Macro Camerawork by Robert Devere
 
 
 
 
 
Challenge Your Creativity
Welcome to the World of Macrophotography!




Macro versus Micro
Some photographers prefer macrophotography (one word); others insist that proper usage demands macro photography (two words). The same argument is applied to the terms microphotography versus micro photography. Actually, the debate between the various forms of usage (one word versus two words) is silly! I prefer to use macrophotography.

Unfortunately, photographers sometimes use both of the terms macrophotography and microphotography interchangeably. The definitions of each term should clarify the difference between them. Refer to the right sidebar panel of this web page labeled Definitions.

Macrophotography is about shape, form, and texture; but, even more than that, it's about meticulous exposure control and critical focusing to capture the miniscule details of tiny lifeforms or other tiny subjects like the pistils and stamens of plants. It's all about reducing a subject down to its basic characteristics and structure. It focuses attention to the thing itself that's being photographed. In the photo of the leaf butterfly above, the viewer is immediately consumed by its magnificently detailed eyes, legs, and antennae as well as the exquisite structure and the hairlike textures of its wings. This is what macrophotography is all about.

Surprise! Surprise!
Macrophotography work always surprises its viewers! It has the potential to reveal and transform an extraordinary world normally hidden from the human eye. What I love most about macrophotography are those surprisingly unexpected elements that always pop out. Those surprises are in the fine details that either can't be seen or aren't noticed with the naked eye at the moment of capturing the image, but which emerge clearly when the macro photo is enlarged. Macrophotography is demanding, requires meticulous exposure and focusing control, rewarding, fascinating, intriguing, challenging, sometimes frustrating, but never mundane, boring, or predictable. That's why I love shooting macro images!

An Invitation
I invite you to view my MACRO Camerawork website to learn more about my photography background, my passion for working in the macrophotography genre, and how you can learn to shoot beautiful images through my comprehensive Macrophotography Workshop. If you share my enthusiasm for shooting macro images and would like to earn a certification diploma that identifies you as a qualified and competent macro photographer, feel free to send me a line or two via email and introduce yourself.

 
 
Definitions
Macrophotography
Photography that produces images in a 1:1 ratio when viewed on a camera’s image sensor. See the photo of the leaf butterfly on this web page.

Microphotography
1. Photography that produces images smaller than a 1:1 ratio when viewed on a camera’s image sensor.
2. Photography used in combination with a microscope to photograph subjects that are barely visible to the unaided eye.
 
Test Your Macro IQ
Think you know about macrophotography? Take this fun Macro IQ Quiz. You may be surprised by what you don’t know.
Click Here to test your knowledge.
 
PC and Macro Work
I have heard some pretty silly arguments about shooting images of small living subjects like insects, spiders, bees, butterflies, dragonflies—even earth worms. These are, in my humble opinion, ethical arguments (political correctness or PC) taken to extremes. I invite you to read my opinion piece about PC and macro work. Click on the Political Correctness and Macrophotography link located in the upper left corner of this web page to read the article.