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MasteringMacroPhotography
Ideas,Tips,Tutorials&DIYEquipment
Publishedby:
www.seeinginmacro.com
Copyright©2014.Allrightsreserveworldwide.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereplicated,redistributed,orgivenawayinanyformwithoutthepriorwrittenconsentoftheauthor/publisher.
TableofContents1.WhatisMacroPhotography?
2.IsMacroPhotographyDifferenttoClose-UpPhotography?
3.WhatisMagnificationRatio?
4.HowtoCalculateYourMagnificationRatio
5.WhatTypeofMacroPhotographerAreYou?
6.WhatYouNeedToConsiderBeforePressingtheShutterButton
TheImportanceofDepthofFieldinMacroPhotography
HowtoControlDepthofField
TheImportanceofColorHarmonyinMacroPhotography
HowtoAchieveColorHarmonyinYourMacroPhotos
IntroducingtheColorWheel
UsingMonochromaticColors
UsingAnalogousColors
UsingComplementaryColors
UsingTriadicColors
TheImportanceofCompositioninMacroPhotography
UnderstandingandApplyingCompositionRules
TheRuleofThirds
CleanBackground
AUniquePerspective
UsingDiagonalLines
PerceptionofMovement
Patterns
Texture
Framing
7.ShouldYouBeaRuleBreaker?8.WhatMacroPhotographyEquipmentDoYouNeed?
WhatCameraDoYouNeed?
HowtoChooseaCamera
WhatLensDoYouNeed?
HowtoChooseaLens
WhatareExtensionTubes?
HowtoChooseaSetofExtensionTubes
WhatisaLensReversalRingAdapter?
HowtoChooseaLensReversalRingAdapter
WhatareClose-UpFilters/Diopters?
HowtoChooseaLensDiopter/CloseUpFilter
WhatareBellows?
HowtoChooseBellows
WhatareFlashUnits(Built-In,Hot-Shoe,Ring&Dual)?
HowtoChooseaMacroRingLight/Flash
WhatisaFlashDiffuser?
HowtoChooseaFlashDiffuser
WhatisaTripod?
HowtoChooseaTripod
WhatisaMacroFocusingRail?
HowtoChooseaMacroFocusingRail
9.ComparingtheClose-UpFilter,ReversingLensAdapter,ExtensionTubes&DifferentCombinations
50mmLensOnly
50mmLenswithClose-UpFilters
50mmReversedLens
50mmLenswithFullSetExtensionTubes
50mmReversedLenswithFullSetExtensionTubes
10.SoWhatEquipmentDoYouREALLYNeed?
11.MacroPhotographyonaBudget–DIYMacroPhotographyEquipment
HowtoMakeaStringTripod
HowtoMakeaFlashDiffuser
HowtoMakeaLightBox/MiniStudio
HowtoMakeaMacroRingLight
HowtoMakeaMacroExtensionTube
12.EasyTipstoSaveMoneytoPurchasetheBestMacroPhotographyGear
13.UnderstandingCommonIssuesInMacroPhotography
HowtoIdentifyandFixBlurryPhotosfromCameraShake
HowtoIdentifyandFixBlurryPhotosfromIncorrectFocusPoint
HowtoIdentifyandFixBlurryPhotosfromSubjectMovement
HowtoIdentifyandFixBlurryBackgroundPhotos
14.HowtoKissBlurryPhotosGoodbye15.MacroPhotographyTechnique–FocusStacking
WhatisFocusStacking?
WhyUseFocusStackinginMacroPhotography?
Indoorsvs.OutdoorsFocusStacking
WhatEquipmentIsTypicallyUsedForFocusStacking?
16.HowtoFocusStack(Indoor)TutorialStep-by-StepFocusStackingTutorial
TipsandAdviceforBetterStackedPhotos
17.PracticalMacroPhotographyTipsandTricks
HowToPhotographInsects/Bugs
HowtoPhotographFlowers&Plants
18.WheretoFindMacroPhotographySubjectsWhenThereAreNoneAroundYou
19.HowtoMakeYourGardenaMacroPhotographySubjectMagnet
HowtoAttractButterflies
HowtoAttractOtherInterestingInsects
20.UniqueMacroPhotographyIdeas&Tutorials
PhotographingBubblesTutorial
AbstractOilandWaterIdeaTutorial
BubblesandWaterTutorial
BubblingSlicedFruitinWaterTutorial
InkInWaterTutorial
DewDropsonSpiderWebTutorial
WaterDropPhotographyTutorial
AbstractReflectionsinWaterDropletsTutorial
WaterDropletfromFaucetTutorial
21.DevelopingTheMacroPhotographer’sMindset
HowtoBecomeaBetterMacroPhotographer
YourFirst10,000PhotographsareyourWorst…
ShouldYouPrintYourDigitalMacroPhotos?
22.FinalWords–Bonus&OtherPhotographyResources
23.Credits
1.WhatisMacroPhotography?Macrophotographyisoneofthemostchallengingformsofphotography.Itopensupawholenewworldforphotographerstoexploreandencouragesthemtoseetheworldwithadifferentperspective.Ifwehadtodefine‘macrophotography’,wewouldsaythatitistheartofmakingsmallobjectslookbig.Itisaboutbringingoutthebeautyintheobjectsthatweoftentakeforgrantedinourdailylives
Whilsttheworldofmacrophotographyistypicallyassociatedtoimagesofinsects,flowersandplants,macrophotographersarenotlimitedtothesesubjectsonly.Whenyoustepintothemacrophotographyworld,youwillsoondiscoverthatthereisanothersidetomacrophotography–onethatisabstractandcreative.
Thiscouldinvolvecapturingtheexcitingtexturesandpatternsofanobjectandturningthesmalldetailsoftheobjectintothefocusofattention.Forexample,thetextureofaslicedfruitorthepatternsonabutterflywingoreventhewrinklesonaperson.
Beforeyoustartyourmacrophotographyjourney,wemustwarnyoufirst–macrophotographyisextremelyaddictive.Youwillbelockedintoalifelongjourneyoflearningandyouwillbeconstantlyhoningyourphotographer’seye,patienceandperseverance.
Sowewishyouthebestofluckandhopethatyouwillenjoythejourney-itisgoingtobeanexcitingandrewardingone!
Image1-WhatisMacroPhotography?
2.IsMacroPhotographyDifferenttoClose-UpPhotography?
Upuntilnow,wehaveintentionallysteeredclearofthetechnicaldefinitionof‘macrophotography’toavoidputtingyoutosleep.Itisnotaninterestingtopictocoversowewilltrytomakethisaspainlessaspossibleforyou.
Inthemacrophotographyworld,youwillhearmanydebatesonthedifferencesbetweenmacrophotographyandcloseupphotography.Itisahottopicandmorethanlikely,youwillbesuckedintothisdebateatsomepointinyourjourney.
Itisimportanttokeepinthebackofyourmindthedifferencesbetweenmacrophotographyandcloseupphotography.Thesephotosmaylookverysimilartoyouhoweverwhenwestarttodrilldownintothetechnicalcomponents,theyareactuallydifferent.
Macrophotographygenerallyrequiresa1:1orhighermagnificationratiobetweentheobjectimagethatyouarephotographingandtherealobject.Whatthismeansisthatifyouarephotographingabeethatis1inchinsize,thisbeewillappearas1inchorgreateronyourcamera’ssensor.Iftheobjectimageissmallerthantherealobject,thiswillthenbecategorizedascloseupphotography.
Whetheryouachievethemagnificationratioof1:1orhigherisgoingtobedependentonthephotographyequipmentthatyouuse.Wewillcoverthisinalaterchapter.
Sodoesitreallymatter?Forus-No.Butforsomeotherpeople-Yes.Inthisbook,wewillbeusingthetermsinterchangeably.Whileitisimportanttoknowthetechnicaldifferencesbetweenmacrophotographyandcloseupphotography,webelievethatitisfarmoreimportantforaphotographertogetoutinthefield,shoot,learnandenjoythemselves.
So,don’tletthe‘macrophotographyorcloseupphotography’debatesconfuseyouorstopyoufromenteringthemacrophotographyworld.
Image2-MacroPhotographyvsClose-Up
3.WhatisMagnificationRatio?Manypeopledonotfullyunderstandwhat‘magnificationratio’meansandmorethanoften,itcanbequiteconfusingaswell.Sotomakesureyouhaveagoodgraspofit,wewantedtocover‘magnificationratio’inalittlemoredetailandthenteachyouasimplemethodtodeterminethemagnificationratioofyourownequipment.It’llbequick,easyandfun.
Macrophotographersarealwayskeentoknowwhat‘magnificationratio’thattheyareachievingwiththeirequipmentbecauseahighermagnificationratiowillultimatelyallowthemtoobtaincloserphotosoftheirphotographysubjects.Moreimportantly,afterlearningaboutthewaytocalculateyourmagnificationratio,youwillthenbeabletospeaktoothermacrophotographersandtellthemaboutthemagnificationratioofyourequipment!
Sowhatdoesamagnificationratioof1:1mean?Tore-capwhatwesaidpreviously,thisbasicallymeansthatwhenyoutakeaphotoofabutterfly,theprojectedimageofthebutterflyonthecamera’ssensorwillbetheactualsizeofthebutterfly.
Tohelpusunderstandthis,let’sassociatesomenumberstotheexamples.Letusassumethatthecamera’ssensoris26mminlength.When26mmoftheactualimageisprojectedontothecamera’s26mmsensor,thenthisresultsinamagnificationratioof1:1.When52mmoftheactualimageissqueezedintofitontothecamera’s26mmsensor,thenthisresultsinamagnificationratioof1:2.Thismeansthatyouractualimagesize/magnificationhasbeenreducedtohalf.When13mmoftheactualimageisprojectedontothecamera’s26mmsensor,thenthisresultsinamagnificationratioof2:1.Thisultimatelymeansthatyouractualimagehasdoubledinsize.
4.HowtoCalculateYourMagnificationRatioThereareanumberofdifferentwaystocalculateyourmagnificationratio.Somepeoplewillsuggestusingasimplemathformulatocalculatethemagnificationratio.However,youneedtobeawarethattheformulahaveitslimitationsanddonotalwaysworkforeverytypeofmacrophotographyequipmentsetup.Themathformulamethodhasconfusedmanypeopleinthepastandassuchwehavechosennottocoverthismethodinthisbook.
Instead,wearesharingthishands-onmethodofcalculatingyourmagnificationratioforyourmacrophotographysetup.Itwillworkforeverysimpleorcomplexmacrogearsetupyouhave.Itisextremelyfunandyoucanreallyseeandmeasurethemagnificationchangerightinfrontofyoureyes!
WhatisRequired?CameraRulerLengthsizeofyourcamera’ssensor(Youcaneasilyobtainthisfromthemanufacturer’swebsite–orjustGoogleyourcameramodel+‘sensorsize’.eg.NikonD80sensorsize)
TutorialSteps1. Layyourruleronaflatsurfaceandhaveyourcameraverticallyaboveit.2. Aimattherulerandtrytolocatetheclosestheightwhereyoucanstillfocusontothe
ruler.Youwillneedtomoveyourcameraclosertotherulerwhiletryingtofocusontotheruler.Therewillbeapointwhereyouwilljustnotbeabletofocusontheruleranymore.Youwanttolocatethepointrightbeforethathappens.
3. Whenyouhavelocatedthelastpointwheretherulerisstillinfocus,takeaphotoofthemeasurementontheruler.
4. Lookatyourphotoandcounthowmanymillimeter(mm)oftheruleriscontainedwithinthephoto
5. Comparethatmeasurementtothelengthsizeofyourcamera’ssensor.Forexample,thesensorsizeonthemanufacturer’swebsitemaybe37mm(length)x24mm(width)andthephotooftherulershowsapproximately37mminlength.Thismeansthatyouhave1:1magnificationratio(lifesize).Ifthephotooftherulershowsapproximately18.5mm,thenyouhave2:1magnificationratio(twicethelifesize).
Usethefollowingformulatohelpyoucalculatethemagnificationratio–
Magnification=SensorWidth/#ofmmcapturedinyourphoto
Hands-onExamplePhotographofarulerwithamacrolens–Approximately37mminlength.
FirstScenario
Equipment–
NikonD700Nikkor105mmf2.8macrolens
Image3-Photographofarulerwithamacrolens.Approximately37mminlength.
Theabovephotowascapturedwithamacrolensonly.Applyingourformulaof–
Magnification=SensorWidth/#ofmmcapturedinyourphoto
Magnification=37mm/37mm=1
Thereforeanapproximatemagnificationratioof1:1.
SecondScenario
Equipment–
NikonD700Nikkor105mmf2.8macrolens68mmofextensiontubes
Image4-Photographofarulerwithamacrolens+68mmextensiontubes.Approximately17mminlength.
Theabovephotowascapturedwithamacrolensand68mmofextensiontubes.Applyingourformula–
Magnification=SensorWidth/#ofmmcapturedinyourphoto
Magnification=37mm/17mm=2.17
Thereforeanapproximatemagnificationratioof2:1
Aftercompletingthishands-ontask,youshouldhaveanideaofwhetheryouareactuallyshootingin‘macro’ornot.Ifyouarenotachievingaratioof1:1,that’sOK!Don’tstress–therearesomanyotherwaystogetyouclosertothe1:1ratio.Wewillsharesomeoftheselesserknownsecretswithyouintheequipmentchapter.
Asalways…Don’tforgetthatitismoreimportanttogetoutthere,learnaboutyourcameraandenhanceyourmacrophotographyknowledgeandtechniquesratherthanworryingaboutyourmagnificationratio.
5.WhatTypeofMacroPhotographerAreYou?
Beforeyoustartyourmacrophotographyjourney,youshouldtakeafewmomentstoconsiderwhattypeofmacrophotographeryouare.Thismaysoundsillyatfirst,butthiswillhelpyoutodeterminethetypeofphotosthatyoushouldtakeandthephotographytechniquesthatyouwillneedtouse.
Thesearethetwotypesofmacrophotographers–
1. Scientificmacrophotographer2. Creativemacrophotographer
ScientificMacroPhotographerMacrophotographyforscientificpurposesisverydifferenttocreativemacrophotography.Asascientificmacrophotographer,themainpurposeofyourphotoistodocumenttheevent,fauna(insects,animals,etc)orflora(flowers,plants,etc).Forexample,youmaybephotographingallthedifferentbutterflyspeciesinyourgeographiclocation.Therefore,theprimarypurposeofyourphotoistosupportyouorascientistinidentifyingeachofthespeciestype.
Asascientificmacrophotographer,youshouldtrytoachievethefollowinginyourphotos–
Includetheenvironment/surroundingsalongwithyoursubject.Youdonotneedtoworryaboutbackgroundclutter.Useasmallaperture(eg.f/16)toachieveadeepfieldofdepth.Thiswillensurethatyoursubjectandthesurroundingsareinfocus.Capturethesubjectatthecorrectanglesothatitcanbeusedforidentificationpurposes.Itisimportantforyoutolearnaboutyoursubjectbeforehandsothatyouknowtheangleortheanatomythatcoulduniquelyidentifythesubject.Forexample,itmaybeaspecificpatternorcolorthatisonyoursubjectthatwillidentifyitUseyourflashtofreezemotion.Avoidanypost-processingofyourphoto.Donotenhanceoraltertheoriginalphotoasanimperfectiononyoursubjectcouldtellawholedifferentstory.
CreativeMacroPhotographerWhenitcomestocreativemacrophotography,thesemacrophotosusuallyhaveanartisticelementtothem.Thisiswhatmakescreativemacrophotographysointeresting.Aphotoofthesamesubjectcouldbetakeninsomanydifferentwaysandcouldlookverydifferenteachtimeaphotoistaken.
Increatingacreativemacrophoto,thephotographerwilltakeanumberofdifferentfactorsintoconsideration.Wewillcoversomeofthesetechniquesinmoredetailinthenextchapter,however,asasneakpeek,thefollowingaresomeofthethingsthatareusuallyconsideredbeforetheshutterbuttonispressed–
DepthoffieldCompositionColorHarmonyLighting
6.WhatYouNeedToConsiderBeforePressingtheShutterButton
TheImportanceofDepthofFieldinMacroPhotographyAsamacrophotographer,itisveryimportanttounderstandwhatdepthoffieldisandhowitcanaffectyourphotos.Thedepthoffieldtechniquehasbeenusedinmacrophotographyformanyyears.Depthoffieldisthedistancebetweenthenearestandfarthestobjectsinascenethatappearacceptablysharpinanimage.
Whentalkingaboutdepthoffield,peoplewillgenerallyusetwodifferenttermstodescribeyourphoto–
1. Narrow/Shallowdepthoffield2. Wide/Deepdepthoffield
Bycomposingaphotothathasashallowdepthoffield,theareaswithintheimagewillbelessinfocus.Thiswilldrawaviewer’sattentiontoaspecificareaofthephotothatisstillinfocus.Althoughitisnottoocommonincreativemacrophotography,aphotographercouldalsoadjustthecamerasettingstoachieveadeepdepthoffield.Thiswillresultinphotothatislikelytohavemoreareasthataremoreinfocus.
Image5-ImportanceofDepthofField
HowtoControlDepthofFieldSohowdoyoucontrolthedepthoffieldinyourphoto?Thereareanumberofwaysandthisincludesthefollowing-
ApertureFocalLengthCameraDistancefromsubject
ApertureApertureisoneofthefactorsthatwillaffectthedepthoffieldinyourimage.Apertureisthesizeoftheopeninginyourlens.Generally,whenusingalargerapertureorsmallerf/stopnumber(eg.F2.8),yourimagewillbelessinfocus(eg.shallowdepthoffield).Whenyouuseasmallerapertureoralargerf/stopnumber(eg.F22),yourimagewillbecomemoreinfocus(eg.deepdepthoffield).
FocalLengthFocallengthistheotherfactorthatwillaffectthedepthoffieldinyourimage.Thelongeryourfocallength(eg.alenszoomedto100mm),thelessareasofyourimagewillbeinfocus(shallowdepthoffield).Ontheotherhand,ifyouuseawiderfocallength(alenszoomedoutto24mm),moreareasofyourimagewillbeinfocus.
CameraDistancefromSubjectThedistancebetweenyoursubjectandcamerawillalsoaffectthedepthoffieldinyourimage.Generally,thecloseryouaretoyoursubject,thelessofyourimagewillbeinfocus(shallowdepthoffield).Ifyouthenmovefurtherawayfromyoursubject,youwillnoticethattheimagewillbecomemoreinfocus(deepdepthoffield).
Whenconsideringthedepthoffieldinyourphotos,thereisnohardandfastruleinmacrophotographythatstatesthatyourimagesshouldhaveashallowdepthoffieldoradeepdepthoffield.Attheendoftheday,itcomesdowntothecompositionthatyouareafterasaphotographer.Youjustneedtobeawarethatdifferentdepthoffieldwithinanimagewilltellacompletelydifferentstorytoyourviewers.
TheImportanceofColorHarmonyinMacroPhotographyColorsplayanimportantroleinyourphotos.Asyouknow,thehumaneyecanseeandprocessawidespectrumofcolors.Evenwithoutanyformaleducationinartsordesign,thehumaneyeandbraincan‘sense’whetherspecificcombinationofcolorswillworktogether.
Insteadofrelyingpurelyonyoursensestodeterminewhethercolorswillworktogetherornot,wewanttoequipyouwithsomebasiccolortheoriessothatyouknowhowtoachieve‘colorharmony’inyourmacrophotos.Whenwetalkaboutcolorharmony,wearereferringtothesetofcolorsthatwillworkharmoniouslytogethertoachieveanimagethatispleasingtotheeye.Thesearethetypeofphotosthatyoushouldstrivetocapture.
HowtoAchieveColorHarmonyinYourMacroPhotosIntroducingtheColorWheelThecolorwheelwasinventedbyIsaacNewtonanditisatoolthatwillhelpyoutodeterminewhethercolorsareinharmony.Withoutboringyouwithallthedetailsofthecolorwheel,whatIwantyoutorememberisthattherearethreeprimarycolors–Red,YellowandBlue.Whenyoustarttoadddifferentmixturesoftheseprimarycolorstogether,thiswillresultinthecreationofanewcolor.Thesecolorsareknownassecondarycolors.Forexample,addingmoreyellowtoredwillhelptoachievetheorangecolor.Whenyoumixtheprimarycolorwiththesecondarycolor,itwillthenresultinthecreationofanothernewcolor.Thesenewcolorsarecalledtertiarycolors.
Image6-TheColorWheel
UsingMonochromaticColorsThefirstwaytoachievecolorharmonyisthroughtheuseofmonochromaticcolors.Don’tletthebiglongwordscareyou.‘Mono’basicallymeans‘Single’or‘One’and‘Chromatic’means‘Color’.Assuch,toachievemonochromaticcolorsinyourphoto,youwillusedifferenttones,tintsandshadesofasinglecolor.
Thecolorwheelcanhelpyoutoachievemonochromaticcolors.First,youwillneedtoselectacolorfromthecolorwheel.Nextyouwillneedtoaddmoreblack,whiteorgreycolortoyourchosencolor.Byusingacombinationofthesecolors,youwillachievemonochromaticcolors.
Aphotocreatedwithmonochromaticcolorswillcreateavisuallyappealingimagethatisbalanced.However,thephotowilllackcolorcontrast.
Image7-MonochromaticColorsonColorWheel
Image8-MonochromaticColorExample
UsingAnalogousColorsThesecondwaytoachievecolorharmonyisthroughtheuseofanalogouscolors.Onceagaindonotbeintimidatedbytheterm.‘Analogouscolors’relatestotheselectionofagroupofcolorsthataresimilarandblendwelltogether.
Thecolorwheelcanhelpyoutoselectyouranalogouscolors.Toachievethis,youmustfirstselectthemaincolorfromthecolorwheel.Youwillthenneedtoselect2adjacentcolorstothemaincolor.Youcanselectonecoloroneithersideor2colorsfromonesideofthemaincolor.
Asmacrophotographers,wearequitelucky.Analogouscolorsappeareverywhereinnature.Ifyouthinkabouttheleavesonthetreesduringtheearlyautumnseason,youwillnoticethattheleavesareamixtureofgreen,yellowandredcolors.
Aphotocreatedwithanalogouscolorswillresultinanimagethatisricherthanthemonochromaticcolors.However,itmaysometimesnotlookasvibrantasitstilllackscolorcontrast.
Image9-AnalogousColorsonColorWheel
Image10-AnalogousColorsExample
UsingComplementaryColorsThethirdwaytoachievecolorharmonyisthroughtheuseofcomplementarycolors.Thisistheselectionofcolorsthatwhencombinedtogether,willprovideahighcontrastimage.
Thecolorwheelcanhelpyoutoselectyourcomplementarycolors.Firstyouneedtoselectamaincolorfromthecolorwheel.Next,youwillthenusethecolorthatisdirectlyoppositeoftheselectedcolor.
Aphotocreatedwithcomplementarycolorswillresultinanimagethatishighcontrastandvibrant.However,asyouwillprobablyexperience,itcanbequitedifficulttobalancethecolors.
