Ten Little Tips for Macro Shots
By Michelle Peters
5 April 2007
The place in which I live is a very rural area. Very. I've overdone my share of scenic shots and they hardly appeal to me any more. One day I felt the need to create photographic opportunities for myself. I grabbed my camera and stuck the lens deep into the heart of a bunch of flowers on my kitchen table. Click. That was how I got into macro photography with some fun results. I came to realize there are two types of macro. One is images of small objects and the other is a large object as close as you can get without going behind it. I've had trial and error as we all do. I've picked up some ideas along the way too. These are a few of the things I've learned in creating macro images. Try them for yourself for a new take on life with a nano view.
1. Choose an intriguing object. The more common, the more fun to view as photographic art!
2. Use something that is colorful, or has interesting details. Keep in mind that, at this size, textures are details too.
3. Use a tripod. Every hunter in our little corner of America knows that even minor movement will ruin the best of shots.
4. Use the timer or, like me, a remote shutter release. This cuts down on further chance for camera shake from depressing the shutter.
5. Carefully light your subject. A light box is suggested, but not completely necessary if you can be inventive with some light stands, muslin cloth, clothespins, a little bit of wire and a few feet of 1/2 inch PVC pipe. Some assembly (and imagination, required)
6. Use a solid colored background. So it won't detract from your subject. Black or white usually best, but you can use anything you choose.
7. Extension tubes. Let me say that again. EXTENSION TUBES. These little inventions are incredible for getting jaw dropping macro shots without selling your organs to fund a specialty macro lens. Thirty bucks vs. $500.00 or more.
8. Get close to the subject. Shoot a few. Then get closer and shoot again.
9. Rotate the object. The view changes drastically for even a fraction of a movement.
10. GET EVEN CLOSER!! SHOOT MORE!!
Wait until you see what you get from challenging yourself with these ideas! Flowers are a nice place to start, but before long you'll be rooting through your old junk drawer for some really great works of art!
~Michelle M. Peters
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