Learn Tips & Techniques for the Best Macro Photography Lighting
As a way of documenting the world around us or as a form of artistic expression, photography has developed into a pervasive part of contemporary life. For many photographers, finding an image and subject that hasn't been photographed before offers real thrills, and thus, many photographers have turned to macro photography for a new outlook on our world. When engaging in this kind of photography, there are certain tips that may be helpful when lighting the scene.
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Overview
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Macro photography involves taking close-up photographs of very small subjects. Artists and journalists have highlighted insects, plant life, figurines and even body parts for macro photographs. This style of image capture requires different techniques and equipment than standard photography, particularly when it comes to shooting style and lenses. For example, photographers sometimes must keep cameras absolutely still when shooting something very close up, as the slightest movement can make the whole shot blurry. Extra-long lenses and lens cases are often needed to capture a crisp image of something very small. A different approach to lighting is also necessary.
Natural Light
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Natural light entails whatever is already present in the scene, including artificial lamps and daylight. For most photographers, natural light can provide images with an authentic feel and can give a certain soft, image-wrapping quality. But for macro photography, using nothing but natural light can be very difficult, particularly because such a small scene lets only a small amount of light hit the film or digital camera sensor. A macro photographer can still light effectively with natural lighting, however, particularly if she knows how to manipulate available light to her advantage. Try photographing a particularly bright scene, such as a sunlit day, to effectively use natural lighting. You can also use something like a bounce card or even a white piece of paper to reflect natural light directly onto your subject. Still, when shooting scenes where the perfect shot is fleeting and not reproducible, it's a good idea to have some sort of artificial lighting setup.
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Flash
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For certainty in macro photography, using a flash system is the best option. This is particularly true because getting close to a subject (as is often necessary in macro photography) creates unwanted shadows on the scene. Flash eliminates this problem. Instead of using a regular flash, however, which can burn out such a tiny scene, photographers should use a smaller flash unit designed specifically for macro photography. Many macro photographers swear by a dual-flash system, wherein they mount two small flashes to either side of the camera lens. If only a powerful flash is available, you can use tissue or diffusion paper to lessen the impact of the flash.
Other Equipment
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There are also other pieces of equipment that a macro photographer should consider, depending on the kind of lighting he chooses. A sturdy tripod is essential for photographers that use natural lighting for the image, particularly because the shutter may need to stay open for a longer amount of time, enough to capture the correct exposure, and any small movement within this period can blur an image. If a photographer is using flash, however, a tripod is less essential because the shutter only needs to stay open for a short instant. Additionally, macro photographers should consider getting a long lens in order to eliminate unnecessary shadows within a scene and to avoid scaring live subjects. Often, macro photographers choose 100 mm to 200 mm lenses.
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References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