Image11-ComplementaryColorsonColorWheel
Image12-ComplementaryColorsExample
Image13-ComplementaryColorsExample
UsingTriadicColorsThefourthwaytoachievecolorharmonyisthroughtheuseoftriadiccolors.Asthename‘triad’suggests,thismethodinvolvesusingthreedifferentcolors.
Toachievetriadiccolors,youfirstselectthekeycolorfromthecolorwheel.Youwillthenneedtoselectanothertwocolorsthatareevenlyspacedfromthekeycolor.Ifyouhavedonethiscorrectly,thiswilleventuallyformatriangleonthecolorwheel.
Aphotothatincludestriadiccolorswillhelptoachieveavibrantimagewithhighcontrast.However,whencomparingthistocomplementarycolors,itdoesnotofferasmuchcontrast.
Nowthatyouknowhowtoachievecolorharmony,makesureyoukeepitinthebackof
yourmindwhenyoucomposeyourphotoasitwillhelpyoutocreatephotosthatarepleasingtotheeye.
Image14-TriadicColorsonColorWheel
Image15-TriadicColorsExample
Image16-TriadicColorsExample
TheImportanceofCompositioninMacroPhotographyBeforewestarttalkingaboutcomposition,trytorecallthebestphotothatyouhaveseeninyourlife.Onceyouhaveanimageofitinyourhead,askyourselfwhythephotoissoimpressive?Ifyouwereabletonameafewreasons,thenyouaredefinitelyonestepaheadofthegame.Ifyouwereunabletolistanyreasons,don’tbetoodown–itcanbequitedifficulttodeterminewhatmakesagoodphoto.Sometimesitjustboilsdowntoa‘feeling’thatyougetwhenyoulookatthephoto.This‘feeling’thatyougetisoftentheresultofgoodphotocomposition.
Beforeweintroduceyoutosomebasiccompositionrules,let’sstopandthinkaboutwhatcompositionreallymeans.Youheartheterm,“PhotoComposition”tossedaroundalot,butwhatdoesitreallymean?Perhapsit’sbesttochangeourframeofreference–orfocus,ifyouwill–forjustamoment,tothetopicofmusic.Youknowthatsongsareoftencalledcompositions.Thisreferstotheindividualpieces–therhythm,melody,etc…–thatworktogethertomakeupacompletesong.Inasimilarmanner,theindividualpiecesofapictureworktogethertomakeupitsuniquecomposition.
Remember,macrophotographyisanartform,justlikecreatingmusic.Tocreatememorablephotos,youmustconsidertheindividualpiecesthatarebeingcapturedinthephotograph,inorderforthatphototohavetrulybalanced,eye-capturingcomposition.
UnderstandingandApplyingCompositionRulesLearninghowtocomposeaphotoisafundamentalskillinmacrophotography.Photographerswhodonotknowhowtocomposetheirphotoswillalwaysbestuckwithtaking‘good’photosonly.So,ifyouwanttotakeyourphotographytothenextlevelandstarttakingamazingphotos,youmustalwaysconsiderthecompositionbeforeyoupresstheshutterbutton.
Inthischapter,wearegoingtointroduceyoutosomebasiccompositionrulessothatyoucanputthemintopracticeandimproveyourphotographyskills–
TheRuleofThirds
Image17-RuleofThirds
Theruleofthirdsisatechniquethatcanbeappliedinmacrophotography.Thistechniquewillrequireyoutosplityourframeorviewfinderintonineseparateareasbyimaginingtwoequallyspacedverticalandtwohorizontallinesacrossyourimage.
Researchhasshownthatthehumaneyesarenaturallydrawntotheareaswheretheverticalandhorizontallinesintersect.Thesepointscreatetension,energyandinterestinthecomposition.Assuch,tomaximizetheimpactofyourphotos,thesubjectortheareaofinterestshouldalwaysbeplacedontooneoftheseintersectingpoints.
Byfollowingtheruleofthirds,youwillavoidplacingyoursubjectorareaofinterestinthemiddleoftheframe.Itisimportanttoknowthatthereisonlyoneexceptiontothisrule.Ifyouareplanningtocropyourimageintoasquareframe,yoursubjectorareaofinterestcanbeplacedinthemiddle.
CleanBackground
Image18-CleanBackground
Beforeyoutakeyourphoto,youshouldcheckthatthebackgroundofyourphotowillnotcontainanyobjectsthatmightdistractsomeonefromyoursubjectofinterest.This
commonlyincludesabranch/stickoranotherflowerthatisinthebackgroundofyourphoto.Forsituationslikethis,youmaywishtoremovetheseobjectsbeforeyoutakeyourphoto.Ifyouareunabletoremovetheobject,youshouldtryshootingfromanotherangletohidethedistractingobject.
Additionally,youcancontrolthedepthoffieldtobluroutanydistractionsthatareinthebackground.Toachievethis,youneedtouseawideaperture(eg.F2.8)settingsothatyourphotohasashallowdepthoffield.
AUniquePerspective
Image19-UniquePerspective
Takingyourphotosfromauniqueviewpointisanothermacrophotographytechniquethatyoushouldtrytousemoreoften.
Imagineyourselfadmiringtheflowersinyourgarden.Whenyouarelookingattheseflowers,youarealwayslookingfromatop-downperspective.Assuch,ifyoutakeaphotofromthesameviewpoint,itisnotuniqueanddoesn’tcaptivatetheattentionofyourviewers.
Bymakingaminoradjustmentandgettingdowntothelevelofyoursubject,youprovideadifferentperspectivetoyourviewer–onewhichthattheyarenotusedtoseeing.Thishelpstocapturetheattentionofyourviewersanddrawthemintothemacrophotographyworld.
Additionally,simplychangingtheangleabitorskewingyourpointofviewcangoalongwayinimprovingcompositioninphotography.Yes,itdoestakesometimetogetusedtoshootingwithamoreangularapproach,butthepayoffisphotographsthatreallycaptivatetheviewer’seyesandmind.
UsingDiagonalLines
Image20-DiagonalLines
Whentherearestraight‘lines’(eg.abranch,horizontalorverticaltexture)goingthroughyourphotos,thereisasimplemacrophotographytipthatyoucanfollowtoenhanceyourphoto.Ratherthankeepingthoselinesasverticalorhorizontal,considerrotatingyourcameraslightlysothattheselinesrundiagonallyacrossyourframe.Thisminoradjustmentcanusuallymakeabigdifferencebetweenagoodphotoandabrilliantphoto.
Additionally,trytoavoidhavingthese‘lines’comeoutfromthecornersofyourphotos.Itisusuallymorebalancedandmoreaestheticallypleasingtotheeyeifthelinesexittheframejustbeloworabovethecornersofyourimage.
PerceptionofMovement
Image21-PerceptionofMovement
Inmacrophotographyofinsects,itisusuallyidealtoleavesomespaceinfrontofyoursubject.Eg.Ifthedragonflyisflyingtowardstheright,youshouldleavesomespaceontherightsothatitgivestheviewertheperceptionofmovement.Additionally,thisspacegivesthevieweraglimpseintotheworldinfrontoftheinsectandhelpstodrawyourviewerintothemacrophotographyworld.
Patterns
Image22-Patterns
Thehumaneyeisnaturallydrawntopatterns.Thesepatternscanbecreatedbycolors,shapesorevenlines.Therepeatedelementinthephotowillluretheviewerinandcreateanimagethatisaestheticallypleasingtotheviewer.Whentakingyourmacrophotos,keepaneyeoutforbreaksinthepatternaswell–theycanbejustaspowerful.
Texture
Image23-Texture
Texturesareveryinterestingtotheeyeandaddsanewdimensiontothephoto.Notonlyareyoushowingwhatyoursubjectlooksliketotheviewer,butyouarealsoaskingthemtofeelit.Byincludingtextureinyourphotos,ittriggersanemotionandafeeling.Thesetexturescanbeemphasizedbyusingbacklightingorsidelightingtocreatethehighlightsandshadows.
Inmacrophotography,youcanalsomakeuseofcontrastingsurfacestoaddalevelofdepthtoyourphoto.Forexample,youcouldphotographasmoothleafonaroughtreebark.Thecontrastingtextureswillaccentuatethetexturesandhelpyourviewersto‘feel’thestoryofyourphoto.
Framing
Image24-Framing
Framingiscommonlyusedbyphotographerstodrawaviewer’sattentiontotheirsubject.Itachievesthisbyintroducinga‘frame’toblockallthenoisesanddistractionswithinthesurroundingsofyoursubject.Forexample,inthephotoabovethetwoleavesintheforegroundactsasaframeforthesubjectandhelpstoblockallthedistractionsthatmayexistinthebackground.Whenlookingatthisphoto,theviewerwillautomaticallyfocusonthemainsubject.
7.ShouldYouBeaRuleBreaker?Weallknowthatrules,lawsandguidelinesexistinnearlyeveryaspectofourlives.Whenyoudriveyourcar,youmustobeythelawsoftheroad.Whenthetimecomestopayyourtaxes,youhavetoponyupthecashthatthegovernmentsaysyouowe.Butwhataboutthecompositionofyourphotos?Domacrophotographershavetofollowthephotographycompositionrulesandguidelines,orareyouabletosimplyshootwhatyouwant,whenyouwant,usinganysettingsthatyouwant?Thesearequestionsthatwarrantadefiniteanswer.
Tokeepthisshort,inouropinion,wedon’tbelievethatitiswisetosimplyignoreorbreakallthecompositionrulesonaregularbasis.Weunderstandthattherearetimeswhensomeoftheserulesmustbebroken-noteveryruleofcompositionisnecessarilygoingtoapplytoeverysituation.However,untilyouknowtheruleswell,andareusedtoapplyingthemwhenyoushootmacrophotos,youwillneverreallyknowtherighttimesto“breaktherules”.Soifyouarenewtomacrophotography,wewouldurgeyoutolearnthecompositionrulesandlearntoapplythemtoyourshotsfirstbeforeattemptingtobreakanyofthem.
8.WhatMacroPhotographyEquipmentDoYouNeed?
WhatCameraDoYouNeed?
Image25-DSLRCamera
Thecamerahascomeaverylongway.Gonearethedayswherecamerasareonlyforprofessionalphotographers.Inmacrophotography,photographersgenerallyusedigitalSLRcameras(dSLR).Withtheaimofkeepingthissimple,wewillavoidboringyouwiththetechnicaldetailsofwhatadSLRisandhowitoperates.
Essentially,theDSLRcameraconsistsofacamerabodywhichallowsyoutousedifferenttypesofinterchangeablelenses.Theyalsohavealargerimagesensorthanyourtypical‘PointandShoot’cameras.Sothismeansthatyouwillbeabletotakehigherqualityphotos.Moreimportantly,thesecameraswillprovideyouwiththelevelofcontrolthatyouneedtobecreativewhenyoustartyourmacrophotographyjourney.
Needlesstosay,onceyouhaveaDSLRcameraandprovidedthatyouhavetheappropriatelens,youcanusethecameraforotherformsofphotographyaswellEg.Landscape,Portraits,etc.
HowtoChooseaCameraTherearecurrentlyanumberofDSLRcamerabrandsoutinthemarket.SomeofthesecontendersincludeCanon,NikonandPentax.EachofthesebrandshaveawiderangeofDSLRcamerastocaterfortheEntry,Semi-ProfessionalandProfessionallevel.Unfortunatelythismakesthedecisionmuchharderforyou!
WhenlookingforaDSLRcamera,youmaywishtoconsiderthefunctionsbelow.Nowadays,theseareusuallystandardfunctionsbutitisbesttocheckthattheDSLRcamerahasthefollowingcapabilities–
Burst/ContinuousHighSpeedShootingmode(Thisisimportantinmacrophotographywhereyoumayneedtotakemanyshotsofyoursubject–youmayonlyendupwithafewgoodones)BuiltinsensorcleanerAbilitytoshootinRAWformatLiveview
Abilitytoattachabatterygriptoextendthebatterylifeofthecamera
Ifyouareonabudgetorifyouarenewtothephotographyworld,ouradvicetoyouistocompromiseonthecamerabodyandlookintobuyingahighqualitymacrolensinstead.Manyamazingphotographersouttherearestillusingamacrolensonanentrylevelcamera.Justrememberthatbuyingthemostexpensivecamerawillnotautomaticallymakeyouabetterphotographer.Unfortunately,itdoestaketimeandplentyofpractice.
WhatLensDoYouNeed?
Image26-Lenses
TherearemanydifferentlensesforDSLRcameras.However,whenfocusingonmacrolensesonly,thereusuallytwomaintypesoflenses–
1. Zoomlenseswithmacrofeature(eg.70-300mmtelephotozoomlenswithmacro)
2. Fixedfocallength/Primemacrolenses(eg.105mmprimemacrolens)
Bothoftheselensesarecapableofachievingamazingresults.
HowtoChooseaLensWhenchoosingthenextDSLRmacrolenstoincludeintoyourmacrophotographyequipmentcollection,itisimportantthatyouchooseonethatcatersforyourneeds.Todeterminetheappropriatemacrolenstobuy,youshouldthinkaboutthephotographysubjectsthatyoumaywanttophotograph.
Likecamerabodies,therearealsomillionsofdifferentlensesoutinthemarket.Sochoosingamacrolenscansometimesbedifficultduetothelargerangeoflenses.Ifyouareintendingtotakephotosofmovingsubjectssuchasinsects,thenitisadvisabletopurchaseamacrophotographylensthatwillallowyoutophotographyoursubjectfromalittlefurtheraway.Thiswillhelptoreducepotentialshadowscausedbyyourlenswhenyouaretooclosetoyoursubject.Moreimportantly,thiswillensurethatyoudonotdisturbthem,therebyallowingyoutotaketheperfectshot.Sometimesalittledistancebetweenyouandyoursubjectmaybenecessaryaswell,especiallyifyoursubjectbitesorstings.
Ifyouthinkyourpassionisinstudioclose-upphotography(ofstillobjects)orflowerphotography,itispossibleforyoutouseatelephotozoomlens.Thiswillbemoreversatileforyouasthelenscanbeusedforotherformsofphotography.However,someofthesetelephotolensesmaynotbeabletoachievetherequired1:1ratiomagnification.As
such,yourimageswillbetechnicallyclassifiedas‘closeupphotography’ratherthan‘macrophotography’.
Macrophotographylensesthatwerecommendareusuallyprimelenses(fixedfocallengths–eg.50mm,105mm,etc).Generallytheopticswithinthesetypemacrolensesisfarbetterthanthetelephotozoomlenses.Thismeansthatyoucantakesharperphotoswiththeprimemacrophotographylenses.Unfortunately,giventhesuperiorqualityoftheprimemacrolenses,theyareoftenmuchmoreexpensivetoo.However,thegoodnewsisthatonceyouhaveaddedamacrolenstoyourmacrophotographyequipment,itwillbeyourcompanionforever.
Arangeofmacrolensesarecurrentlyavailableinthemarkettocaterforyourneeds.ThereisnosurprisethattheleaderswithinthismarketareCanonandNikon.TamronandSigmaarequicklyestablishingthemselvesasareputablebrandinthisspaceaswell.Wehavecompiledalistofsomeofthemostpopularmacrophotographylensesbelowforyou.
MacroPhotographyMacroLensesforNikonNikon40mmf/2.8GAF-SDXMicroNikon60mmf/2.8GAF-SEDMicroNikon85mmf/3.5GAF-SDXEDVRMicroNikon105mmf/2.8GAF-SIF-EDVRMicro
MacroPhotographyMacroLensesforCanonCanonEF50mmf/2.5compactmacrolensCanonEF-S60mmf/2.8MacroUSMCanonMP-E65mmf/2.81-5XCanonEF100mmf/2.8L-Macro-IS-USM-LensCanonEF180mmf/3.5LMacroUSM
ThirdpartyMacroPhotographyMacroLensforNikon/Canon
Sigma70mmf/2.8EXDGMacroSigma105mmf/2.8EXDGOSHSMMacroTamron60mmf/2SPAFDiIIMacroTamron90mmf/2.8SPAFDiMacro
Wetendtorecommendourfriendstogetamacrolensaroundthe70-100mmastheirfirstlens.Ifyouareonatightbudget,the50mmlenseswillbesuitableformostofyourworkonthefieldandinthestudiowhencombinedwiththereverselenstechnique.Youcanreadmoreaboutthetechniquebelowinthelensreversalringadaptersection.
WhatareExtensionTubes?
Image27-ExtensionTubes
Extensiontubesareaneconomicalwaytostartyourmacrophotographyjourney.TheseextensiontubeshavenoopticsinthemandarehollowringadaptersthatfitbetweenyourDSLRandyourlensandtheyallowyoutogobeyondtheminimumfocusingdistanceofyourlens.Thisbasicallymeansthatyoucangetclosertoyoursubjectwithoutlosingfocusandthiswillultimatelyhavetheeffectofmagnifyingyoursubject.
Includinganextensiontubessetintoyourdailymacrophotographyequipmentwillhelpyougetclosertoyoursubject.However,therearesomedownsidestousingextensiontubes.Onemajordownsideisthattheamountoflightthathitsyourcamera’ssensorisreduced.Secondly,youwilllosetheabilitytofocusoninfinity.
Thesetubescanbeusedincombinationwithanylenses,howevermanymacrophotographersusethemincombinationwithamacrolens.Whencoupledwithamacrolens,thiswillachieveamagnificationthatisgreaterthanthe1:1magnification.Thiswillallowthephotographertotakeaclosershotofthesubject.Extensiontubesareeasytouseandcanbepurchasedasaset/kitfromphotographystores.
HowtoChooseaSetofExtensionTubesExtensiontubesoftencomeinasetof3tubes–eachonewithdifferentlengths.Beforeyoupurchaseyourextensiontubes,itisimportanttoknowaboutthedifferenttypesofextensiontubes.
1.ManualExtensionTubes
Manualextensiontubesarenotdesignedwithanycircuitryormechanicalcouplingcomponentsinthem.ThismeansthatyouwilllosethecapabilitytoautofocusandautoTTLexposureonyourcamera.Assuch,thesearegenerallythecheapertypeofextensiontubes.Formostmacrophotographers,thisisnotamajorissueastheyaremanuallyfocusing.
2.AutoExtensionTubes
Autoextensiontubesaredesignedwiththecircuitryandmechanicalcouplingcomponentsinthem.Whenusingtheextensiontubesincombinationwiththelens,theautofocusandautoTTLexposurefunctionswillbemaintained.Whenpurchasinganextensiontubeset,ensurethatyouchooseonethathasacompatiblemounttoyourcamerabrandeg.Nikonmount,Canonmount,etc.Otherwise,youwillbedisappointedasyouwillnotbeableto
connectthetubestoyourcameraandlens.
TheextensiontubesthatweuseandrecommendtoourfriendsareKenkoAutoExtensionTubes.Whenusedagainsta100mmmacrolens,itwillhavetheapproximateeffectofdoublingyourmagnificationratiosothatyoucanobtainbiggerthanlifesizeimages.Youwillfindthattherearecheaperbrandsoutinthemarket–justbereallycarefulaswehavecomeacrosssomefairlypoorqualityextensiontubes.Youwillwanttogetonethatfeelssturdy/secureanddurable.
WhatisaLensReversalRingAdapter?
Image28-LensReversalRingAdapter
Notmanypeopleknowthattheycangetstartedinmacrophotographywithoutamacrolens.ReversingyourkitlensonyourDSLRcameraisoneofthemosteconomicalwaytoentertheworldofmacrophotography.
Alensreversalringisavitalmacrophotographyequipmentifyoudonothaveamacrolens.Asthenamesuggests,thelensreversalringallowsyoutomountyourcurrentlensbackwardsontoyourcamera.Itisessentiallyaconverter/adapterthatscrewsontotheendofyourlensandwillallowyoutomountthelenstheotherwayaroundontoyourcamera.
Reversingyourlenshastheeffectofturningitintoacloseuplens.Anylenscanbeusedwiththereversalring,howeveryoucantypicallyachievebetterresultsbyusingaprimewideanglelens(eg.asinglefocuslengthwideanglelens).Awideanglelenswillmagnifyyoursubjectquitesignificantly.
Forexample,reversemountinga20mmprimewideanglelenscouldachievecloseto4:1magnificationratio(eg.4timesthesizeofyoursubject).Ifyouthencombinethiswiththeextensiontubes,itwillfurtherincreasethemagnification!Whiletherearebenefitsinreversingyourcurrentlens,therearealsosomedrawbacksthatyouwillneedtobeawareof.Obviouslyyourautocontrolssuchasthecapabilitytoautofocusandaperturesettingswillnotoperateanymore.
Manypeoplehavehadreallygoodresultswithcombininga50mmprimelenswiththereversingring.Wehaveseensomestunningphotosfromsomeofthesephotographers!
Advantages
EconomicalandcanbedonewithanytypeoflensesGivesyouachanceto‘seeinmacro’andexploretheworldofmacrophotographyAchievesgreatresultsasitletsyoufocusreallycloseuptoyoursubject
Disadvantages
Asyourlensismountedbackwards,youwilllosemostoftheautofunctions(eg.Capabilitytoautomaticallyadjustourapertureandautofocus).Allthesewillneedtobemanuallycontrolled.Thisisgenerallynotalongtermsolution–dustmaygetintoyourlenssinceitismountedbackwards.Difficulttofocusduetotheincreaseinmagnification–anysmallmovementwillbe
magnified.Atripodwillsometimesberequiredtominimizeanyunwantedmovementsandhelpwithfocusing.
HowtoChooseaLensReversalRingAdapterTomountyourcurrentlensinreverseyouwillneedalensreversalringadapter.Youcaneasilyfindalensreversalringadaptertofitmostcameras(Eg.CanonorNikon).Astheycomeindifferentsizes,youwillneedtoensurethatyouchooseonethatmatcheswiththediameterofyourlens.Inordertofindasuitablelensreversalringadapteryouwillneedtoknowthefollowing–
1)Camerabrand
2)Lensdiameter(Note:Thisisprintedontothebottom/sideofyourcameralens.Thisisthediameterofyourfrontlens.Alternatively,ifyoulookintheback/insideofyourcameralenscap,youwillseethediameterprintedthere.)
Forexample,ifyouhadaNikonwithalenswithadiameterof67mm,youwillneedtobuyalensreversaladapterringforaNikonwitha67mmdiameter.Pleasemakesureyoudon’tgetthisconfusedwiththelengthofyourcameralenseg.200mmf2.8lens.Theyarecompletelydifferentthings.
WhatareClose-UpFilters/Diopters?
Image29-Close-UpFilter/Diopter
Macrophotographyhassometimesbeenassociatedtoexpensivemacrophotographyequipment.However,thatisnotalwaysthecase.Onepieceofinexpensiveequipmentthatyoucanaddtoyourmacrophotographykitisacloseupfilterset.Incontrasttotheextensiontubes,thesecloseupfiltershaveanoptical/glasscomponenttothemandtheyoperateliketheUVfiltersthatarescrewedontotheendofyourlens.Thesecloseupfiltersusuallycomeinasetandwillprovideyouwithanumberofdifferentmagnificationoptions(eg.+1,+2,+4,+10).Ifyouchooseto,youcanevenscrewthemalltogethertofurtherincreaseyourmagnification.
