Mike Moats reviews the basics of macro and close-up photography including favorite subjects, lenses and other gear, and tips to make your images unique.
*Please scroll to the bottom of the post for more images from our guest.*
Episode 160
Basic Macro Photography with Mike Moats
“If you invest all of your time in one genre,
you become more proficient.”
Macro
- True MACRO is shot at a 1:1 ratio.
- Focus area of subject is only 1 7/8” x 1 3/8”
- Minimum focal distance is about 10” from camera sensor
- Shooting this close puts you INSIDE the subject.
- When you can’t see the whole subject, it becomes more abstract.
Close-Up
Technically refers to anything outside the 1:1 ratio.
Tips
- Find a subject that has character, a uniqueness that sets it apart from the rest.
- The same subject can become more diverse with a change in background and position.
- Macro is REALLY affected by wind. Shooting subjects on the ground helps to remove the wind problem.
- ALWAYS use a tripod. The shutter speeds you will be using are too slow to handhold.
- Using high f-stops (f/32 – f/54) allows for the whole subject to be crisply focused.
- Find a camera angle to increase the distance between the subject and the background for background blur.
- Using a diffuser helps to remove the sheen from leaves and petals and brings out more color. ALWAYS use a diffuser in bright sunlight to decrease shadows and produce soft, even light.
“Macro photography gives you access to unlimited subjects close to home.”
Lenses and Other Gear
- 60mm prime will focus 10” from subject.
- Longer lenses – 90mm, or telephoto macro 150-180-200mm give you more working distance from your subject.
- Macro-specific lenses are designed to focus in closer to the subject – giving the 1:1 range.
- Some zoom lenses have macro-capability of 1:4 or 1:7.
- Recommended: Tamron 90mm
- Tamron 18-400mm can focus on a 2” x 3” area
- Litra LED cubes can be used to balance light if needed.
- A standard lens with Extension Tubes can produce images just as well as a macro lens, but can be more of a hassle.
- Extension tubes allow flexibility within a certain range.
Finding Mike
Listen to the Understand Photography Show on iTunes: https://tinyurl.com/y66g545vTo leave us a review (we’d REALLY appreciate it!), click on LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS, then OPEN IN iTUNES.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-understand-photography-show/id1189377019#see-all/reviews
Understand Photography
General Notes
What you need to learn for a solid photography education. Watch our free video:
https://understandphotography.leadpages.co/4-weeks-photography-education-video/
Upcoming Trips:
Everglades 4 Day Adventure
Jan 16-19, 2020
Everglades 4 Day Adventure
Jan 30-Feb 2, 2020
Florida’s Forgotten Coast
March 25-29, 2020
Ladies Luxury African Photo Safari and Tour
Sept. 19-30, 2020
Understand Photography is a member of the Amazon Associates Program.
I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you information about photography
Gear Recommendation of the Week
ProMaster Translucent Diffuser
PROMASTER SystemPro ReflectaDiscs reflect light to illuminate detail in shadow areas for more dramatic photos. They are available in a variety of sizes and colors. ReflectaDiscs are portable and easy to setup and use.