When I was working towards Eagle Scout, I earned Photography Merit Badge. In the last couple of years of high school my parents bought me a really nice professional 35mm camera. I remember taking a lot of pictures of this really, really hot teenage girl who was in my KYW News Student Reporter Program Class.

Since moving to California the batteries the camera takes have long since died. When I want pictures of anything now anymore I just buy some

heap disposable cameras at Wal-Mart.

I had a few years there  when I had moved on to a video camera. I taped my kids so much even their own flesh and blood grew tired of them! Sure, it's fun to set up a video camera in the bedroom, too but only if the woman never threatens to set all your tapes on fire if you don't erase the ones she made with you.

(Come on, wouldn't any and all you ladies be proud to be in one of my movies handcuffed to the bed and on all fours while I spank you and have my way with you like the animal only each and everyone of you could MAKE me? But I digress. . .)

"Take pictures. Don't be a camera operator. Be a picture creator” -- John Sevigny.

Close-up photography is one of the most creative forms of photography today. Known also as "macro" or "micro"-photography it provides the photographer and the audience with a

newer and different perspective.
Before discussing the "how tos” of close-up photography we must briefly discuss a common misconception regarding close-up photography.

As anyone in the know will tell you, close-up photography has little to do with the distance between the camera and the subject. In truth, close-up photography has more to do with the subject to film magnification rate or ratio. It is the actual size of the subject as opposed to the size of the subject on the negative or slide (not the finished print). Essentially, when the size of your subject on film is only one-half the actual size, the rate is 1:2.

While you can buy special lenses for close-up photography they're not required. Technically, many zoom lens sold as part of a "package deal" have a setting that can double as a macro setting. Interested parties will, however, need a cable release and a sturdy tripod. (Again, some "package

deals" might include this.)
The rest is just a matter of paying attention to such aspects of photography as focus, lighting, sharpness, depth-of-field, exposure, composition, camera placement and depth of field. For example, while focus and lighting are critical they may not require much extra effort.

However, one must be aware that if your camera is placed closely to the subject a small aperture setting on the camera is required. Once you have researched your chosen film speed

you need only practice and experiment before you achieve the desired results.

Consider this a piece for those of you who still have the time to use your photography equipment. If any of you guys take some (micro or any other kind of) pics of your ladies send me

copies.

You know, in case I do a follow-up to this piece.

I'll be waiting!

My name is Phoenix and . . . that's the bottom line.