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Macro photography is a type of film and photography at a scale of 1:1 or larger. Macro kit
Macro photography is a type of film and photography at a scale of 1:1 or larger. Macro kit
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Macro photography is a process in which the largest shot is taken of the smallest objects that are not visible to the human eye.

How macro photography is done

First of all, you need to decide what you can photograph with macro photography. For convenience, we note that macro photography is photographing small objects with an enlarged plan. In the end, the subject being photographed is shown much larger than it is in reality. Insects, flowers, grass and coins are considered the most favorite subjects of macro photography.

macro photography is
macro photography is

Photographic equipment for macro photography

For macro photography, specialists immediately have a question, what camera equipment is better to choose for the session? In reality, very good macro photos can be photographed with the simplest camera, because they also have the necessary mode and the ability tothe lens is very high, but SLR cameras are more convenient.

Using them allows you to select the right lens and allows you to keep all the add-ons under control, while achieving the best result. If we are talking about mirror technology, then such a camera model as the Canon ED or the like is suitable for both specialists and beginners.

macro view
macro view

Macro lens

If we talk about a compact device, then the choice here is small, because the objective part cannot be replaced. Although, if it is possible to purchase a specialized macro lens for a DSLR, then it is recommended to do just that. The most popular is the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM.

macro photography camera
macro photography camera

Macro photography is the process of taking photographs using glass designed for "cropped" (small) sensors in cameras. They are considered matrices mainly for non-professional cameras. If we take into account a small matrix, the focus distance is one hundred millimeters.

The macro camera allows you to shoot macro photos with a 1:1 scale, that is, the image can be projected onto a matrix with a 1:1 scale, resulting in the effect of their size. Not every camera can do this.

Specialist can use Canon EOS 5D. This camera's lens is used for its 35mm sensor Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM.

In addition, it is possible to applycheap zoom lenses with a macro function like the SIGMA AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO. The macro mode of this type operates at a focal length within 200-300 mm and makes it possible to focus at a distance of 95 cm to the object being shot. The scale is 1:2, 9-1:2.

Zoom lens with macro function

Also, a budget option for macro photography with a SLR camera is a macro ring. As a result of its use, even with a conventional lens, it is possible to make the approach to the object being shot very close. However, as a result of the use of the ring for macro photography, the automatic part of the photographic equipment does not work. And this significantly complicates the process. Because of this, a complete macro kit is required.

scale 1 1
scale 1 1

Macro ring

It is also possible to get a macro lens for almost nothing if you turn the camera for macro photography and attach a tripod to it. But such an action is not simple and, unfortunately, leads to the disabling of automatic lens control.

Radiation during macro photography

Not recommended for macro photography in automatic exposure. This is considered incorrect. It is recommended to set aperture priority. It should be remembered that as a result of a photo shoot at a close distance, it should be as small as possible so that the depth of field can be at least a little significant! For example, F / 11 or even F / 22 will be very useful.

Due to the fact that the diaphragm is closed and light enters the matrixnot enough, the shutter speed needs to be increased and a tripod during macro photography will be very useful to maintain the scale of the shooting.

Macro photography has a small caveat, because as you stop down the aperture, you risk losing some of your definition due to diffraction. This can become noticeable at aperture from F / 9.

Macro Lighting

To reduce exposure, you need to increase the illumination of the room. On a sunny day, you can do without a flash, but in a dark room or at night with a lack of light while shooting any bugs or when macro photography of insects is being taken, a flash is very necessary.

shooting scale
shooting scale

Macro flash

Canon and Nikon macro cameras, as well as other brands, contain specially designed macro flashes, but some of them are very expensive. Because of this, homemade macro flashes are most often used, which are improved for built-in or outdoor use.

There are so many possible designs to describe. Examples from such cameras are shown in the photographs below. And the photos look pretty good. The main task of such transformations is considered to be a very soft light as a result of its application.

