Close Up Photography Techniques

Close up photo of a strawberry.

Close up, or macro, photography involves getting closer to a subject and revealing details that are not normally seen. Any subject can be shot in close up, but you must have the right equipment and techniques to do it well. With patience and practice, macro photography can be a rewarding and valuable discipline for any photographer.

Lenses and Accessories

To take close-ups, you first need the right equipment. Zoom lenses and special macro lenses are a good start, but may be too expensive for some, in which case a combination of lens and various accessories may help achieve the desired effect. Diopters, bellows and extension tubes hold the lens further away from the film plane or sensors, giving a greater degree of magnification and focus. Tripods, flashguns and shutter releases are also necessary tools.

Aperture and Depth-of-field

Depth-of-field is the zone in front of and behind the subject that can be held in focus. In macro photography, the depth-of-field is extremely limited and only a small area is sharp. Depth-of-field can be improved by using a smaller aperture (higher number F-stop). A smaller aperture requires a longer shutter speed, making stability of both subject and camera essential. Shooting with faster film can help with this. If the subject moves due to wind (or even a light breeze), select a calmer time to take those shots or construct wind breaks to surround the subject.

Lighting

Since macro photography usually requires a smaller aperture, this means less light hits the camera. Also, the closeness of the camera can cast shadows on the subject because the physical size of the lenses used. Use a flashgun held off to the side of the subject, or use a ring flash around the lens itself. Reflectors and gray cards can bounce more light on the subject as well. Also, orient the camera at an angle that does not interfere with the lighting.

Stability

When you take close-up shots, it is vital the camera does not move. Since you focus so tightly on a subject, any movement of the camera is magnified as well. Secure the camera on a tripod, table or some other flat stable surface. A tree stump can even be used out in the field. Also, the movement of simply pressing down on the shutter release button could ruin a shot, so use a cable release to remotely take the picture.

References

• Close Up Photography by Peter Bargh