Shooting Macro-Look Close for those Gems!

Frost on Leaves

The Fall is a great time for photographers to be out enjoying the beauty of nature - all of the changing colors and active wildlife.  Opportunities abound!  Sometimes in our excitement to "get that killer shot" we tend to focuse on the "big picture" and we pass by the subtle, yet powerful images that are revealed with closeup photography. 

These opportunities are everywhere.  Next time you're out in the field, slow down and really observe your surroundings.  When you do this you'll start seeing the beauty that's right in front of you all along!

Grasshopper

Equipment choices and preferences vary, and as they say there is more than one way to do anything.  With that said,  my typical setup is a 100mm f2.8 macro lens on my DSLR.  I rarely use any flash preferring to utilize natural light and modify it with a small portable reflector (white) and diffuser (translucent). 

Keeping equipment to a minimum allows me to move easily, covering a lot of ground and my back always appreciates this!  A tripod is a must however and I recommend getting one that allows low profile shooting.  At high magnification,  camera shake and focus are critical.  A cable release combined with your tripod will help avoid these potential problems.  I usually work in the f22 range and set my shutter speed to give a proper exposure.   ISO is usually set at 100 for optimal results.  I like to  focus using the auto-focus feature and then switch it off for making the exposure or focus manually from the beginning. 

Play with your depth of field / f stop settings - try some of your shots wide open (f2.8 or f4) for a shallow depth of sharpness.  Shoot variations in composition and camera angle.  Play!  Explore! Forget about succeeding -  just let yourself go!  Bring along your polarizing filter and try a few with it for enhancing the colors and controlling reflections.  Wind can be a problem so to avoid this I shoot very early in the day most often and block the wind if possible when necessary.

Dew on Spiderweb

Finally, be tuned in to how the light is playing on your subject.  Look for unique patterns, texture, and color!  So put on that Macro lens and get outdoors!  You'll open up a whole new way of seeing and appreciating our natural world!

Happy Shooting!     Michael