lesses for taking pictures

First of all, what type of camera are you using? If an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) there are special lenses made just for close-up work.-but way expensive. I have been out of photography for quite a while, but then there were special lenses you added to the front of a standard lens that allowed closer work, and were a much cheaper alternative. Somewhat like bifocals magnify, usually came in a set like +1, +2, and +4 diopters (Different combinations of the 3 gave magnifications from +1 to +7). Some image quality was lost, but worked well for something like this.

I studied photography a lot 20 years ago but I'm sure much has changed now esp. with the coming of digital.

I am an avid photographer and If you want to get some good shots of smaller items, build yourself a lightbox.The best one I have found is built from 1/2" pvc tubing. Then drape a white sheet around it and put a couple of lights on either side. It'll give you better pictures with any camera.

If you have more questions just ask, or google lightbox.

For close up work one would use a Macro lens or if you have a point and shoot camera it may have a setting for close up picture taking.

The word you're looking for is LENS not Less.

Before you go out an purchase a new lens or camera...read your owners manual of the camera you have...that is if you have one. You may find you will need LESS money to be successful.

A couple useful links:

An old article from my archives.

http://www.aweber.com/archive/hawkeyes-news/1sw6C/h/HawkFlash_Message_Model.htm

Something more recent.

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/2009/12/14/fun-with-photography-and-scale-models/

The other way to take close up shots is to take them from a distance and then use editing software to crop and zoom in one the area you want a close up of.

Close up or macro photography has its challenges too.

Macro lens! That was the word I was looking for! I always wanted one for my Olympus SLR, but it was very expensive. Kind of lost interest and now my camera sits on the shelf. It uses that stuff... uh, what was that called? Oh, yeah! FILM!!!!!!

Just noticed that misspelled "lesses". Ok my camera is a Canon rebel XT. Does this help?

Wanna cheat?

Get familiar with Microsoft Office Picture Manager. Not only can you Auto-Correct a photo--which can greatly improve the color , contrast, and white balance, but by cropping the photo, you can "zoom in" and blow up the photo to make it look like you have a high-quality macro lens.

Just shoot your photos from a moderate distance so that you don't have any out-of focus field of depth issues and then crop it. Works like a charm.

i dont usually modify my photos, but if im taking shots of small figures or something ill take a really really hi res shot with a short lens from the closest focal distance possible for the lens, then crop it to size. if its big enough (RAW or Ultra Hi Res) Even cropping it will leave a big enough photo.

As for lenses, take a look here at Bob Atkins LensPlay  http://www.lensplay.com/lenses/lens_query.php

Great realistic reviews of lenses, he really tells it like it is. Canon makes some really great less expensive lenses, that do a great job. I actually still use my 18-55 kit lens, just shoot it at above F5.6 and it works really well.

If you ever do invest in a macro lens The Canon 100mm one with or without IS is great although without its $700 cheaper! Plus it works great on Flowers and bugs as well, If you happen to like taking images of them too.

But do try the lightbox, it makes things much easier.

You might consider looking at the Canon 50mm macro lens, which is relatively inexpensive. Check amazon.com for them. I'm holding out for the newer 100mm IS lens...but I don't have an extra $900-$1000 right now.

For most of my macro modeling photography I use my little Kodak CX7525 or my Panasonic DMC-FZ50.

Well this isn't a model but you get the idea. How to get close to a Wasp without pissing it off...that's in the next chapter. LOL

Anyone have a fly swatter?lol Thanks alot for those articles you sent me, they're awesome!

I picked up a Canon Power Shot SX110, you can place the lens an inch away from an object and still get a sharp image.