Macro photography is a fantastic field of photography that allows you to experience the world from an entirely different perspective. While its name has caused some confusion in the past, close-up photography is now understood as close up photography. It’s the act of taking extreme close-up photographs of small objects and tiny creatures.
This seems simple enough, so do you even need macro photography tips to become an expert in the field? Yes, you probably do. Extreme close-up photography is intimate and detailed. It can be easy for minute details to slip your mind, especially when you’re a beginner.
So, below you’ll find some of the essential macro photography tips that can help you achieve amazing results.
Before You Get Into Macro Photography
Before we get into the actual tips, there’s one thing that should be made clear — you cannot succeed in this field without the proper macro photography equipment. Your smartphone camera will not be able to produce satisfactory photographs. Neither will your run-of-the-mill semi-professional camera. You will need to invest in the appropriate equipment.
Devote your time to research so that you can find precisely the type of camera, lenses, and additional equipment that you may need.
For your camera, it’s the pixel density that matters most, not the overall number of pixels. Your 20-megapixel camera can easily outperform someone’s 46-megapixel one if it has a higher pixel density. You’ll also need to invest in getting a dedicated macro lens that can suit your needs.
Once you get the right equipment, all you need are reliable photoshop services, and you’ll be good to go. You can then start working on boosting your close-up photography skills.
1. Determine the Best Subject
You’ll probably be very excited to shoot everything in macro when you first start. This can be very educational, as you’ll quickly find out that not every subject is suitable for the genre.
Many items become strange when examined close-up, and not in a good way. The photograph can be confusing, and the object itself indiscernible. If this is your style, indiscernible can, at times, be a good thing. However, you’ll have to work very hard to make it appealing to the eye. You’ll need exciting color combinations, shadows, or shapes to catch someone’s attention.
Some of the most popular subjects for extreme close-up photography are flowers, butterflies, insects, jewelry, and the likes. It’s a good idea to start from there, then see where your camera takes you.
2. Living Subjects Require Longer Focal Length
If you’ve determined that living creatures are your ideal macro photography subjects, you’re going to need a longer focal length. With a longer focal length, you’ll be able to photograph your subjects from a safer distance. This can be crucial if you’re photographing insects or smaller animals that are easily scared away.
Your focal length should be at least 90mm, but preferably higher if you want to photograph living subjects.
This is a good idea even if you’re photographing human subjects since it will be more comfortable for everyone involved.
3. Take Control of the Background
A good background will allow your subjects to pop and your macro photos to be crystal clear. So, you’ll need to dedicate a lot of time and effort into adjusting the background and ensuring that it complements your subject thoroughly. This is somewhat easily achievable when your subjects are inanimate objects. All you have to do is move them around to get the perfect background and lighting.
As a rule of thumb, your background should be of contrasting color and some distance away from the subject. This will ensure that the background doesn’t come into focus and that the subject pops.
If you’re shooting living subjects outdoors, this all becomes trickier. You’ll likely need to invest in assistive accessories such as tripods, lens adapters, and more. Or, you can get an assistant who can help you out.
4. Don’t Forget About the Depth of Field
Using smaller apertures will increase your depth of field and keep most of your subject in focus. However, a smaller aperture comes with a somewhat significant problem. It can affect the sharpness of your photographs since less light will enter the camera.
On the other hand, a larger aperture allows more light to enter but will reduce your depth of field. This means that some parts of your subject may come out blurry.
If your camera has the focus stacking feature, the problems of sharpness and depth of field can easily be solved. You can accomplish the same thing in photoshop, so the most natural solution would be to invest in quality photoshop services.
5. Location & Weather Can Have a Great Effect
Living subjects such as insects, birds, and smaller creatures are notoriously difficult to photograph. You’ll need to find the perfect location and the ideal season for your shoot.
Most of these creatures become active in warmer temperatures (around 17°C/ 63°F). You can visit your local public park or garden around springtime to catch them. However, if you’re able to find their nesting ground, photograph them in colder weather. It could be easier shooting them when it’s colder outside since they won’t move as much.
As far as the weather conditions are concerned, it’s the overcast sky that you’re looking for. Cloudy days give you softer light, so your photographs will turn out better.
Macro Photography Is Well Worth the Effort
While it’s notoriously tricky, close-up photography is exceptionally rewarding. You’ll find it easier to capture your clients’ attention, and you’ll create many new opportunities for yourself.All it takes is a bit of trial and effort to make it all work. As always — practice makes perfect, and excellent photoshop services make it all even better. So, give macro photography a try and see whether it’s a style for you.
–Smart PHOTO editors
