Photography Blog

It is surprising how often close-up or macro photography can be useful for both everyday life and dedicated work or projects. Although macro photography can be challenging, it is a skill that is definitely worth learning. Technically, macro photography is defined as photos which are made between 1/10 life size and life size.

The handiest cameras to use for macro photography are the digital SLR and 35 mm SLR.  Most point and shoot compact digital cameras have built-in macro modes which let you get as close as an inch. And with TTL flash, the lighting is effortless. Most bug photographers use two flashes mounted on opposite sides of the lens. You can also use a Lepp Bracket, which holds a flash on each side of the camera.  Here are a few more invaluable tips for shooting macro photography:

Lenses

Often your zoom lens works well for close up shots, but for photos that are even closer, use a real macro lens. Macro lenses focus continuously from infinity down to their closest limit. A macro lens is the best choice because fiddling with close up lenses and attachments may cause you to miss your shot.

105 mm macro lenses are the most popular. This is because they are only slightly more expensive than the 50 – 65 mm lenses, yet offer about twice the working range.

Most bug photographers want 200 mm macro lenses. The 200 mm lenses usually give the same 1:1 life size magnification, but at a far enough range that you don’t scare your subject and you don’t block your light.  The only drawback with this amazing lens is the 00 price tag!

Depth of Field

There is no depth of field at macro distances. Try to orient your subjects so they lie in the plane of focus. For example, if you photograph a butterfly, its wings need to be lying flat. If you can achieve this, the entire insect will be sharp and it won’t look like an amateur photo.

Aperture

Because there is so little depth of field you need the smallest aperture possible without causing diffraction. Set your film camera to an effective aperture of f/32. Experiment and see which works best for your setup. To do this well, you need a lot of light. For digital  cameras, you could try f/22 or f/16 to minimize diffraction.

Exposure

Manually set the camera to f/32 for depth of field and set the shutter to the flash sync speed (1/125 to 1/500 depending on your camera) to eliminate ambient light. Use the TTL flash system to let the flash control itself for perfect exposure as you vary distance.

For more professional photography tips and techniques, look no further than Red & Gold Photography. Based in Dubai, Red & Gold offers you a wealth of photography resources including quality cameras and equipment, workshops, and study opportunities. Please take a moment to explore the site at www.red-gold.net.

Macro photography is one of the most attractive and popular forms of photography. According to some experts it is very easy to master the art and techniques of macro photography – and that is, perhaps, the secret behind its fame.

Definition of Macro Photography:

Strength of the lens or the range of the lens determines whether the style can be called macro photography or not. A camera with a lens that has a 1:1 range should be used in macro photography so that the image size on the negative or slide is equal to the actual size of the subject.

Hence, if you are using 35 mm photographic film, you should use a camera that can focus on 24×36 mm small area. Then only you can take picture of a subject where the image size on photographic film is equal to the real size of the subject.

What’s interesting in Macro Photography:

Macro photography opens up the doors of a new world. It captures minute details of the subjects – such details are not at all visible in the naked eye. Hence, the viewer can reveal a lot of new things in most familiar subjects while watching the photographs. And unfamiliar subjects become more attractive in macro photography. According to photo critics – macro photography is not only attractive, but seductive!

For example, when someone takes a picture of a rusted chain in 1:1 range, you get to see the exact texture of rust. How rusts look like, what is the exact color of rust and many other minute factors come into notice. That’s what makes macro photography attractive.

Ideas & Subjects of Macro Photography:

People with a knack for photography find the subjects their own. They are artists and they have the eye for the right thing. However, those who are new in this field and about to start their career might need help finding the subject.

Snowflakes, water drops, minerals, butterflies, plants, leaves, flowers and flower petals, baby feet and fingers, eyes, spiders and spider web, insects etc. are the common subjects. Get out in your backyard garden and you will find plenty of subjects worth taking a picture. Macro photography ideas are available online to help you develop the ability to find the right subject.

Nature has always been the main subject of photography and art. However, macro photography experts often take photographs of items such as stamps, coins, automobile parts, wrist watch, pen parts, and other small things and collectibles.

Macro Photography Tutorials:

Working in this field is a new experience even for those who have been involved with photography for long. Opportunities are unlimited here – new equipments and techniques are invented everyday. With the advent of digital photography, entire world has been revolutionized.

Digital photography tutorials for macro photography help photographers make full use of digital cameras and other equipments in the process. However, it is not mandatory to use digital cameras. Traditional film based cameras are still popular and will be in the market for next few decades if not centuries.

Experts prefer SLR digital cameras for macro shooting. However, compact point and shoot cameras can yield good result too. To know more about photography, take some lessons or tutorials online. Know about photography techniques and equipments; become an expert photographer.

