Macro Subjects

[KirkS518]

Looking through the many threads, it seems like the only subjects worthy of macro are insects, flowers, and occasionally water or money.

What else do you use your macro for? I'm not much into bugs, flowers are ok (my wife owns a flowershop, so I'm not excited by flowers much), and money and waterdrops don't typically do it for me as well.

I have a Sigma 50mm Macro that I used to take some shots of flowers with, and they came out great, but what else can I do with this lens? It's an FD mount, and I use it on my AE-1.

[archer1960]

I've commonly seen people take pictures of things like coin and stamp collections, both to show off, and for insurance purposes. Most macro lenses are outstanding portrait lenses as well, due to their sharpness, though the 50 might be a bit wide for that application.

However, if you're not really interested in taking pictures of little things of any type, then maybe sell the macro lens and replace it with a lens that you would use more?

[KirkS518]

Originally Posted by archer1960

I've commonly seen people take pictures of things like coin and stamp collections, both to show off, and for insurance purposes. Most macro lenses are outstanding portrait lenses as well, due to their sharpness, though the 50 might be a bit wide for that application.

However, if you're not really interested in taking pictures of little things of any type, then maybe sell the macro lens and replace it with a lens that you would use more?

Yeah, I also have a Sigma APO 180mm Macro, and I really find macro to not be a 'creative' format.

I was hoping someone had some creative uses for macro lenses, but I guess either they don't want to give away their niche, or there isn't one.

[Mony]

Well if you ask me there are no limits in macro photography, the same problem as me I don't like taking pictures of bugs, people take them for their beauty ( which I don't seem to notice it), but try thinking in a different way, not what to capture, but what do you want from the piece of art.
If you want to capture a hopeless man praying, an idea will strike you almost instantly: two hands in a low exposure with lots of wrinkles will express what you need.
Sometimes for fun, portraits are a very good in these situations because every curve in the face will express something. Try experimenting in macro if it does not suit you or appeal you. Try switching into something very Differnt like landscapes.

[archer1960]

If you start digging deeply into the threads in the Macro forum, you'll find some wonderfully creative shots of things that have nothing to do with bugs or flowers (and a few that do as well), but they are certainly in the minority. I like shooting bugs for the challenge more than the artistic/creative side of things. I have pretty much not a single creative/artistic bone in my body when it comes to thinking of new things to shoot, so I'm stuck with ideas that I steal from other people ;D, along with the obvious bugs and flowers.

[alquimista]

You can always trade that Sigma APO 180mm Macro for my 70-200l I got, I'm also in Florida

[tonylong]

Originally Posted by KirkS518

Yeah, I also have a Sigma APO 180mm Macro, and I really find macro to not be a 'creative' format.

I was hoping someone had some creative uses for macro lenses, but I guess either they don't want to give away their niche, or there isn't one.

Have you actually spent time checking out the photos in the "Macro" Photo Sharing section?:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...splay.php?f=38

[KirkS518]

Originally Posted by tonylong

Have you actually spent time checking out the photos in the "Macro" Photo Sharing section?:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...splay.php?f=38

Yes, see my first post. Pics other than bugs and flowers are there I'm sure, but they are so few and far between that I haven't found many. In the first 7 pages of threads (currently) there are 2 threads that aren't bugs or flowers - one is of water droplets (cool) and one is of crayon/rope. That's a very small percentage.

[robbug]

Well, people that are interested in macro-photography normally are interested in the items you mention and they blend well together. I have seen other photographers that utilize the macro arena for things not of bugs and water. It takes a bit more thought when you exclude those items. While reading this thread I figured I would wrack my brain a bit and see what else there is to see in the world of small and this is what I came up with:



So with a bit of thought, some play with reflections or refractions, I am sure you can find a mundane object and make it a work of art. I know someone (can't for the life of me remember who or where) took photos of broken watch gears polished them up and took abstracts. They were absolutely stunning.

[Japers]

I primarily shoot bugs.. but there are rare occasions where I find a little creativity and shoot things around the house that make for interesting compositions.

[BasAndrews]

See the super macro guessing game for ideas.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...22690&page=656

Great fun too.

[Japers]

Originally Posted by BasAndrews

See the super macro guessing game for ideas.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...22690&page=656
Great fun too.

This is a really good idea. Great stuff in that thread. Also, smaller foods. I see quite a bit of smaller food macros.

[KirkS518]

I saw that thread, and it reminded me of something that sparked my desire for a 'real' macro lens - 'Games' Magazine (out of print now I think) used to have a page of macro shots, and you'd guess what it was. I loved it.

Now that I have a macro lens, I don't use it much. I need to take a creativity pill. I'll get there.....

[chauncey]

I buy a lot of my subjects at Michaels crafts http://www.michaels.com/