Best Macro Photography Tips For Beginners

What Is Macro Photography?

Macro Photography is close up photography of small subjects. It is the art of photographing small objects, and making them look larger in photographs. Every niche of photography can use Macro Photography to artistically bring out the details of their subject.

Flowers, water droplets, and insects are popular subjects to photograph. Macro Photography allows us to see what we normally can’t with the naked eye.

Here’s some Macro Photography Tips to get you started.

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Equipment for Macro Photography

• Cameras – You don’t have to break the bank to get started with Macro Photography. Many Point and Shoot Cameras have a macro mode setting. With a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera, you can use a dedicated macro lens or add extension tube rings to your current kit lens.
• Dedicated Macro lens – A designated Macro Lens allows you to get closer to your subject and gives you true Macro results. If you are going to be working with insects, birds, or any living things you’ll want a lens with a longer focal length.
• Extension Tube Rings – If a Macro lens isn’t in your budget, Extension Tube Rings are a good alternative. Extension tubes are mounted between your camera and lens, and change the minimum focus of your lens.
• Reversing Ring – A Macro Reversing Ring transforms your lens into a macro lens. They are fairly inexpensive, which gives you the opportunity to try out macro photography without spending too much, while you are just learning.
• Tripod – The slightest movement can spoil the perfect shot. Use a Tripod to keep things stable.

Camera Settings

There is not a perfect setting for all situations, and your settings will vary depending on the look you are going for, available lighting, and the subject you are shooting. Be sure to experiment a bit with different settings, to give you different looks.

• Manual Focus – Autofocus can be unreliable at high magnifications, and can make finding your focus point difficult. By using manual focus, you can set the focus exactly where you want it, increasing the accuracy of what you are focusing on.
• Aperture – Aperture controls your depth of field. Using a smaller aperture (between f/11 to f/22) will keep more of the subject in focus. If you want your background to be more out of focus, use a wider aperture (f/2.8 to f/4) . A good starting point is around f/8. You can adjust up or down from there.
• Shutter Speed – Shutter speed will be determined by how much available light you have, and what you are shooting. Moving subjects will require a faster shutter speed to freeze motion. If your are shooting still objects, you can use slower shutter speeds.
• ISO – Keep the ISO as low as possible to minimize noise in the image. You may have to boost it up in low light situations.

Composition

• Rule of Thirds – Follow the Rule of Thirds to give you a balanced shot. An easy way to do this is to turn on your camera’s screen grid, and place your subject where the lines intersect.
• Diagonal lines  – Use diagonal lines to add visual interest to your photos. Lines move the viewer’s eyes around the frame.
• Keep it Simple – The best macro photographs make use of negative space. Chaotic compositions will distract the viewer away from your subject.

Take Your Time and Be Patient

Patience is really a virtue when it comes to Macro Photography. Expect bugs to fly away, just when you are about to hit the shutter. Try to avoid sudden movements, and let them get used to your presence. Expect to take a lot of shots before you get the right one. The results are definitely worth waiting for.

Location and weather

Botanical gardens are a great place for a macro photographer to shoot. They provide a plethora of flowers and insects.

Insects tend to be more active in warmer temperatures. By heading out in colder weather, or earlier in the morning, you will have more opportunities to shoot insects while they are at rest.

Overcast weather is generally preferred because of the softer lighting it provides.

Conclusion

Macro photography changes the way you view the world. By capturing the details of your small subject, you provide a unique perspective into a tiny fascinating world normally not seen by the human eye.

You’ve got some Macro Photography Tips, so get out and start shooting!