HowtoChooseaLensDiopter/CloseUpFilterInordertoselecttheappropriatecloseupfiltertofityourlens,youwillneedtoknowthediameterofyourlens(eg.52mm,58mm,62mm,67mm,72mmor77mm).Thisisprintedontothebottom/sideofyourcameralens.Alternativelyyoucanalsofindthediameterprintedontotheinsideofyourlenscap.
Sincethecloseupfiltershaveaglass/opticalcomponenttothem,itmaydegradethequalityofyourphotosifyouuseapoorqualitycloseupfilter.Sowhenchoosingacloseupfilter,itisrecommendedtouseapopularandhighlyregardedbrand.Generally,asaruleofthumb,thequalityofacloseupfilterisdirectlyproportionaltothecostofit.Forexample,themoreexpensivethecloseupfilteris,thehigherthequalityofthecloseupfilter.Soundslikeeverythingelseinliferight?
WhatareBellows?Bellowsarelikeextensiontubes.Thesebellowssitbetweenyourcameraandyourcameralens.Theyaremadeoutofaflexiblematerialthatwillallowyoutocontractandexpandthelengthofthebellows.Atfirstsight,thebellowsmaylookintimidatingandmayevenlooklikeanantiquepieceofphotographyequipment.However,ithassomebenefitsovertheextensiontubes.Unlikelyextensiontubes(wherethelengthsarefixed),themacrobellowswillallowyoutoadjustthelengthbetweenthecameraandthelens.Asmentionedpreviously,bymovingthelensfurtherawayfromthecamera,thiswillultimatelyallowyoutofocusmuchclosertoyoursubject.
HowtoChooseBellowsMostbellowsareverysimilar.Ifyouarekeenonbuyingabellowsunit,youcouldconsideronewhichhasanin-builtfocusingrail.Thiswillallowyoutofinetuneyourfocusandwillmakelifealittleeasierwhenyouaretryingtofindtherightfocus.
WhatareFlashUnits(Built-In,Hot-Shoe,Ring&Dual)?Themacrophotographyequipmentthatwillgetyououtoftroubleinlowlightconditionistheflashunit.Inmacrophotographyandcloseupphotography,aflashunitwillhelptolightupyoursubjectsothatyoucantaketheperfectshot.Usingtherightflashunitisimportantasthiscouldeliminatetheneedtouseatripod.
Thereareanumberofflashunitsoutinthemarketcurrentlyanditisimportanttoknowthedifferencesbetweenallthedifferenttypesofflashunitsbeforeyoudecideontheappropriateoneforyou.
1.Builtincameraflash
Image30-Built-incameraflash
Whilstthebuiltinflashonyourcameramaybesuitableforyourgeneralphotography,itisnotappropriateformacroorcloseupphotography.Thelightingfromtheseflashesaregenerallytoodirectandharsh.Assuch,thecamera’sbuiltinflashshouldbeusedasalastresortformacroorcloseupphotography.
Thein-builtflashunitshouldnotbeusedinmacrophotographyandshouldonlybeusedasalastresortformacrophotography.
2.Hotshoeflash
Image31-Hotshoeflash
ThesehotshoeelectronicflashesareexternalflashunitsthatfitontothetopofyourDSLRcamera.Theseflashescangenerallybeusedforalltypesofphotography.Itispossibletouseahotshoeflashunitformacrophotographyhoweveritmaysometimesbe
difficulttoachievetherightlighting.Thesehotshoeflashunitsareusuallymoresuitableforindoorcloseupphotography.Havingsaidthat,manypeoplehavetakengreatoutdoormacrophotoswhilstusingahotshoeflash.
Ifyouareplanningtouseahotshoeflash,asawordofadvice,youshouldalwaysuseaflashdiffusertoensurethatyouachieveasoftlightingonyoursubject.Otherwisethelightingisjustgoingtobetooharsh.Wewillcoverdiffusersinmoredetailsinoneofthesectionsbelow.
Additionally,wehighlyrecommendthatyouchooseahotshoeflashthatiscompatiblewithawirelessflashtrigger.Ifyouchoosetouseahotshoeflashformacrophotography,youshouldalsoobtainaseparatewirelessflashtriggeraswell.Thiswillprovideyouwiththeflexibilitythatyouneedforthelightinginyourmacrophotos.
3.Macroringlight/flash
Image32-Macroringflash
Thesemacroringlight/flashunitswereoriginallymadefordentalphotographyhowevertheyarenowcommonlyusedinmacrophotography.Amacroringflashisacircularflashunitthatismountedtotheendofyourlens.Theyevenlylightupyoursubjectandprovideasubjectthatisshadowless.Assuch,thesearesuitabletobeusedinpoorlightcondition.Asasidenote,youcanactuallyseecameraswiththeseflashunitsinmostoftheforensic/policeinvestigationTVserieseg.Dexter
Keepinmindthatsomemacrophotographersmayfindthemacroringflashunitrestrictiveasitdoesnotallowthemtousethelightingcreatively.
HowtoChooseaMacroRingLight/FlashItisimportanttoknowthattherearetwotypesofmacroringlights/flashesoutinthemarketcurrently.Inthissection,wehavecombinedthemtogetherforsimplicity,butyouneedtobeawarethatthereisadifferencebetweenamacroringlightandamacroringflash.
Firstly,themacroringlightisamoreeconomicalversionofthemacroringflash.ThelightfromamacroringlightareusuallygeneratedbyanumberofLEDlights.Whereas,thelightfrommacroringflashesaremuchmoreakintothetypeofflashesonyourin-builtcamera.Sowhatdoesthismean?Dependingonwhatyouarephotographing,theLEDlightsfromamacroringlightmaynotbestrongenoughorfastenough.Togiveyouanexample,ifyouweretotakeaphotoofawaterdropletwithamacroringlight,itislikelythatyouwillseethelightreflectioninyourwaterdroplet.However,withamacro
ringflash,youwillbeabletosetthestrengthoftheflashandthespeedoftheflashsothatyoucanachieveaphotothatwillnothavetheflashreflectioninthewaterdropletphoto.
4.Double/Dual/Twinmacroflashes
Image33-Twinmacroflashes
Thedouble/dual/twinmacroflashunitsaretheultimateflashforallmacrophotographers.Thisunitisverysimilartothecircularlightingprovidedbythemacroringflash.Insteadofasinglecircularflashunit,twoflashunits(verysimilartominihotshoeflashes)aremountedaroundthelensandtheycanbemovedaroundinacircularmotion.
Onebenefitofthedoublemacroflashunitisthattheflashunitscanbecontrolledindividually.Thisultimatelyallowsaphotographertobemorecreativewiththeirlighting.Aswithourpreviousadvice,itisalwaysimportanttouseadiffuserwithyourflashestoensureyouhavenicediffusedandsoftlighting.
WhatisaFlashDiffuser?
Image34-FlashDiffuser(Softbox)
Asyouknow,photographyisallaboutlighting.Photographerspreferlightingthatarenaturalandtryeverythingintheirpowertoavoidlightingthatareharsh.Assuch,whenitcomestousingtheirflashunits,theyoftenuseaflashdiffuser.Thesediffusershelptospreadthelightsothatitdoesnotlookasdirectandharsh.Adiffuserwillallowustoachievesoftdiffusedlighting.
HowtoChooseaFlashDiffuserTherearesomanydifferentkindsoftheseflashdiffusersandtheycomeinmanydifferentshapesandsizes.Somearelikeacapwhichyouplaceoverthetopofyourflashunit.However,formacrophotography,wewouldrecommendthatyouuseasoftbox.Thesoftboxismadeoutofalightmaterialandwillfitoverthetopofyourflash.Theycanbecarriedaroundeasilyandsomecanevenbefoldedup.Whatyouwillfindatthefrontofthesoftboxisawhitepieceofmaterialthatwillhelptodiffusetheflashlightevenfurther.
WhatisaTripod?
Image35-Tripod
Asaphotographeryouknowtheimportanceofhavingtherightgearonhandforallofyourphotoshoots.Itallstarts,ofcourse,withtherightDSLRcamera.Thentherearelensesandotheressentialgeartothinkabout.Onethingthatyoudon’twanttooverlook,inyoureffortstoassembletheultimatecollectionofphotographicgear,however,isthetripod.Manypeoplethinkthatalltripodsareprettymuchthesame.Uponabitofinvestigation,however,youwillsoonfindthattherearemanydifferenttypesandmodelstochoosefrom.
Itisimportanttochooseagoodtripodtoaddtoyourmacrophotographyequipment.Agoodtripodwilllastalifetimeandwillhelpyoutoachievesharperphotos.
Whenyouarecapturingyoursubjectwithahand-heldcamera,anyminormovementwillbemagnifiedandwilllikelyresultinablurryphoto.Toensureasharpphotoistaken,atripodshouldbeusedtoreduceanypotentialmovement
Atripodcanbeveryusefulwhenphotographinginanimateobjectssuchasflowers,plantsandwaterdroplets.Insituationswhereinsects/bugsareinvolved,youwillneedtoconsiderthespeedofthesecritters.Forfastmovingsubjects,thetripodmaynotbesuitableasitmaybedifficulttoquicklymoveintopositiontocapturetheperfectmoment.
Assuch,itisalsoimportanttoensurethatthetripodislightweightanddurable.Lookforatripodthatcanbeeasilycarriedwithyouonallyourexcitingadventuresandplacedintopositionwithinmomentsofusingit.Foralighttripod,werecommendchoosingaprofessionaltripodthatismadeoutofcarbonfibre.Makesureyoucheckoutthetripodsby‘Manfrotto’.
Additionally,ifyoutakephotosthatareveryclosetotheground,youwillneedtochooseatripodthatallowsthetripod’slegstobendorfoldallthewayoutsothatitcanreachthelowergrounds.
HowtoChooseaTripodWhencomparingthevariousmodelsavailable,youshouldconsider3things–portability,stabilityandprice.Ifyouareonabudget,thenyouwillhavetosettleforatripodthatislessstableandportable.Ifyouareaftersomethingthatisextremelyportableandstable,thenyouwillhavetobepreparedtopayamuchhigherpriceforthetripod.
PortabilityInregardstoportability,thereareafewthingsyouneedtoconsider.Areyouplanningtocarrythetripodoutwithyou?Ifyouare,thenyouwillneedtofindatripodthatcanbecollapsed/foldedintoasmallsizesothatyoucancarryitinyourbackpack.
Whenconsideringportability,youshouldalsoconsidertheweightofthetripod.Tripodsthataremadeoutofcarbonfiberareusuallymuchlighter.
StabilityThereisabalancebetweenportabilityandstability.Usually,themorestableyourtripod,thelessportableitis.Thisisduetothefactthatstabletripodsaremuchheavier.Buildingthetripodinsuchawaywillresultinlessvibrationsorswayinthelegswhenthewindblows.Ifyoudidn’tknow,thesevibrationsandswayinginthelegswillcauseblurryphotos.
Additionally,youwanttoensurethatthetripodthatyoupurchasewillbeabletosupportyourcameraandlens.Thereisamaximumweightforeachtripod–somakesureyoucheckthisbeforebuyingyourtripod.
PriceAsalways,themoreportableandthemorestableyourtripodis,themoreexpensiveitisgoingtobe.Tripodscanrangefrom$20throughto$600.Ifyouareonabudgetorifyouareaftersomethingmorefortheshortterm,youshouldthenpurchaseoneofthecheapertripodsandworkwithinitslimitations.Ifyouarelookingforalongertermtripodandthereisarealneedforyoutohaveanextremelystabletripod,youshoulddefinitelyconsideroneoftheprofessionalcarbonfibertripods.
Attheendoftheday,youneedtoconsiderthescenarios/situationsthatyouwillbeusingthetripodin.Ifyouarenotusingitinharshweatherconditions(eg.wheretherearestrongwinds),thenyoucanpossiblygetawaywithbuyingatripodthatislessstable.Thiswillultimatelymeanalessexpensivetripod.
WhatisaMacroFocusingRail?
Image36-Macrofocusingrail
Afocusingrailmountstothebottomofthecamerasothatwecanmovethecameraforwardsorbackwardsinverysmallincrements.Itwillallowyoutofinetuneyourfocuspointbymovingthecamerainasystematicway.Thecameraismountedontothemacrofocusingrailplateandthisplateisthenmountedontoyourtripod.Ratherthanmovingyourcamerabyhandtofindthespotwhereyoucanachieveagoodfocusonyoursubject,youcannowadjustanumberofknobsonthefocusingrailplatetomovethecameraforwards/backwardsorevensidewaysinsmallincrements.Asawordofwarning,youwillfindarangeoffocusingrailsoutinthemarket.Forbetterqualityandhigherprecisionones,youcanoftenseethemgoforafewhundreddollars.
Thesemacrofocusingrailsarealsousedbymacrophotographerswhentheyusethefocusstackingtechnique.Wewilltalkmoreaboutthiscooltechniqueinalaterchapter.
HowtoChooseaMacroFocusingRailWhenchoosingamacrofocusingrail,youshouldconsiderthefollowing–
SolidBuiltWhethertheknobswillallowyoutomakesmallandfineadjustmentsAbilitytolocktherailpositionEaseofattachingtocamera/lens
9.ComparingtheClose-UpFilter,ReversingLensAdapter,ExtensionTubes&DifferentCombinationsInthepreviouschapter,weintroducedyoutotheClose-UpFilter,ReversingLensAdapterandExtensionTubes.Itisimportanttonotethatmacrophotographerswillusuallycombinethesedifferentmacroequipmenttoachieveevengreatermagnification.Forexample,youcancombinetheextensiontubeswiththereverselenstechniqueoryoucouldcombineyourmacrolenswiththemacroextensiontubesandclose-upfilters.
Inordertogiveyouabetterunderstandingofthecapabilitiesofeachofthemacrophotographyequipmentandthedifferentcombinationsthatyoucancreate,herearesomeexamplephotos.Paycloseattentiontohowmuchcloseryoucangettothesubjectwhenusingeachofthedifferentequipmentandthedifferentkindofcombinations.
50mmLensOnly
Image37-50mmLensOnly
50mmLenswithClose-UpFilters
Image38-50mmLensWith+1Close-UpFilter
Image39-50mmLensWith+1&+2Close-UpFilters
Image40-50mmLensWith+1,+2&+4Close-UpFilters
50mmReversedLens
Image41-50mmwithReversedLensAdapter
50mmLenswithFullSetExtensionTubes
Image42-50mmLenswithFullSetExtensionTubes
50mmReversedLenswithFullSetExtensionTubes
Image43-50mmReversedLenswithFullSetExtensionTubes
10.SoWhatEquipmentDoYouREALLYNeed?There’saphrasebyDougBartlowthatyoushouldremember:“Nomatterhowsophisticatedthecamera,thephotographerisstilltheonethatmakesthepicture.”Okay,repeatthatafewtimesinyourhead,untilyouhaveitmemorizedasyourmantra.
Sowhatdoesthatquotereallymean?Well,let’sbreaktheconceptbehindthisquotedownabitandseehowitappliestoallofuswhohaveapassionforphotography.Evenifyou’veonlyjustrecentlypurchasedyourfirstDSLR,andarestillalittlebitwetbehindtheears,wethinkthatonceyouunderstandwhatthisquotereallymeans,you’llhaveevenmoreinspirationforpursuingyourphotographypassionthaneverbefore.
AFewWordsonPhotographyEquipmentAllyouhavetodoislookonlineoratthelocalphotographyshoptoseethattherearesomeprettysweetcamerasonthemarketthesedays.Andwhenyoufactorinsomeoftheotherimportantphotographyequipment,likemacrolenses,tripodsandcarryingcases,it’seasytogetoverwhelmedbythepricethatmustbepaidinordertohaveallthelatestandgreatestphotographygearatyourbeckandcall.Butifyouharkenbacktothequote,youknowthatyoudon’tnecessarilyhavetoownthemostexpensive,cuttingedgecamerainordertocaptureamazing,beautifulphotographs.
Here’sthedeal:Highendcamerasaregreat!Andhavingthebestgeariswonderful.Butyoudon’thavetofretifyoucan’taffordthehigherendgear.Thinkaboutalloftheground-breakingphotographsthatweretakenandpublishedwellbeforethedigitalphotographyrevolution.Someshotsthatendedupbecomingmagazinecovers,postersorevenalbumcoversweretakenoncamerasthatweremuchlesssophisticatedthantoday’scheapestDSLRs.
Whatwe’regettingathereisthefactthatamazingphotographsweremostdefinitelybeingsnappedeverysingleday,wellbeforetoday’shighendcameraswereevenconceivedof.Thisisgoodnewstoallofuswhomaynotbeabletoaffordthelatest,cuttingedgeDSLRcamera.Weknowthatitisabsolutelypossibletotakeunbelievablephotographs,regardlessofthesophisticationorexpensivepricetagofourcameras!
Inthepreviouschapter,yousawthatitispossibletoenjoymacrophotographywithouthavingamacrolens.Ifyouarestillsavingupforthatmacrolens,therearesomanyotherdifferentwaysforyoutogetstartedinmacrophotography.Yourmacrophotographyjourneycouldlookalittlelikethis-
1. Close-UpFilters–Startbyusingasetofcloseupfilterswithyourexistinglens.Whileitisunlikelythatyouwillachievea1:1magnificationratio,atleastyouarefamiliarizingyourselfwithoperatingthecamera,learninghowtocomposeyourphotosandunderstandingsomeofthecommonissuesofworkingwithinamagnifiedenvironment.
2. 50mmLenswithReversingLensAdapter–Onceyouhavefamiliarizeyourselfwithyourcameraandhaveconsistentlyappliedsomeofcompositionrules,youarethenreadytomoveontothereversedlenstechniquewhereyouwillspendmostofyourtimeunderstandingthelimitationsofthetechniqueandequipment.
3. AutoExtensionTubes–Whenyoubecomeunsatisfiedwiththemagnificationthatyouareachievingwiththe50mmlenswithreversinglensadapter,youarethenreadytoincludeanautoextensiontubeintoyourmacrophotographyequipment.Combiningthiswiththereverselenstechniquewillallowyoutogetevenclosertoyoursubject.
4. MacroLens–Therewillbeatimewhereyouwillbecomeunsatisfiedwiththemagnificationthatyouareachievingwiththeautoextensiontubesandreverselenstechnique.Whenthattimecomes,wehopethatyouhavefinallysavedupenoughtopurchaseamacrolens.Onceyoupurchaseamacrolens,youcanthenutilizeandcombineallthedifferentequipmentthatyouhavetoachieveanevengreatermagnification!
Havingsaidalltheabove,youmaybesosatisfiedwiththenon-traditionalmethodsofmacrophotographythatyoumaychoosenottoevenpurchaseamacrolensanymore!Thejourneyisgoingtobedifferentforeveryone.
Image44-Photographygear
It’sAllAboutYOUBeingBehindtheCameraNowthatwe’vediscussedtheheaviertopicofphotographyequipment,andhowyoudon’tneedtoownthebestgeartotakegreatphotographs,let’stalkaboutwhatreallymakesaphotographgreat.Yes,it’struethatcomposition,lightingandtheactualsubjectbeingphotographedareimportant.Butmostimportantofallisthepersonbehindthecamera–YOU!
Yousee,photographyisanartform.Justasmusicians(atleastthereallygoodones)seektodeveloptheirownvoiceorsound,photographersshoulddothesame.Yourapproachtomacrophotography–theanglesyouchoose,theapproachyoutake,andthesubjectsthatyouchoosetophotograph–arealluniquelyyours.Youaren’tjusttakingpictures;youaretellingyourstory–sharingyourvisionofanisolatedmomentintimewiththeworld.
Yes,itmaytakeyoutimetobecometechnicallyproficient,andyou’lldefinitelytakemorebadphotosthangoodonesinyourearlyoutings(don’tworry,though,thisistrueforALLphotographers).Butafteryouhoneyourskillsetandbecomecomfortablewithshootingaccordingtoyourownuniquestyle,you’llrealizethatitdoesn’tmatterifyou’retakingphotographswithahundreddollarcameraoramodelthatcostsseveralthousanddollars.Therealmagicbehindyourphotographscomesfromyou;yourcreativity,yourpassionandyourdesiretoshareyourvisionoftheworld,withtheworld.
Bestoflucktoyouasyoufollowthepathtopursuingyourpassion.Weknowthatyouareonthecuspofcapturingsomemacrophotosthatwillabsolutelydazzleyouraudience!
Image45-It’sallaboutyou!
11.MacroPhotographyonaBudget–DIYMacroPhotographyEquipmentHowtoMakeaStringTripodAtripodisoneoftheitemsthatishighoneverymacrophotographers’wishlist.Unfortunately,noteveryoneownsatripodandevenifyoudoownatripod,sometimesyoudonotwanttocarryitwithyouonyourphotographyexpeditions.SothisDIYstringtripodtutorialwillshowyouhowyoucanmakeyourveryownstringtripod(orimagestabilizer)foryourcamerawithjustafewdollars.It’sinexpensiveandfitsinyourpocket!
WhatisRequired?ABolt-1/4″diameterString(onethatdoesn’tstretch–eg.Nylon)Washer
Image46-WhatYouNeedForAStringTripod
TutorialSteps1. Cutthelengthofthestringsothatitisapproximatelyyourheight2. Tieoneendofthestringtothebolt
Image47-KnotAroundtheBolt
3. Tietheotherendofstringtothewasher
Image48-KnotontheOtherEndofString
HowtoUse1. Screwtheboltintothebottomofyourcamera(wherethetripod/quickreleaseplateof
thetripodwouldusuallyscrewinto)2. Dropthewasherontothegroundandstepontothewasher3. Bringthecamerauptowardsyourfaceuntilthereissometensioninthestring.The
stringshouldbetaut/tight.Thiswillhelpyoutoholdthecamerasteady.4. Composeandtaketheshot!
HowtoMakeaFlashDiffuserThistutorialwilltellyouhowyoucancreateoneonyourownDIYflashdiffuser,fornexttonothing…
WhatIsRequired?Analuminumcan(eg.Coke/Beercan)Plasticmilkbottle–thetranslucentplasticiswhatyouwillneedTapeScissors,boxcutterandcanopener
TutorialSteps1. Cutoffthetopandthebottomofthealuminumcan.Weusedacanopenerforthetop
andaboxcutterforthebottom.Forthetopofthecan,wemadeanumberofcutsintothetopofthecansothatitcanopenuptofitourflashunit.
Image49-TopofCanOpened
Image50-UseaBoxCuttertoOpentheBottomoftheCan
2. Cutthemilkbottletosize.Theaimistohavethetranslucentplasticofthemilkbottlefitovertheendofthecan.Dependingonthetypeandsizeofthemilkbottle,thismaybeassimpleascuttingoffthetopofthemilkbottle.Otherwise,youwillneedtocutthetranslucentplasticmilkbottleintoaflatsheet.Youcanthenwrapandtapethesheetacrosstheopeningofthecan.
Image51-TranslucentMilkBottleCuttoSize
3. Tapethetranslucentplasticofthemilkbottleontotheendofthecan4. Youmaychoosetotapetheedgesoftheotherendofthecansothatyoudonotcut
yourself5. Placetheflashunit(hot-shoeflashorbuilt-inflash)intotheotheropeningofthecan
andsecureitbycompressingtheendofthecan.
Image52-DIYFlashDiffuser
6. Youmayalsochoosetotapethecanontoyourflashunittofurthersecureit.
HowtoMakeaLightBox/MiniStudioAphotographylightboxcanbecreatedathomeeasily.Itcanbeusedforallyourindoorlive-actionmacroorclose-upphotos.
WhatisRequired?AcardboardboxBoxcutter&scissorsThinwhitecloth/tissuewrappingpaperWhiteposterboardpaperRulerPen/PencilTape
TutorialSteps1. Placetheboxonitssideandtapethebottomofthecardboardboxdown(thisiswhere
thetwoflapsofthecardboardboxcometogether)2. Withyourpen/pencilmarka1”(2.5cm)borderontheedgeonthetopandsidefaces
ofthebox
Image53-MarkBorderonBox
3. Usetheboxcutterandcutalongthemarkedlines
Image54-CutBoxwithBoxCutter
4. Thecardboardboxwillnowhaveawindowonthetopandthetwosides
Image55-BoxwithWindows
5. Cutthetissuepaperforeachofthewindow/hole.6. Tapethetissuepapertotheoutsideofthewindowofthebox
Image56-BoxwithWrappingTissuePaperWindows
Image57-InsideofBox
7. Cutthewhiteposterboardpapersothatit’sthesamewidthofthebox.Theaimisfortheposterboardpapertocoverthebackandthebottomofthebox.Theposterpapershouldcurl/bendsmoothlyfromthebottomsurfacetothebacksurfaceofthebox.Thiswillformaseamlesswhitebackground.
Image58-InsideofDIYLightbox
8. Theposterboardpapershouldbetapeddown.Youmaychoosetousedoublesided
tapeforthis.Alternatively,youcantapethetopcornersofthepaper.Note:Someposterboardpapermayalreadyhaveastickystriponthetopofthepaper.
9. Youwillneedtoaddtwolightsourcesoutsidetheleftandrightsideofthewindowtolightupyourlightbox.Experimentwiththedifferentanglestoachievetheappropriatecompositionyouareafter.
Image59–DIYLightboxinAction
HowtoMakeaMacroRingLightHereisoneofthesimplestDIYtutorialyouwillevercomeacrossoncreatingyourveryown‘macroringlight’.Itdoesn’trequireyoutoperformanysophisticatedcutting,drillingorevensolderingofwires.It’ssosimpleyouwouldn’tbelieveit…
WhatIsRequired?8LEDkeyringlightsVelcrostrip(Thelengthneedstobelongenoughtogoaroundyourlens)Velcrodots
Image60-HowtoMakeaMacroRingLight
TutorialSteps1. RemovethekeyringsthatareattachedtoeachoftheLEDkeyringlights.2. WrapthestripofVelcroaroundtheendofyourlens3. CuttheVelcrostriptosizewhenithasmadeafullcirclearoundthelens4. SticktheVelcrodotsontotheLEDkeyringlights.Alternativelyyoucan
cutoutsmallVelcrostripsthatwillfityourLEDkeyringlights
Image61-KeyRingLEDLightwithVelcroDot
5. Ifyouarenotusingpre-cutVelcrodots,applydoublesidedtapetothebackofthesmallVelcrostripsthatyouhavecutoutandthenstickitontothebackoftheLEDkeyringlight
6. WrapthecutoutstripofVelcroaroundtheendofthelensandensurethatitisstuckonsecurely
Image62-MacroLenswithVelcroStrip
7. SticktheLEDkeyringlightsontotheVelcrostriparoundthecameralens.8. TurneachoftheLEDkeyringlightsON.Voila!Formorelighting,youcan
addmoreLEDkeyringlightstothestrip.
Image63-DIYMacroRingLightinAction
HowtoMakeaMacroExtensionTubeYouwouldn’tbelieveit…Withjustafewitems,youcaneasilycreateyourveryownextensiontube.Whosaysmacrophotographyhastocostanarmandaleg?
WhatIsRequired?CamerabodycapPringlescanBlackspraypaintToolstocutthecamerabodycap(eg.BoxCutter)andpringlescanSandpapertosandtheedgesofthecamerabodycapHotglue/PVAglueBlackcloth/velvetRubberband
TutorialSteps1. Cutaholethroughthecamerabodycap.Ifyoudonotwanttocutthroughyourcurrent
camerabodycap,youcaneasilybuyaspareoneforafewdollars.Weusedthehammerandnailmethod–allthatwasrequiredwashammeringanailintotheedgeofthecircle.Asyouarehammeringthenail,thecoverwilljustbreakoff.
Image64-MakeaHoleinTheCameraBodyCap
2. PutthecamerabodycapontotheendofthePringlescanandtracethecircleoftheholeontothePringlecan.
Image65-TraceaCirclefortheHole
3. CuttheholeoutofthePringlescan.Wedidn’tuseanysophisticatedequipmenthere–allweusedwasaboxcutter.Youcoulduseadrillorsomeothercutting/sandingapparatusifyouwantamoreprofessionallookingandsmootherhole.Ifrequired,youcanalsousesandpapertosmoothoutthehole.
Image66-CutaHoleintoThePringlesCan
4. PreparethePringlescanbycleaningit.Youmaychoosetousetogivetheinsideaquickwashwithsomedishwashingliquid.
5. Withtheblackspraypaint,spraythepaintontheinsideandtheoutsideofthePringlescan.
Image67-SpraytheInsideandOutsidewithBlackPaint
Image68-PaintedPringlesCan
6. Oncecleanedanddry,gluethecamerabodycapontotheendofthePringlescan,makingsurethattheholesaligntogether.
Image69-AlignandGlueCameraBodyCapontoPringlesCan
Image70-DIYExtensionTube
7. Checktoseeifyourcameralenswillfitintotheotherendofthehole.ItislikelythatitwillbesmallerthanthePringlescan.Soyouwillneedtowrapstripsofblackmaterialaroundthelensuntilitfitssnuglyintotheholeofthecan.Weusedblackvelvetandarubberbandtokeepthevelvetwrappedaroundthelens.
Image71-50mmLensWrappedinVelvetStripandRubberBand
8. ConnectthebodycaponthePringlescantothecamerabody.9. WheninsertingyourcameralensintoyourDIYextensiontube,itisrecommendedthat
youplacethelensinreverse.Thisway,youwillbecombiningthereverselenstechniquewithanextensiontube,therebyachievingevengreatermagnification.
Image72-FinalDIYExtensionTubeWthReverseLens
12.EasyTipstoSaveMoneytoPurchasetheBestMacroPhotographyGearIfyou’vebeeninastateofpanictryingtofigureouthowyou’regoingtoaffordsuper-expensivephotographygear,youaremostdefinitelynotalone.Allphotographers–exceptforthosewhomayhappentobeindependentlywealthy–oftenstrugglewithfiguringouthowtheycanaffordthecameras,lensesandotheressentialphotographygeartheysodesperatelywant/need.Inthischapter,wewillsharesomeproventechniques(notphotographyrelated)tohelpyousaveextramoneyupforthoseitemsthatyousimplymusthave.
Image73-Savingforyournextgear
MoneySavingTip#1–BeSmartAboutTransportationLet’sfaceit–gasolinepricesaresky-high,anddon’tlooktobecomingdowninthefuture!Butifyou’resmartaboutyourtransportationoptions,youcouldsavealotofmoneyeverymonth.Publictransportationisagreatoption.Ifyouhavebusortrainlinethatrunsinyourarea,youcouldgetwhereyouneedtogoeveryday,whileavoidingexpensivefill-upsatthelocalgasstation.Putthatextramoneyintoyourphotographygearfunds,insteadofthatgasguzzlingfueltank!
MoneySavingTip#2–AvoidImpulseBuysIthappenstoeveryone;youarecheckingoutatthegrocerystoreandseethatcandybar,packofgumorotherimpulseitemandenduppurchasingit,eventhoughyoudon’tneedit.Here’sthething,though,thepeoplewhosettheseitemsup,dosostrategically.Theyknowthatwhenyourmoneyisoutitisveryeasytosimplytackonunnecessarypurchasesintheformofimpulsebuys.Musterupabitofwillpower,andavoidbuyinganythingatthesupermarketthatisnotonyourlist,anddivertyoureyesfromimpulseitems.Thissimpletipcanhelpyoutosockawaythatextracashintoyourcamera-purchasingbudget.
MoneySavingTip#3–WeatherproofYourLivingSpaceAlotofextramoneymaybefloatingoutofyourbankaccountintheformofahouseorapartmentthatisenergy-inefficient.Takesometimetoassessyourlivingspace,andmakeitmoreenergy-efficient.Afewbucksspentoncaulkingholes&crackscangoalongwayinloweringyourmonthlyheatingandcoolingcosts.Youcantakethemoneythatyousaveanduseitonreallyimportantitems–likethatnewlensorupgradedcamerainstead!
MoneySavingTip#4–Budget,Budget,Budget…Thebestwaytosavemoneyistobemeticulousaboutyourbudget.Startaspreadsheetandkeeptrackofmoneycominginversusmoneygoingout.Onceyouhaveabaselineofafewmonthsinyourspreadsheet,itbecomeseasytofindtrendsthataresuckingyourbankaccountdryandmakenecessaryadjustments.There’snosubstituteforbeingonasmartbudgetwhenyou’reseriousaboutsavingupforbetterphotographyequipment.
Wehopethesetipshelptoinspireyouandassistyouinyourquesttosaveupmoneyforbetterphotographygear.Anddon’tforgettothinkaboutsavingasanongoingtaskthatpaysoffwhenyoustickwithyourplanforthelonghaul.Byimplementingjustoneofthesetipsforafewmonths,youmayfindyourselfhavingplentyofcashtospareforthatnewpieceofphotographyequipmentthatyou’vebeendyingtogetyourhandson!
13.UnderstandingCommonIssuesInMacroPhotography
Tofixanyproblem,onemustfirstunderstandit.Thisstatementholdstruewhetheritisaprobleminlifeoranissueinmacrophotography.Thischapterwillhelpyoutounderstandhowyoucananalyzeyourphotostounderstandwhyyourphotosareblurry.Itwillteachyouthebasicsofidentifyingtheproblemandprovideyouwithsomesolutionsonfixingblurryphotos.
Blurryphotoscanoccurforanumberofdifferentreasons.Beforeyoucanfixtheblurrinessinyourphoto,youmustfirstunderstandwhatiscausingit.Inthedigitalage,wherewehaveaccesstoinstantpreviewsofourphotos,itisoftenquiteeasytopinpointthecauseoftheblurriness.Thephotopreviewonyourcameraisanimportantfeatureandwillprovideyouwithinstantfeedbackonhowyourphotohasturnedout.RemembertoalwayszoomintotheimagetolookatitinmoredetailasthesmallimagewillalwayslookdeceivinglysharpontheLCDpreviewscreen.
Ifyounoticethatyourphotoisblurry,thenyouneeddeterminethecauseoftheblurriness.Herearetheusualcausesofblurryphotos-
HowtoIdentifyandFixBlurryPhotosfromCameraShake
Image74-Camerashakeexample
Blurrinesscausedbycamerashakeisoftenquiteeasytoidentify.Theforegroundandbackgroundofyourimagewillappeartobeblurryandnothingwithinthephotowillappearsharpatall.
Problem/CauseCamerashakeisoftencausedbyusingslowershutterspeeds.Astheopeningofthelensisopened,yourcameraismoving/shakingaround,therebyresultinginablurryphoto.Itisalsoworthwhilenotingthattheamountofcamerashakeusuallyincreasesasyouincreaseyourmagnificationinmacrophotography.
SolutionThegeneralruleofthumbthatweusetominimizecamerashakeistouseashutterspeedthatisfasterthan1/’cameralenslength’.Soifyouareusinga105mmmacrolens,youneedtoensurethattheshutterspeedisgreaterthan1/105.Usingashutterspeedslowerthanthiswilloftenresultinblurrinesscausedbycamerashake.Insituationswhereyouareunabletousetheappropriateshutterspeed,youwillneedtoconsiderusinganadditionallightsource(eg.aflashunit)oratripod.
HowtoIdentifyandFixBlurryPhotosfromIncorrectFocusPoint
Image75-Incorrectfocuspointexample
Blurrinesscausedbyincorrectfocuspointcanbeeasilyidentified.Here,thesubjectofyourphotoisnotinfocusandappearstobeblurry.However,anotherspotwithintheimageisincompletefocusandissharp.
Problem/CauseBlurrinesscausedbyincorrectfocuspointoccursasaresultoffocusingonthewrongthinginyourimage.Ifyouareusingtheautofocuspointfeatureinyourcamera,itgenerallymeansthatyouhaveaccidentallyselectedthewrongfocuspointorthecamerahasnotfocusedontotherightareacorrectly.Asyoucanseefromtheimageontheleft,theautofocuspointhasbeensettothegreenleaves/grass.Asaresult,thegreenleaves/grassisinfocusandourflowersubjectappearstobeblurry.
SolutionBlurrinesscausedbyincorrectfocuspointcanbefixedbyensuringyouarefocusingontotherightarea.Ifyouareusingautofocuspoints,thenitisassimpleasmovingtheautofocuspointoverthesubjectareathatyouwanttobeinfocusbeforeyoutakeyourshot.Ifyourcamerahastroublefocusingontothesubjectarea,wesuggestyoumovetoadifferentviewpointormanuallyfocus.
HowtoIdentifyandFixBlurryPhotosfromSubjectMovement
Image76-Subjectmovementexample
Blurrinesscausedbysubjectmovementcanbequicklyidentified.Here,everythingappearstobeinfocuswiththeexceptionofyoursubject.Therewillbeatrail/shadowyduplicateofyoursubjectwithintheimage.Thisgivestheviewertheperceptionofmovement.
Problem/CauseBlurrinessfromsubjectmovementisoftencausedbyanumberoffactors.Ifwearedealingwithinanimateobjectssuchasflowers,thenthisisoftencausedbythewind.Ifwearedealingwithbugs,thenthisisactuallycausedbythemovementofthebugitself!However,thetruecausedoftheblurrinessistheshutterspeed.Essentially,theshutterspeedyouareusingisnotfastenoughtofreezethemotion.
SolutionByincreasingyourshutterspeed,youwillbeabletofreezethemotion.Youmayalsowishtoconsiderusingaflashtohelpyoufreezethemotionofyoursubject.
HowtoIdentifyandFixBlurryBackgroundPhotos
Image77-Blurrybackgroundexample
Blurrybackgroundsarecommonlyusedinmacrophotographytohelpfocusaviewer’sattentionontoyoursubject.Itaddsacreativeeffectontoyourphoto.
Assuch,yoursubjectwillbeincompletefocusandthebackgroundofyourimagewillthenappeartobeblurry.
Problem/CauseBackgroundblurrinessoccurswhenyouareusingalargeaperturesettingonyourcamera.eg.f/2.8.
SolutionToeradicatethebackgroundblur,youwillneedtoloweryouraperturesettingonyourcamera.Forexample,ratherthanusinganapertureoff2.8youwillwanttoensureyouuseamuchsmalleraperturesuchasf/22.Thiswillusuallybringthewholeimageintofocusthen.
Armedwithalltheaboveknowledgeonfixingblurryphotos,youcannowsaygoodbyetoblurryphotosforever.Don’tforgetthatpracticemakesperfect.
14.HowtoKissBlurryPhotosGoodbyeWhetherwelikeitornot,wehaveallbeenvictimsofthegremlinthatishidingwithinourcameras–thatdarngremlinthatcausesourphotostobeblurry.Itisreallydisappointingandheartbreakingtotakeaphotoandonlytofindthatthephotoisblurry.Inmacrophotography,sometimesyoujustdon’tgetasecondchancetore-takethatshot.Thisisespeciallytruewhenyouaretakingphotosofinsects.Bythetimeyoufindoutthatyourphotoisblurry,yoursubjectmayhavealreadyflownaway.
Soitisveryimportanttomakeeveryshotcountandtoensurethatyoukeepthebelowmacrophotographytipsinmindwhenyoutakeyournextshottoavoidblurryphotos.
Tip#1–SelectanAppropriateShutterSpeedtogetSharpPhotosWhenshootinghand-held,beawareofyourshutterspeedsetting.Blurryphotosareusuallycausedbylongshutterspeeds.Inthisscenario,thereareanumberofadjustmentsthatyoucanmaketoreducetheblurrinessonyourphotos.
Onesolutionistoincreasetheamountoflighthittingyoursensorbyopeningupyouraperture.Forexample,choosinganapertureoff/2.8insteadoff/8.0.Itissometimesnotpossibletoopenupyourapertureasthismaynotachievetherightcompositionresultthatyouareaftereg.Youmaywanttoshootyourphotowithsmallaperture(eg.f/16)toachievealargedepthoffieldwherethebackgroundremainsinfocus.
Image78-Apertureexample
InthisscenarioyoucouldconsiderincreasingyourISOsetting.ByincreasingtheISOsetting,youwillreducetheshutterspeedontheshot.However,dependingonyourcamera,thereisusuallyatradeoffbetweenISOsettingandthequalityofyourphotos.AhighISOsettingwillgenerallyintroduce‘noise’ontoyourphotosandwilldecreasethequalityofyourphotos(moregrainy).
Ifyouarecommonlytakingphotoshandheld,itissometimesworthwhiletoinvestintoalensthathasimagestabilization.Theselenseshavebeendevelopedtoreduceblurringassociatedwiththemotionofacameraduringexposure.ForCanonlenses,theseareoftenbrandedasImageStabilization(IS)lensesandforNikon,thetechnologyismorecommonlyknownasVibrationReduction(VR).JustkeepinmindthatISorVRwillnotbeasusefulinmacrophotographysinceyouareextremelyclosetoyoursubject.
Whenshootinghand-heldthereisaquickwaytodetermineiftheshutterspeedthatyouareusingisappropriate.Inordertotakesharpphotos,youwillneedtoensurethatyourshuttlespeedisfasterthan1/focallengthofyourlens.Forexample,ifyouwereshootingwithafocallengthof100mm,youneedtoensurethatyourshuttlespeedisatleast1/100secorfaster(eg.1/200sec).Ifyoushootwithaslowershuttlespeedthan1/focallengthofyourlens,yourphotowillbesubjectedtomovementandwillresultinmoreblurriness.
Tip#2–ShootingTechniquestogetSharpPhotosIftheabovescenariosdonotimprovethesharpnessofyourphotos,youwillneedtoconsiderusingaflash.Thiswillultimatelyallowyoutotakephotosthatrequirelongershutterspeeds.Ifyoudonothaveaflashordonotwishtouseaflashthereareanumberofwayswhichyoucouldtrytoreducecamerashake.
Whenyouareshooting,bringyourelbowstowardsyourchestandpressitagainstyourchestforextrasupport.Whenshootingsubjectsthatareclosetotheground,youmaywishtoleavethecamerarestingonthefloorIfyouaresittingdownontheground,youcouldhaveyourfootflatonthegroundanduseyourkneeasatripodbyrestingyourelboworcameraontoyourkneetoincreasestabilityTakeabreathin,holdyourbreathandpresstheshutter.Somepeoplehavesuccessintakingtheshotattheendoftheexhaleorduringtheexhale.Trythedifferentwaysandseewhichoneworksbestforyou.
Iftheabovehasnothelpedtoreduceyourcamerashake,thenyoushouldconsiderusingatripod.
Tip#3-UsingaTripodtogetSharpPhotosUsingatripodwillhelptoeliminatesomeofthecausesofcamerashake.Ifyouarestillexperiencingblurrinesswhenusingatripodyoumayhavetotrythefollowing-
Whenshootingonatripod,itisrecommendedthatyouusethemirrorlockfunctiononyourcameratoreduceanyvibrationscausedbythemirrorwhenyoupresstheshutterbutton.
Additionally,usearemotetriggertotakeyourphotostoreduceanypotentialmovementyoumaycausetothecamerabypressingtheshutterbutton.Ifyoudonothavearemotetrigger,youcaneasilysetyourcameratotakeaphotobasedonatimer.Thiswillultimatelyreducetheamountofcamerashakewhenyouaretakingtheshot.
Tip#4–Using‘LiveView’togetSharpPhotosWehaveallbeeninthesituationbefore–welookthroughtheviewfinderandeverythinglooksasthoughitisallinfocusandsharp.However,whenwelookattheimageonourcomputer,itisnotsharpatall.
Onefeaturethatisnotusedtoocommonlybyphotographersistheliveviewfunctionontheircamera.Inmacrophotography,wecanuseLiveViewtohelpustocapturephotosthataresharpandinfocus.MostDSLRcamerasnowadayshaveLiveViewcapabilities.Ifyoudon’tknowwhatitis,LiveViewisthefeaturewhereyoucanusetheLCDdisplayscreenonyourcameraastheviewfinder.Itthereforeprovidesyouwithapreviewofwhatyourcameraisseeing.
Thismacrophotographytechniqueinvolvesenablingliveviewonyourcameraandthenusingthedigitalzoomfeature(usuallydepictedasamagnifyingglassononeoftherearbuttons)onyourcameratozoomintoyoursubjectforacloserinspection.Bydigitallyzoominginontothesubject,youwillbeabletoseewhetheryourimageissharpandinfocusquiteeasily.Youdon’tneedtoleaveittoluckanymore!
Sothenexttimeyoutakeyourphoto,ensureyouturnonliveview,magnifytheimageonthedisplayscreen,manuallyadjustyourfocusandthentaketheshot.
Tip#5–FocusingTechniquetogetSharpPhotosThereisasimplefocusingtechniquethatisveryeffectiveincapturingsharpmacrophotos.Youwillneedto–
SetyourlenstomanualfocusfirstThenyouwillneedtomanuallyfocusthelenssothatyouwillachievethehighestmagnificationApproachyoursubjectandthenslowlymovetowardyoursubjectuntilitisinfocusOnceyouhavedeterminedthepointwhereyoursubjectisinfocus,youcanthenslowlyswaybackandforthtofinetunethefocuspointAsyouaremovingbackandforth,therewillbeaninstancewherethesubjectisinfocus.Whenthisoccurs,triggertheshutterbutton
15.MacroPhotographyTechnique–FocusStacking
ByEricVettling
WhatisFocusStacking?
Image79-FocusStacking(7stack,f16,ISO200)
Focusstackingisatechniquecommonlyusedinmacrophotographytoimprovethedepthoffieldofyoursubjects.Focusstackinginvolvestakingmultiplephotographsofyoursubjectatdifferentfocaldistancesandthencombiningthesephotographsintoasinglephoto.Forexample,whenphotographingabee,threephotoscouldbetaken–thefirstphotofocusedontheheadofthebee,thesecondphotofocusedonthebodyofthebeeandthelastphotofocusedontothebackofthebee.Ifwelookedateachofthephotoindividually,onlyonepartofthebeewouldbeinfocusduetotheshallowdepthoffield.However,throughtheuseofafocusstackingcomputersoftware,thesephotographscanthenbeprocessedandcombinedintooneclear,infocusandverydetailedphotograph.
WhyUseFocusStackinginMacroPhotography?Haveyouevernoticedareasinyourphotosthataresoftandoutoffocus?Thisisoftencausedbyshallowdepthoffieldandisaverycommonoccurrenceinmacrophotography.Thegoodnewsis…Thereisawaytogetaroundthis.Thatisofcoursethroughtheuseoffocusstacking!Byusingthefocusingstackingtechnique,youcannowachievetheinfocusanddetailedphotographthatyouhavebeendreamingof!
BeforeFocusStacking:
Asingleshotofacoinbeforefocusstacking.Noticetheoutoffocusareasonthiscoinasaresultoftheshallowdepthoffield.
Image80-Beforefocusstacking
AfterFocusStacking:
Afterfocusstacking–Thisfinalimageiscreatedfrom22stackedphotos.Noticehowsharpandinfocusthecoinis.
Image81-Afterfocusstacking
Asyoucansee,focusstackingcanbeveryuseful.However,theremaybetimeswhenyoudon’twantatotallyinfocusphotoforcreativereasons.Thechoiceisyours!
Indoorsvs.OutdoorsFocusStackingFocusstackingisatechniquethatcanbeusedindoorsaswellasoutdoors.However,themajorityofphotographerswouldprefertoworkindoorswithinacontrolledenvironmentthatismorepredictable.Mostindoorfocusstackingisdoneinasmallstudio,with‘nonmoving’subjects.
Outdoorfocusstackingrequiresadifferentskillsetandisusuallymorechallengingasyoursubjectmaymoveonyou.Whenusingfocusstackingonsubjectsinanoutdoorsetting,itisrecommendedthatyousetyouraperturehighsothatyoucanachievegreaterdepthoffield.Aftertakingthefirstshotmoveyourbodyeversoslightlyforwardtotakeanotherandifyouarelucky,youmightgettwoorthreeshotsbeforeyoursubjectdisappearsonyou!
Thereisnodoubtthatthiscanbeverydifficultandwillrequirealotofperseverancefromyourend.Morethanoftenyouwillbemetwithfailure…Sopracticeisamust!However,togiveyoumorechanceofsuccess,youmightwanttooptforaverygoodtripod,afocusingrailandaremoteshutterreleaseforflowersandverypatientinsects.
WhatEquipmentIsTypicallyUsedForFocusStacking?
Image82-Anexampleofafocusstackingsetup
CameraandmacrolensAgoodhighendtripodLightTent/Box(todiffuselight)Goodlighting(Iusethreecorkscrew100wattfluorescents,inthreeclamponfixtures.Ifyoudonothaveaccesstoone,youcanuseagoodflashorstrobewithdiffuser.)Astageandaspecimenholder(ifdoingindoorsfocusstacking).Weuseda‘SolderingHelpingHands’inthistutorial.FocusingrailsWiredorremoteshutterreleaseFocusstackingsoftware(recommendationsbelow)
CombineZP(Afreedownload)HeliconFocus(Shareware–Mustbepurchased)ZereneStacker(Shareware–Mustbepurchased)
WhatAreSomeofTheseEquipment?Thereareseveralspecificphotographyequipmentthatwerelistedabovewhichwerenotcoveredunderthemacrophotographyequipmentchapter.Theyincludethefollowing-
1.LightTent/BoxThepurposeofthelighttent/boxistoprovideacontrolledenvironmentwhereyoucanplaceyoursubjectintosothatitcanbelitupbysoft,diffusedandevenlighting.Theselighttents/boxescanbeeasilycreated–oftencheaplyorevenfree(dependingonwhatisaroundinyourhome).CheckoutourDIYsectiontoseehowyoucanmakeyourveryownlightbox.Alternatively,theselighttents/boxescanbepurchasedinvaryingsizes.
2.Stage&SpecimenHolderThestageandspecimenholderisessentiallyatoolthatwillhelpyouholdyoursubjectinplacesothatitcanbephotographed.Thereareanumberoftoolsyoucanuse,butIuseatoolthatiscommonlyusedinsoldering–‘SolderingHelpingHands’.
Image83-Focusstackingandspecimenholdersetup
Focusstackingcanbedonebyanyone(evenbeginners).Afteryoucompleteyourfirstfocusstackphoto,youwillbeamazedbythequalityandsharpness!Afriendlywordofwarning,youmaybesoobsessedbythegoalofwantingtoseeverysmallthingsclearlyandcloseupthatyoumightgotogreatlengthstoachieveit–suchastakingover100photosofthesubjecttofocusstack!
WhatisRequired?CameraandmacrolensAgoodhighendtripodFocusingrailWiredorremoteshutterreleaseGoodlighting(Iusethreecorkscrew100wattfluorescents,inthreeclamponfixtures.Ifyoudonothaveaccesstoone,youcanuseagoodflashorstrobewithdiffuser.)Focusstackingsoftware–IusedCombineZP(Afreedownload)Agoodsolidtable(Foryourlighttent,stageandsubject)Lighttent(Fordiffusinglight)–Youmayoptforaflash,Idon’tuseone.Astageandspecimenholder(Thisisaplacetostageandholdyoursubjectorspecimen)–Iusedatoolcalled‘SolderingHelpingHands’asmystageandspecimenholder.Colorconstructionpaper(Forbackgroundambiance)Crazy/Superglue
Hereishowmymacrophotographyfocusstackingsetuplookslike–
Image84-Myfocusstackingsetup
Ifyoudonothavealighttentorexternallighting,youcouldtrythefollowingbasicbarebonessetup.Thisisagreatwaytostartlearningandproducesverygoodresults!
Image85-Basicfocusstackingsetup
16.HowtoFocusStack(Indoor)TutorialByEricVettling
ForthefollowingtutorialEricwillbeusinganinsectashissubject.
Step-by-StepFocusStackingTutorialStep1.Obtainaninsectofyourchoiceinacontainerandputitina‘killingjar’oruseyourfreezertodothejob.AkillingjarisanyoldjarwithafewcottonballsonthebottomabsorbedwithethylacetatealsoknownasFingernailpolishremover.Coverthecottonballswitharoundcardboarddiskcuttosizesoyourspecimendoesnotbecomeentangledinthecotton.Makesureyourjarhasatightfittinglid.Pleasebeawarethattherehasbeenadecreaseinthebeepopulationthisyearsopleasekeepthisinmindwhenyouarecatchingyournextsubject.
Step2.Afterafewminutes,younowhaveyour‘nonmoving’insectanditisreadyformountingontheendofthinwire,pinorneedle.Putasmalldabofcrazy/superglueontheendofyourneedleandstickyourneedleintoitandallowtimeforgluetoset.Thismaytakesomepracticetogetitright.Afterthegluehasset,yourspecimenisnowreadytobeputintothespecimenholderforstagingandphotographing.
Image86-Focusstackingsetup
Step3.Itisnowtimetomountthefocusingrail,cameraandshutterreleasetothetripodandprepareforthefocusstackingphotoshoot!
Step4.Foryourcamerasettings,IrecommendanISOsettingof100or200tokeepnoiseleveldownandanaperturesettingofaboutf14foryourfirsttry.Oncetheseareset,youcanadjustyourshutterspeedusingyourexposuremeterforproperexposureinthemanualmodeofyourcamera.Ifyourcamerahasit,usethemirrorlockupmodeasthiswillreducevibration.
Step5.Withyourcamera,focusrailandshutterreleasemounted,itistimetogeteverythinglinedupandstraightwithyoursubject.Thistakesabitofpatience,butmustbedone!Onceyougetyoursubjectintoyourviewfinder,lockdownallknobsonyourtripodtoreducemovementandvibration.Now,whilelookingthroughyourviewfinder,carefullyrotateyourfocusrailknobuntilyoucanjuststarttoseetheclosestpartofyoursubjectcomingintofocusandstopthere!
Step6.Wearereadytotakeyourfirstshot!Holdingonlyyourshutterreleaseandnottouchingthecameraortripod,presstheshutterreleaseallthewayandwaitforthemirrortolockupandwaitafewmoresecondsforvibrationstostopandpresstheshutterreleaseoncemore.Youhavejusttakenyourfirstshot!
Now,lightlygraspingthefocusrailknob,rotatetheknobjustaverysmallfractiontothe
nextfocusareaofyoursubjectandrepeattheshot.Repeatthisstepuntilyouhavereachedalltheareasyouwantinfocusandthenstop!HerearesomeexamplesofthephotosthatItook–noticehowdifferentpartsofthewaspisinfocusforeachshot.
Image87-FocusStacking–Photo#1(Frontinfocus)
Image88-FocusStacking–Photo#2(Middleinfocus)
Image89-FocusStacking–Photo#3(Backinfocus)
Image90-FocusStacking–FinalCombinedPhoto
Step7.Takeyourcameraoffthetripodanddownloadyourphotosontoyourcomputer
intotheirownfolder.Nowweneedtoopenourstackingsoftwareandloadourphotosintotheprogrammakingsureweloadtheminthesameorderaswetookthem.Thefirstthingwedoisalignourphotosusingthealignfunctionality.Somefocusstackingsoftwarewillallowyoutochooseaspecificfocusstackingmode.Tryallthedifferentmodestoseewhichoneyouprefermost.
That’sit!Saveyournewfocusstackedphototoafolder.Withpractice,youwilldevelopyourownwaysofdoingthings.Remember,onlythebasicshavebeenshownheretogiveyousomeideahowfocusstackingisdone.Therearemanydifferentwaystodowhatwasshownhere.Themostimportantthingistohavefunandkeeplearning!
TipsandAdviceforBetterStackedPhotosIfyoucan,setupyourstudiointhebasementwithacementfloortoreducevibrationstoyourequipment!Vibrationisyourenemy,andwillmakeyourstackssoft!Forgoodlightpositions,thesamerulesforPortraitphotographyapplyhereIfusingaflashorstrobe,youmaywantalightdiffusertosoftenthelightExperimentwithdifferenttypesoflightingtofindthestylethatbestworksforyouMakesureyourcameraisalignedwithyoursubjectsoyourframingdoesnotchangeasyouadjustyourfocusingrailUseyourmirrorlockupfunctiontoreducevibrationswhentakingaphotoAthigheraperturesettings(eg.f/16),youcangetawaywithaslittleastwophotosforyourstack.ThisisbecauseofalargerfocusareaormoredepthoffieldAtloweraperturesettings,(eg.f/4),youwillrequiremanyphotoswithvery,verysmalladjustmentsofyourfocusingrail.Thisisdueoftheveryshallowdepthoffield.Somephotographerscantakeasmanyas150ormoretoachievetheresultstheywantTrytokeepyourISOlow,100or200,toreducenoiseinyourphotosIfyoukeepyourinsectsinthefreezer,allowthemtimetowarmupandevaporateanymoistureoffofthembeforephotographingUseamagnifyglasstoinspectyourdeadinsectsfordust,dirtandgrimethatmayruinyouphoto!Ifdirtisfound,gentlycleanthemoffwithafinetipartistpaintbrushforamuchbetterqualityimage.
Rememberthatthistechniquecanbeusedonalltypesofsubjects–evenflowers!Sogetoutthereandstartpracticing!
17.PracticalMacroPhotographyTipsandTricks
HowToPhotographInsects/BugsOnceyoudelveintomacrophotographyasahobby,youfindthatitreallyistruethatphotographyisanartform.Whilesomepeoplemaysaythatit’seasytopickupacamera,pointitatyoursubjectandultimatelytotakeagreatmacrophotograph,thoseofuswhohaveputhoursintoourpassionformacrophotographyknowalltoowellthatthere’smoretocapturingamazingimagesinourphotographsthansimplyclickingabutton.Thisisespeciallytrueformacrophotographerswholovetospendtimeshootingnature/wildlifephotographs.Whenyou’redealingwithMotherNature,oranyofhercreatures,youhavetoknowwhatyou’redoing.
Thesecrettophotographinginsectscomesdowntotwothings…Patienceandperseverance.Whenyourphotographysubjectsarebugs,itisnotassimpleasdiallinginthecamerasettingsandtakingtheshot.Asamacrophotographer,youwouldactuallybespendingthemajorityofyourtimesearchingforbugsandchasingthemaround.Itisnotunusualforamacrophotographertotakehundredsofshotsofabugandwalkingawaywithonlyonegoodshot.
Inthissection,weshareanumberofimportanttipswithyoutohelpyoutoovercomesomeofthechallengesthatyouwillexperiencewhenphotographinginsects.
Image91-Photographinginsects
Tip#1-LearnAboutYourPhotographySubjectHere’sacommonscenariothatmanymacrophotographersgothroughonaregularbasis:Thephotographerdecideshewantstoshootsomeup-close-and-personalshotsofaparticularinsect.Heknowsthoseveryinsectsareinhisgarden,asheseesthemeveryday.So,ourphotographerheadsouttothegarden,setsuphisgearandspendstheafternoonfruitlesslytryingtogetsomegoodshotsofhisfavoritebugs.Whatwentwrong?Whyaren’tyouabletoget
thosekillershotsofyourfavoritebug,insectorcreepycrawler?Itusuallyboilsdowntothefactthatmanynewphotographerssimplydon’ttakethetimetoreallygettoknowtheirsubjects.Differentbugs/animalsreactdifferentlytotheverypresenceofahumanbeing.Whileabutterflymightgoaboutitsbusinessifyoushootitfromafewfeetaway,tryingtogetveryclosewithyourgearmayverywellscareyoursubject.
Youhavetolearnhowthelivingcreaturesyouplantophotographreacttoyourpresence.Thismeanstakingtimetoreadupontheanimalsorbugsyouwanttophotographandexperimentingwithdifferentdistancestocaptureoptimalshots.Thelastthinganyphotographershoulddoissimplyburstonthesceneandhopethathis/heractionswon’tupsettheverysubjectsthathe/shewishestophotograph.Justlikeyougettoknowyourhumansubjectswhenyoutakefamilyphotographs,youmustputinabitofresearchtimetogettoknowyourfour,sixoreightleggedsubjectstoo.
Sobeforeyouheadoutintothefield,makesureyouinvestsometimetolearnaboutyourmacrophotographysubjects.Spendingafewminutestodosomeresearchoreventakingsometimeouttorememberyourpreviousencounterwiththesubjectwillbeworthwhileasitwillreducealotoffrustrationsforyouinthefuture.
Thetwomainthingsthatyouneedtorememberaboutanyinsectis–
1. Habitat2. Behavior
Image92-Learnallaboutyoursubject
Habitat
Withoutlearningaboutthehabitatofyoursubject,youwillbewastingalotofyourtimesearchingforyoursubjects.Byknowingthepreferredhabitatofyoursubjects,youcanquicklyhoneintoareaswhereyouaremostlikelytofindyoursubjects.Forexample,grasshoppersusuallyhideintallgrassyareasandbutterfliesarefrequentvisitorsofareaswherethereareblossomingflowers.
Bybeingasmartmacrophotographerandlearningaboutyoursubject’shabitat,youwillbeabletospendmoretimefocusingonyoursubjectandphotographyitself!
Behavior
Asamacrophotographer,itisimportantforyoutolearneverythingyoucanaboutthesubjects’behavior.Themovementsandthebehavioroftheinsectscanbequitehardtopredict.So,bylearningaboutthebehaviorofyoursubjects,youcanoftenanticipateandbepreparedfortheirnextmove.
Learningaboutyoursubjectsthroughbooks,websitesoreveninstructionsfromotherphotographersisgood,howeveryoumustspendsometimeobservingyoursubjectsintheirnaturalenvironment.Spendtimeobservingtheirbehaviorandtakenoteofthosetimeswhentheyaremoreactiveversusthetimeswhentheyareabitmorerelaxed.Ifyouwanttocaptureashotofabeelandingonaflower,forexample,youhavetoknowthetimeofthedaythatthebeesaremostlikelytobeoutandforagingaround.Andyoualsoneedtoobservehowlongittakessaidbeetomovefromoneflowertoanother.Byspendingjustabitoftimedoingsomefieldobservation,you’llbebetterpreparedtotakethekindsofphotographsthatyoureallydesirethemost.
Somekeythingsthatyoushouldkeepaneyeoutonare-
Whatdoesthesubjectdowhenyouapproachit?Dotheyrunforcoverandhideunderaleafordotheyjustdropfromtheflowerassoonastheyspotyou?Howclosecanyougettothesubjectbeforetheystartrunning,jumpingorflyingawayDoesthesubjectmoveinastraightlineordoesthesubjecttravelinazig-zagmovement?Dotheyhavethehabitofreturningbacktothesameareaoncetheyfeelsafe?
Tip#2-SneakingUpOnYourPhotographySubjectsWhenitcomestophotographinginsects,patienceisthekey.Wehaveallbeentherebefore…Wespotoursubjectnearbyandasweapproachthesubjecttotakeaphoto,itgetsstartledanditrunsawayorfliesoff.Tryingtogetclosetoyoursubjectcanoftenbefrustrating.Unfortunately,itisjustsomethingthatweallneedtogetusedto.Ithappenstoeveryone,evenprofessionalmacrophotographerswhohavebeeninthegameforaverylongtime.
However,therearesomethingsthatyoucandotogiveyouabetterchanceof
landingtheshot.Togetyoustarted,herearesometipsonsneakinguponyoursubjects.
Getdowntoyoursubject’slevelandbepreparedtogetdirty
Whenyouspotyoursubject,thefirstthingthatyouneedtodoistogetdowntotheirlevel.Ifitisaninsectontheground,theclosertothegroundyouget,thebetter.Asawordofwarning,outdoormacrophotographycangetdirty-soyouwilloftenfindphotographerslayingdownontotheirbellyandcrawlingslowlytowardsthesubject.
Image93-Getdowntoyoursubject’slevel
Nosuddenmovements
Itisimportantthatyoudonotmakeanysuddenmovementsasyouapproachthesubject.Yourapproachshouldbeasslowaspossibleandasquietasyoucanbesothatyoudonotstartleyoursubject.Ifpossible,trytoavoidapproachingthesubjectheadon.Alensinsomeone’sfacewillmakeanyonefeeluncomfortable.Whenthishappenstoasmallinsect,theuneasinessisboundtobeexponentiallyhigher!
StartEarly
Asyousneakuponyoursubject,startsnappingaway.Somepeoplemaydisagreewithus,butinouropinion,thisachievestwothings.Firstly,youwanttostartacclimatisingyoursubjecttoyou.Thisincludesgettingthesubjectusedtothenoiseoftheshutteronyourcameraasyoutakeyourphotos.Andifyouareusingaflashunit,itwillalsohelpthesubjecttogetusedtotheflashoflight.Attheendoftheday,youwantthesubjecttofeelasthoughthenoiseandtheflashesoflightarepartoftheenvironmentthattheyarein.
Theotherreasonwhyweencouragepeopletotakephotosofthesubjectastheysneakclosertotheirsubjectisduetothefactthatthesubjectmaygetscaredoff.Ifthishappens,atleastyouhavecapturedsomephotosofthesubject.Youneverknow,youcouldcroponeofthosephotos.
Tip#3-ShootinColderTemperatures
Theysaythattheearlybirdcatchestheworm.Butdidyouknowthatit’stheearly-risingphotographerwhocapturesthebestphotos?Ifyouarenothavinganyluckinfindingbugsthatare‘cooperative’,youmaywanttotryshootingearlyinthemorningwhenitiscolder.Insectsaregenerallymoresluggish,placidandlessactiveincoldertemperatures.Assuch,youwillhavemorechanceoffindingamore‘cooperative’subjectincolderdays.
Forus,weprefertotakeourphotosearlyinthemorning(beforeitgetswarm)orlaterintheafternoon(whenitstartstocooldown).Wetrytoavoidtakingphotosofoursubjectsinthemiddleofthedayintheblazingheat.Itisjusttoohardtosneakuponinsectsthataretooactive.It’llbetoughtokeepupwiththemorevenfindonethatwillstaystillforyoutotaketheshot.
Thereisanadditionalbenefitofshootingearlyinthemorning-themorningdew!Thebeautifuldewdropscanaddanewdimensiontoyourphotos.Ifyouarelucky,youmayevenfindsomeinsectswithamazingdewdropsontheirfaceandbody!Thiswillmakeastunningphoto!
Image94-Shootearlyinthemorning
Tip#4-WaitForthePerfectMomenttoStrikeSubjectsthataredistractedareusuallyeasiertophotograph.Whenyouareoutinthefield,searchforsubjectsthatarepre-occupiedorifyouhavethepatience,waitforthemtobecomedistracted.Theperfectmomenttostrikeiswhenyoursubjectiseither-
Feeding/EatingMatingIntheprocessoflayingeggs
Additionally,tomakeyourphotostandoutfromtherest,trycapturinginterestingbehaviors.Thiscouldinclude–
Themomentwhentheinsecttakes-off/fliesInsectsthatareinflightThehatchingprocessofaninsect
Matingrituals
Image95-Strikewhenyoursubjectisdistracted
Tip#5–ChoosingtheRightLensForYourSubjectTogiveyourselfabetterchanceoflandingtheperfectshotofyoursubject,itisimportanttousetherightlens.Whenphotographingsubjectsthatmayflyawayandarenotasaccessiblesuchasdragonflies,beesorbutterflies,makesureyouusealongerlens.Thiswillgiveyouabetterchanceofcapturingaphotoofyoursubjectbeforeitnoticesyouandflyaway.
Ontheotherhand,whenphotographingsubjectslikeants,beetlesorcaterpillarsyoucanuseashorterlensbecausethesesubjectsareusuallyfoundinareasthatarequiteaccessible(eg.closetothegroundlevel).Andiftheydecidetoescapefromyou,atleastyoucangivechaseandkeepupwiththem!
Tip#6–Studio-likeBackgroundThereisasimpletechniquethatyoucanusetoisolateyoursubjectfromthebackground.Thistechniquewillallowyoutoachievea‘studio-like’whitebackgroundwhenyouareoutdoors.Itwilllookasthoughyouhaveshotyoursubjectindoorsinacontrolledenvironment(eg.alightbox).Ifthisistheeffectthatyouarelookingtoachieve,youcanplaceawhiteacrylicplexi-glasssheetbehindyoursubjectbeforetakingyourphoto.Ensurethatthisisinawell-litareasothatyoucanachievetheultra-whitebackground.Ifthereisnotenoughlight,youcancomplementthelightingwithaflashunit.Theflashshouldbepositionedsothatitispointingdirectlyintothewhiteacrylicplexi-glasssheet.
Image96-Whitebackgroundtechnique
Tip#7–DetermineYourFocusPointWhenphotographinginsectsandbugs,youwanttodeterminethepartoftheinsectthatwillbeyourfocuspoint.Asamacrophotographer,youwillbeworkinginanenvironmentwherethereisalwaysgoingtobeashallowdepthoffield.Assuch,itisimportanttoensurethatthesharpestareaofyourimageisdedicatedtothepartoftheinsectthatyouarephotographing.Thiswillhelptocreatetensionandassistindrawingtheaudiences’eyeintothatspecificarea.
Someofthebestfocuspointsforinsectsincludethefollowing–
Eyes–Forexample,themanyeyesofajumpingspider
Image97-FocusPoint:TheEyes
Head–Forexample,theheadandantennasofanant
Image98-FocusPoint:TheHead
Wings–Forexample,thepatternsonthewingsofadragonfly
Image99-FocusPoint:TheWings
Legs–Forexample,thebee’skneesthatisfullofnectar
Image100-FocusPoint:TheLegs
Anythingelsethatisuniquetothatspecies–Forexample,theproboscisofabutterfly.Thisisthedrinkingmouthpartofthebutterflythatlookslikeadrinkingstraw.
Image101-FocusPoint:Proboscis
HowtoPhotographFlowers&PlantsOfallthebrilliantandbeautifulphotographysubjectsintheworld,thereisnothingthatcanmatchtheinherentbeautyofflowersinfullbloom.Manyphotographersareneverhappywiththeirmacrophotosofflowers.Thetruthisthatsomepeoplewillstruggleabittoproducehighquality,brilliantandattractivephotosofnature’smostbeautifulsubjects.
Tohelpyoutostarttakingbettermacrophotosofflowers,wearegoingtostartfromthebasics.Asyoumayhavealreadynoticed,wearehugeadvocatesoflearning–thisincludesdevelopingyourknowledgeaboutmacrophotographyaswellaslearningaboutthesubjectsofyourphotography.Attheendoftheday,knowingalittleaboutyoursubjectwillhelptoenrichyourmacrophotographyexperience.
Image102-Photographingflowers
Tip#1–LearnAboutYourPhotographySubjectYoumightthinkthatthisisboringorirrelevanttophotography,however,understandingthedifferentpartsofyourphotographysubjectisgoingtohelpyoutodevelopasenseofthecoreareasthatyoucouldfocusonwhenphotographingflowers.Tohelpyougetstarted,wehavecollatedsomedescriptionsofsomeofthekeyflowerpartsthatyoucouldfocusoninyourphotography.Pleasenotethatthisisnotanexhaustivelist.
Wearenotbotanists,sothisisjustsomeoftheknowledgethatwehavegatheredthroughouttheyears.Wewouldencourageyoutoconductyourownresearchsoyoucanfurtherbuildonthisknowledge.
Image103-Partsofaflower(Credit:MarianaRuiz/Wikipedia)
StamenThestamentypicallyconsistsofastalkcalledthefilamentandananther.Itisthepollenproducingpartoftheplant.Oneinterestingfactthatyoumaynotknowofisthatthenumberofstamenwillequatetothenumberofpetals.
AntherAsmentionedabove,theantherispartofthestamenandproducesandcontainspollen.Dependingonthespeciesofflower,itisusuallyonthetopofalongstalkandwilllooklikefinehairs.
FilamentThisisthefinehair-likestalkthattheanthersitsontopof.
StigmaThisisthefemalepartoftheflower.Itisthestickybulbthatyouseeinthecenteroftheflowers.Thisisactuallywheretheflowerwillreceivepollenatpollination.
StyleThisisthelongstalkthatthestigmasitsontopof.
PetalThepetalsarethebrightandcolorfulpartoftheflower.Theyareresponsibleforattractingpollinators.
SepalThesepalarethegreenleavesthatprotecttheflowerbudbeforeitopens.Thesepalscanstillbeseenaftertheflowerblooms.
Tip#2–ShootwithaUniqueAngleWhenphotographingflowers,tryshootingfromadifferentangle.Ashumans,weareallusedtoseeingflowersfromthetopdownview.Sinceweareusedtoseeingtheflowerfromthisangle,ifyoutakeaphotooftheflowerfromthetopdownview/angle,itisgoingtolookboring.
Tocaptureafascinatingshotofaflower,youneedtocapturetheflowerwithaviewthat
wearenotusedtoseeing.Sowhatyouneedtodoistogetdownlowandtrytogeteye-levelwiththeflower.Onceyouareeye-levelwiththeflowertrysomeofthesedifferentanduniqueangles–
ShootfromBehind
Image104-DifferentAngle:Behind
ShootfromtheSides
Image105-DifferentAngle:Side1
Image106-DifferentAngle:Side2
ShootFrontOn(Up-Close)
Image107–DifferentAngle:FrontOn(UpClose)
ShootUpwards
Tip#3–TheBestTimeforFlowerPhotographyThebesttimeforoutdoorflowerphotography(oranyphotographyasamatteroffact)isonanovercastday.Asyouprobablyknow,whenthesunisoutinallitsglory(eg.Noon),thelightingisextremelyharshandwilllightupyoursubjectverystrongly.Thiscouldcauseyourphototobeoverexposed,therebyresultinginwashedoutcolor.Theharshlightcanalsocastdarkshadowsontoyoursubjectandmayruinyourcompositionofthephoto.
Asaruleofthumb,youshouldalwaysaimtoshootduringsunriseandsunsetondayswhereitisnotanovercast.
Tip#4–Lighting&PositioningWetouchedbrieflyonlightingintheprevioustipandwewantedtoexpandonithere.Ifyouarerelyingonnaturallightingsuchasthesunlight,trytoavoidphotographingyourflowersubjectswherethelightiscomingfromaboveorthefrontofyoursubject.
Whenthelightiscomingfromaboveorfromthefrontofthesubject,yourflowerswillnotlookgreat.Theharshlightwillexposealltheimperfectionsoftheflowerandthecolorwillbewashedout.
Image108-FrontLightingExposesFlawsinYourSubject
Whenfacedwithsuchasituation,youshouldre-positioningyourselfsothatthelightiscomingfromthesideorbehindyoursubject.Byre-positioningyourself,youcancaptureacompletelydifferentphoto.Ifyoudidn’tknow,backlightinghasanamazingeffectonflowers.Thebacklightwilllightupthepetalsandmakethepetalsglow.Whentakingamacroshotoftheflowerpetals,youwillbeabletoseeallthebeautifultextureofthepetalsandtheshadowsfromtheoverlappingpetals.
Image109-BackLightingMakesYourSubjectGlow
Tip#5–TakingSharpPhotosInthelaterchaptersofthebook,wewillbesharingsometipsonhowtoachievesharpphotos.Withoutgoingintotoomuchdetailhere,wewantedtoquicklyhighlightthatyoushouldconsiderthefollowingwhenphotographingflowers–
UseaTripodtominimizecamerashakeUseaRemote/WirelesstriggertotakeyourphotossothatyoudonotneedtopresstheshutterbuttononyourcameraIfyoudonothavearemote/wirelesstriggeryoucaneasilymakeuseoftheonboardcameratimer.Setittotriggertheshutterin5seconds.Whenwefirststartedinphotography,welearntaboutthe‘sweet-spot’rule.This‘sweet-spot’waswherethelenswouldachieveitssharpestimage.Thesimpleruleofthumbisthatthe‘sweet-spot’isusually2-3f-stopsfromyourmaximumlensaperture.Forexample,ifyourlenshasthelargest/maximumf-stopoff/2.8,youwillwanttostepdownyourapertureandshooteitherwithf/5.6orf/8.Ifyouwanttocaptureasmuchdetailaspossible,youwillneedtouseanapertureofatleastf/22.Thedownsidetothisisthatyouwillneedaflashunitorelseitwilllooktoodark.
Image110-Takingsharpphotos
Tip#6–ReduceDistractionsinBackgroundAsyouwouldhavelearntfromthecompositionchapter,youmustalwayscheckthattherearenodistractionsormessinthebackgroundbeforeyoutakeyourshot.Acleanbackgroundiskeytoagreatphoto.Herearesometipsonhowyoucanmakeyourphotolesschaotic.
Iftakingaphotoofaflowerandthereareotherflowersinthebackground,youcansometimesre-positionyourselfsothattheflowerinthebackgroundishiddenbehindyourmainsubject.Useawideaperture(f/2.8)sothatyoucanachieveashallowdepthoffield.Thiswillthenensurethatalltheflowersinthebackgroundwillbeoutoffocusandwillnotbeasobvious.Anexternalflashcanalsobeutilizedalongwithafastshutterspeedtounderexposethebackgroundsothatyouwillachieveacompletelyblackbackground.Trythisforyourself–startwiththefollowingsettings,f/9,ISO100andafastshutterspeedsuchas1/250.Itisafairlycooltrick!Shoottight(zoomedincloseandtightlycrop)youcaneliminatealltheclutteraroundthesurroundingofyoursubject.Thisisextremelygoodforwhenyouwanttophotographpatterns.Whenoutshooting,weusuallycarryalongsomecolorpaperwithus.Weusuallyhaveagreencolorpaperwhichwecanslidebehindthesubject.Thiswillblockoutthedistractionsbehindthesubject.Withawideaperturesetting,youwillnotnoticethatthebackgroundwaspaper!Thiscolorpapercanbeusedquiteeffectively–rememberthechapterwherewetalkedaboutcolorharmony?Makesureyoureadthatsothatyouknowhowtoselecttherelevantcolorstoensurethatyoursubjectpopsout!
Image111-Reducedistractionsinbackground
Tip#7–AlwaysCarryaSprayWaterBottlewithYouOneofthebesttimestophotographflowersisrightaftertherain.Flowerswillhavewaterdropletsalloverthemandyourphotoswilllookamazing.
Unfortunately,itdoesn’t’alwaysrainwhenwewantitto.So,sometimeswejusthavetorelyonthenextbestthing…aspraywaterbottle.Thisisamacrophotographer’sbestfriendandwillallowyoutoartificiallycreateyourownwaterdropletsontoyourflowersubjects.Allyouneedtodoisgiveitacoupleofsquirtsandyouwillsoonnoticethatwaterdropletswillformonthepetals.
Image112-InstantRainonYourSubjects
Therearesomanycreativewaystophotographwaterdropletsonflowersorplants.Oneofthecoolestthingsistophotographtherefractioninsidethewaterdroplet.Thesurroundingsbehindthewaterdropletisrefractedinsidethewaterdroplet.Whatyoucandoisyoucanincludeanotherfloweroranimagebehindthewaterdroplet.Thiswillthencausethebackgroundimagetoberefractedinsidethewaterdroplet.Thephotowilllookuniqueandwillstunallyourfriendsandfamily!Justrememberthattheimagewillappearupsidedownasitisbeingrefracted–soifyouaretryingtorefractabackgroundimage,makesureyouplacethatimageupsidedownsothatitisrefractedtherightsideup.
Image113-Createyourownwaterdroplets
18.WheretoFindMacroPhotographySubjectsWhenThereAreNoneAroundYouIt’salwaysagoodideaformacrophotographerstokeeptheireyesopen.Everywhereyougo,andeverythingyoupassbyinyourday-to-daylifecanserveasinspiration–orevenpotentialsubjects–foryourmacrophotographyendeavors.Fromtheflowersthatyoupassbyinyourgardentotheboxfullofscrewsonyourworkbench,therearemacrophotographysubjectseverywherethatyoulook.
Thesecrettonoticingthesethingsandthentakingmemorablemacrophotographsofthemissimplytobeaware.Don’twalkaroundinahaze,ignoringallthepotentialitemsthatcouldverywellserveassubjectsforsomeunforgettablemacrophotographs.
Sometimes,thebestplacesformacrophotographyisaroundthehouseandoutsideinyourgarden.Thisisactuallyquitecommonformostmacrophotographers!However,soonerthanlateryoumayjustrunoutofnewmacrosubjectstophotographoryoumayliveinanapartmentorinanareathatisfarfromanyplantsandinsects.Soifthiseverhappenstoyou,thenherearesomeactivitiesandplacesforyoutoconsider–
SuggestionsbyAnnetteOsborn-
ButterflyConservatoryAbutterflyconservatoryisjustwhatyoumightthink.ItisusuallyalargegreenhousetypebuildingthatislicensedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationtokeepandbreedrareandexoticbutterflies.Theyareoftenattachedtobotanicalgardensorzoos.Notonlydothesefacilitieshouseallmannerofbutterfliesbuttheyalsocontainthebutterfly’s’foodsourcesofexoticflowers,succulents,andorchids,justtonameafew.Abutterflyconservatoryisa“nobrainer”ofmacrophotographyopportunities.
Image114–Butterflyconservatory
ZoosOfcoursephotographyatzoosisastandardofpracticeforeveryphotographer,amateurandprofessional.Themacrophotographercanalsofindareasofeveryzoothataretreasuretrovesofmacrophotographyopportunities.Manyzooshaverainforestexhibitswithexoticflowers,andyes,bugs,thatareeasilyaccessibletothemacrophotographer.Mostzoosalsohaveextensivegardensbetweenexhibitsthatofferawealthofmacrophotographypossibilitiesatalltimesofyear.Thereissomuchtoseeandshootinazoothatyoureallyhaveendlessopportunitiesifyouuseyourimagination.Ihavealsofoundthatzoosoftenhavepettingzoosforfamiliesthatallowyoutogetupcloseandpersonalwithsomeoftheanimals.Ifyouarepreparedforalittlegoatspitonyourequipment,youmightgetalovelymacroshotofagoat’sfunkyeyeballforyourportfolio.
Image115-Goat’seyeball
Hands-On,Children’sorScienceMuseumsOfcoursethefineartmuseumsthatweallthinkabout;withelegantlydressedvisitorswalkingslowlypastropedoffexhibitsandmakingquietexclamationsof“howmarvelous”and“ohmyjuststunning”,probablydon’tofferagreatwealthofshootingopportunitiesforthemacrophotographer.However,the“Handson”orChildren’smuseumsofferunendingchances.Thereisnothingquietoraristocraticabouttheseplaces.Kidsrunninghitherandyonandmakingasmuchnoiseaspossiblearetrademarksofthesemacrorichenvironments.Peopleareencouragedtomanipulateandexploreintheseinstitutions.Sand,feathers,fossils,minerals,crystals,textiles,water,(andotherliquids),rocks,andjustaboutanyothermaterialsthatcanbemanipulatedbylittlehandstostimulatelittlebrainscanbefoundhere.Ifyoudon’thavechildrentotaketotheseplaces,borrowafriend’skids.
Image116-Hands-onsciencemuseums
SuggestionsbySeeinginMacro-
BotanicalGardensBotanicalgardensareoneofthebestplacesformacrophotography.Thepicturesquegardenshaveadiversecollectionofplantsandflowerstosatisfyyourflowermacrophotographyhungerandaddiction.Withplantsandflowers,willalsocomethebugs.Forphotographerswhodonothaveaccesstoahomegarden,thisisadreamcometrue.Youwillbeabletogetupclosetoyourphotographysubjectstocapturetheperfectmacrophoto.
Image117-Plants,flowersandinsects
WalkingPhotoTourAnoutdoorwalkingphototourprovidesanabundanceofopportunitiestogetcloseupwithalltypesofflowers,plantsandinsects.Moreimportantly,itprovidesyouwiththeopportunitytodiscuss,learnandshareyourpassionwithothermacrophotographers.Anoutdoorwalkingphototourisaguidedtourandistypicallyorganizedbypeoplewhoareextremelypassionateabouttheirspecialization–thismayincludeexpertsinplants,flowers,insectsandphotography.
Whilethesewalkingphototoursprovideyoutheopportunitiestosnaptheperfectmacrophoto,alargepartofitisalsoforyoutolearnmoreaboutthesubjectsofyourphotography.Thesewalkingphototoursareguidedbyknowledgeablepeoplewhowillsharearangeoftopicswithyou.Thismayincludeprovidingyouwiththefactsandhistoryofyourphotographysubjects.Forus,thefunpartwaslearninghowtoidentifyourphotographysubjects.Wefindthatitisextremelyrewardingwhenyouareabletoidentifyandtalktoothersaboutthesubjectsofyourmacrophotography.
Sincewalkingphototoursareusuallyquitehandson,itisoneofthebestwaystolearnaboutmacrophotography.AsBenjaminFranklinoncefamouslysaid,“TellmeandIwillforget,teachmeandImayremember,involvemeandIlearn”…
Image118-Photowalkscanbeeducationalandfun!
InTheHouse-KitchenMacrophotographyhasfastbecomeassociatedtoinsects,plantsandflowers.Formanypeople,thekitchenwouldbethelastplacetheywouldconsiderfortheirnextmacrophotographyproject.However,therearemanyinterestingmacrophotographysubjectsthatcanbefoundinthekitchen.
Herearesomesuggestions-
Lookatwhat’sonthekitchenbench/tableYoucanfinduniqueobjectsaroundthekitchenbench/table.Startbysearchingforinterestingbottles(eg.oilbottles,balsamicvinegarbottles,etc).Whentakingmacrophotosofthebottles,remembertoshootitfromauniqueview–onewhichthehumaneyesarenottypicallyusedtoseeing.Thiswilladdanotherdimensiontoyourphotos.
Image119-Lookaroundkitchenbench
Tryphotographingsomefruitsthatyouhavearoundthekitchennext.Ifyouhavenevertrieditbefore,wehighlyrecommendyoutotryslicingthefruitupandtakingacloseupphotooftheslicedfruit.Throughthisphotoyouwillbeabletoexposeallthedetailedtexturesandpatternswithinthefruit.
Image120-Slicedfruit
LookinthedrawersandcupboardsInyourdrawers,youwillbeabletofindsomekitchenutensilstocreateabeautifulphotocomposition.Considerusingtheforksorspoonsinthedrawersandtakingamacroshotof
these.
Image121-Lookinthedrawers
Alternatively,lookforinterestingcupsorbowlsthatyoumayhaveinthecupboards.Youmaywishtolookforbowlsorcupsthathaveuniquecolorsorshapes.
Oneuniquekitchenutensilthatyoucanusetotakesomeincrediblemacroshotsisthekitchengrater/shredder.Placeagraterontopofacolorfulmaterialorpapersothatitreflectsthecolorofthematerial.Youcanthentakeamacrophotoofthecolorreflectionsonthebumpsonthegrater.
Image122-Abstractimageongrater
LookinthefridgeFridgesprovidemanycloseupphotographyopportunities.Lookforthingssuchascansofsoftdrinks/beerandvegetables.Remembertodribblesomewaterontothecansorthevegetabletogiveitthatperceptionof‘freshness’.Vegetablesaresometimesquiteinterestingtoshoot–especiallytheoneswithmesmerizingpatterns.Ifyouhavearomancauliflowerorbroccoliinyourfridge,thenyouwillbeamazedbythemacrophotosthatyoucanshootwiththisvegetable!
Image123-Lookinthefridge
19.HowtoMakeYourGardenaMacroPhotographySubjectMagnetWhenyoumaketheleaptobecomeamacrophotographer,youwillfindthatyou’realmostalwaysontheprowltofindsubjectsforyourphotoshoots.Andifyouliketocapturebugsandotherwildlifeduringsaidshoots,you’llmorethanlikelyspendafairamountoftimescoutingoutthebestlocationsinyourareatofindyoursubjects.Butwhatifyoucouldmakeiteasieronyourselfandactuallyattractmoremacrophotographysubjectstoyourproperty?Well,that’swhatwe’regoingtotalkaboutinthischapter:Howtomakeyourgardenavirtualmagnetthatattractsbeautifulcreepycrawliesforyourmacrophotographyshoots.
Likeus,you’reprobablylivingaveryfullandbusylife.It’sjustnotalwayspossibletorunouttothelocalparkorcommunitygardentofindgoodsubjectsforyourphotographs.Whenyoufollowtheadviceinthischapter,youshouldfindthatyoualmostalwayshaveplentyofsubjectsforyourphotographsthatareascloseasyourownbackyard.
HowtoAttractButterflies
Image124-Howtoattractbutterflies
Butterfliesarealwaysafavoritesubjectofwildlifemacrophotographers.Theresimplyaren’tanyothercreaturesinthewildthatareasbeautifulandgracefulasbutterflies.Itonlymakessense,then,thatyou’dwanttoincludesomeplantsinyourgardentomakeitamorehospitableenvironmentforthesedazzlingcreatures.Ideally,yourgardenshouldincludeawidevarietyofplants,flowersandevenwildgrassestoattractbutterflies.Byincludingavarietyofflorainyourgarden,youmakeithospitableandinhabitableforbothadultbutterfliesandthosethatareinthelarvaestage.
Herearesomeplantsyoumaywanttoplantinyourgardentoattractmorebutterflies:
ServiceberrybushesThesebushesareverygoodforcaterpillars.Ifyouwantbutterfliesinyourgardenthroughoutthewarmweathermonths,includeafewserviceberrybushes.
ButterflybushesWiththenamealone,youcantellthisisoneofthebestplantstohavearoundifyouwanttoattractbutterflies.Mostnurserieskeeptheseplantsinstockandyoucanpickupgoodsizedbutterflybushesataveryreasonableprice.Thesebushesattractawidearrayofbutterflyspecies,sotrytoincludeafewoftheminyourgarden.
DogwoodtreesThesesmalltreesareveryattractiveandtheyaregreatforbothcaterpillarsandbutterflies.Thinkaboutmakingadogwoodtreethecenterofyourgarden,andyou’llalmostcertainlyhaveplentyofcolorfulbutterfliesonhandforyour
photoshoots.
HowtoAttractOtherInterestingInsectsHerearesomeotherplantsthatyoumaywanttoconsidertoattractotherinsectstoyourgarden/yard:
CornflowersThesebrilliant,blueflowersreleasealotofnectar.Thismeansthatifyouplantsomecornflowersinyouryard,youcanexpecttogetvisitsfromlotsofbutterflies,wasps,beesandevenladybugs.Theseflowersareeasytocareforandputoutnectarevenwhentheyarenotinfullbloom.
FennelThisheartyplantisveryeasytofindinmostnurseriesandavailableinseveralcolors.Thebestthingaboutfennelisthattheyattractawidevarietyofbeneficialandinterestinginsects.Beesandbutterfliesareespeciallyfondoffennel,soaddsometoyourgardenassoonasyougetachance.
Sunflowers
Image125-Sunflowers
Ifyoulikeyourflowersonthelargeside,youcan’tresistplantingsunflowersinyourgarden.Andyouknowwhat?Beesabsolutelycan’tresistsunflowerseither.Andwiththelargesizeoftheseflowers,theymaketheperfectbackgroundforyourbeephotos.
Wehopethatyouarefeelinginspiredtogetouttothegardenandplantsomeoftheflowersandshrubsthatwementionedinthischapter.Itreallyisamazingtowatchyourgardencometolifewithallsortsofamazingcritterswhenyouincludesomeoftheplants.Nowisthetimetogettowork.Happygardeningandevenhappierphotographysessionstoyou!
20.UniqueMacroPhotographyIdeas&Tutorials
PhotographingBubblesTutorial
Image126-Photographingbubbles
Bubblephotographyisasuperfunprojectthatcanbeperformedindoorsoroutdoors.However,werecommendthatyoudoitoutdoorsasitcangetfairlymessywhenyouarelostinyourlittleworldblowingandchasingbubbles!
