Macro Photography

Macro Photography



By: Dan Dexter

The World of Macro and What’s Inside

• What is “Macro Photography”

• Equipment to achieve true macro

– Which lens should I use?

– Backyard (Jerry-Riggin it) macro methods

• Lighting the scene can get pretty mean!!!

– Short flash duration by wider aperture.

• Supporting the shot, tripod and stance.

• Recommended camera settings

What is “Macro Photography”

• Macro Photography is the process of taking a

photography where the subject is the same

size on the sensor as it is in real life. This is

called 1:1 magnification.

• Ex. Canon 50D sensor is 22.3mm x 14.9mm.

• 22.3mm/22.3mm

=1:1 magnification

• 22.3mm/3.25mm

=6.86:1 magnification

Compact & SLR Cameras

• Compact cameras allow the lens

to focus at closer distances.

– Close-up filters for compact

cameras (usually don’t achieve 1:1)



• Digital SLR Cameras have the

ability to attach separate lenses

with dedicated macro settings.

• Extension tubes are also helpful.



Thank you B&H!!!!

Choosing The Right Gear

• Working distance

– Longer focal length = longer working distance.

• Size of subject and end result size

– Longer lenses may not magnify as much as shorter

macro lenses

• Canon 100mm macro has about a 2’ working

distance for butterflies, 1’ working distance at

1:1 ratio.

Lighting the scene

• Flash

– Exposure, ettl cord, Flash bracket, Diffusers

• The closer the flash is to the subject, the

“larger” it will appear, giving more diffused

lighting.

• Shoot aperture or shutter priority, or manual

mode. Expose for background, let flash

expose foreground.

• Wider aperture = shorter flash duration.

Reversing lenses

• Reversing lenses onto the front of another

– Ex. 100mm macro to 50mm = 2X life size (2:1)

– Smaller front lens = less working distance but

greater magnification.

• Stop down front lens before mounting to

retain smaller aperture.

• Reversing couplers are available.

Examples of Macro Rigs

http://www.flickr.com/photos

/johnhallmen

Stance & Tripod Use

• I will demonstrate…a little bit without looking

too stupid…

• 

• Tripod =  unless you are very calm and

patient…aka, not many of us.

Recommended Camera Settings

• Aperture priority or Shutter priority?

– Up to 1:1, use between F5-F11, Shutter 1/200, ISO

100. Adjust ISO to give F5 or smaller aperture.

• Tough background exposure?

– Exposure (EC) and flash (FEC) compensation

– Switch to Manual Mode if conditions are stable.