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MACROPHOTOGRAPHY TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS 2012 Above: Caterpillar photographed using available light and a tripod Above: Caterpillar photographed with an electronic flash; note the increase in contrast, dark background and fine plant hairs. The caterpillar appears sharper. 100 mm macro lens. Robert Berdan | 38
MACROPHOTOGRAPHY TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS 2012 Using an electronic flash often requires some testing to get good results. First, read your flash and camera manual to determine the shutter speed settings your camera needs to be set to. Many cameras only permit a shutter synch speed of up to 1\250 sec. Some cameras permit high speed sync flash at any shutter speed (e.g. Nikon D300). Generally, you want to set your flash to Through The Lens metering, or TTL, then adjust the exposure compensation if the subject turns out too dark or too light. The big advantage of digital cameras over film cameras is that you get an instant preview and can make adjustments and corrections to the exposure in the field. Flash diffusers A direct flash creates a very harsh light that emphasizes texture. In portrait photography, a straight flash often reveals imperfections in the skin and is not flattering to the subject. Likewise in macrophotography, sometimes a straight flash can be too harsh and photographers often choose to soften the light source. Portrait photographers use umbrellas or bounce the light from the flash off a wall or ceiling, but these are not options usually available to macropphotographers in the field. A simple device to soften the flash is a small, white plastic diffuser placed over the flash, or you can attach Kleenex tissue to the front of the flash using elastic bands. Another way is to attach a specially made flash diffuser (shown below). Lastolite Micro Apollo Flash MKII flash diffuser attached to a Nikon SP800 Flash and below it a smaller plastic flash diffuser attached to a Nikon SB-28DX flash unit, both diffusers soften the light. Robert Berdan | 39
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