Photojournalism

PRE-320/JRN-320 – Dr. Anthony Curtis

Macro Photography

You know what would help that out-of-focus picture? Macro.

A common bit of advice offered to a new photographer is "get closer to your subject." That's because beginners often shoot from too far away, so the subject is lost among all the other stuff in the picture.

Close-up photography – also known as macro photography – takes moving in to the extreme by shooting subjects from closer than is possible with a typical or normal camera lenses.

Close-up photography lets you produce images you can't see easily with your unaided eye. Using macro lets you create interesting photos by exploring those elements of our world that we sometimes don't see and often take for granted.

You can zero-in on a small portion of a large subject to fill the frame with a tiny subject or create an interesting abstract image.

While macro or close-up lenses are available, your modern digital camera does not require them close-up photography. The capability comes built-into your digital camera. Just select macro from among the camera's controls. Macro often is indicated on the camera control panel by a small flower symbol that you may think looks something like a tulip.

Close-Up Shooting Tips

When you move in close, you magnify everything. That not only includes the subject, but the effects of camera and subject movement as well.

To minimize camera movement during close-up work, you must steady the camera. One way would be to attach the camera to a sturdy tripod.

• What if you donπt have a tripod? Substitute one of these:

o a book bag or camera bag

o a sandbag or extra firm pillow

o wooden or cement blocks

o a car fender or roof

o a ledge or step

o a windowsill or a car window frame

o a chair back or a wall

o or any support that will hold the camera very steady as you press the shutter release.

For hand-held close-up work, it's best to move the camera slowly toward the subject until it comes into focus. Be sure macro is turned on before you start moving in on the subject.

Too much finger pressure can be bad. The pressure of your finger on the camera's shutter release can cause the camera to jiggle. Since the mere act of pushing the button with your finger can introduce movement, you could move away and trip the shutter with the camera's self-timer, a remote shutter release cable, or a radio-controlled shutter release.

Shutter speed. Using the fastest shutter speed the light level will permit will minimize blur due to subject movement. To control shutter speed and lens aperature, you would switch the camera from automatic to manual control.

Aperature. Since depth of field is extremely limited at close-up shooting distances, you'll generally want to shoot at the smallest aperture possible to maximize depth of field.

Breezy. If there's a breeze, you can use a sheet of poster board to shield your subject from it.

Throwing some light on the subject. White poster board makes a good light reflector, too. Dark poster board, on the other hand, can be used to block harsh sunlight from the subject.

You also might wish carry a small flashlight to help illuminate your subjects for easier focusing.

Butterflies You can approach butterflies closely if you are careful to move toward them slowly. They sense motion, and will take flight if you present a moving form against a light sky. Do you know of a butterfly house. Those exhibits offer a great opportunity for shooting a variety of butterfly species.

Other bugs. You can find bugs anywhere. Just take a close look and you'll see countless varieties. For a more organized approach, visit the entomology collection at a zoo or botanical garden.

Flowers. Fresh, brightly colored flowers make great close-up subjects and usually can be found within easy walking distance, perhaps even as close as your neighbor's yard. They also are seen in botanical gardens, corporate landscaping, greenhouses, nurseries or even church yards.

Clothing. You may want to wear older work clothes as you might end up crawling around in the dirt looking for that perfect tiny toadstool to shoot.