Macro Photography means a close up view of any object to discover the amazing detail about it. You can produce unique and creative photographs when taking close up pictures of nature or any other objects. If you are a beginner, then Macro Photography could be challenging for you. But after some day once you will get a grasp of the basics you will understand that it isn’t so different from other genres.
Here I will write about some unique macro photography tips. You’ll be shooting great macro images in no time with these top tips. So, let’s learn about the Macro Photography Guide from below. First of all, let’s know deeply what macro photography is.
In a simple way, macro photography means, photographing small items such as insects, flowers, still life like jewelry and small household objects.
To produce images of the subject larger than life size using a 1:1 macro lens Macro Photography is an extreme close up photography.
Macro photography means seeing small things which we can’t see normally with our own eyes.
It is the art of making small things look big. Photographers got encouraged to take a closer look from Macro Photography. Macro Photography goes beyond to focus on revealing the extraordinary details that we often can’t see in our own eyes because of their size by capturing ordinary pictures.
Macro Photography Guide
‘Magnification’ and ‘minimum focusing distance’ are the two key objects that define the Macro Photography genre. Magnification is the size of the subject on the camera’s sensor which is compared to its actual size. The ratio of magnification in true macro photography is 1:1 or higher. It means the subject appears life-sized or larger on the sensor.
On the other hand, minimum focusing distance is the closest distance at which the lens can be from the subject while maintaining clear focus. Macro photographers can get close and personal with their subjects to capture intricate details. Those details are invisible to our own naked eye.
How to shoot macro photography?
5 Techniques to do better macro photography.
Use a flash:
To get your subject in focus you need to decrease the aperture that will give you depth of field. Also, the aperture allows less light into your camera. But if you don’t get enough natural light in your setting then use your camera flash or a micro ring light which can help you counteract this problem.
However, if your flash startles your subject then use a diffuser to soften the light and leave your subject undisturbed.
Use manual focus:
Avoid using autofocus that is featured on your camera. Instead of using autofocus use manual focus and get as close as possible to your subject. Rock your body back once you’ve found the optimal setting. Now forth to bring different parts of the image in focus.
When you find the subject is in focus, snap a picture every time. Try taking multiple shots with different parts of the subject focused, when you are having trouble getting the whole subject in focus.
Use a tripod:
It’s extremely tough to get optimal results without using a tripod to stabilize your camera in macro photography. Use manual focus between shallow depth of field and delicate camera positioning.
A tripod setup is ideal for macro photos of stationary objects, live subjects like insects. When you take a series of nearly identical photos, a tripod can help you.
Take plenty of shots:
As many photos you will take many opportunities you’ll have to get the perfect shot, and much room you’ll have to experiment. This is very important for macro photography. Because there you may not get another chance to be so close up with your subject.
So, make use of your opportunity and take as many photos as you can.
Stack photos in post-processing:
If you want to obtain a greater depth of field for macro photography without changing your aperture then use another method which is “stack” a series of photos using a post-processing software like Adobe Photoshop. This means taking multiple photos of the same subject at different focal lengths, then layering them using software.
Macro Photography Tips
Below are some tips to do better macro photography.
1. Choose a better Location and Weather
Most of the interesting subjects to photograph with a macro lens are small bugs and insects. So, you should choose a location where you will find lots of flowers and plants. Botanical gardens can be a great choice for you for doing macro photography.
But if you want to do product macro photography then choose a location that suits your products. Choose good weather to do macro photography. Having a softer natural light overcast weather can be a great time rather than sunny weather.
2. Use Flash
When you have to set your aperture to a small aperture such as F16 and have a shutter speed a flash is a must. Any flash can be used in macro photography. But in some macro photography situations, you strictly did not need any flash. Among them, one situation is when there is plenty of sunlight and you are shooting at F2.8 or F4 aperture. When you are photographing with product inside the house then with proper lighting flash is also needed.
3. Try to use Diffuser
Diffuser is highly recommended for you if you use a flash for macro photography. It is any white, translucent material that can be put between the flash and the object. A diffuser can make the light size more larger from the flash. This way the light will look less harsh, and the colors will come out better in your photo.
4. Use Shutter speed
When you hold the camera during macro photography you will find small vibrations from your hands and it is enough to make the whole picture jump around like crazy. That’s why a high shutter speed is therefore recommended.
You can avoid the black background that you otherwise often get in macro photos taken with a flash if you use a slow shutter speed. Also, you will get some color into your background which will make the photo look better.
5. Take pictures from different Angles
Most newbie photographers make the mistake of taking pictures at a 45-degree angle towards the insect or flower, which makes your photo look boring. Find out some uncommon angles for better macro photography.
You can shoot the insect from the side, from the front, or from below. If you don’t want to crawl on the ground then use your flip-out screen. Pulling up a plant where any insects sit and holding it against the sky will give an interesting angle and a more beautiful background.
6. Choose Perfect Magnification
Every beginner macro photographer makes the mistake that they go for maximum magnification because they think the bigger the insect in the frame, the cooler the photo.
But generally if you back off a little, and let the insect look just as small as it actually is, depicted in its surroundings you can find a more beautiful photo.
7. Not Use Any Sharp objects
Remember not to put any sharp objects like knives or drills against your expensive macro lens. Also, don’t use cigarette lighter and toothpaste on your lens.
However, if you don’t have any idea about DIY product photography for ecommerce then check this article.
How to make my macro photos sharper?
Macro Photographers’ biggest problem is blurry photos. When we take photos we may miss the focus or our camera may move. That’s why our photos become blurry.
However, every problem has a solution. So you can also make your blurry macro photos sharp in many ways.
Try to use tripod
You can use a tripod to avoid blurred photos. Tripod will prevent moving your camera during the exposure. It also helps you to keep the focusing distance between your lens and subject constant.
Use smaller aperture
Using smaller lens openings such as f/11 or f/16 will help you to give a larger range of sharp focus.
Try to increase the lighting
When you add lights to your subject it will help you to use a faster shutter speed and a smaller aperture to get sharper macro photos.
Conclusion
So, this is the Macro Photography Guide for newbies. Hopefully, you have learned so many details of macro photography from this article.
You may feel it is hard to do macro photography. But it is equally hard as other photography genres.
Remember macro photography requires more patience, an eye for details, a steadier hand, and more precision. You also dedicated gear and more preparation and planning to do macro photography. However, that’s all for today’s Macro Photography Guide.
Now I have to leave. So if you have any inquiries then feel free to contact us.
Frequently Asked Question(FAQ)
What Is A Macro Focusing Rail?
Using a focusing rail will make your macro photography more easier. You will have more precise control than the focusing ring on your camera does.
You just need a solid tripod to make them work.
What is a macro lens?
When you will take close up shots you must need a macro lens. It is a dedicated camera lens. You can use it to handle extremely close focusing distances. Macro lenses can take sharp, highly detailed images of microscopic subjects.
It features a magnification ratio of 1:1 and also a minimum focusing distance of around 12 inches.
What is the best aperture for macro?
When shooting close ups images try to use an aperture of f/11 of f/16 as a starting point for lens aperture.
When you want more of your subject in sharp focus use smaller apertures like f/22 or smaller because you’ll lose a marginal amount of sharpness from lens diffraction.
If you shoot macro in dimly lit situations try to use larger apertures like f/5.6 or f/8.
What focal length is best for macro?
Though it is expensive to buy 150mm to 200mm focal length but they are best for macro photography. Best working distance between you subject and the front of your lens will be given by telephoto macro lenses.
