Basic Macro Photography for Beginner

Level: Beginner to Intermediate

DSLR Camera

More than a year ago while cruising, I started using DSLR camera, replacing my previous compact camera. There was a tour guide, who was a photographer as well. He demonstrated & played slide show for each place in the tour. He explained how to - take the pictures among too many people around the places. In addition he gave us an idea - the interesting view point at each place.

I have been using the macro lens the most, using while taking a break from traveling and staying at home. I take it with me when I go to the garden, any park or botanical garden in my town for taking pictures.

I enjoy the small world and the natural life of small animals such as insects, flies and small flowers & the different kind of grasses, which I have not noticed them before from far away.

Introduction of Macro Photography

Here are the techniques from my experience;

1. The beginning

a) Look in the small world

Garden, the Botanical Garden and the public park are the places to find small insects, all kind of Flies with the nature scene of Water & Drop Water and all kind of different Textures.

Not all the insects, we can shoot, thus, be careful about the poison insects/bugs. You may need to wear protective clothes or put on insect repellent to protect yourself. In addition, learn the animal nature so you can get closer to shoot wonderful close-up pictures.

b) How to buy a Macro Lens

There are varieties in each brand for the choosing - different material and short & long Macro Lens by the different prices. The newest feature for macro lens is quiet autofocus (Silent Wave) and lightweight.

c) Start Shooting

It depends on the size and movement of subject/insect, which you try to shoot. This will affect for the focal length, the distance and camera angle when you look through the viewfinder of the camera. The simple practice for starting is to shoot many pictures in 360° angles and select the best of them.

2. Basic tools

Macro photographers have many tools:

a) Extension Tube:

Extension tube magnifies the subject more than the regularly lens. Some people call “Super Macro”. They attach between the body camera and the lens. The tubes are individual or different lengths as a set. There will be effect with light fall off when using the extension tube. You might need to manual focus rather than use auto focus.

b) Reversing Lens:

Reversing Len is the powerful to enlarge – magnification the subjects. It is also cheap, in case you have limit budget to buy the macro lens. There are many techniques to DIY the reversing lens. Here is a sample.

More info:

c) Close-up Filters

Close – Up Filters are the cheapest to spend for macro photography. Do not compare the image quality with the extension tube or reverse lens. Because it is “filter”, the one which attach on the top of the Len

More about Close – Up filter:

d) Tripod: Macro photography also requires tripod when shooting the photos - prevent shaking

How to Pick the Best Tripod

e) Separate Flash:

Beside flash from the head of camera, “Soft Box” for Flash or “Ring Flash” is the common words for macro photography.

What is the best Flash for Macro Photography?

3. The best quality of Macro Photo

The Beauty of Macro Photography:

We need to pay attention to details for the best macro photography, especially when magnifying the small subjects. We also need completing of light, composition and exposure similar to other kind of photography. Indoor Studio is a choice for more control rather than outdoor. Some people feed and grow insects themselves, giving better control rather than taking chances shooting them in nature. Learning the insects’ cycle life is more beneficial for macro photographer.

Photo Editor can help improved your macro photography. You may crop, adjust shadow & light or use more creative photos, but keep in mind doing in natural look rather than your own vision. In addition, “Focus Stack” is the choice, which many macro photographers use. You also find my content about “Focus Stacking for Photoshop CS5.X (extended)” in my HubPages.