When is macro photography used

Most standard long-range lenses give the greatest amplification factor of about 0. I started with a macro lens for my closeup photography but quickly realized the limitations of it. My biggest complaint is depth of field.

I can never get even the smallest of insects to be fully in focus. To me your photo of the snake is unrealistic in terms of how humans visualize things in life. Also when using a common mm f2. So I did my own testing using a 24mm f1. Then in post I zoom in to get the same size as I would from a macro shot. The results: first given the high resolution of my camera I lose no detail. Second, most of my subject is in focus and third the bokeh is as good as I get with a macro lens.

My next experiment will be with my mm lens which produces very sharp images at large distances from the camera. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Our mission at BorrowLenses is to advance photographic and cinematic dreams by providing access to superior, cutting-edge gear and expert advice. Ready to get to work? Order from your desk, have gear delivered to your door, and take on your next project.

Everything You Need to Know as a Beginner Discover what a macro lens is and the benefits of using one. Macro vs. Macro Lens Pricing As with all lenses, macro lenses are available in a wide variety of price points. Macro Lens Focal Length Options As with all lens types, macro lenses come in a wide variety of focal lengths. Depth of Field One important thing to keep in mind when doing macro photography is that the depth of field is very limited at close range.

Flat Field The front element on non-macro lenses is generally slightly curved, making it so that the center of the photo will be in focus but things will get a little bit softer as you move to the edges of the frame. Focus Stacking Focus stacking is a technique that allows you to combine multiple photographs with different focus distances to produce a single image with more of a subject in focus. Stabilization Stability is very important in macro photography.

Camera Shake and Macro Another thing that will help tremendously in avoiding camera shake is not physically touching the camera before taking the picture. Lighting in Macro Photography Good lighting is one of the most important factors in taking good photos and macro photography is no exception. Ring Lights for Macro LED ring lights can be a simple and affordable solution to macro lighting issues.

Mark has been passionate about photography for over ten years and has photographed subjects ranging from fine art landscapes and portraits to commercial and product photography. Robert T Lewis says:. September 13, at am. Shaheda Shimu says:. September 4, at am. Lula E Finch says:. August 19, at am. Dinamicostudio says:. August 12, at pm. Mary Sprouse says:. August 12, at am. Sue Celis says:. Willie J.

Ketter says:. August 11, at am. JeannieK says:. Shade is always an easy bet as well. Make sure to be careful of your own shadow. If you are moving in and out of shade and sun, make sure to change your settings to update your exposure accordingly. This means sometimes my images are underexposed but I would rather have that than have blown highlights.

I find that shadows are easier to recover in post-processing than highlights. If you cannot move your subject, what you CAN do instead is move yourself. When choosing my location to shoot from and my angle, I pay attention not only to my subject but also to my background. Aperture plays a big role here as well. Sometimes you have to wait for a lull in the wind.

Sometimes I can block the breeze with my body. However, you want to watch your shutter speed. This will help you to freeze your subject.

With macro photography, even the slightest movement may appear in your photo. I also love shooting leaves and greenery, the occasional bug, and even neat textures or building elements. Keep your mind open to new ideas and see what inspires you. I love shooting in the early morning because there is gorgeous dew everywhere, but you can also add your own fake dew with a water spray bottle. One of my favorite things to do is go on a little photo walk, exploring a local garden or even my own yard or neighborhood.

It can be such a relaxing way to unwind and you will end up with beautiful art as an added bonus! I hope you give this a try and shoot something just for yourself, and enjoy being in nature while doing it!

While a macro lens would be ideal to have, I understand it is not for everyone. There is another option. You can buy a set of macro filters for a lens that you have. The have a magnification built in and this will help you get your macro shot! Use Two Lenses, but Reverse One of Them If you have another lens in addition to a 50mm, you can put them both together to create a powerful macro setup. This technique, known as twin reverse lens or dual reverse lens, will work with any lens as the primary lens attached to the camera and behind the reversed 50mm , though the longer the focal length of the primary lens the greater the magnification will be.

To implement this technique, just attach your primary lens to the camera as usual, then reverse the 50mm lens and use a coupling ring plus stepping ring if necessary to attach it to the primary lens.

The two lenses make this setup exceptionally powerful but somewhat cumbersome, and it can be challenging to get a clear shot while hand-holding the camera.