Principles of focusing during macro photography

At a depth of field of approximately 1 mm "DOF" sharpening the focus of the subject becomes simply a very important task. You can suffer for a long time with focusing, even if it is ina good tripod with an excellent head. For example, a photo shoot view and a photo in which only the antennae and the head of the beetle were in the center of focus.

macro photography camera
macro photography camera

Because of this, amateurs and specialists prefer focusing rails. An example is the Adorama Macro Focusing Rail. But this concerns more specialists than enthusiasts and lovers of macro photography.

Macro background part

The easiest method to deal with inaccurate focus is considered to be a small movement of the camera and a huge number of frames, one of which will be in focus anyway. In the case when the subject of photography is motionless, it is possible to move it in front of the camera. The type of photography will change.

macro photography of insects
macro photography of insects

The background part of such photos always turns out to be blurry, because of this it is necessary to focus only on the general tone. At home, such a background turns out to be almost white, and in order to change it, it will be necessary to make some efforts, because on the street all colors and shades seem natural. The beauty of the background, which was mentioned above, is directly dependent on the lens, in particular, on the aperture device.

Naturally, the nuances about doing macro photography are incalculable. You can write about them endlessly.

How to hold the camera while taking macro shots

The camera must be kept with you during macro shooting. The probability of catching a good shot is often given whenThis is the moment you least expect. Because of this, you should try not to leave your camera at home. There is no need to purposefully shoot, hoping to get a good photo frame.

While walking, traveling to some unusual place or meeting with friends, you must have a camera with you. Maybe at that moment there will be an opportunity to capture a good shot. In this case, a small roomy non-professional camera would be best.

During macro photography, you need to pay attention to objects or scenes that are fascinating for a photo session. It is necessary to notice objects, think about the possibility of capturing them so that a successful shot comes out. You can take pictures while walking on the way to work or study. You can also take photos on the way to the store. If you liked some object, but there is no opportunity or time to photograph it, then in a notebook or notepad make a note to yourself that this particular object will need to be photographed in the future. This may not happen on the same day or even a couple of months later, when free time appears. You will need to return to this place and take a good shot.

You need to look at the world through the eyes of a photographer. That is, pay attention to everything that surrounds you. It can be a flower on the window, an ambient view from it, a vase with fruits in it on the kitchen table. It is necessary to train the thinking of a photographer. Trying to notice the most ordinary things from the other side, not as always.

There is an expression "pre-rendering". A wonderful photo is taken beforetakes the camera in hand. A huge number of pictures are located directly in front of the eyes, perhaps even in the place where the future master is currently located. You have to learn to see what other people don't see. Perhaps you can create a masterpiece right at home.

The process of photographing should be fun. For a huge number of photographers, this is not considered a job, but a hobby. And passion, as you know, should bring joy, and not just be the end result. Satisfaction must come from the whole process of taking pictures, namely:

  • from studying and viewing photo materials;
  • from looking at non-own work;
  • from the desire to create something of my own.

After looking at the basis of photography, there is an opportunity to greatly improve the uniqueness of your own photos, however, in order to create a real masterpiece, you will need to be interested in many things and try a lot of things, treat bad luck without nerves and try to figure out what was done wrong, and how to do it. In this case, it will be possible to achieve a level of real skill.

Reasons for poor-quality macro photography

For beginners, macro photography is the sharpness in the frame at the time of shooting, which is considered one of the most important indicators of a good-quality photograph. Blurry photos that are not sharp have four main reasons:

  1. "Shake". It occurs when the camera shakes as a result of a slow shutter speed. It is also obtained when shooting takes place in conditions of smalllighting. However, camera shake may cause a 10 second delay in the camera.
  2. The mobility of the object being filmed, since not every one of them will be static all the time you work with it. And even a small movement can "blur" the photo if you shoot with a long delay.
  3. Autofocus miss. Due to the fact that autofocus systems are not perfect and tend to miss and focus on a different object.
  4. Wrong choice of depth of field.

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