Step by step guide to macro photography
Step by step guide to macro photography | ||
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This article will concentrate on the steps you need to follow to make your macro dreams a reality. Most of this information applies broadly to just about any kind of close-up photography, and tips on getting the best results in specific kinds of situations. The first thing to do is to choose a venue. If you want to photograph small animals, flowers, or small geological formations (I think of them as "rocks"), you'll need to go out into the field and tote your gear with you. Be prepared with tripod, reflectors, and any other ancillary equipment you might need. In some cases, that might include a trowel or shovel you can use to rearrange the landscape to your liking, perhaps a cage or jar to temporarily house a subject that might otherwise hop away, or sturdy gloves to let you clear away the underbrush. Other kinds of close-up work, particularly hobby photography, will probably take place in your own home or in a makeshift home studio, so you won't need to worry about remembering to take all your gear with you. Instead, you'll need to find a place where you can work undisturbed, such as a kitchen table or the shelves that showcase your pewter soldier collection. Many inanimate objects may look much better when removed from their habitat and photographed against a plain background. A simple background is less distracting and concentrates interest on your intended subject. A simple background is repeatable, too. If you're shooting on location, police the area and remove any dead branches, leaves, rocks, extraneous fauna, or anything else you don't want to appear in your photo. Now is the time to simplify your background. Look closely for dirt that can be cleaned away to improve your photo. | ||