Macro/Close-Up Photography

Part 2

Equipment

• Point and Shoot -

Equipment Continued

• DSLR with – Macro Lenses can be prime (sharpest) or zoom – Telephoto Lens allows some distance from easily

spooked subject – Wide Angle used mainly for environmental close ups

• Extension Tubes-allows lens to focus closer to subject

• Flash or Ring Flash bring in extra light • Reflector brings a little more light and can change

color • Tripod and shutter release

Focus

• The most important part of Macro Photography is sharp focus

• Learn how close your lens can focus to the subject. Every lens is different!

Focusing Distance Wide Angle Zoom

Distance Macro Lens vs Tele Zoom

Live View on Camera

Live View Zoomed 5X

Live View Zoomed 10X

Viewfinder view

Viewfinder with wide angle lens Viewfinder view macro lens

Viewfinder View same 100mm - different lenses

100 macro 100 setting on 100-400 zoom

Camera Settings

• Use Aperture Preferred for you depth of field

• Use Manual Focus

• Use Live View

• Use the lowest ISO setting you can based on lighting conditions

• Turn off image stabilization if using a tripod

Changing Background 100-400mm lens at 400mm

F8 1/640 sec ISO 400 F8 1/640 sec ISO 400

Depth of Field Macro 100mm Lens

f2.8 1/640 sec ISO 200 f16 1/20 sec ISO 200

Reflector Comparison

No Reflector f2.8 1/640 sec Silver Reflector f2.8 1/1000 sec

Reflector Comparison

No Reflector f2.8 1/640 sec Gold Reflector f2.8 1/640

Comparison Silver vs Gold

Silver Reflector f2.8 1/1000 sec Gold Reflector f2.8 1/640 sec

Post Processing Color Temperature

Cloudy Shade

Wind

Focusing Plane

Focusing Plane

Focusing Plane

Tips for Flowers

• Side lighting for texture

• Back lighting for drama

• Tight in shot for abstracts

• Try working with a single flower

• Emphasize a mass

• Get down to flowers level

• Watch background

Back Lighting

Abstract

Plants or Nature Patterns

• Look for color

• Find shapes

• Look for texture

• Look for patterns

• Work early or late in day

Insects

• Look around flowers

• Use a telephoto lens

• Shoot early in the day

• Focus on the eyes

Spiders

• Look for webs

• Shoot early

• Watch the wind

• Watch your approach

Shells and Fossils

• Use side lighting to show form and texture

• Use a small aperture

• Use a shorter focal length to get more depth of field

• Keep parallel to your subject

Jewelry

• Use a light tent

• Use soft lighting

• Use simple backgrounds

Example of Wide Angle Environmental Close-Up