it really sucks sometimes

someone on a MySpace photo forum asked this question:

I don't have a macro mode on my easyshare piece of crap cd40. Is there a way to emulate a macro mode or somehow cheat it? I've tried every suggestion i've heard so far and none work decent enough to capture details. And yes I will bump this baby till i find a way that works or just give up. (also a starving artist, i dont have the means for an upgrade at this time)

so jokingly I replied back with this:

get a big magnifying glass.
Make sure it is very clear and clean.
Point camera so as to shoot through magnifying glass.
Post pics of results.

A few hours later I got a PM from the user that said this:

never considered going the old skool method. Now I need a magnifying lens. ok my camera has a 3 ft min range, how would I best go about doing this, it plan on doing it in "studio" (my room) and with very detailed objects that are about a square inch in total (similar to chess board pieces). I can get ambiant light and have a few lamps, as well as white wrapping paper for photo diffusin (i think thats what it is called). Using posterboard as backdrop. Any comments re this and te methodology of application, i'm more of the research than the chimp when it comes to ideology.

so I had to reply with this:

Hahaha...at first I was joking but I guess if you can do it then go for it. I think the problem will be that the camera will want to focus on the glass itself rather than the object behind it.

it is kind of like shooting a mirror, you have to force the camera to focus on the object in the mirror rather than the mirror glass itself.

if you try this I would be interested in seeing the results, and I would also suggest a fairly large magnifier. aside from this possibility though I don't think there is actually anything for macro on your camera that can be done (I could be wrong though...it happens.


Yeah I am bored tonight so I figured someone might at least get a chuckle out of this. Not trying to bash the person at all just pointing out that sometimes emoticons can be the difference between humour and just messing with someone who doesn't know h: