Macro Photography Tip
An article by David Smith of Macro Photography Tip
Close-up, or macro, photography continues to enjoy great popularity with both amateurs
and professionals. While such obvious subjects as flowers, and butterflies and other
insects are ideal for beautiful close-up images, don’t overlook the many
other close-up opportunities that await in
junkyards and parking lots. More and more photographers are turning their macro
gear toward the abstract and industrial world, and coming away with some truly compelling
close-ups.
Same principles apply
When it comes to working at such close proximity to your subject, you’ll soon discover
that many of the same principles about aperture in the “big world” apply equally
to the small world of the close-up. For instance, although the world is smaller—much,
much smaller in some cases—you still must decide if you want great depth of field
(one to two inches of sharpness in the macro world) or limited depth of field (one
quarter of an inch). Or, maybe your subject is a close-up that falls into the “Who
cares?” aperture category.
There are differences between regular and macro photography, however. When you shoot
close-ups, it’s not at all uncommon to find yourself on your belly, supporting your
camera and lens with a steady pair of elbows, a small bean bag, or a tripod with
legs level to the ground. The slightest shift in point of view can change the focus
point dramatically. And, since the close-up world is magnified, even the slightest
breeze will test your patience-what you feel as a 5 mph breeze appears as a 50 mph
gust in your viewfinder.
Shallow depth of field
In addition, since depth of field always decreases as you focus closer and closer
to your subject, the depth of field in macro photography is extremely shallow. The
depth of field in close-up photography extends one-fourth in front of and one-half
beyond the focused subject, while in regular photography the depth of field is distributed
one-third in front of and two-thirds beyond the subject. Needless to say, critical
focusing and, again, a steady pair of elbows, a bean bag, or a tripod are essential
in recording exacting sharpness when shooting close-ups.
Extension Tubes
Have you ever noticed that the macro feature on your zoom lens will oftentimes just
stop short of focusing really close? The solution to this dilemma and a good macro
photography tip is extension tubes.
Normally sold in sets of three, these hollow metal tubes fit between your camera
and lens, allowing the lens to focus even closer.
Macro Accessories and the Advantage of Fixed-Lens Digital
There are various photographic accessories available to make close-up photography
possible. For all of the SLR shooters, you have macro lenses zoom lenses with a
macro or close-focus feature, as well as extension tubes, macro converters, and
close-up filters, which are all designed to get you “up close and personal.” For
those of you using a fixed-lens digital camera, can also use close-up filters, or
in some cases your camera manufacturer may offer a macro/close-up lens that screws
into the front of your lens. For fixed-lens Digital shooters, the world of close-up
photography offers closeness that 35mm SLR camera users can only dream of. An aperture
of f/11 on a fixed lens digital is equivalent to f/64 on a 35mm SLR. that’s one
heck of a lot of depth of field at your disposal! And, if truth be told, all of
us 35mm SLR camera users—film or digital—are envious of you and your fixed-lens
digital for this reason, if for this reason only.
The perfect Macro camera – a great macro photography tip
Sure, I have a macro lens that can go to f/32, but to go one stop further to f/64
. . . oh, that would be so nice. It could make such a difference in much of my close-up
work. Granted, shutter speeds are already slow enough when I shoot at f/32, but
even so, I would patiently wait hours if necessary for the breeze to stop just so
that I could use an f/64. And here’s another bit of good fortune for those fixed-lens
digital shooters who have an f/11 aperture: not only do you get to record some amazing
depth of field, but you can do so at relatively fast shutter speeds since your aperture
remains at f/11 even though it renders depth of field equivalent to f/64! If you’ve
ever wanted an excuse to shoot some amazing close-ups, this is certainly a good
one. All that remains is to determine whether your lens offers a close-focus feature
or a close-up lens attachment. I sure hope so!
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