Why is it called Macro?

[frankda4]

So quick question...

Why is it that when we talk a photo of something very small, we call it Macro photography? Macro economics is the economics of big scale?

Then Should it not be Micro photography, the photographing of small things?

[darrell]

Nope... You're making something small bigger than it actually is. Like taking a picture of a bee where you can see each hair on it. Those hairs are much bigger in the picture than there are in real life.

A lot of "Macro Photography" isn't really macro. It's just close up.

[Matthias099]

Originally Posted by frankda4

So quick question...

Why is it that when we talk a photo of something very small, we call it Macro photography? Macro economics is the economics of big scale?

Then Should it not be Micro photography, the photographing of small things?

Sure you take pictures of something small, but in macro photography you try to get your subject as big as possible, so that it appears to be life size or bigger which usually requires a magnification level of 1:4 or more. That's why it is called macro photography. But I have heard that some manufacturers call it 'micro', even if I don't know one - go figure.

Also see here.

[dakwegmo]

Originally Posted by Matthias099

But I have heard that some manufacturers call it 'micro', even if I don't know one

All of Nikon's close-up lenses are called Micro-Nikkors.

[frankda4]

Thanks for all the replies! Good info, odd how language can be interpreted in so many ways.


Thanks again!

[Elmo]

In general Macro is 1:1 or smaller (smaller than life size on image). Micro is greater than 1:1 (greater than life size on image). Where image is the image on actual captured media (film or sensor. Not to be confused with the displayed image