Here - Clickin Moms

Here are a few tips on how to capture snowflake
macros:
• Start with newly fallen, DRY snow. Wet heavy
snow will not work
• Find well-defined flakes
• Try to find flakes that are either “standing up”
(and therefore have some sort of background
other than more snow) or snow on a dark
background.
The shots here were shot on my BBQ grill cover
and my patio chairs!
Unlike portrait photography, macro is typically
more successful the more shut down your aperture
is. Since you are dealing with small detail, a higher
f/stop is required to have enough of the object in
focus. I would start at f/5.6 and go up from there.
Watch your shutter speed. My 100mm macro is
a heavy lens; I try to keep it at 1/80 or above to
reduce camera shake. Higher is better. You are
working with tiny objects - the slightest move can
cause you to miss focus.
A tripod can be helpful but a bit tricky to maneuver
with the snow. If you are not using a tripod, breathe
out as you are pushing the shutter to reduce shake.
Use manual focus. Focus in as close as the lens
will go, and move your body slightly forward and
back until you get the focus you want. It’s tough
for auto focus to successfully lock - especially on
a snowflake. When you are controlling focus, you
can be sure it’ll fall where you intend.
Protect your gear! If you’re shooting when it’s
actively snowing, make sure your camera body
and lens are covered.
Lastly, go inside, and have a cup of hot chocolate
and revel in your accomplishment!
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