Macro photography; and the worlds it creates
Macro photography, or extreme close up photography is used by many photographers to allow the viewer to experience worlds they would usually be unable to see. From the intricate detail of the veins on leaves to the cogs of an expensive watch, this form of photography creates mini worlds in an unexpected and uninhibited way.
This versatile art form is used extensively throughout the world,the best macro lenses cannot always do the photograph justice. You can create these worlds with a cheap macro lens, which can look better than with the finest macro lens. Ralph Waldo Emerson said 'Everything in our world, even a drop of dew - is a microcosm of the universe.' It celebrates the natural and man made beauty that has been created and the hidden worlds you can discover.
To achieve this unusual style, you essentially use a glorified magnifying glass. This enables the naked eye to be able to see the details that would usually be overlooked, for example the dents and craters that make up the human eye.
The photographer 'Danny Perez' exemplifies this unique take. Born in El Tigre, Venezuela, he found his love for macro photography when he worked with Quentin Tarantino's production company, were he learnt invaluable skills and techniques. His first camera was a Nikon F4 with a 50mm lens, years later he bought his only macro lens where he " discovered this amazing dimension in nature that so few have ever captured and is rarely explored."
Colour and vibrancy are a vital aspect to his work, his extensive use of nature and the different forms it comes in is evident in his photography. This focus on nature comes across in the subject of his images, he has photographed hummingbird's, insects and flowers. The inclusion of these brightly coloured flowers and insects creates a sense of harmony and happiness in his images. I feel Perez has achieved his goal in the allowance of this natural beauty into his images. Perez rarely desaturates any image, unless it adds to the overall effectiveness of the photograph.
This versatile art form is used extensively throughout the world,the best macro lenses cannot always do the photograph justice. You can create these worlds with a cheap macro lens, which can look better than with the finest macro lens. Ralph Waldo Emerson said 'Everything in our world, even a drop of dew - is a microcosm of the universe.' It celebrates the natural and man made beauty that has been created and the hidden worlds you can discover.
To achieve this unusual style, you essentially use a glorified magnifying glass. This enables the naked eye to be able to see the details that would usually be overlooked, for example the dents and craters that make up the human eye.
The photographer 'Danny Perez' exemplifies this unique take. Born in El Tigre, Venezuela, he found his love for macro photography when he worked with Quentin Tarantino's production company, were he learnt invaluable skills and techniques. His first camera was a Nikon F4 with a 50mm lens, years later he bought his only macro lens where he " discovered this amazing dimension in nature that so few have ever captured and is rarely explored."
Colour and vibrancy are a vital aspect to his work, his extensive use of nature and the different forms it comes in is evident in his photography. This focus on nature comes across in the subject of his images, he has photographed hummingbird's, insects and flowers. The inclusion of these brightly coloured flowers and insects creates a sense of harmony and happiness in his images. I feel Perez has achieved his goal in the allowance of this natural beauty into his images. Perez rarely desaturates any image, unless it adds to the overall effectiveness of the photograph.
This my favourite image by Perez because of the form/layout of the image, it is well thought out and reflects his love of nature, combined with a sense of allowing the impossible to be possible. Perez has used the macro lens to the highest standards, as the viewer can see each individual spike/ hair on this particular plant. Perez has used a depth of field camera technique, creating a sense of separation, which actually focuses the viewer on the subject matter. Perez has made the lady bird the focal point of the piece, which then in turn also focuses the viewer on the subject matter rather than moving the attention away from it. I also appreciate his use and utilisation of the natural harmoniousness of the colours in the image. This natural 'danger' warning that comes across in the print of the lady bird completely contrasts to this idea of, this notion of tranquility. The background is set apart from the subject matter, but has purposely been put out of focus which again reiterates this idea of the focus falling to the plant/ lady bird. The angle of the shot alludes to this idea of removing any unwanted information from the frame as Perez has chosen to use landscape photography for a reason.
Many macro photographers focus on parts of the body that are overlooked like the lines in the skin and the details and craters in the eyes. Suren Manvelyan is one of these photographers, he focuses on the beauty of the human eye, that is overlooked and uses macro photography to bring out these details. Manvelyan took an interest in photography when he was sixteen and became a professional photographer in 2006. His photographic interests vary from Macro photography to portrait photography. Manvelyan's photos have been published in many magazines, newspapers in Armenia and worldwide.
His latest popular series of close ups of a human eye – entitled “Your beautiful eyes,” together with a similar series on “Animal eyes,” have gained a lot of attention for their beauty and unusualness. They were published in many publications, for example National Geographic, The Sun and The Guardian and many more publications. For the past ten years Manvelyan has leaned towards teaching mathematics, physics, astronomy and projective geometry at the Yerevan Waldorf School.
The style in which Manvelyan uses macro photography is very unique and isn't used by many photographers. Manvelyan solely focuses on the innate beauty of the eye and its intricate detail. Manvelyan doesn't make any part of his images out of focus and he uses his version of macro photography to highlight the detail that would be missed if some of the photograph was out of focus. Manvelyan also focuses on portraiture photography, capturing people in irreplaceable moments before their weddings.
His latest popular series of close ups of a human eye – entitled “Your beautiful eyes,” together with a similar series on “Animal eyes,” have gained a lot of attention for their beauty and unusualness. They were published in many publications, for example National Geographic, The Sun and The Guardian and many more publications. For the past ten years Manvelyan has leaned towards teaching mathematics, physics, astronomy and projective geometry at the Yerevan Waldorf School.
The style in which Manvelyan uses macro photography is very unique and isn't used by many photographers. Manvelyan solely focuses on the innate beauty of the eye and its intricate detail. Manvelyan doesn't make any part of his images out of focus and he uses his version of macro photography to highlight the detail that would be missed if some of the photograph was out of focus. Manvelyan also focuses on portraiture photography, capturing people in irreplaceable moments before their weddings.
This is one of my favourite photographs by Manvelyan, due to the way in which he has focused on the eye of this animal. He has kept the surrounding feathers and eyelashes in shot to bring attention to eye, and the detail within it. Manvelyan has lit the subject well, as the viewer can make out each line and grain of detail. The use of this style of macro photography also magnifies the detail in the eye itself, but also the surrounding detail. Manvelyan has used a warm light that compliments the tone of the colours in this image. The warm colours of yellow, brown and hazel are also magnified using this technique, which also adds to the mood of the image. Manvelyan spares no effort in making the mood of this image unusual, because of the subject of the image but also because the in depth focus Manvelyan places on the natural beauty of the eye itself. You can also see the reflection of the feathers and hairs in the reflection of the eye, this enhances the beauty and unusualness.