Thiswillusuallyprovideyouwithanexcusetoheadoutdoors,enjoythesunandmostimportantlyhavesomefun!Blowingbubblesisfunforbothadults(forthosewhoadmitit)andchildren,sothisisagreatopportunitytoalsoinvolvetheyoungeronesinthefamily.
WhatIsRequired?Pre-madesolution:
Bottleofsoapbubblesolution–thiscanbefoundatanystoresinthekids/toyssection.Thisshouldcomewithitsveryownwand.Afewdropsofthesecretingredient-Glycerin.ThisisasweetsyrupusedcommonlyasasweetenerandcanbepurchasedatWalmartorevenonlineonAmazon.
Home-madesolution:
1cupwater2tablespoonsofthesecretingredient-Glycerin4tablespoonsofdishwashingliquid1pipecleanertoformthewand.Thisisjustaveryflexibleandbendablepieceofmetal.
SomeTipsBeforeYouStartPhotographingbubblesisnotrocketscience–everyoneincludingbeginnerscanlearnhowtotakegreatshotsofbubbles!Beforewegetintothetutorialsteps,herearesomequickphotographytipstohelpyougetstartedwithbubblephotography–
Bubblephotographyisallabouthavinggoodlightingconditions.Ideallyshootduringtheearlymorningsorrightbeforedusk.Thenaturalmorningsunshinedoesagoodjobatlightingthebubbles.Thesunshinerightbeforeduskprovidesdarkerbackgroundswhichwillbringoutthecolorsofthebubbles.
Ensureyoutakephotosofyourbubbleagainstadarkerbackgroundtobringouttheswirlycolorsofthebubble.Chooseadaythat’snotaswindyasthiswillallowyoutoblowbiggerbubbles.Trytoavoiddryandhotdaysasyourbubbleswillpopquicker.Trydifferentmixupsofyourbubblesolutionasthismayaffecthowbigorlongthebubblelastsfor.Addingglycerintoyourbubblesoapsolutionwillhelpittogetstrongerandlastlonger.Regardlessoftheshapeofyourwand,thebubblewillalwayscomeoutROUND.
Image127-Bubbles
WhatCameraSettingsShouldIUse?Unfortunatelythereisnogoldencamerasettingforeverybubblephotographyproject.Thesettingwillbedependentonthelensusedandtheamountoflightthereiswhenyouareshooting.
However,asastart,wesuggestusingthebelowsettings.Youwillneedtoadjustitaccordinglytoobtaintheoutcome/exposureyouareafter-
Aperture:f5.6(Youwilltypicallyfindthatthereflectionsonthebubblewillbestrongerifyouusesmalleraperturessuchasf9.0)ShutterSpeed:1/200secISO:200-400(somecamerasatISOsettingof400willbequitenoisy/grainysomakesureyoucheckthepreviewonyourcameratoseeifitisacceptablefirst)Itwillbesomewhatofanexperimentandyoumayneedtodothisbytrialanderror,butifyourphotoislookingblurryyoucaneitheropenupyouraperturetoletmorelightin.Ifitisstillblurry,youcouldincreaseyourshutterspeedandthencompensatebyincreasingyourISO.
TutorialSteps1. Forthehome-madesolution,firstcreateyourbubblesoapsolutionbyaddingwater,
dishwashingliquidandglycerintogether.Forthepre-madesolutionoption,addafewdropsofglycerinintoyourpre-madebubblesoapsolution.Addingglycerintothesolutionwillhelpthebubbletolastslonger.
2. Mixwell.3. Forthehome-madeoption,youwillwanttobendyourpipecleanertoformaround
wandatthetop.4. Dipyourwandintothesolutionandstartblowing!5. Grabyourcameraandstartcomposingyournextmasterpiece!Rememberthe
photographytipsfromabove.
CreativeIdeastoTryYoucannevergetboredwithphotographingbubbles.Therearejustsomanydifferentthingsyoucandowithbubbles.Trythefollowingcreativeideas-
Trycomposingyourshotwithareflectiononabubble.Trycomposingyourshotwithitrestingontheground/grass.Trycapturingthemomentwhenthebubblepops.Tryblowingbubblesinsidebubbles.Infreezingconditionsduringwinter,trylettingthebubblefreeze.Youwillbewowedbythetexturethatthiscreates.
AbstractOilandWaterIdeaTutorial
Image128-Abstractoilandwater
Shootingabstractphotosofoilinwaterisaverysimpleprojectandcanbedonebybeginners.Thisistheperfectindoorprojectforthoserainydays.Itdoesnotrequiremuchsetupandthegreatthingwiththismacrophotographyprojectisthatalltheequipmentcanbefoundinyourhouse.
Whatisrequired?Camera+Lens(MacrooraZoom–weuseda105mmNikonMacroLens)TripodCoffeetablewithglasstop*Lighting/TablelampGlassdish(shallow)AjugofwaterCookingoilAfewA4colorpapersORcolorfulmaterial(eg.Handtowel,tablecloth,etc)
*Ifyoudonothaveaglasstopcoffeetable,youcanremovethepieceofglassfromaphotoframe.Youcanthenpropupthecornersofthepieceofglasswithbooks/cans/anythingyoucanfind.Youcouldtrystacking2cansforeachcorner.
Oursetuplookedabitlikethis-
Image129-Basicsetup
WhatCameraSettingsShouldIUse?Forthesekindofshots,wetypicallyshootinApertureprioritymode.Sinceyouwanttoachieveablurry/outoffocusbackground,youwouldchooseafairlywideaperture.Startwiththewidestapertureyourlensallowyoutogoto.Forexample
f/2.8.Aswehaveplentyoflightinginthissituation,ensurethatyourISOisaslowasyoucango.ForexampleISO100.Thiswillensurethatthereisminimalnoiseinyourphoto.
TutorialSteps1. Cleanglass/pyrexdishandwipedry2. CleantheglassonthecoffeetableandwipedryOR3. Ifyouareusingthepieceofglassfromaphotoframe,cleantheglassandthenprop
eachcorneroftheglasspiecewithafewbooksorcans4. Placetheglassdishontheglasstopofthecoffeetable/proppeduppieceofglass5. PlacetheA4colorpapersORcolorfulpatternmaterialundertheglasstopofthecoffee
table/pieceofglass.Thiswillactasthebackgroundforyourphotos6. Placethelighting/tablelampundertheglasstopofthecoffeetable/proppeduppiece
ofglass.Turnonthelight.Thisisshouldnowlightupthebackgroundmaterialthatyouhaveselected
7. Setuptripodoverthetopoftheglassdish8. Mountcameraontothetripodandcheckthatyoucanseetheglassdishandthe
selectedbackground9. Pourashallowlayerofwaterintotheglassdish10. Addatablespoonorafewdropsofcookingoilintothedish11. Disturbthecookingoiluntildesiredeffect12. Waitforthewaterandoiltosettle13. Aimandshootonyourcamera.Ensureyoutakethephotowitharemoteoratimerto
reducecamerashake.
BubblesandWaterTutorial
Image130-Bubblesandwater(Tsunamiwave)
ShootingbubblesinwaterisverysimilartotheOilinWaterprojectthatwesharedearlier.Itisveryeasytoproduceandyoucanachieveverybeautifulandmindnumbingpatterns.Thisisaveryfunprojectanddoesnotrequiremuchsetupsoitcandefinitelybedonebyabeginneroranadvancedphotographer.Asalways,alltheequipmentthatyouneedforthisprojectcanbefoundinyourhousesohappyhunting!
WhatisRequired?1. Camera+Lens(MacrooraZoom–weuseda105mmNikonMacroLens)2. Tripod3. Coffeetablewithglasstop*4. Lighting/Tablelamp5. Glassdish(shallow)6. Dishwashingliquid(Detergent)/SoapLiquid7. Ajugofwater8. Drinkingstraw9. AfewA4colorpapersORcolorfulmaterial(eg.Handtowel,tablecloth,etc)–We
actuallyusedadishdryingclothforthisproject(itwasorange,blueandyellowincolor).
*Ifyoudonothaveaglasstopcoffeetable,youcanremovethepieceofglassfromaphotoframe.Youcanthenpropupthecornersofthepieceofglasswithbooks/cans/anythingyoucanfind.Youcouldtrystacking2cansforeachcorner.
Oursetuplookedabitlikethis–
Image131-Basicsetup
WhatCameraSettingsShouldIUse?Forthesekindofshots,wetypicallyshootinApertureprioritymode.Sinceyouwanttoachieveablurry/outoffocusbackground,youwouldchooseafairlywideaperture.Startwithf/5.6Ifyoufindthatthebubblesarenotinfocus,youshoulddialinasmallerapertureeg.f/9.0toincreasethedepthoffield.Aswehaveplentyoflightinginthissituation,ensurethatyourISOisaslowasyoucango.ForexampleISO100.Thiswillensurethatthereisminimalnoiseinyourphoto.
TutorialSteps1. Cleanglassdishandwipedry2. CleantheglassonthecoffeetableandwipedryOR3. Ifyouareusingthepieceofglassfromaphotoframe,cleantheglassandthenprop
eachcorneroftheglasspiecewithafewbooksordrinkcans4. Placetheglassdishontheglasstopofthecoffeetable/proppeduppieceofglass5. PlacetheA4colorpapersORcolorfulpatternmaterialundertheglasstopofthecoffee
table/pieceofglass.Thiswillactasthebackgroundforyourphotos6. Placethelighting/tablelampundertheglasstopofthecoffeetable/proppeduppiece
ofglass.Turnonthelight.Makesurethatthisisnotinthewayofyourshot.Thisisshouldnowlightupthebackgroundmaterialthatyouhaveselected
7. Setuptripodoverthetopoftheglassdish8. Mountcameraontothetripodandcheckthatyoucanseetheglassdishandthe
selectedbackground9. Addashallowlayerofwaterintotheglassdish10. Addafewdropsofdishwashingliquidorsoapliquidintothedish11. Stirthedishwashingliquidorsoapliquidaroundtomixitallin12. Insertstrawintothewaterandblowtocreateyourbubbles.13. Havefun,aimandpresstheshutterbuttononyourcamera.Makesureyouusea
remotetriggeroratimertoreducecamerashake.
CreativeIdeastoTryPlayaroundwithdifferentbubblesizes.Blowharderintothestrawtogetbiggerbubbles.Forsmallerbubbles,blowlightlyintothestrawYoucanre-adjustthesizeofthebubblebypiercingthebubblewithyourstrawandblowingmoreintoitCreatelayersofbubbleswithinbubblesbypiercingthebubbleandblowingintothewateragain.
Image132–Layersofbubbles
BubblingSlicedFruitinWaterTutorial
Image133-Bubblingslicedfruit
Ifyoufollowthistutorial,youareguaranteedtohavealotoffun!Itinvolvestakingagreatcloseupof
WhatisRequired?CameraMacroLensTripod(ifpossible).Ifyoudonothaveatripod,youcantryproppingyourcameraontoaflatsurface.Aspotthatisnicelylitoruseatablelamp.GlassvasethathasaflatsurfaceAbottleofsparklingwaterAfreshlemon-Youwillonlyneedaslice.Makesureyouchooseonethat’sfleshy!ClotheslinepegBackgroundcolor/patternpaperormaterial
Oursetuplookedlikethis–
Image134-TheSetup
WhatCameraSettingsShouldIUse?WetypicallyshootinApertureprioritymode.
Giventhatyouhavegoodlightingandyouwantasharpimage,startwithanapertureoff/9.0.Dependingonthelightagain,youmayhavetoadjustyourISOtosuitaccordingly.WewillstartwithISO200.
TutorialSteps1. Cleanglassvaseandwipedry2. Addbackgroundcolor/patternpaperbehindthevase.3. Cutasliceoflemonandusetheclotheslinepegtoholdthelemonsliceinplace
againsttheinsidesurfaceoftheglassvase
Image135-PeggingtheLemonSlicetoTopofVase
4. Addsparklingwateruntilthesliceoflemoniscovered.Ifthereisnotenoughbubbles,addasmallteaspoonofbicarbonatesodatothewater.It’llmakeitfizzandyou’llhaveplentyofbubblesthen!
5. Setupyourcameraandtripodinfrontofthevase6. Ifthereisnotenoughlight,setupyourlightunitaswell.Wefindthatthelightfroma
tablelampissufficient.Setthelighttopointtowardsthevasefromthesidetowardsthebackgroundpaper.Youmayneedtomovethelightaroundandexperimentwithdifferentdirectionssothatyoucanachievetheexposurethatyouareafter.
7. Focusyourcameraontoyourlemonsliceandtaketheshot!
Image136-LemonSliceShot1
Image137-LemonSliceShot2(WithGreenBackground)
CreativeIdeastoTryTrydifferentslicesoffruiteg.Orange,lime,etc
InkInWaterTutorialInkphotographyisanothereasyprojectandyouwillhavealotoffuntryingitout.Notwophotoswillbethesameandyouwillbeamazedbyyourphotos.
WhatIsRequired?Clearglassvase–IdeallyonewithaflatsurfaceratherthanroundedWaterInk(differentcolors)/FoodcoloringEyeDropperWhiteA4paperGoodlighting/WirelessflashCameraTripod
Oursetuplookedlikethis–
Image138-TheSetup
WhatCameraSettingsShouldIUse?WetypicallyshootinApertureprioritymode.Wefoundthatit’sbesttouseasmallerapertureasyouwantalltheinktobeinfocus.Sostartoffwithf/9.0Dependingonthelightingthatyouhave,youmayhavetoadjustyourISO.WewouldsuggesttostartwithISO200.WedisabledtheAutoFocusfeatureonthelensforthisproject.Youcankeepitonifyouchooseto,butsometimesyoumayfindthatthelenswillfocusonthevaseratherthantheink.Manuallyfocusingwillgiveyoumorecontrol.Youwillfindthatyouwon’thavemuchtimetomessaroundwithcamerasettingsorthepositionofthecamerawhentheinkentersthewater.Thepatternisconstantlychangingandifyouarewantingaspecificshot,youwillmostlikelymissitifyouarenotpayingattentiontoit.
TutorialSteps1. Cleanglassvaseandwipedry2. Fillglassvasewithwater.Fillitwithwateruntilitis¾full3. Placetheglassvaseinawell-litplaceOR4. Ifyouarenotinawell-litplace,youshoulduseanadditionallightingunittolightup
theglassvase.Youwillhavetoexperimentandplayaroundwiththedirectionofthe
light.Weusuallyhavethelightshiningthroughtheglassthroughthesideofthevase.5. PlacethewhiteA4paperbehindthevase.Thisistohelpyouachieveawhite
backgroundwhenyoutakeyourphoto.Wehadthevasenexttoawhitewallwithaflashlightingthebackgroundinstead.
6. Setupyourcameraandtripodinfrontofthevase7. Ifshootinginmanualfocusmode,youshouldsetyourfocusbeforeyoustart.Agood
waytosetyourfocusistodipapencilintothemiddleofthevase.Thenmanuallyadjustyourfocusonyourcameratoensurethatthepencilisinfocus.Removethepencilwhenyouaredone.Rememberthespotwherethepencilwasasthiswillbethespotthatyouwillneedtodropyourink/foodcoloring.
Image139-SetFocus
8. Getyoureyedropperandsuckinsomeinkorfoodcoloring.Youdonotneedthatmuch-oneortwodropswillbemorethansufficient.
9. Releaseadropofink/coloringintothewaterinthevase.10. Startsnappingawayorwaitforaninterestingpatterntoform!Remembertousea
remotetotriggerthecameratoreducecamerashake.
Image140-InkPhotography
CreativeIdeastoTry
TryusingwithdifferentcolorsorevenusingtwocolorsatthesametimeTryusingwithmoreinkorfoodcoloringtocreateacurtainofink/foodcoloring.Usedifferenttypesofsolution–PaintmakesreallygreattexturesandlookverydifferentIfadventurous,youcanalsoaddalightinggelinfrontofaflash.Theseareinexpensiveplasticsheetsthatcomesindifferentcolors.Byfiringoffaflashwiththeselightinggels,itcanaddadifferentcolortothebackgroundorcreateacompletelydifferentatmosphereandphoto.
DewDropsonSpiderWebTutorial
Image141-Dewdropsonspiderweb
Spiderwebsaregreatmacrophotographysubjects.Whatweloveaboutspiderwebsisthattheylookevenmorestunningafterarainyday.Thewaterdropsonthespiderwebusuallyaddsanewdimensiontoyourmacrophoto!Ifthere’snowaterdroplets,youcanalwayscheatalittleanduseaspraybottletocreateyourveryown.
WhatIsRequired?CameraandmacrolensTripodRemotetrigger/CablereleaseSpraybottlewithwater
WhatCameraSettingsShouldIUse?WetypicallyshootinApertureprioritymode.Thecamerasettingswillbedependentontheamountoflightinthearea.Our‘homesetting’thatwealwaysstartoffwitharef/9.0andISO200.Makesureyoucheckontheshutterspeedasyoudon’twantthistodropbelow1/focallengthofyourlens.Forexampleifyouareshootingat100mm,youwanttoensurethatyourshutterspeedisfasterthan1/100s.Wewilltakeanumberoftestshotsandadjustthesettingsaccordingly.Ifitistoodark,thenwecouldopenuptheapertureorincreasetheISO.
TutorialSteps1. Locateaspiderwebafterarainyday2. Iftherenowaterdropletsonthespiderweb,thenusethespraybottletospraysome
waterdropletsontothespiderweb.3. Setupcameraandtripodinfrontofthespiderweb.Becarefulnottodisturborbreak
thespiderweb.Ensurethatyouarepositionedsothatyouareparalleltothespiderweb.Thisistoensurethattheareathatisbeingphotographedwillbeinfocus.Otherwiseyouwillfindthatsomeareasofyourspiderwebwillbeinfocusandothersareaswillnotbeasaresultofthedepthoffield.
4. Manuallyfocusuntilthespiderwebisinfocus.YoucanalsousetheLiveViewtechniquetohelpyoutofocus.
5. Youcanchoosetointroduceabackgroundtoyourcobweb.Thiscouldincludecolorpaperorevenholdingaleafbehindthespiderweb.
6. Takeyourphotowithyourremoteshutter,timerorreleasecableandenjoythestunningphoto!
WaterDropPhotographyTutorialWaterdropsphotographyisanotherfunandinterestingprojectthatyoucantryinthecomfortofyourownhome.Waterdropsphotographyisabouttakingaphotoofthesplashcausedbyawaterdropletfallingintowater.Itsoundseasybutitsometimesboilsdowntotherighttimingandluck.Whatwelikeaboutthisprojectisthatitgivesyouthehandsonexperiencingonhowyoucanfreezethemotionofthewater.Moreimportantly,itgivesyoutheopportunitytolearnmoreaboutyourcameraandtoplayaroundwiththesettingsonyourcamera.
WhatIsRequired?Containerforwater–Painttray(Adarkcolorpreferredeg.black–youwanttoavoidcontainersthatwillallowlightthroughthesidesasthiswillresultinunevenlighting)Colororpatternpaper(tobereflectedontothewater)Smallplasticbagfilledwithwatertocreatethedrippingdrops(Alternativelyyoucanmanuallycreateyourdropswithaneyedropper)WirelessOff-Cameraflash(AlternativelyyoucanhavesomeoneassistingyouandmanuallytriggeringyourflashunitORifyoudonothaveaflash,youcouldusealightsourcepointingtowardsyourbackground)AsmallplasticbagtocoveryourflashunittoprotectitfromthewaterTripodTheholderfortheplasticbagaboveyourwatertray(Wejustusedtheclothesdryingrack)Towel(Justincasewatergetsontoyourflash/camera!)PenNeedletopokeaholeintheplasticbag
Oursetuplookedlikethis–
Image142-TheSetup
WhatCameraSettingsDoIUse?
Thesearesomeoftheinitialsettingsthatyoushoulduse.Youmayneedtoadjustittofityoursituation/setup.Forexample,ifyourphotoistoodark,youmaywishtoadjustthepowerofyourflash,oropenupyourapertureorincreaseyourISO.
Camera
ManualmodeManualfocusAperture–f/8.0Shutterspeed–1/250sorfasterISO200
Flash
Power–1/16or1/32
TutorialSteps1. Fillthecontainerwithwater2. Fillthesmallplasticbagwithwaterandhangabovethecontainerofwater.Wehanged
thebagofwateronaclothesdryingrackabovethepainttray.3. Tapeyourcolorbackgroundpaperbehindthewatercontainer.Youwillwantthistobe
angledtowardsthewaterinyourcontainerifpossible.4. Setupyourcameraandtripod5. Pokeatinyholeintothesmallplasticbagtostartyourwaterdrips6. Toensureyougettherightfocus–Placeapenintothewaterwherethedripsare
fallinganduseautofocustofocusontothepen(ormanuallyfocusityourself).Thiswillhelpyouachievethecorrectfocus.Turnyourfocustomanualfocusoncethishasbeencompleted.
Image143-SetFocusPoint
7. Positionyourwirelessoff-cameraflashtowardsthecolorbackgroundpaper.Theflashlightshouldbounceoffthebackgroundpaperandontothewater.Thiswillgeneratethereflection.Abetterreflectionisachievedwhenwehandholdtheflashunitatthetopandinfrontofthebackground.Youwanttoangletheflashdownwardsintothebackgroundpaper.Additionally,youwanttoreducetheamountoflightingintheroom–weshootinafairlydimlitroomsothatwegetbetterreflectionsandavoidanyroguelightreflections.
8. Bepatientandasthewaterdrips,startsnapping!Youwillneedtoworkonyourtimingandgetintoarhythmwhenshootingthesewaterdroplets.
Image144-WaterDropletFrozeninTime
CreativeIdeastoTryTryusingdifferentbackgroundstoachieveinterestingreflectionsTryaddingcolordyetothewaterTrydrippingothertypesofliquidsuchasmilk,coloredmilk,etcTryusingtwowaterdropperstoachievedifferentpatternofsplashesManyphotographersalsouseamachinetocreatewaterdropletcollisions.
AbstractReflectionsinWaterDropletsTutorial
Image145-Abstractreflections
Thisisafunmacrophotographyideathatinvolvesphotographingabstractreflectionsinwaterdroplets.Wehopethatitwillbeafairlyeasytutorialforyoutofollow.Thissimpleprojectwillrequireyoutobecreative!
WhatIsRequired?Camera+Lens(Weuseda105mmmacrolens)TripodCoffeetablewithglasstop*Lighting/TablelampAglassofwaterAmaterial/cloth/paperwithsomenicepatternsonitasbackground(Weweresomewhatinspiredbythenew‘Superman’moviesowefoundanold‘Superman’t-shirt.).Thisistheimagethatyouwantinyourwaterdroplet.RainX&cloth–RainXiscommonlyuseonyourcarwindscreenstorepelwater.Thisisthesecretingredienttoachieveniceroundwaterdroplets.Waterdropperpipette/eyedropper
*Ifyoudonothaveaglasstopcoffeetable,youcanremovethepieceofglassfromaphotoframe.Youcanthenpropupthecornersofthepieceofglasswithbooks/cans/anythingyoucanfind.Youcouldtrystacking2cansforeachcorner.
