Macro/Close Up Definition Macro with SLR Macro with Point and Shoot Tips Assignment

Macro/Close Up Definition

Macro with SLR

Macro with Point and Shoot

Tips

Assignment

This is the fun and exciting world of ultra close ups. Even a simple leaf comes to life under a macro lens with its structural details becoming more apparent. Using a photo editing program to crop along with some other basic equipment is advisable in addition to a good quality macro lens

This is the fun and exciting world of ultra close ups. Even a simple leaf comes to life under a macro lens with its structural details becoming more apparent.

Using a photo editing program to crop along with some other basic equipment is advisable in addition to a good quality macro lens

Technically ‘macro photography’ is actually when you produce an image where your subject is captured on your image sensor at life size (or bigger) with a 1:1 ratio. In the case of most compact cameras this is not achieved and in fact ‘close up’ photography would be a better description. However as most manufacturers call their close up mode “macro mode”.

Technically ‘macro photography’ is actually when you produce an image where your subject is captured on your image sensor at life size (or bigger) with a 1:1 ratio.

In the case of most compact cameras this is not achieved and in fact ‘close up’ photography would be a better description. However as most manufacturers call their close up mode “macro mode”.

Using a special-purpose lens called a macro lens , having a long barrel for close focusing. The farther the lens is from the sensor, the closer the focusing distance 50–60mm range typically used for product photography and small objects 90–105mm range the standard focal range used for insects, flowers, small objects 150–200mm range gives more working distance — typically used for insects and small animals

Using a special-purpose lens called a macro lens , having a long barrel for close focusing.

The farther the lens is from the sensor, the closer the focusing distance

50–60mm range typically used for product photography and small objects

90–105mm range the standard focal range used for insects, flowers, small objects

150–200mm range gives more working distance — typically used for insects and small animals

Most zoom lenses out there that classify themselves as a macro lens. They are usually like a kit lens 28 - 70 mm macro. But if you look at their specs you will see that the magnification on most of these lens are 1:2, 1:3, or even as low as 1:4. So don't be fooled. If you want a true macro lens, make sure the specs say, magnification 1:1.

Most zoom lenses out there that classify themselves as a macro lens. They are usually like a kit lens 28 - 70 mm macro. But if you look at their specs you will see that the magnification on most of these lens are 1:2, 1:3, or even as low as 1:4. So don't be fooled.

If you want a true macro lens, make sure the specs say, magnification 1:1.

While a purpose built macro lens will get you the best results you can use most lenses that you’ll own by using one of these screw in close up lenses. +1 close-up lens, the maximum focusing distance becomes 1 meter, with a +2 it becomes 0.5 meters, and with a +4 it becomes 0.25 meters.

While a purpose built macro lens will get you the best results you can use most lenses that you’ll own by using one of these screw in close up lenses.

+1 close-up lens, the maximum focusing distance becomes 1 meter, with a +2 it becomes 0.5 meters, and with a +4 it becomes 0.25 meters.

Not as good as Macro Lens Can't be used at wide apertures. Awkward to add, remove and combine in order to change magnification. May need more than one for camera lenses with different filter sizes.

Not as good as Macro Lens

Can't be used at wide apertures.

Awkward to add, remove and combine in order to change magnification.

May need more than one for camera lenses with different filter sizes.

Placing an extension tube between the camera body and the lens – improves focusing distance . Attaching a telephoto extender between the camera body and the lens. A 1.4× or 2× teleconverter gives a larger image, adding macro capabilities. As with an extension tube, less light will reach the sensor, and a longer exposure time will be needed.

Placing an extension tube between the camera body and the lens – improves focusing distance .

Attaching a telephoto extender between the camera body and the lens. A 1.4× or 2× teleconverter gives a larger image, adding macro capabilities.

As with an extension tube, less light will reach the sensor, and a longer exposure time will be needed.

Has a permanently attached lens, usually with some level of optical zoom (i.e. 3x). The lens is smaller, as is the sensor. Right out of the box most of them do a pretty good job of taking macro photos. May sell accessory lenses for telephoto, wide angle, or macros. Nikon Coolpix 5200 you can shoot macros as close as 1.6 inches

Has a permanently attached lens, usually with some level of optical zoom (i.e. 3x).

