Macro photography is a fascinating discipline because it allows the photographer to discover a world that is complex to view with the naked eyes. It opens up a completely new and attractive world that usually goes unnoticed. From simple everyday miniature objects to butterflies and insects, there are a number of interesting subjects that look incredible when viewed from a very close range. Having said that, capturing pictures at such a close range is somewhat hard because most cameras have limited macro photography capabilities. Although, even reasonably priced cameras have some basic macro mode, in most cases, the option is limited. Frequently, special equipments are needed to photograph a subject at macro level. You will discover some macro photography tips and tricks that help achieve the desired result.
The first choice for macro photography is to use the features existing in the camera itself. Most cameras have macro mode that allows photographing tiny subjects from a very close range. Usually, a normal lens of the camera is designed to take shots about 1 m away. However, in the macro mode precisely the same lens can be used to photograph subjects that are about 0.5m away. For the more elaborate and high quality close-up pictures, SLR type camera and special equipments are essential.
A huge advantage with the SLR camera is that its lens can be separated from the body. This opens up various possibilities for different types of photography. For close-up, the first option is to use a dedicated macro photography lens. Such an optimised lens is mounted onto the camera body and the photographer is ready to take images of close-up subjects. Shorter macro optics are light and compact. They are the preferred option for nature enthusiasts allowing to work at distance.
The next choice is to use an extension tube (no optic) which is used to simply extend the lens from the camera body and its sensor. This turns the same normal lens into a macro lens. The most common lenght are 12, 25 or 36mm: the wider the tube, the larger the reproduction ratio. Unfortunately, extension tube reduces light entering the camera and will not enable long working distance like a macro lens would.
Among various macro photography ideas, some are related to close-up filters and the reversing ring. Close up filters are cost effective adds-on that are simply screwed onto the camera lens. Those looking for expert quality sharp pictures may not like to use this option. Filters slightly compromise the image quality because there are more glasses through which the light filters through before reaching the camera sensor. They may not match a macro lens for sharpness, but they are a more economical solution for beginners.
Reversing ring is a good option for macro photography. It simply allows the lens to be reversed and mounted onto the camera body. This accessory works best with non-zoom lenses. By reserving a lens in this way, its optical centre is displaced from the sensor plane, introducing a level of extension and enabling it to focus significantly closer.
Those looking for macro photography tips must consider using good flashguns or lighting systems. Photographers who intend to do such photography quite often need to purchase a ringflash. This type of flash gives even lighting on the whole macro subject so the pictures are fully bright and all the details come out clearly.
Our final advice: at macro level even slight blur gets magnified so it is important to use a sturdy tripod to avoid any camera shake.
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