gaze through the macro lens and you'll see a whole new world

the world of macro is anything but ordinary. even everyday objects look amazing if viewed from the macro perspective. everyday things that you never give a damn would be a sight to behold in macro photography.
i've been fascinated by macro photography since i was in high school. back then, i only had my sister's digital camera and the closest thing i can get to macro is the macro mode in the camera. even now, i still don't own a true macro lens. being me, i am willing to try alternatives for macro photography.
i've seen some alternatives such as reverse 50mm lens and close-up filters but i wouldn't encourage you to buy it though. the reason? quality.
when you use close-up filters, it does what it says. it enlarges your subject. but there's a price you have to pay. you have to sacrifice quality, and quality is not something i am willing to compromise. i don't want distorted edges or loss of details around the frame of the picture. 

Reversing your 50mm lens is also a great idea, if you can pull it off. i've tried it, and got some good shots with it. but it's not a method i would practice. the reason is simple: i love my lens. and i take good care of my lens. the last thing i want to do is expose the contacts on my lens risk scratching the surface. also, when you do the 50mm reverse technique, you're on your own. the camera and lens can't help you focus because:
a) the focusing ring is inverted facing the sensor. so, autofocus is immediately ruled out
b) you'll get 'aperture 00' which means, the body sees no lens because the contacts are facing outward

if you like macro photography, but have no budget for it yet, the best alternative is to use a conversion lens. in other words, a close-up lens. i highly recommend the 500D close-up lens. i've witnessed the results from the lens, and am very impressed. but i don't need it since i have another conversion lens.

extension tubes are also another alternative to macro photography but you'll have to put more work into setting it up. but in my opinion, extension tubes could be the cheapest method since the tubes are lensless. there are no lens in the tube, which means you can probably make it on your own.

anyways, here are some macro shots i took just now to blow your minds. the last picture blew me away. :)

match head. if you are wondering how small the 

objects that i shot were, hold the real thing and

compare it as you browse through my pictures.

5 sen next to a match

 that button thingy from your everyday jeans 

(i dont know the name)

my lego stormtrooper drowning in a sea of beads.

my mum's beads. this is what she used to sew

on the baju kurungs. it's that small.

circuit board from my old external drive.

the iris blades from my canon S5IS. i've always 

wondered how many blades my PowerShot lens has.

now i know. 6 :)

and last but not least, the ship found in the RM10

note. the biggest surprise of the night. the ship is actually

BUNGA PELANGI. this is a discovery for me. 

or is this old news and i'm the only one excited? -.-

(click for larger view!)

p/s, in case you guys are wondering why i din't get any shallow-depth-of field effect, it's because i mounted my camera on my tripod and let it face down vertically so that apertures won't be such an issue.

but just to be on sure, i cranked my aperture numbers higher than usual. but be warned, it won't help much because the depth-of-field is too shallow. the only solution is putting your subject flat on the ground and take your shots vertically.

happy macro-shooting! if you have any ideas,alternatives or suggestions in macro photography, do share. :)