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MACROPHOTOGRAPHY TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS 2012
Electronic Flash
Artificial light can consist of flood lamps, tungsten bulbs or one or more flash units. In the field, artificial
lighting is usually provided by electronic flash. Depending on the lens, sometimes the on camera flash
works well (e.g. 60 mm macro lens), but if the lens is too long it can produce a shadow on the subject.
For this reason, I either use a flash with the light source positioned up above the camera or to the side
of the camera. Some flash units offer adapters that allow the flash units to be attached to the front of
the camera lens.
A flash offers certain advantages in that it produces a strong, but brief pulse of light that can be used to
stop movement, such as an insect in flight, or whenever one needs to hand-hold their camera.
However, flash also tends to produce a harsh directional light source and may result in black
backgrounds, as the light falls off quickly and can result in over-exposed foregrounds. The best way to
learn how to use your flash with macrophotography is to experiment with it and compare the results
you get with natural light. In general, light from an electronic flash tends to be harsh and cooler in
colour, which can enhance sharpness. You can soften the light by taping Kleenex tissues over the light
source or adding a plastic diffuse; for even softer light, you can attach a small, portable soft box.
Above: Postman butterfly photographed with 100 mm macro lens, camera hand-held and a portable
electronic flash attached to the camera. This butterfly was photographed in a butterfly room at the
Calgary zoo. Due to high humidity in butterfly rooms I recommend you bring extra lens cleaning tissue.
Robert Berdan | 37