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Download PDF - The Canadian Nature Photographer

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MACROPHOTOGRAPHY TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS 2012<br />

Camera Supports<br />

It is certainly possible to take macrophotographs by hand holding your camera and lens, and<br />

sometimes it may be necessary, but most of the time you will want to support your camera to get the<br />

sharpest pictures possible. One exception is when you are chasing butterflies or other subjects that<br />

move quickly. In those circumstances, you can attach a flash to your camera and the flash will permit<br />

you to freeze the action and capture skittish animals even when hand holding your macro lens and<br />

camera.<br />

For flowers and other small specimens, a tripod is a necessity for sharp pictures. If your subjects are<br />

small flowers or any type of specimens found on the ground, then a tripod that will lay completely flat<br />

is preferred. You can use a bean bag in some circumstances, but a tripod whose legs splay out flat to<br />

the ground is the best accessory you can own. Choosing a tripod depends on many factors, including<br />

your budget and how much you are willing to carry around with you.<br />

<strong>The</strong> sturdiest and lightest weight tripods are made of carbon. Tripods can vary in cost from $25 to over<br />

$1000. In addition to choosing a tripod, you also need to decide what kind of head to attach to it.<br />

<strong>Nature</strong> photographers often prefer a ball head that allows quick set up with variable tension so the<br />

subject if moving can be followed. For macrophotography one rarely needs to move the camera quickly<br />

so a tripod head with three axis handles also works well.<br />

If you are considering purchasing a tripod for macrophotography select one that does not have a<br />

center post so that the tripod can lie flat on the ground. Sometimes I simply hacksaw the center post<br />

off. Some tripods provide center posts which allow you to attach the camera to the bottom of the<br />

post. Anyone that has tried to do this soon realizes how uncomfortable and inconvenient this is. If you<br />

are in the market for a new tripod, I have written an overview of tripods and their features on my web<br />

site at: www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/tripod.html.<br />

Avoid cheap tripods they have limited use unless you want something disposable. Beanbags are useful<br />

for shooting from the ground or your car window, but can’t replace a good tripod.<br />

Left: home-made bean bag Right: photographer supporting his camera on a bean bag.<br />

Robert Berdan | 26

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