The first changes in the Animals, Plants & Nature category are done. A lot of things are completely new (more categories) and some stuff has changed. It's a big step for the Animals, Plants & Nature community into the future.

But that's not the topic here. If you want to read more what has changed -> visit this journal or wait for the upcoming Artist Relations Newsletter.

Topic: What is a Close Up (Macro) and should I upload my shot into this category?
Let's see the Gallery Desc on dA:

Closeup definition: Photography in which the image on film or electronic sensor is as large or larger than the subject. Otherwise it's not a Closeup-Shot and not the right category.

Additional Info:
For example, suppose a photographer wants to take a macro photograph of a coin on film. With the lens set for a magnification of 1:1, he or she moves the camera to and fro until the coin is in focus, then takes the picture. After having the film developed, the photographer can place the coin on the film, and the coin will be exactly the same size as the picture of the coin on the negative or slide.

In recent years, the term macro has come to mean being able to focus on a subject close enough so that when a standard 102×152 mm (4×6 inch) print is made, the image is life-size or larger.

Next, the photographer photographs it from farther away, this time, setting the lens to a magnification of 1:4, again moving to and fro until the coin is in focus, and taking the picture. The real coin is now four times as big across as the image; that is, the image and the coin are in a 1:4 relationship. If a 4× enlargement print (about 100×150 mm) is made, the size of the coin will match the size of the photo of the coin. That is, the image is life-size, or 1:1, in the print.

Technical requirements:

Shots in this category are done:
by reversing the lens using a "reversing ring" or
by using a special-purpose lens called a macro lens or
placing an extension tube between the camera body and the lens or
by using a bellows attachment between the camera body and the lens to extend the lens to film plane distance or
by attaching a telephoto extender between the camera body and the lens or
by reversing a lens of lesser focal length in front of a normally mounted lens using a "macro coupler," which uses two male filter threads to join lenses.

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Some examples:

that isn't a Close Up

that is a Close Up

that isn't a Close Up

that is a Close Up

that isn't a Close Up

that is a Close Up

that isn't a Close Up

that is a Close Up

that isn't a Close Up

that is a Close Up

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Please consider that if you upload shots to the Close Up-Section. The Close Up category is one of the most suggested category additions and a good addition for the nature & animal photographers on dA, but if the gallery ends full of misscats nobody will be happy in the end.

It would be nice if you would spread that article and tell your friends about it (if they do nature photography on dA).

Thanks for your interest & time and support.


sources: wikipedia.org & dA