The term macro photography is a situation whereby you get up close and personal with your subject. True macro photography is working on approximately 1:1 ratios or closer. This produces an image that is true to the size or much larger than the subject being photographed. It is easy to get confused with this type of photography in terms of what is considered really macro. Normally macro photography ranges from life size 1:1 up to ten times enlargement 10:1, which is believed to be the exact definition of macro photography.
To take great macro photography, you will need to invest in the appropriate equipment. To just buy a lens and focus on close hoping for a good shot is not the way to do it. You will need to have a good camera, like a Canon or Nikon, and a good macro lens with a good zoom factor. A good camera to use is a Canon 1DS Mark III with a 110mm macro lens
Choosing a subject can be quite tricky. It can sometimes be difficult to get a good depth of field with macro photography, especially if you are shooting a part of an object in an abstract sense.For example: if you are shooting part of a candlestick that is ornate, it’s important to get the lighting right as well as having the vision to begin with. Often this can work out quite well whereby DOF is lacking allowing for high magnification and originality.
However, when shooting insects and such alike, magnification is important. Therefore, DOF is also reduced but makes up an integral part of the image.
Without being too technical, to increase your DOF you will need to set your camera on a higher F number-the F-stop. The highest is F8.0. When increased, the aperture of the lens becomes smaller prohibiting the amount of light that reaches the light sensor. To compensate for lighting, you must either use a flash; extend your shutter times or other sources of light. For still subjects, extended shutter times normally suffice, however, if your subject is on the move you will need to use a flash to prevent the image from blurring.
Using a tripod can also help, especially if you are waiting for you’re subject to appear or you are shooting still. This will prevent movement, which can be detrimental when working in macro photography. You will also need a release on your tripod. This will also allow you to move your camera around while securely attached.
Macro photography can be a real art form if executed properly. Subjects/objects are explored that are normally difficult to see with the naked eye and your vision for what makes a good image is heightened. There is an abundance of subjects and objects to choose from, whether it’s in your home or garden.
Firstly, you will need to think about what would make the subject/object interesting. Consider the texture, colour and shapes as well as a particular feature that would make a great shot. There are many ways to take a good macro image, and experimenting with angles that encompasses varied lighting can produce outstanding images. You can also build your own mini macro-studio in a simple box that is open at the top and at the front. You can drape it in any colour you like, for example; using black would marry well with objects of colour.
For your lighting you can simply clamp to reading lamps on the side, but make sure you use GE Reveal bulbs, these are not as harsh as normal light bulbs.
Macro photography is all about trial and error. You will bin most of your images until you get the hang of it. However, the results can be greatly rewarding, an art form that will allow you to explore your creative side that will be unique to you and you only.Happy shooting.

Macro photography is one of the most attractive and popular forms of photography. According to some experts it is very easy to master the art and techniques of macro photography – and that is, perhaps, the secret behind its fame.

Definition of Macro Photography:

Strength of the lens or the range of the lens determines whether the style can be called macro photography or not. A camera with a lens that has a 1:1 range should be used in macro photography so that the image size on the negative or slide is equal to the actual size of the subject.

Hence, if you are using 35 mm photographic film, you should use a camera that can focus on 24×36 mm small area. Then only you can take picture of a subject where the image size on photographic film is equal to the real size of the subject.

What’s interesting in Macro Photography:

Macro photography opens up the doors of a new world. It captures minute details of the subjects – such details are not at all visible in the naked eye. Hence, the viewer can reveal a lot of new things in most familiar subjects while watching the photographs. And unfamiliar subjects become more attractive in macro photography. According to photo critics – macro photography is not only attractive, but seductive!

For example, when someone takes a picture of a rusted chain in 1:1 range, you get to see the exact texture of rust. How rusts look like, what is the exact color of rust and many other minute factors come into notice. That’s what makes macro photography attractive.

Ideas & Subjects of Macro Photography:

People with a knack for photography find the subjects their own. They are artists and they have the eye for the right thing. However, those who are new in this field and about to start their career might need help finding the subject.

Snowflakes, water drops, minerals, butterflies, plants, leaves, flowers and flower petals, baby feet and fingers, eyes, spiders and spider web, insects etc. are the common subjects. Get out in your backyard garden and you will find plenty of subjects worth taking a picture. Macro photography ideas are available online to help you develop the ability to find the right subject.

Nature has always been the main subject of photography and art. However, macro photography experts often take photographs of items such as stamps, coins, automobile parts, wrist watch, pen parts, and other small things and collectibles.

Macro Photography Tutorials:

Working in this field is a new experience even for those who have been involved with photography for long. Opportunities are unlimited here – new equipments and techniques are invented everyday. With the advent of digital photography, entire world has been revolutionized.

Digital photography tutorials for macro photography help photographers make full use of digital cameras and other equipments in the process. However, it is not mandatory to use digital cameras. Traditional film based cameras are still popular and will be in the market for next few decades if not centuries.

Experts prefer SLR digital cameras for macro shooting. However, compact point and shoot cameras can yield good result too. To know more about photography, take some lessons or tutorials online. Know about photography techniques and equipments; become an expert photographer.