There is a growing demand for macro photography, which is why many photographers attempt to learn how to take macro photographs. Macro photography is one of the most satisfying and enjoyable creative genres of photography. If you have the required macro expertise, you can take some beautiful macro photographs.
What is macro photography
Macro photography is the closeup photography of small objects, such as insects, flowers and other small objects and scenes. You can shoot macro photographs indoors or outdoors, but you will need to ensure the macro subject is adequately magnified. In general, according to the definition of macro photography, the subject must be photographed at a 1:1 magnification or life-size. However, basically, it implies that you have to take images where your subject occupies the entire frame and is no larger than the size of your camera sensor.
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MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY IS A LOOK INTO ANOTHER WORLD
Macro photography techniques
The genre of macro photography requires specific camera settings that can only be revealed through exploration or trial and error, but if you keep a few things in mind, you can ace your macro shot.
Aperture
A decrease in aperture (up to f/22) will give you a greater depth of field, but this will let in less light onto the camera sensor. However, you can utilize the camera’s flash or a ring light if the macro camera option doesn’t provide you with enough natural light. Remember though that a flash could startle a living subject; therefore, a flash diffuser might be useful to soften the light, and a good bright ring light is preferrable.
Remain steady
Your macro camera will need to remain steady to take the best photographs. A remote trigger and tripod would be the best option to start with. It ensures that your macro camera is steady, especially where longer exposures are used.
Macro photography is one of the most satisfying and enjoyable genres of photography. If you have the required macro expertise, you can take some beautiful macro photographs.
Focal distances
It is possible that the camera’s autofocus won’t function well when taking macro photographs with a high level of magnification. Therefore, finding the focal point is necessary; from where you can utilize manual focus. Try taking many pictures of the subject at slightly differing focus distances if you can’t get the entire subject in focus.
Focus stacking
Focus stacking is an imaging technique where multiple images are taken at different focus distances. The images are then stacked during digital processing to give a resulting image with a much greater depth of field.
ISO and shutter speed
Take as many photographs as you need using different ISO, shutter speeds and apertures. This will result in a much greater level of images to work with during post-processing. The more experimentation you attempt the greater knowledge will be gained, resulting in the ideal macro shot.
Outdoor macro photography
When producing macro photography images and if using artificial light, there is no best time of day for outdoor macro photography. However, all photographers love golden hour, which is the time of day just before sunrise and the hour around dusk. This time of day produces to most beautiful soft golden light hat may be just right for your macro photography session.
Focus on the details
The small intricacies of any small object which are usually hidden from normal view can make for some stunning imagery. Imagine the hairs on an insect, the immensely colourful details in beach sand or the soft petals of a flower. The intricacies become clearer as the lens focuses closer.
Plan beforehand the type of photos you would like to take
Macro photography depends on the photographer and the subject they wish to magnify. It is especially crucial to consider all the minor details when practicing macro photography.
You should aim to have a plan for the photographs beforehand. There is a very small area of focus when taking macro photos and any slight movement in the camera may result in images that are out of focus.
Pay attention to the background
The background can be one of the most crucial elements in macro photography as the choice will enhance the overall image. Too often we become so absorbed in the subject that we overlook the background. So, always remember to look at the entire scene, not just the subject.
Avoid movement
Like all factors of macro photography, a slight movement can blur the picture at any time, and the problem increases exponentially the smaller an object. Stability is vital if you are using a slower shutter speed due to low light conditions.
Short macro lenses
Short macro lenses have a focal length of 35mm–60mm. They are portable and reasonably priced. You must remain very near to your subject to acquire a clear shot.
Intermediate macro lenses
Intermediate macro lenses have focal lengths in the range of 90mm-105mm. They have a longer focal length, but they are light, and you won’t always need a tripod.
Long macro lenses
Long macro lenses have their focal length between 150 to 200 mm. you will get the best picture quality even at a longer distance.
Five amazing macro photography ideas to try
The Eye: Without using words, the eyes can say a lot. Compared to a full body shot, the eye may reveal more about a person. That is why it is the perfect subject for your macro photography.
Flowers: A flower will always remain one of the most widely chose subjects for macro photography. They are inherently beautiful and there are so many different kinds of flowers. You can never get bored photographing flowers, and when combined with other artistic styles of photography such as still life, can produce some of the most amazing photographs.
Bugs and insects: Although some individuals might find not find insects to their liking, they are excellent macro photography subjects. You may see their true beauty when they are magnified.
Textures: Almost every object in this world has texture, and you only need to approach an object near enough to see its detail. There is an almost infinite variety of colours, and you can even find textures that may look like valleys or hills (as in the details of the groves on an old vinyl record).
Water droplets: Water droplets are a perfect subject that you can even create yourself. All you need is a spray gun, and perhaps a flash if you have one. Then spray the water and shoot away using a fixed focus. Add coloured card or lights in the background to really make the image pop.
Commercial applications
Commercial applications of macro photography can include jewellery, mineral and rock imaging, small-size product photography, biology and natural sciences.
Macro photography principles
Although macro photography is done at a smaller scale, the same principles of photography that are used in other techniques and genres apply to this one. Try to ensure complete focus on the subject, the use of good quality macro photography lenses, correct lighting (whether natural or artificial) and contrast between the subject and the background.
Practice
Hopefully enough to pique your interest in this genre and technique, and always remember that practice makes perfect, so get yourself in the zone and start with something small!
Macro photography portfolio
The macro genre of photography can produce incredibly beautiful images that we cannot generally see without the assistance of a camera or microscope. So build a website and create social media accounts at TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, and upload your best macro work for all to see!
Have fun with macro photography!
There is so much to see when we look for the small things around us.
