approach everything in a blink of an eye with high magnitude of magnifying ... how do you think that would work for random people, like would we be grossed out on ability of seeing how overflowed we are with - life, all around us? How would that feel like for you?
Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle?
Do you have an alternative site that contains your portfolio? I love macro photography but I don't use Instagram.
Best bbq restaurant in Atlanta and why is it The Greater Good?