Extension Tubes Another way to adapt your DSLR camera for macro photography is with extension tubes, which are hollow cylindrical spacers that are attached between the lens and the camera mount to increase the extension of your lens. The longer the extension tube, the closer you can get to a subject and still focus, and the closer you get, the higher the lens magnification becomes. Extension tubes are frequently sold in sets of three tubes of varying sizes, and each tube can be used alone or attached to one or more additional tubes for greater length.

The more expensive extension tubes are those with electrical contacts that preserve communications between lens and camera, making it possible to adjust aperture setting, exposure, etc. Extension tubes work best with lenses of short to medium focal length. The only significant drawback to extension tubes is that they do create some light loss, but setting your camera to an automatic exposure mode will compensate for that.

Close-Up Filters Close-up filters are like screw-on magnifiers for your lens. They work the same way that a standard magnifying glass works, by using a curved glass to alter light so that objects appear bigger. These highly specialized, sophisticated lenses can focus from infinity to at least a magnification factor at their closest focus setting, which means the image is reproduced life size on the sensor.

This is particularly important in macro photography, where one very small object occupies the entire image. A shorter focal length of 50mm or 60mm will work fine for subjects like plants, flowers, and inanimate objects that can be photographed from a very close distance. However, subjects like insects or wildlife that are dangerous or easily frightened must be photographed from farther away, so a longer focal length of mm or more is crucial.

Macro lenses are actually very flexible and can be used for many types of photos, from food and product shots to portraits, and are widely used by many professionals. Modern macro lenses incorporate a host of advanced focusing, vibration reduction, and light management technologies that produce amazingly sharp, clear, and distortion-free images.

Additional Accessories for Macro Photography Among the most valuable accessories for macro photography are a tripod and a remote shutter release. Keeping the camera perfectly steady is essential for macro photography, so investing in tools that eliminate hand contact as much as possible is a good idea. White Elephant B Camera Operator filming.

Learn more about Tyler at nfi. What is Macro Photography? Origination of Macro Photography Macro photography began in the early s when F. What are the Types of Macro Lenses? The Canon EF series is a reliable option for macro photography.

Nikon: Nikon cameras possess the highest resolution, with 36 megapixels. The Nikon AF series is an excellent option for macro photography. Sony: Even before Canon and Nikon, Sony has been specializing in mirrorless cameras. The A-series full-frame is a top mirrorless option.

Other brands: Micro four-thirds cameras, such as the Olympus M macro shooting line, are a good starting point for macro photography. Other brands to consider are Pentax. Extension tubes are hollow tubes that you attach to your existing lens to extend its focal length. These tubes are typically sold in sets, which can be mixed and matched depending on the situation.

Try to spend a bit more money and purchase an extension tube that offers electrical connections between your lens and the camera, providing greater control with settings like aperture and focus. What Are Macro Filters? Subjects to Choose for Macro Photography Macro photography was invented to capture insects, plants, and tiny objects that the naked eye could not notice in detail. Macro Photography lighting Start with natural light when photographing macro shots.

Here are the two best times in a day to do outdoor macro photography: Cloudy midday Cloudy light is best for macro photography. Sunny mornings and evenings The golden hours, i. When is the light harsh? Here are some important tips to take great macro shots. This is especially true of macro photography, where you might not get another chance to be so close and personal with your subject. Deal with the depth of field dilemma: The closer you get to your subject, the shallower the depth of field becomes, and this effect can make it challenging to get your entire subject in focus.

If you are using a point-and-shoot camera, there is nothing you can do about this, but if you are using a DSLR camera, you can increase the depth of field by lowering your aperture choosing a larger f-number. Stabilize your camera: To stabilize your camera, use a tripod, a remote shutter release, and set up your shots correctly.

The blurring effects of even the slightest movements are exaggerated at high magnification and very close range. So, keeping your camera steady is key to getting the best shots. If you are not using a remote shutter release, try to shoot on the out-breath for the slightest movement. Something like a pack of colored construction paper can provide a lot of inspiration.

Experiment with different angles: Keep in mind that small changes have significant effects in macro photography. Use flash: Because macro photography includes very small apertures that restrict light, flash can be priceless, especially when shooting outdoors with no supplemental lighting. Final Words Macro photography is an exciting genre that can turn into a lifetime obsession.