Incredible Macro Photos Taken with a Smartphone
Nairobi-based photographer Abdul Mutuma calls himself a, passionate hobbyists like most camera wielders these days. What that description doesnt reveal, however, is that Abdul captures amazing macro images using less gear than any other macro photographer we know.
Hes not sporting a DSLR and a pricey macro lens. Hes not even using a nice point-and-shoot with a quality Macro mode. No, Abdul uses a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone, and a DIY Macro lens he hacked together by cannibalizing a broken point-and-shoot.
That combination together allows him to capture images like this:
Abduls macro journey began in 2011, after seeing a YouTube tutorial on the lens reverse technique for DSLRs.
My mind was blown! he told us over email. Unfortunately, I lost my camera in a theft after my macro discovery I was gutted. I didnt shoot macro for two years, actually forgot all about it.
Two years later he did return to the world of close-up photography, this time using a Nikon D5100 and a series of ever-more expensive and effective macro methods.
Then, one day, I stumbled upon an article on the Internet about macro photography using a phone, he writes. I went through tons of articles about DIY mobile macro set ups and was inspired. My first experimental lens was a success.
Screwdriver in hand, he tore into a broken point-and-shoot he had lying around, collecting all the optical bits he could find and assembling them into a hacked lens with some help from the Internet.
To his delight, he said, It worked! Its been a year now and Ive not touched my DSLR for macro. I exclusively use a mobile phone for all my macros.
And when you see the results hes getting, you may understand why his DSLR has so little pull on him. Below is a collection of our favorite macro images Abdul has captured with his Samsung/DIY setup:
I feel like the mobile photography world is growing bigger each day. Especially with the advancement of technology, will it replaced DSLRs? I dont know, but Im hella glad I am not towing behind kilos of gear to shoot what I really love.
Ive shot more with my mobile macro DIY setup and more interesting pictures than I did with my DSLR.
https://iso.500px.com/incredible-macro-photos-taken-with-a-smartphone-diy-lens/
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The most beautiful picture of insect critters that I have ever seen and all taken with a cell phone
Absolutely amazing!
Enjoy
Those are beautiful photos Robert. I'm sure glad God made them small and not as big as a pit bull.
Can you imagine stepping outside and running to the car with one of those critters chasing you?
OMG!! These are absolutely gorgeous! Makes me want to take some pic's with my cheapcell phone and see what happens.
Six
At times here along the lake we are convinced that the mosquitos are the six and tenacity of flacons, but I get your point.
Nona
Nothing I take with a camera or the cell phone ever turns out like these
Thanks for the feedback
Dang! I wish I could get my phone to do this!
These are great pictures!
Incredible is a huge understatement! These are fantastic! National Geographic level, at least! And from me that's a really big compliment.
Amazing clarity and sharpness - way beyond what I can achieve with my digital Olympus pocket camera. However, realize that what he is using is no regular mobile phone. It's a hybrid combination of lenses.
When I grow up, I want to be able to take pic's like these......
Dowser
I have a couple of cameras and a cell phone, Ipod and tablet that take pictures and I am nowhere near this type of quality
This guy is an artist clearly
M M
I gotta agree
Thanks for the feedback and glad you liked the pictures
Nona
Great way to put it, though at my age I fear I have begun the growing "down" part of the process
Buzz
You are right, but these are as good as some pictures I have seen in textbooks and on display in galleries
Appreciate the feedback
LOL...
Hal, he's the first one that really caught my attention, not because he is the best photo, but because the other day I saw one crawling on my windshield on the inside. I was able to pick him up with a napkin doubled up and toss him out and put the napkin in a trash can. I'd just as soon see a wasp as a stink bug in the car.
These are great but there's more to them than just a cell phone.
These photos are amazing, really top drawer stuff.
Great find RIO
Hal
Thanks for the feedback
I thought they were all great, but if I had to pick one right now, I would say the ant is the one
Six
Glad to be able to bring back the memory for you
Thanks for the feedback
KAvia
Glad you liked the
Thanks for the feedback
A Mac
Thanks for sharing the how to kit with us on the subject