My photo blog… visual thoughts around me.

” Up Close and Personal “

" Got Ya"

” Got Ya”

Many times I have been privileged to shoot awe-inspiring locations, but what I found more fantastic, was to uncover the world within. Discovering with my lens another world that is actually right in front of my nose, can be an eye-opening experience. Whether a subject is found in nature or from objects that have been discarded, I find that these tiny things evoke a surreal almost other worldly composition.

I am usually drawn to the big picture, a grand landscape or fast-moving action shot. For me macro, or close up photography, is none of these. It calms my mind and slows the body when I immerse myself in this world. Light still plays an important part of seeing and creating a dynamic photo. But what really sets it apart, are the details. I get lost in them, almost to the point of distraction. As with other types of photography, you have to take the chaos out of what you see and produce a shot that the viewer can immediately engage with.

Two photographers that have influenced my work are Mike Moats and Les Saucier. Their take on the tiny world may make a believer out of you too.

When doing macro work I close out a lot of what is around me. This helps me bring the ordinary, and at times the overlooked, up close and makes it more  personal.

48 responses

  1. Amazing macro images. They look like they are just in front of me. Beautiful!

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    August 19, 2013 at 3:02 am

  2. Fantastic, as always! I’d love to see more macro work from you. It’s always fun seeing the different ways photographers stretch themselves

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    August 4, 2013 at 10:01 pm

  3. Wow Mike, you have such a talent for capturing the beauty! I agree, macro does focus your attention on the smaller details. You can almost lose yourself in trying to photograph these fine details. Inspiring images!

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    August 2, 2013 at 2:03 pm

  4. Stunning pictures’ what type of camera do u use? I would love to take photos like this xx

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    July 30, 2013 at 4:48 am

    • Thanks Faye… I use a Canon 5Dmk2 w/180 macro.

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      July 31, 2013 at 7:37 am

      • SLR camera? X and I thought it was a Canon they are really good cameras. Zxx

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        July 31, 2013 at 7:38 am

      • Mine is ‘DSLR’ D- for digital and while I like it very much Nikon makes an equal equivalent.

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        July 31, 2013 at 7:43 am

      • That’s what a lot of people say but I don’t no which one to pick when I do finally have the money to get one! And what’s the difference between a DSLR and a SLR, is digital easier to use? Xxx

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        July 31, 2013 at 3:28 pm

      • There is no difference between Nikon and Canon, just pick the one that gives you the better deal at the time you are ready.
        DSLR only shoots to a card that can be erased…. SLR usually means you have to load film in it. For both these cameras you can switch lenses.

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        July 31, 2013 at 7:22 pm

  5. Beautiful, as always. For me, these are photos of the secret world that so many of us rush by and never see.

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    July 29, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    • Yes Lisa, we seem to bypass or take it for granted… appreciate the visit.

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      July 31, 2013 at 7:38 am

  6. Truly beautiful captures — fascinating. Love the colors and compositions!

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    July 29, 2013 at 10:20 am

    • Many thanks for the comments Fey. For me each one has its own merit.

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      July 31, 2013 at 7:39 am

  7. Just gorgeous.

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    July 27, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    • Big thanks for keeping in touch!!!!

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      July 27, 2013 at 10:30 pm

  8. Hi Mike, I too have been following Mike Moats and I think you are right up there with him. Keep up the good work.

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    July 26, 2013 at 11:04 am

    • Really appreciate that Vince… I still feel he has great composition… which I am working toward.

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      July 27, 2013 at 10:28 pm

  9. So, it is a small world after all. Nice work!

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    July 26, 2013 at 10:50 am

    • Yes indeed… sure does look large in the viewfinder though 🙂

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      July 27, 2013 at 10:29 pm

  10. Pat

    Fabulous close looks at some of nature’s beauty!

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    July 25, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    • Thanks for you comment Pat…. much appreciated.

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:53 am

  11. Reblogged this on Dianne Johnston.

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    July 25, 2013 at 12:21 pm

  12. Lisa

    Awesome images. Beautiful colors and textures. From someone who is interested in exploring the macro world of photography, your work is inspiring.

