Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New profile posts
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
General Photography
Macro
Insert macro technique advice please!
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="N_Addy" data-source="post: 207222" data-attributes="member: 9985"><p>Of course composition plays a key role in good macro. Getting in close and capturing good detail are important but perspective and setting/background make the difference between a simple close-up versus a good macro image.</p><p></p><p>Your shots are good but I like #2 best because of the face-on angle of the shot. My first rule of macro is "don't shoot down on the bug/flower/etc". Whenever possible get down to their level. Put the viewer into your subject's world. You can't achieve that without composition.</p><p></p><p>Leafhopper on the edge of a leaf</p><p><img src="http://nealaddy.smugmug.com/Macro/Critters/i-DjSNFWf/1/X2/DSC_2088-X2.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Of course rules are made to be broken. Sometimes shooting down on a critter is useful to take advantage of contrast or pattern opportunities.</p><p></p><p><img src="http://nealaddy.smugmug.com/Macro/Critters/i-zPsnzMr/0/X2/DSC_9352-X2.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>My second rule of macro is to use "spot focus" and always focus on the eyes (or at least the head if you can't find the eyes). This is where mastering DOF comes in. The orientation of the subject to your line of sight plays a key role in determining what stop to use (or whether to focus stack - an entire subject in itself). I generally shoot at f/16 but even at that I know I can't get the entire length of a dragon (for example) in sharp focus if he is oriented radially to my view. So my goal is to get sharp focus on the eyes.</p><p></p><p><img src="http://nealaddy.smugmug.com/Macro/Critters/i-8f4xzpJ/1/X2/DSC_8358-X2.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>The next biggest challenge in macro is lighting. I don't use a flash for bug shots. It generally annoys the bugs. So if lighting isn't ideal I have to catch the critter only if or when it isn't moving (i.e. crawling, flying, or windy conditions). Otherwise I'll just be wasting electrons. Of course, direct sun is your friend so that's generally where I look for bugs. Why waste time in shaded areas?</p><p></p><p>And, of course, it goes without saying that a tripod is a MUST for macro. Everything in macro is magnified, including vibration and motion. There are some who can shoot hand-held but I'm not in that caliber of shooter.</p><p></p><p>BTW... did I mention that composition is important? </p><p></p><p>Over-the-shoulder</p><p><img src="http://nealaddy.smugmug.com/Macro/Critters/i-9k87Xs8/0/O/DSC_5481.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="N_Addy, post: 207222, member: 9985"] Of course composition plays a key role in good macro. Getting in close and capturing good detail are important but perspective and setting/background make the difference between a simple close-up versus a good macro image. Your shots are good but I like #2 best because of the face-on angle of the shot. My first rule of macro is "don't shoot down on the bug/flower/etc". Whenever possible get down to their level. Put the viewer into your subject's world. You can't achieve that without composition. Leafhopper on the edge of a leaf [IMG]http://nealaddy.smugmug.com/Macro/Critters/i-DjSNFWf/1/X2/DSC_2088-X2.jpg[/IMG] Of course rules are made to be broken. Sometimes shooting down on a critter is useful to take advantage of contrast or pattern opportunities. [IMG]http://nealaddy.smugmug.com/Macro/Critters/i-zPsnzMr/0/X2/DSC_9352-X2.jpg[/IMG] My second rule of macro is to use "spot focus" and always focus on the eyes (or at least the head if you can't find the eyes). This is where mastering DOF comes in. The orientation of the subject to your line of sight plays a key role in determining what stop to use (or whether to focus stack - an entire subject in itself). I generally shoot at f/16 but even at that I know I can't get the entire length of a dragon (for example) in sharp focus if he is oriented radially to my view. So my goal is to get sharp focus on the eyes. [IMG]http://nealaddy.smugmug.com/Macro/Critters/i-8f4xzpJ/1/X2/DSC_8358-X2.jpg[/IMG] The next biggest challenge in macro is lighting. I don't use a flash for bug shots. It generally annoys the bugs. So if lighting isn't ideal I have to catch the critter only if or when it isn't moving (i.e. crawling, flying, or windy conditions). Otherwise I'll just be wasting electrons. Of course, direct sun is your friend so that's generally where I look for bugs. Why waste time in shaded areas? And, of course, it goes without saying that a tripod is a MUST for macro. Everything in macro is magnified, including vibration and motion. There are some who can shoot hand-held but I'm not in that caliber of shooter. BTW... did I mention that composition is important? Over-the-shoulder [IMG]http://nealaddy.smugmug.com/Macro/Critters/i-9k87Xs8/0/O/DSC_5481.jpg[/IMG] [/QUOTE]
Verification
Post reply
Forums
General Photography
Macro
Insert macro technique advice please!
Top
