7 Easy Macro Tips for Close-Up Photos that Say Wow (VIDEO)
Today’s beginners guide to macro photography is a great reminder that this unique genre should be considered a year-long pursuit, rather than a Spring endeavor once plants begin to bloom. Summer provides great opportunities for capturing insects and other small creepy crawlies, there are mushrooms in fall, and don’t forget about those ephemeral snowflakes falling in winter.
Instructor GD Smith is an Australian pro specializing in wildlife, landscape and macro imagery who says, “photographing bugs is my idea of a good time.” Today’s 8-minute episode provides 10 basic tips that Smith wished he had learned early on, and he promises that they’ll shorten your learning curve and quickly improve results.
Appropriate optics are at the top of the list and the necessity of a fixed-focal-length macro lens with a 1:1 reproduction ratio, typically found in 50mm, 100mm, or even 180mm varieties. While these specialized lenses tend to be expensive, think of it as a one-time investment. Smith also describes affordable third-party lenses that deliver excellent image quality for those on a budget.
Tip #2 involves traveling light and ignoring a bunch of unnecessary accessories that may be fun gadgets to buy but just slow you down. As Smith says, “I scaled it down to only what I needed, namely my camera and lens, a flash, and a diffusor—the smaller the better.”
Next on your list should be a thorough understanding of what type of flash is preferable for this type of photography, and how to use it when shooting up close and personal. The technique you’ll learn isn’t difficult but it varies from the approach you take when shooting conventional subjects. And you see the big benefits that occur by using an affordable diffusor in the correct way.
Smith’s fourth tip may strike you as controversial, especially when he says, “always use the same settings,” but hear him out. He explains why he rarely diverts from a formula of f/11-f/16, a shutter speed of 1/200, and a sensitivity setting of ISO 250.
Three more secrets are revealed as the tutorial proceeds, and you’ll have to watch the video for complete. details. But here a clue: it’s all about the eyes, correct composition is critical, and slow your roll. Be sure to check out Smith’s instructional YouTube channel for more helpful shooting techniques, practical gear advice, and inspirational images.
