Download PDF - The Canadian Nature Photographer

MACROPHOTOGRAPHY TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS 2012
Summary of macrophotography techniques
� Most compact digital cameras with a macro mode can be used for closeup photography.
� A DSLR camera offers the most flexibility and control in macrophotography.
� Closeup filters (+1 to +4 diopters) screw onto the front of the lens to achieve magnification.
� Closeup filters are available as single element or dual glass elements.
� Extension tubes permit any lens to focus more closely and do not degrade the image quality.
� Macro lenses come in three basic focal lengths: 50-60, 100-110 and 200 mm. The longer the
focal length the greater the working distance between the camera lens and subject.
� Bellows permit magnifications up to about 10X and are best suited for studio work.
� Teleconverters (1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 3X) can be used with some lenses to magnify the image
size, but they reduce the light coming into the camera and degrade the image quality.
� A reverse lens adapter permits you to attach a lens to the camera backwards to achieve high
magnification, but the lens loses its automated aperture controls.
� Reversing and stacking lenses can be used to achieve high magnification.
� When shooting with your camera, be sure to set the appropriate white balance or use auto
white balance (AWB) if shooting RAW files.
� Natural light varies in color, direction, and quality; often the best results are achieved with soft,
even lighting that is available in the shade.
� Side lighting and backlighting can enhance texture and provide a sense of depth to an image.
� One advantage of using a flash is that the brief pulse of light permits photographers to hand
hold their cameras when pursing subjects such as butterflies that move about quickly.
� When using flash, be sure to check the camera exposure histogram and modify exposure
compensation as required.
� Flash diffusers can be used to soften the light from compact flash units.
� If a background is too busy, it can be simplified by holding a piece of coloured paper or cloth
behind it.
� Depth of field decreases as you get closer to a subject, and the depth of field in an image is
dependent on the f-stop used, with larger f-stops (smaller apertures) providing the greatest
depth of field.
� To achieve greater depth of field, it is possible to take several photographs with different focal
points then stack and blend the photographs using software such as Adobe Photoshop.
Robert Berdan | 49