A loupe is a small, hand-held magnifier and it can be a handy little tool to help you get some great super close-up images. Here are a few ideas.

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Our first subject is the frond of a striking Deer Fern, Blechnum spicant. This is the typical frond present for most in the year.		In the autumn, you will come across the reproductive frond.
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This is the underside of the reproductive frond showing the spores. Using the loupe, you can get extra close to those spores.

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Place the loupe on the specimen.		Carefully position the camera over the loupe and focus.
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This is the result. You'll notice some distracting black corners due to the fact that you are taking an oblong image through a round object.

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Crop off those annoying dark corners and you'll end up with a fascinating photograph of the tiny spores.

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Try experimenting with other subjects like mosses, lichens and liverworts. You'll discover a whole new miniature world of nature.
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