Tips on macro photography

Few photographic methods rely upon good lighting as macro photography. The reason for this is two-fold. Firstly good lighting will reveal the close up object in all its glory, including textures, shadows, reflections and color shifts. Secondly, close up photography (particularly with the macro lens) comes hand in hand with a shallow depth of field. 

How to Use Macro Setting in Close Ups

Depth of field describes the distance between the nearest element and the furthest element within focus in a photo. Certain factors will determine the depth of field, mainly the proximity of the object focused upon. The aperture setting and the type of lens used will also affect the depth of field.  In a nutshell, the closer the object of focus is to the camera lens, the smaller the depth of field will be. We can see this in close up shots of flowerheads, where one petal amidst a crown of petals is in focus.

Blurred Photographs in Macro Setting

In such a close up photograph, the depth of focus is only a few millimeters deep. A shallow depth of field might be acceptable when the subject is flat, such as a moss on a drystone wall or a spider’s web, but could create blurred areas on shots of a ‘deeper’ object such as a dandelion head or a fly agaric fungi. The photographer is also under more pressure to keep the camera still during the shot, as camera shake is more likely.

Macro Camera Lenses

As mentioned earlier, the type of lens used will also affect the depth of field. A wide-angled lens will provide a deeper focal field than a telephoto lens, but will also create distortions to the subject when viewed close up. For this reason, most macro lenses represent the standard eye-view, of 35mm. This means that the photographer is pretty limited to the type of lens used to get close up.

Tips on Photographing Close Up Objects

With this in mind, only the aperture can be used to enhance depth of field. Happily, there are things the photographer can do to make the aperture work to this end. The key to this is lighting. Good lighting. This is because good lighting enables the camera to achieve the correct exposure with a small aperture. A small aperture will deepen the focal field. An aperture of around F8, F11 or smaller would be ideal. A wider aperture of 2.8 or more will create more blurred areas.

Artificial Lighting for Photo Shoots

Some photographers will create an artificial setting for the close up as the existing environment may possess insufficient light. A flower or fungus might be located in the shade of a tree, for example. If possible place the subject in full sunshine or wait for the light to improve. Provide a secondary light source by placing a white piece of card or mirror near to the object to illuminate dark shadows. A fill-in flash can be used, but may create unwanted reflections. Flood the area with as much light as possible. This will enable the camera to use a narrow aperture setting and therefore increase the focal depth of field. Use a tripod if the shutter speed needs to be longer than 60th of a second and also to reduce camera shake.

Secrets to Great Close Up Shots

Look for interesting textures or features that could be used in a close up. Set the camera onto ‘macro’ and get right in there. Look for water droplets on leaves or petals; create droplets by flicking water over the plant. Reveal form by creating tinted-reflections from bright-colored card such as red or blue. Place each on either side of the object to create interesting contrasts. Be aware of the background. Complementary colors or tones will work well for close ups, such as a dark blue or shaded background to a sunlit daisy head. Nearby water or tin foil could also be used to create shimmering light effects on the subject matter.

Ideas for Macro Photography

Any subject could potentially create an interesting close up study; flowers and plants, fungi, spiders, insects, honeycombs, snails, rotten wood, leaves, hair, newspaper, fabrics, shoes, brushes and more. Never overlook an object as being too mundane for an interesting close up shot. Try out different vantage points, including looking down onto the object or looking up. Allow the subject to fill the LCD screen, creating abstract lines.

Tips for Using Macro Setting on the Camera