Oursetuplookedabitlikethis–
Image146-Basicsetup
WhatCameraSettingstoUseInthesecontrolledenvironment,weshootinApertureprioritymode.Dependingontheamountoflightingthatyouhave,youwillneedtoexperimentwithyourapertureandISOsettingstoachieveacorrectexposure.Startwithf/5.6andthentakeatestshottoseeiftheimageisbrightenough.Ifitisnot,youwillneedtoopenupyourapertureorincreaseISO.StartwithISO200.
TutorialSteps1. CleantheglassonthecoffeetableandwipedryOR2. Ifyouareusingthepieceofglassfromaphotoframe,cleantheglassandthenprop
eachcorneroftheglasspiecewithafewbooksorcans3. Placeyourbackgroundimageundertheglasstopofthecoffeetable/pieceofglass.
Thiswillactasthebackgroundandthereflectedimageforyourphoto.Rememberthatyouwillneedtoplaceyourbackgroundimageupsidedown.Whentheimageisreflectedbythewaterdroplets,itwillalwaysbeinverted.Soforoursupermanbackground,weplacedhimupsidedown.Oncereflectedintothewaterdroplets,hewillbetherightwayup.
4. Placethelighting/tablelamponthesideundertheglasstopofthecoffeetable/proppeduppieceofglass.Turnonthelight.Thisisshouldnowlightupthebackgroundmaterialthatyouhaveselected.Thekeyistoensurethatthebackgroundimageiscompletelylitup.
5. Setuptripodclosetotheglasstop.6. Mountcameraontothetripodandcheckthatyoucanseetheselectedbackground
throughtheglasstop7. ApplysomeRainXontoapieceofclothorpapertowelandapplyitontotheglasson
thetabletop.Thisisastepthatyoushouldnotmissasthiswillhelptomakeyourwaterbeadwhichinturnhelpsyoutogetgreatlookingwaterdropletsandgreatreflections.
HereisanexampleofhowitwilllooklikeifyoudonotapplyRainX.Youcanseethatthewaterisnotbeadingatallanditlookslikeapoolofwaterinstead–
Image147-WithoutRainXapplied
8. Getaglassofwaterandusethedropperpipette/eyedropperandsucksomewaterfromyourglassofwater.
9. Dropthewaterdropletsontothecoffeetableglass(inwhateverpatternyouchoose).Trycreatingdifferentdropletsizesforfun!
10. Bynow,youshouldbeabletoseethereflectioninyourwaterdroplets.Youmayneedtoadjustyourbackgroundmaterialtoensurethatthereflectionispositionedcorrectly.Rememberyoumayalsohavetoadjusthowfar(height)yourbackgroundisfromthecoffeetableglass.
11. Allyouhavetodonowistoaimandshootonyourcamera.Asalways,ensureyoutakethephotowitharemoteoratimertoreducecamerashake.
CreativeIdeastoTryRememberthatyoucanbeascreativeasyouwantwiththisproject.Ifyouwantyourbackgroundtobemoreinfocus,chooseasmallaperturesetting(eg.f/22).Ifyoudon’twantthebackgroundtobeasdefinedorinfocususealargeraperture(f2.8).Asalwaystryallthedifferentaperturesettings.Playingaroundwithdifferentaperturesettingsherewillhelpyoulearnaboutdepthoffield!Ifthewaterdropletslooktoomundane,tryaddingamistofwateroveryourglassbyusingaspraybottle.Itaddsaniceeffecttothephoto!RememberthatRainXisthekeytothewaterbeading!Ifyoudon’thaveRainXlayingaroundinyourhouse,youcaneasilybuyonefromWalmartoronline!
WaterDropletfromFaucetTutorialByNickiLautemann
Image148-WaterDropletfromFaucet
Thecameracancatchsomethingsthattheeyescan’tsee.Thisnexttutorialwillteachyouanotheramazingwaytotakefallingwaterdropletsfromthefaucet/tap.It’ssolowtechthatyouwon’tbelieveit!
WhatIsRequired?Cameraandlens–NickiusedaNikonD3100witha50mmlensmountedinreverseColorfulbackgroundwithinterestingpatterns(eg.Scrapbookingpaper,wrappingpaper,colourfulfolder,notebook,artwork,abag,fabric,aphoto,etc)Aprotectivesleeveforyourbackground(notmandatory)Kitchen/Bathroomwithawatertap/faucetAkitchen/bathroomwithgoodlightingORuseaflashunitAtowel
Nicki’ssetuplookedlikethis–
Image149-Nicki’sSetup
WhatCameraSettingsDoIUse?ManualmodeThelensapertureisstuckopenatf5.6asaresultofthereverselenstechniqueStartwithashutterspeedof1/200sStartwithacameraflashof1/32ISO100or200Wehandheldherebutyoucanuseatripod
TutorialSteps1. Placethebackgroundimage/materialbehindthewatertap/faucetwherethewaterwill
dripoutof.Youwillneedtopositionthebackgroundimageupsidedownsothatitisreflectedinthecorrectpositioninthewaterdrops.Youmaywanttoputyourbackgroundmaterialinaplasticsleevetoprotectitfromgettingwet.
2. Ifyoucan,positionyourwatertap/faucetinfrontofthebackgroundmaterial.3. Turnthetaponandstartwithanextremelyslowdribble4. Focusmanuallyandtaketheshotofthewaterdrippingdown.
Image150-WaterDrips
CreativeIdeastoTryDon’tforgettotrydifferentcolor/patternmaterial
Image151-ExperimentwithDifferentBackgrounds
MovearoundandtrydifferentviewpointsofthewaterdropsOnceyougetafeelforit,tryplayingaroundwiththeamountofwatercomingoutofthetap/faucet.Tryaslowdribble,asmallsteadystream,afullonstream,orturnittosprayandgetaphotooflotsofdropsallatonce!
Image152-ASprayofDroplets
Bychangingtheamountofwatercomingthroughthefaucet,theshapeofthedropswillchangeaswell.Soeachphotowillbeuniquelydifferent!
Image153-WaterDropletsComeinManyDifferentSizesandShapes
21.DevelopingTheMacroPhotographer’sMindset
HowtoBecomeaBetterMacroPhotographerPeopleoftentellusthatweneedtoseethe“BigPicture”toreallyappreciatelife.Asyoumayalreadyknow,there’snobetterwaytohelpyouseethebigpicturethanmacrophotography.Byzoominginonsmallsubjectsorfocusingonthesmalleraspectsofverylargesubjects,macrophotographersareabletocapturesomeofthemoststunningphotographsyouwilleverhavethegoodfortunetosee.However,macrophotographyisaboutawholelotmorethansimplyzoominginonyoursubjectandsnappingaquickphotograph.Weknowthatsomepeoplestrugglewithbecominggoodmacrophotographers.Andthat’swhywearesharingsomeofourexperienceswithyousothatyoucantakeyourgametothenextlevel…
Image154-Becomingabettermacrophotographer
MacroPhotographyTip#1–PatienceisaVirtueEveryartform,whetherit’smusic,paintingorphotography,requirespractitionerstoexercisepatience.Thisiseventruerforpeoplewhowishtobecomeskilledmacrophotographers.Whenyouareshootingphotographsofverysmallsubjects,eventhesmallestlightchangeormovementcanquicklychangewhatyouthoughtwasgoingtobetheidealshot.Youmustlearntobepatientasyouprogressasamacrophotographer.Yes,it’sfrustratingwhenyoublowashot.Butallofthethingsthattestyourpatiencewillbewellworthitwhenyoubegintocaptureamazingphotographsthatpeopleraveabout!
MacroPhotographyTip#2–ChangeYourPerspectiveIfpeoplelearnanythingfrommacrophotographyitisthatyoucan’twalkaroundwiththesameoutlook/perspectivethatotherpeoplehave.Overtimeyouwillneedtolearntoseethingsabitdifferently.Toatraditionalphotographerthatbugcrawlingonaweedmaynotevenregisterasapotentialsubjectforashoot,butmacrophotographerslearntoopentheireyesandtheirmindstothesmallerthingsinlife.Youdon’thavetoobsessoverdetails,butyoushouldlearntobroadenyourvisionabittoseethehundredsofpotentialsubjectsthatmostpeoplewouldsimplywalkpastwithoutgivingitasecondthought.
Image155-Changeyourperspective
MacroPhotographyTip#3–SayGoodbyetoAutoFocusTherestoftheworldmayrelyonusingtheautofocusfeatureontheircameras,butifyou’reseriousaboutpursuingmacrophotographyasahobbyorasyourpassioninlifethenyoumustbegintoexperimentwithmanuallyfocusingyourcamera.Thismayverywellbethemostdifficulttechnicalaspectthatyou’llhavetolearn,butit’sgoodtostartmanuallyfocusingonyoursubjectsfromday#1.Bepreparedtodoalotofpracticingtogetgoodatusingthemanualfocusonyourcamera.Butallthatpracticewillpayoffwhenyoulearntoseamlesslycapturephotographsthatarefocusedtoperfection.Andtrustus;thisreallydoeshappensoonerthanyoumightthink.
Thereyouhaveit–ourtop3tipstohelpyougetstartedonthepathtobecomingagreatmacrophotographer.Besuretogetoutthere;exercisingpatience,broadeningyourperspectiveandmanuallyfocusingonalltheamazingphotographysubjectsthattherestoftheworldmaynotevennotice–untiltheyseeyourupcomingmacrophotographs,thatis…
YourFirst10,000PhotographsareyourWorst…You’lloftenhearthestandardwordsofwisdomwhenyoustartanynewendeavorinlife–“TheJourneyofathousandmilesbeginswiththefirststep.”Andwhilethatmaybetrue,itisn’talwaysthemostencouragingofstatementswhenyou’relookingtolearnoraccomplishsomethingnew.Inphotographywehaveourownwordsofwisdom:“Yourfirst10,000photographsareyourworst.”Notexactlywarmandfuzzyadvice,isit?“Ifyouhavetogetthousandsuponthousandsofphotographsunderyourbeltbeforeyougetgood,thenwhybother?”iswhatsomemightsay.Don’tgiveup,though,asyou’reabouttofindout,thelessonsyoulearntakingthosefirst10,000orsophotographsaregoingtoputyouonthepathtotakingsomeextraordinaryshotsintheverynearfuture!
Don’tbelieveus?Readontofindouthowthoseearlyeffortscontributetoyoubecomingamuchbetterphotographer…
Image156-Yourfirst10,000photosareyourworst
YouWalkBeforeYouRunIfyou’veeverspentanytimeexercising,youknowthatyoumustwarmuppriortoengaginginmoreadvancemovements.Ifyoudon’tyouwinduphurtingyourself.Thesameprincipleappliestophotography.Yourfirst10,000photographsareyour“warm-up”period.Whileyouwon’tgethurtbyskippingoverthisintroductoryphase,yourphotographqualitywillmostcertainlysuffer.
Partofwhatyou’lllearnduringyourearlydaysasaseriousphotographerissimplyhowtobestphysicallyengageyourcamera.Justasamusicianmusttaketimeto“breakin”evenaworld-classinstrument,youmusttaketimetogetusedtoyourcamera.Whatdoesthisbuttondo?HowdoIchangetheflashsettings?Questionslikethese,anddozensofothers,areansweredasyou“warm-up”asaphotographerandgetbetteracquaintedwiththeequipmentyouwillusedowntheroad.
It’snevereasytogoslow,butthat’sjustwhatyoushoulddowhenyou’refirststartingout.Whenyourcameraeventuallybecomesanextensionofyou–asitwillwithabitofpractice–you’llrealizejusthowimportantitwastospendtimeeasingintobecomingamoreexperiencedphotographer.
Image157-Practicemakesperfect…
DevelopingYourEyeAsaphotographer,youprobablywanttoshareyourvisionwiththeworld.Everyonewhopicksupacamerawantstocapturephotographsthatrepresent
thewaythattheyseeafleetingmomentintime.Few,however,everputinthetimeandeffortittakestodeveloptheirownperspectiveasaphotographer.Ifyoucanputintheefforttogrindoutthosefirst10,000orsophotographs,you’llslowlybutsurelydevelopyourown,uniqueperspective.Andthatperspectivewillpermeateallofthephotographsthatyoutakeformanyyearstocome.
Thinkabouthowmanyiconicphotographsweretakenusingcamerasthatpaleincomparisonwithwhatwehaveavailabletoustoday…Thisprovesthatitisaphotographer’sperspective–oreye–thatreallymakesapicturethatis,“worthathousandwords.”Byputtinginsomegruntworkearlyon,andexperimentingwithdifferenttypesofphotographystyles,you’lldevelopyouruniqueperspective.Lateron,whenyoulookbackatsomeofyourearlyphotographs,youmaycringeabit,butyou’llseethatyourskillswereaworkinprogressthatultimatelyledtoyoudevelopingaunique,unforgettablephotographystyle.
ItDoesn’tHappenOvernightEverynewphotographerwillstrugglewiththefactthatmostofhis/herphotographsdon’tcomeoutlookingperfect.However,asyou’veread,perfectiondoesn’thappeninasingleday.Youwillputinyourtimesnappingwhatmayverywellbesomehorrendousphotographs.Butasyougetusedtousingyourequipmentandstarttodevelopyourpersonalperspectiveandstyle,you’llsoonbecapturingsomeshotssogoodthatyoumayevenamazeyourself!Keeponworkinghardandclickingaway;you’regettingbetterasaphotographerwitheveryphotographyoutake!
ShouldYouPrintYourDigitalMacroPhotos?Wewantedtodedicateasmallsectionofthisbooktothetopicofprintingyourdigitalphotos.Nowadays,peoplearenotdoingenoughofit!Withmoreandmorepeopleusingdigitalcameras,itisfastbecomingmoreconvenienttostashyourdigitalphotosawayontoanexternalharddriveoronaCD/DVD.
Whenitcomestoprintingyourphotos,therearetwocampsintheworldofphotography:Thoseforprintingdigitalphotographsonaregularbasisandthoseagainstdoingso.Youmayhavewonderedwhetheritwasworththetime,effortandexpenseinvolvedtoprintyourphotographs,orwhetheryoushouldsimplystoreallyourworkawayondigitaldrivesorothermedia.
Image158-Shouldyouprintyourphotos?
TheCaseforPrintingyourPhotosPhotographs,aswe’vesooftensaidinthepast,areawayofpreservingaonce-in-a-lifetimemoment.Assuch,youprobablyhavegigabyteaftergigabyteonyourharddriveofmomentsthatyou’vepainstakinglycapturedwithyourDSLR.Fromfamilyphotographstomacrophotographs,youprobablyhaveinvestedalotofblood,sweatandtearsinmakingsurethatyoukeepallyourbestshotssavedforfutureviewing.However,weknowthatthisisn’taperfectworld,andyoumaywanttoconsidermakinghardcopiesofyourbeststuff.
Here’sthedeal–digitalmediacanfail.Harddrivescangetcorrupted.Andcomputers,discs,etc…canbestolen.Ifoneoftheseworst-case-scenariosweretohappentoyou,it’spossiblethatyoucouldlosesome–evenall–ofyourdigitalphotographs.Withthatbeingsaid,havinghardcopiesmayverywellbetheonlywaythatyoucouldensurethatyourphotographicmemorieswere,indeed,safeandwellprotected.
Additionally,whenyoudoputintheefforttoprintyourphotos,youoftenget
achancetoseeyourworkinawholenewlight.Subtleshadesandnuancessometimeslookbetteronphotographicpaperthantheydoonacomputerortabletscreen.Youmayevenwanttokeepaphotoalbumonhandthatfeaturesyourfavoriteshotsfromovertheyears.Youcancomparesimilarphotographsfromdifferentpointsintime,toseehowmuchyouareimproving.Manyphotographersusesuchhardcopycollectionstoassesstheirskillsandultimatelyimprovetheirphotographicchops.
TheCaseagainstPrintingyourPhotosPeoplewhodon’tliketoprintdigitalphotographsregularlysaythatthepriceofprintingissimplytoohigh.Thesefolksbelievethatthemoneyyouspendonprintingphotographsovertheyearscouldbesavedupandspentonbetterthings,likehigher-endcamerasorothergear.Andwhilethismaybetrue,youmustrememberthatifyoudon’tprintyourphotographsoff,there’sachancethatyoucouldwinduplosingthemforgood.However,asmuchasweliketostayprotectedfromdataloss,savingaback-upcopytoaclouddriveorsomeoff-sitedatastoragesitecouldpreventthatfromhappening.Soifmoneyisverytight,youmayfindthatskippingontheprintingisthemorefiscalsolution.
Bythrowingourhatintheringwithregardtothewholeprintingversusnotprintingargument,wehopethatwehavegivenyousomefoodforthought.Theultimatedecisionlieswithyou.Ifyoudoliketheideaofpreservingyourmemoriesandimprovingyourphotographicskills,byallmeansstartprintingmoreofyourdigitalphotographs.However,ifyoujustcan’tdealwiththeextraexpenseandhassleofprinting,youshouldattheveryleastkeepaseparate,off-sitedigitalcopyofyourbestphotographstobeonthesafeside.
UniqueWaystoPrintYourMacroPhotosIfyouarenotafanofthetraditionalphotoprints,therearesomanyothernewanduniquewaystoprintyourphotos.Herearesomeofourfavoritetypesofphotoprintsthatyoumaylike-
CustomPhotoBooks
Customphotobookscomeinavarietyofsizesandcanbemadewitharangeofdifferentcoversandmaterials(eg.paper).Whenprintingyourphotosintoaphotobook,itisafairlyeasyprocess.Youcandothisonlineeasily.First,youselectthephotosthatyouwouldliketouse.Thenyouwillbeprovidedwiththecapabilitytodesigneachoftheindividualpages.Youcanmovethem,resize,addtext,etctoeverypage.
CustomCanvasPrints
Printingoncanvasisoneofourfavoriteformats.Thesecanvasesareusuallystretchedacrossawoodenframeandcancomeinavarietyofsizes.Printingyourphotoontoacanvasissimpleandthehardpartisusuallydecidingonthephotothatyouwanttoprintontothecanvas.Allyouneedtodotoprintontoacanvasistoselectanduploadyourimage,makeanyrelevantedits(resize,re-positionyourimage,enhanceyourimagewithsomepre-createdfilters,addtext,etc).Thenallyouneedtodoissitpatientlyathomeforyournewcustomcanvastobedeliveredrighttoyourdoorstep!
Glass/AcrylicPhotoPrint
OneofourotherfavoritewaystoprintphotosistocreateaGlass/Acrylicphotoprint.Itamazesuseverytimeweseeourphotoprintedontotheglass/acrylic.Thephotolooksamazingandtheglassaddsabitofclasstothephoto.It’sperfectforanyroom.Justbecarefulwhenyoudoreceiveyourcustomphotoglassprint.Dependingonhowbigtheprintis,itcouldgetquiteheavy.
22.FinalWords–BonusPhotographyResources
Welldoneonreachingtheendofthebook!Whilethismaybetheend,itisonlythebeginningofyourmacrophotographyjourney.Wehopethatyouhavebeeninspiredandthatyouhavelearntathingortwoaboutmacrophotographyandclose-upphotography.Don’tforgetthatmacrophotographyisalifelongjourneyoflearning.Somakesureyoukeeplearningandpracticingeverythingthatyouhavelearntfromthisbook.Thatistheonlywaytoimprove!
BonusMaterialWehavemanymorephotographytips,tutorialsandideas(articlesandvideos)whichwewouldlovetosharewithyou.Itwasimpossibleforustocovereverythinginthisbook!
Toclaimyourbonus,gotothebonuspageandtelluswhereyouwouldlikeustosendthebonusto–
http://www.seeinginmacro.com/ClaimBonus
OtherAdditionalResourcesAsalways,wewouldlovetoseesomeofyourphotosandifyouwouldliketobeupdatedwithmorephotographytips,tricksandtutorials,pleasecomeandjointherestoftheSeeinginMacrocommunityoverat–
SeeinginMacroWebsiteYoucanreadallthelatestmacrophotographytipsandtrickshere-
http://www.seeinginmacro.com
SeeinginMacroFacebookCommunityShareyourmacrophotoswithusonourFacebookpageandjoininonallthefunwiththerestoftheSeeinginMacrocommunity!
http://www.facebook.com/SeeingInMacro
Wewishyoumuchsuccessinyourendeavortobecomeaskilledmacrophotographer.Alongthewayyou’resuretosharpenyourskillsandtobecomeamorepatientpersontoo.Withthosekindsofbenefitsonemightsaythateveryoneshouldgetinvolvedinmacrophotography;itjustmightmaketheworldabetterplace….
23.Credits
Thisbookwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthehelpandcontributionofeveryonebelow.Thankyouforallyoursupportandcontribution.
SpecialthankstothefollowingSeeinginMacrocontributors-AnnetteOsborn(Image76,114-116),EricVettling(Image36,79-90)&NickiLautemann(Image148-153)
Ifyouenjoyedthephotosthathavebeenfeaturedinthisbook,pleasecontinuetosupportthesepeopleonShutterstock-CathyKeifer(Coverimage),WongYuLiang(Image1),kingfisher(Image2),johnnyraff(Image5),06photo(Image8),DeanPennala(Image10),Niuyang_sn(Image12),Kasza(Image13),JudyKennamer(Image15),marigo20(Image16),IrakliShavgulidze(Image17),RogerMeerts(Image18),fotodelray(Image19),DechaThapanya(Image20),Ra’idKhalil(Image21),irin-k(Image22),KAMONRAT(Image23),MartinValigursky(Image24),vovan(Image25),beboy(Image26),GeaninaBechea(Image30),PavelLPhotoandVideo(Image31),nito(Image32),vetkit(Image33),gorbelabda(Image35),ThomasMPerkins(Image44),chris2766(Image45),TischenkoIrina(Image73),PedroNogueira(Image78),suzz(Image91),MiroslavHlavko(Image92),BezuglayaTatiana(Image93),Tomatito(Image94),anuphadit(Image95),yumofoto(Image96),Tomatito(Image97),NicolaDalZotto(Image98),HueCheeKong(Image99),KovalchukOleksandr(Image100),AntoineBeyeler(Image101),KrivosheevVitaly(Image102),MarianaRuiz(Image103),IngridPrats(Image110),saiedshahinkiya(Image111),GalushkoSergey(Image112),KuttelvaserovaStuchelova(Image113),tonyz20(Image117),Tomatito(Image118),ClaudioBaldini(Image119),JurajKovac(Image120),Fotonium(Image121),NickyRhodes(Image122),O.Bellini(Image123),BobOrsillo(Image124),AlexeiLogvinovich(Image125),PanicAttack(Image126),NicholasToh(Image127),Yellowj(Image133),LaurynKayPhotography(Image141),ShulevskyyVolodymyr(Image154),Shico(Image155),Yellowj(Image156),KateChris(Image157),ChepkoDanilVitalevich(Image158)
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