Macro/Micro Shortcuts

Flashlight Projecting Backward Through Camera

When I was beginning Macro/Micro photography not long ago my first hurdle was to find the subject in the viewfinder.  I burned lots of time in the enterprize.  I stumbled onto this technique and was happy about it.

I have wished for a movable stage upon which to mount the subjects.  A piece of mat or paper is a substitute for this setup.  Without it you are left with moving the subject into the light.  You will note that my focusing rail only provide lateral movement not vertical.

Herkimer Diamond and Metric Scale

I sometimes move the subject by pushing it with the scale.

Herkimer Diamond in the Light

However you do it, this is the goal.

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Grass Blooms

Big Bluestem Inflorescence with and Blooms 

I named these Indian Grass Blooms but now it looks more like Big Bluestem to me.  From my observations I think these flowers are like other, larger blooms.  I suppose I could dissect one to see the components.  Also notice the tiny bees which are looking for nectar and pollinating the flower like with larger bees  and larger flowers.  I think I could apply my micro photography to this project. 

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Rockbridgeite

Rockbridgeite

This sample comes to us from Polermo, N. Groton, New Hampshire.  The image represents 2.5mm width.  It is 9.9x on the sensor.  It's only use is for Mineral Specimens.

Rockbridgeite

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Jim Brooks

My friend Jim Brooks died at home January 9, 2018.

Jim Brooks (AKA William James Brooks)

I met Jim during July of 1985.  I was thinking of getting into bicycling and Jim was already in it, having been riding to work for a couple years.  I had ridden about 30 miles in one sitting prior to our meeting but he told me was riding 100 miles at time.  He encouraged me to get into it.  At the time he told me about a ride called Tour of the Scioto River Valley, TSRV.  It occurred on Mother's Day each year.  I rode it the following May, Mother's Day.

We got together to "train" for it.  I would go to Mt. Vernon and he would take me for a ride, then  he would come to Mansfield and I would take him out to ride.

Jim Brooks

Jim was so into bicycling that he had a vanity plate PDLPWR.

Jim liked other things like canoeing.  They have the Kokosing River in Mt. Vernon.  Jim used to take me in his canoe for rides.

Jim Brooks with his canoe

Kokosing River

I sincerely enjoyed the ride and attending sights.

Great Blue Heron

River View of Barns

Jim with the National Champion Sycamore

I found this tree difficult to photograph.  It was so big that when I got back to get it in the picture it got lost in the background.  I invited Jim to go see it with me and his presence was the answer to my compositional quandary.  

Jim with the National Champion Sycamore

Jim on his ICE Trike

Jim's balance became questionable in later years so he got an ICE Trike and liked it a lot.  The above picture was captured on the Kenyon College Campus in Gambier, just up the Kokosing Gap Trail from Jim's house.  We went there multiple times for lunch.

Jim with College Students

This has gone on too long.  I could mention Great Ohio Bicyling Adventure, Columbus Fall Challenge, girlfriends before Carol, We were friends for 32 years.

I'm sure he had disappointments with our relationship and so did I.  Overall, Jim, it was a great ride.  Thanks for it all.

Metric Scale

Metric Scale

I had a scale from my days in the machine shop which was imperial.  The folks at mindat.org didn't like to make the conversion.  I decided that I might as well purchase a metric scale since camera and lens sizes are metric.  It would simplify everything.  I purchased one that was graduated in 1/2 mm increments.  

In order to provide the viewer field size and magnification on the sensor data I found that I must photograph the scale each time I made a capture.  OR, I could set my macro/micro lens to its shortest focus, adjust the focus with the focusing rail.  I record FOV captures for each setup and record it so that if I start with certain setup I know what the FOV and magnification as long as I start with Sigma 105mm set at its closest focus.  I've also found that recording the WD, working distance, aids my set up, composition, etc., making it quicker and easier.  Again, I do this with the micro lens set on closest setting.  I am planning to share the above data soon.

One other "trick" I have learned I may have mentioned before.  I can shine my flashlight into the viewfinder and it travels backward through the camera showing where it is aimed.

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