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Photography assignment: Macro Tips

Some tips for shooting macros - feel free to add your own in the comments section.
Please also ask any questions you have - maybe I - or one of the others can help :)
You can still sign up for this assignment - go and check it out!

  • Get down on your knees or lower. The bug’s eye few usually makes for more interesting shots than the ones shot from top
  • Check out the options for macro shots in the menu of your camera. Some cameras have a macro focus. It helps a lot.
  • If your camera allows it, get a macro lens. For low budget users I can suggest raynox lenses. They are not the greatest, but they did work fine for me (most of my posted macro shots are taken with my raynox macro lens and my Casio EX-P505). If you have a bigger budget and your camera allows their usage, check out reviews for lenses before you buy them.
    If you don’t know if they work for your camera, go to the camera brand’s website, check for info there. If you still don’t find it, send an email to customer support. That’s how I made sure, my lenses will work on my camera.
  • Watch out for the zoom. Most “Point and Shoot” cameras have a Digital zoom. There’s a little barrier between the normal zoom and the Digital zoom. Your pictures might turn out very grainy if you zoom all the way.
    Best way to test it is to shoot more than one frame with different zoom lengths.
  • Stay steady. Either lean on something or hold your shooting arm with the other arm. If you are very low, use a little bean sack to steady the camera.
    Depending on the camera you can also use a little, cheap table tripod, just to steady the camera.
  • And like with everything else in taking good shots: watch out how you frame the pictures. What does the background look like? Is it cluttered or clean?
    Try different angles and different framings. Play with different crops on your Computer.

(Sorry for the picture quality, but like you can tell, I don’t have a macro lens for my Nikon yet ;) )

by NicoleB
2008-07-02. 23:05:21. 364 words, 2124 views. Categories: Photography, Assignments, Tips , 8 comments »Send a trackback »

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8 comments

Comment from: sandy (momisodes) [Visitor] · http://www.momisodes.com
Bless you for posting these tips! I actually have some of those options on my camera and wasn't 100% sure if I was using the right options. I think I did! However, I think my camera just sucks :(
2008-07-03 @ 06:59
Comment from: Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) [Visitor] · http://www.ramblingsbyreba.com
If you have a camera with which you can shoot on manual focus, do it.

Ninety-nine percent of my macros are shot on manual focus. It helps a lot... It also takes practice, but once you get the hang of it you'll be GLAD you took the time to learn.
2008-07-03 @ 08:23
Comment from: lceel [Visitor] · http://louceel.blogspot.com
Excellent stuff here, Nicole. I will do some macro work this weekend. We'll see what happens.
2008-07-03 @ 08:31
Comment from: NicoleB [Member] Email · http://nicoleb.org
Mh, Sandy, which camera are you using?
I have seen people taking crappy shots with a High profile camera, so it isn't necessarily the cam ;)
I took my first real neat shots with a real tiny Casio point and shoot (even tinier than my last one :) )
So, just take some, post them and describe what you did, maybe one of us can help :)
I'll just put you on the participants list :P

Oh, Reba, don't say that - I lurve my autofocus :D
And I sure DID love my macro focus ;)
Now I want a macro lens for my new Baby....just a tad steep in price....maybe I've earned enough money with my pictures by Christmas ;)

Cool - looking forward to see it, Lou :)!

2008-07-03 @ 10:09
Comment from: lisaschaos [Visitor] · http://lisaschaos.com
I think you covered it. :) With one point and shoot I had you couldn't zoom at all while in macro but I could be less than 2 inches from the subject. So knowing your camera is always good. :)
2008-07-03 @ 23:02
Comment from: NicoleB [Member] Email · http://nicoleb.org
Thanks, Lisa :)
I did zoom all the way with my first 4MP and 3x optical zoom. But usually it was good for nothing :D.
Just a tad bit of zooming usually was good and getting quite close helped too :D I couldn't get too close though or the thingy didn't want to focus at all :P
2008-07-03 @ 23:26
Comment from: pandi merdeka [Visitor] · http://www.travelpatern.com
what happen if my camera don't have a macros (Olympus c860L) are have some suggestion :?: plz.. thanks Nicole and friend :D
2008-07-04 @ 00:12
Comment from: NicoleB [Member] Email · http://nicoleb.org
Best way, like I mentioned in the post, get down on your knees, or as low as necessary. Get close, keep your hand & arm / whole body steady.
Now, go out this weekend, start shooting and show them to us on your blog.
Maybe I can get some more tips then :)
Most of all, shoot & shoot & shoot, that's the Best training ;)
Have fun :D

I'll add you to the list of participants, so you "MUST" go out and shoot ;)
2008-07-04 @ 06:25

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