The lens is smaller, as is the sensor.

Right out of the box most of them do a pretty good job of taking macro photos.

May sell accessory lenses for telephoto, wide angle, or macros.

Nikon Coolpix 5200 you can shoot macros as close as 1.6 inches

Fact: shoot camera in macro mode probably won’t compare with a DSLR with a purpose built macro lens However, some remarkably good shots with compact cameras can be achieved

Fact: shoot camera in macro mode probably won’t compare with a DSLR with a purpose built macro lens

However, some remarkably good shots with compact cameras can be achieved

Select Macro Mode Symbolized with a little flower Focus on a subject closer to your lens than normal (distance allowed will vary). Macro mode will choose a large aperture so that your subject is in focus but the background is not.

Select Macro Mode

Symbolized with a little flower

Focus on a subject closer to your lens than normal (distance allowed will vary).

Macro mode will choose a large aperture so that your subject is in focus but the background is not.

A Point and Shoot with 3x magnification lets you get TOO close

A Point and Shoot with 3x magnification lets you get TOO close

Focusing becomes an obstacle at these limited distances.

Focusing becomes an obstacle at these limited distances.

In close quarters, depth of field shrinks! Aperture - once in macro mode some cameras will not allow you to make many other adjustments but if you are able to play with your aperture settings it can be well worthwhile to do so. Don't forget that depth of field is very shallow, but this can be used to your advantage. Smaller apertures give greater depth of field, but a slower exposure may be a disadvantage, particularly in windy conditions. This can be overcome with a fast film (ASA) or flash.

In close quarters, depth of field shrinks!

Aperture - once in macro mode some cameras will not allow you to make many other adjustments but if you are able to play with your aperture settings it can be well worthwhile to do so.

Don't forget that depth of field is very shallow, but this can be used to your advantage. Smaller apertures give greater depth of field, but a slower exposure may be a disadvantage, particularly in windy conditions. This can be overcome with a fast film (ASA) or flash.

Keeping your camera still not only improves your shots and allows you to play around with different settings. Flowers should be shot at evening: In the morning they are not erect! See example >>>

Keeping your camera still not only improves your shots and allows you to play around with different settings.

Flowers should be shot at evening: In the morning they are not erect! See example >>>

Focusing - If your camera allows manual focusing select this option and manually focus on the part of our subject that is the main point of interest. Composition - Rule of Thirds. Focus on a main point of interest and place that focal point in a smart position in your image in order to draw the eye of your viewer. Try to select a non cluttered or simple background for your main subject so as it doesn’t compete with it visually.

Focusing - If your camera allows manual focusing select this option and manually focus on the part of our subject that is the main point of interest.

Composition - Rule of Thirds. Focus on a main point of interest and place that focal point in a smart position in your image in order to draw the eye of your viewer. Try to select a non cluttered or simple background for your main subject so as it doesn’t compete with it visually.

The first secret to taking good close up indoor shots is that you need light. The major problem with indoor shots is really just they are far too dark. Flash- Artificial light Is important Choose the time of day with most available light Might be too harsh, put a tissue over the flash or carry reflective cards Experiment Point and shoot tend to do a bad job

The first secret to taking good close up indoor shots is that you need light. The major problem with indoor shots is really just they are far too dark.

Flash- Artificial light Is important

Choose the time of day with most available light

Might be too harsh, put a tissue over the flash or carry reflective cards

Experiment

Point and shoot tend to do a bad job

Self-timer (because most point and shoot can’t use a shutter release cable) Wind is a factor Practice in the house before going out

Self-timer (because most point and shoot can’t use a shutter release cable)

Wind is a factor

Practice in the house before going out

Don’t be afraid to get too close

Don’t be afraid to get too close

Take a number of different photos using the Macro Mode setting. Post three of these photos on the Flickr web site. Get close as you can get without loosing focus. Determine the minimum distance you can focus with your camera. Choose subjects like flowers, insects, coins, stamps, jewelry, regular household items.

Take a number of different photos using the Macro Mode setting.

Post three of these photos on the Flickr web site.

Get close as you can get without loosing focus.

Determine the minimum distance you can focus with your camera.

Choose subjects like flowers, insects, coins, stamps, jewelry, regular household items.