Writing for Photographers

Photomacrography is a rather forbidding term, often used to describe the work of naturalists, probing the almost invisible world of tiny creatures and plants with powerful lenses and sophisticated lighting techniques. The same methods can be used however, to create beautiful and mysterious abstract images, such as the ones shown here by Victorian photographer, Roo du'Jardin.

This technique is usually performed in the laboratory, or studio, under controlled conditions, but Roo has created some exiting and unusual effects by taking his equipment out into the field. The results do not have the same degree of technical accuracy sometimes seen in extreme close-up work,
but instead, due to his free, expressive approach, he creates abstract images of natural forms.

These interpretations of nature are shot entirely in natural light, in their natural environment, and are usually subjects such as dandelions or fungi that can be found in many suburban gardens. Seen even through a modest macro lens, with the right sort of light treatment, they take on an almost mystical appearance.

To maintain a feeling of freedom in his work, Roo has abandoned the tripod, a characteristic of normal macro techniques. Instead he prefers to hand-hold his equipment using the bellows rail for steady support.

This freedom of movement allows the photographer to experiment with angles and interesting lighting effects more easily. Using the sky as a back-drop for these abstract images is Roo's favourite. This allows the use of faster shutter speed, due to the extra available light and therefore makes hand-held shots easier.

Depth-of-field is, of course, always limited at close quarters, but this doesn't worry Roo as his images don't depend on sharpness or critical focus. Lens flare, circles of confusion, blurred movement and the softness of out-of-focus areas of the picture, all contribute towards the personal style of his pictures.

However, the results are judged with a critical eye. Often it takes up to one hundred individual exposures before a single, useable slide is chosen for publication or exhibition.

Creative close-up pictures don't necessarily have to be subjects either. Equipped with some extension tubes lens, one can investigate many areas as a source of can find that the
of natural or a macro interesting photographs. Around the house you hundreds of different patterns, textures and colours close-up photographer can isolate.

The pictures here were all taken on a with a Nikon FM fitted with a Micro Nikkor 55mm lens, and either a Nikkor PB6 bellows or extension tubes. All shots on Ektachrome 64.

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