The Hidden World of Macro Photography
Last Thursday night we were delighted to welcome David Hamilton to our club. David’s photography explores the Macro world of insects and other tiny creatures which surround us, yet, which remain largely unseen. He travels widely, and later in the evening took us further afield, but started with the creatures literally living beside us all. Often with bright and nuanced colours, David’s photography captures the finer details of their anatomy with startling clarity. Bees and ladybirds were two of the more recognisable local subjects but shield bugs and spiders with expressive faces were fascinating.
David uses a Mirrorless S.L.R. initially with a choice of Extension Tubes, and now with Macro lenses. Lighting is by an electronic flash fitted with a custom made diffuser made to suit particular camera body and lens configurations. Depth of Field is minimal at such close distances so Focus Stacking is David’s technique for controlling sharpness in his subjects. Naturally knowledge of his subjects is crucial too so he researches their life cycles to understand their behaviours.
Moving further afield the insect life of France led us much further away to the jungles of South America and Malaysia. There, the colours and physiology of tiny creatures became even more extraordinary with David’s compositions optimising their features.
A full question and answer session closed the evening.
Talking Pictures
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been working on joint projects with Falkirk Writer’s Circle for 36 years. Through exhibiting our work together, as in the ground floor Turret Gallery in Callendar House at the moment ( admission free ), or in sharing our work at joint evenings the mediums of writing and photography often have a shared purpose. Both can be used to impart factual information and conversely, both can be a means of self expression or as an avenue to explore a theme or philosophy.
In our annual Talking Pictures project we give the writer’s some photographs, from which they make a selection. The writer’s then write pieces of poetry or prose inspired by the photographs and at Talking Pictures night each photographer introduces their image, and is followed by the writer who reads their composition. The work of the writers can be funny or profound, factual or thought provoking but we are constantly surprised and humbled by how they interpret our own work.
A folder for contributions from F.C.C. photographers is now on the club’s PhotoEntry system and we look forward to seeing this season’s results.
World Press Photo Exhibition 2026
One of the most dramatic exhibitions around is the World Press Photo Exhibition 2026, on at the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, Edinburgh from 19th October to 7th November 2026. It features photographs from photographers working in the midst of conflict zones so expect to see life at its most gruelling along with images showing people facing up to demanding challenges with great courage. Admission is free and a variety of accompanying talks and events are available. See the Scottish Parliament website.
Thanks for looking in.