BWPS News Archive

Macro Night

Glycerin droplet on a leaf creates a tiny lens that images whatever subject
is behind the droplet. This is just one of 6 macro setups available for
the hands-on program on Wednesday September 26, 2007.
Click image for a closer view.
Photo by Ron Todd

Here's your chance to try out and refine your technique on a variety of macro photographic equipment - from macro lenses, close-up supplementary lenses, tele-converters, reversed lenses, extension tubes, bellows, stacked lenses, and two different types of microscopes. The pool of equipment for the evening fits Nikon and Canon EOS SLR bodies, but many items will fit any camera that accepts threaded filters. Members are encouraged to bring in any macro-related equipment they have, and if you'd like, share your excess equipment and expertise with the group.

We will have a wide variety of items to photograph - and please also bring in items of your own. We will have butterfly wings, flowers, minerals, feathers, currency, stamps, watch gears, fabrics, computer chips, diatoms, human tissue, bug parts, candy, and much more.

In addition to the wire screen glycerin setup that produces "rain drop" effects that we had last year, we will also photograph with a single drop (see above). If you bring in a subject, the best ones are those with strong, simple lines and colors. Let's see who can come up with the most creative composition!

There will be 6 setups, including a stereo zoom microscope, which is new this year. The high magnification setups (microscopes and bellows) will require the use of Nikon or Canon SLR bodies, and are strobe illuminated. For these, you will need a PC type strobe socket (not a hot shoe - although there will be at least 1 hot-shoe to PC connector adapter you might borrow). The other 3 setups use continuous lights, so everyone should be able to shoot these, even if they don't have one of the above-mentioned SLRs or have had trouble triggering external strobes in the past.

Bring a tripod, if you have one. It is best if you shoot digital, and not film.

The event starts at 7:30PM and will run until about 9:00PM, on Wednesday September 26, 2007. It is at the Framingham Elks Club (where we hold our regular meetings), and it is free to members.