Introduction to Macro Photography - Comparing digital cameras & buying guide for different type of digital photography

Introduction to Macro Photography

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Written by OPenDP

Tuesday, 28 February 2006

Photo Taken on EOS 350D , EF 100 f2.8 Macro

Have you ever seen a photograph that makes a fly seem as if it could rival King Kong? Chances are that photographer captured the insect with a macro lens, showing off his or her close-up photography skills. Macro simply means that the images captured are equal or larger in size to the actual image being photographed.

Macro photography – extremely close-up photography – does not exist only in the world of professional photographers. With a focus on a few simple techniques and perhaps the addition of a few new accessories for your digital camera, you can see just how much fun macro can be.

Useful for many purposes, macro photography can capture purely creative subjects as well as commercial images such as jewelry pieces for a catalog. To succeed in taking great close-up photos, focus on the image at hand, minimizing clutter in the background. Allow your digital camera’s auto focus mode to take charge, but test out its “spot focus” mode for an exact preview of what the camera will be capturing.

Because macro photography features extremely close-up shooting of images, mistakes are also magnified tremendously. Consider using a tripod to minimize unsteadiness of the camera. Also, strive to create or locate the best lighting situation. You may need to bring in additional light sources to create the appropriate setting. Worst-case scenario, you can always process the photos later with an imaging program on your computer.

praying mantis prays for a prey!

Taken on Canon EOS 350D - EF 100 Macro

Great digital camera accessories for a macro photography beginner:

Tripod
Macro or close-up lens
Extra memory cards
Colored paper for simulated backgrounds
Atomizer or spray bottle to simulate dew
Artificial lighting accessories – daylight balanced compact fluorescent bulbs, basic lighting kit, ring light, Photoflex light disks, etc.
Macro extension tubes (great for digital cameras with large sensors)

Taken on Canon 350D , ef 100 f2.8
Remember, practice makes perfect. Take many pictures whenever you shoot anything at all. You are bound to capture a few remarkable shots, even if the rest are just average. To better hone your skills in macro photography, read up on the subject at your local library, on the Internet or buy a book for your own enjoyment. The more you know about macro photography, the more comfortable you will be when it comes time to take photographs.

Comments

Al
on 2007-07-14 07:24:15

You are right about the equipment Mike. For quality macro photos you need to make sure you are using tripod or the camera is placed still. The DOF of low aperture (like f2.8) is very small which means a very small movement of camera can lead to less sharpen photos. Try mirror lockup and tripod. Also lighting is very important. This one was done with natural lighting. Use no filters (try to avoid them as much as you can. I know they are useful when it comes to damages!) Because they'll usually affect your camera's auto focus system. Make sure you read your lens manual and you are not crossing the minimum distance your lens allows. Hope these tips help you improve your macro shots. Let us know if the problem is still there. About your other question, Yes, the Praying Mantis is alive and %100 natural.

Mike
on 2007-07-14 00:31:50

I have a Canon 1D Mark II and a 180 Canon macro 1:1 lens and do not get the type of picture you are getting of the praying mantis. Mine come out OK, but that is stellar. I have the canon 2 light macro flash also for the 180 lens. It seems the equipment is there, but why not the sharpness you have with the shot you have. was that praying mantis alive at time of shoot, or a dead 1 just stuck there? Appreciate any help you can give

Rose
on 2006-11-15 10:59:48

If you are serious in macro photography, you should buy a special macro lens. there are some good brands which you can select a lens. a tube also helps.

Macro Photography
on 2006-10-29 23:27:37

Although tubes help photographer to have a larger image, but the quality of image diminishes slightly. So in macro photography, having a specialized macro lens helps you to capture great shots!