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    July 25, 2013 at 12:09 pm

    • Glad to help… these comps are just the start for you… it will be amazing once you get into it.

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:48 am

  13. Linda Kamholz

    Loved the gallery, Mike. Not only are your images stunning, but your presentation is spectacular!

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    July 25, 2013 at 11:27 am

    • As you have demonstrated with your perfectly printed matte pics… I am just trying to keep up.

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:47 am

  14. The symmetry and intricacy of Mother Nature’s lines are stunning.

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    July 25, 2013 at 10:32 am

    • That symmetry is what keeps me coming back… thanks for stopping by ‘Scrib’.

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:45 am

  15. denisebushphoto

    Beautiful images Mike! Even though they are different from your norm they still possess the ‘Mickey style’! What lens are you using? You are able to get much closer than I can with my 100mm macro.

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    July 25, 2013 at 8:43 am

    • Who woulda known I had a style .. 🙂 I use a 180 Canon macro and also put a 500D lens on front of that.

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:43 am

  16. Always is amazing to me what is deep within everyday object. Macro is a whole nother world which you have shown us. Lovely images.

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    July 25, 2013 at 7:22 am

    • Just trying to explore diff compositions and got lost in this world.

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:41 am

  17. Great series, the details, patterns and color are beautiful! Greetz, Ron.

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    July 25, 2013 at 7:00 am

    • Hi , Ron… thanks for the visit.

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:40 am

  18. Mike I love this set and your post. It reminds me of what Dorothy said at the end of the Wizard of Oz. “I know that if I ever go looking for my heart’s desire, I’ll never go any further than my own back yard. For if it isn’t there, I never really lost it.”

    By the way the leaf with the watch works is truly an outstanding image.

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    July 25, 2013 at 6:59 am

    • Hey Rich… what a cool movie quote… seen that so many times and forgot she said that. It works perfectly with the blog. Oh… that watch which gave me the hardest time with all the reflections it gave off at diff angles. 🙂

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:40 am

  19. Beautiful photographs, thanks for sharing!

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    July 25, 2013 at 3:33 am

    • I am happy people get to view them.

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:37 am

  20. Bonnie

    Good stuff! Partial to that peacock feather!

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    July 24, 2013 at 10:14 pm

    • I just knew that one would fit you 🙂

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:36 am

  21. I feel the same way you do when I shoot Macro. It’s a completely different world even if the subject is the same. These are fantastic shots!! Love the colors, details, shapes, composition, everything. Gorgeous, Mike. Well done! 🙂

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    July 24, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    • Thanks Emily for the feedback!!!

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:35 am

  22. Great Macros. Love the detail and colors – beautiful.

    I just put my 90mm on yesterday was playing around. I just haven’t had the fever for macro, but you images are inspiring me. Have you ever played around with focus stacking your macros or landscapes? I want to try that.

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    July 24, 2013 at 9:17 pm

    • Great idea about focus stacking… have not tried it yet but am slowly working my way in that direction… Thanks Dan.

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:33 am

  23. Eric E. Photo

    Yeah!! Didn’t have to wait until 165 comments this time. While I’m not practiced at macro, I’m definitely interested. I think it is similar to landscapes as you stated, in that you have to remove what isn’t important and fill the frame with what is.
    Macros also seem to be a great, in depth study of composition. The most beautiful detail unknown to the naked eye gets lost as an image if it’s not dead on. Yours is. I think its also a great way to get creative with compositions in images such as the 4th one. Awesome and inspiring images, I’ll be looking closely at the for some time to come!

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    July 24, 2013 at 9:06 pm

    • LOL…. glad you didn’t wait… spot on with comp and relationships with landscapes. That fourth one was a back lit nautilus shell…. I got lost positioning and then re-positioning that shell as each time it gave off a diff color and vibe.

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:31 am

  24. vibrant array!

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    July 24, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    • Thanks for the comment and visit Elmer.

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      July 26, 2013 at 8:25 am

Hey...let me know what you think!!!