This document provides 9 tips for macro photography. The tips include selecting macro mode on the camera, following composition rules like the rule of thirds, having a clear main subject with a non-cluttered background, using a tripod to avoid shakes, adjusting aperture and shutter speed based on the subject motion and desired depth of field, and fine tuning images in post-processing as macro photography requires precision. The overall tips are for setting up the camera, composing shots, and processing images to capture great close-up macro photographs.

1. Exhibitmag.co.in
Nine tips that will set you apart from the boys when it comes to shooting great close-up
photographs.
What is macro photography after all?
An art of taking close up pictures that reveal details which can't be seen with naked eye.
Here then are nine simple tips...
1. Selecting the Macro mode
Quite obvious, you may think! But
I'm always surprised by how many
digicam owners do actually explore
the shooting modes of their cameras.
Macro mode is generally symbolised
with a little flower and when selected
it will tell your camera that you want
to focus on a subject closer to your
lens than normal (the minimum
distance allowed will vary from
camera to camera, generally
3.5mm).
Macro mode will also usually tell
your camera to choose a large aperture so
that your subject is in focus but the
background is not.
Rules of composition should be kept in
mind. Say for example... the Rule of
Thirds.
Make sure to have a main point of interest
in the photograph and place that focal
point in such an apt position that it draws
attention.

2. Better to go for a non-cluttered or simple background so that the background and the main
subject don't clash visually.
Don't try for professional macro photography unless you have the best control over focusing.
It is especially when you have shallow depth of fields where it is all the more important to make
sure the right part of the shot image is in focus.
This is a tricky one.
While flash can be a strict no-no for a particular macro photography, using a piece of tracing
paper and draping it over the flash of your camera to diffuse the strong flash light can be a better
option in another case.
Remember... shadows are macro photographers' enemy!
Instead choose a location where the light is enough. Or else carry a reflector to fill the shadow.
If you know to adjust the aperture settings, learn the depth of fields of the shots.
Choose a small aperture for a large depth of field with everything in focus or a large one if the
main subject is to be in focus.
In macro, select the largest aperture available for the shallow depth of field.
Using a tripod for obvious reasons actually helps. You avoid the shakes, you go closer to subjects
without disturbing the mood and more so...just a tripod!
Macro photography can have any
subject, though the first thing that
hits is flowers. But actually it can be
anything from a spoon to candle to
your beloved's eyes!
Just keep in mind to represent the
subject in the most unusual way to
play with the other person's mind's
eye.
Know your priority... depth of field
or freezing a subject in motion while clicking it.

3. Personally on a windy day, I would use shutter priority to stop motion blur. Clicking a bug or
butterfly in flight also requires the same setting.
Same goes for a falling water droplet. Aperture priority is used when the subject in motionless
and the background is preferred blurred.
9. Fine tune
Macro is a very tough subject,
remember. And mostly avoided by
the amateurs.
But if you are among those bold
photographers whose favourite genre
is macro, learn how to fine tune the
image to bring out the perfect
picture. Photoshop and other such
software are there to help you out!