It's In The Details

Go beyond the ordinary macro shot to create striking close-ups anywhere

Text And Photography By Rob Sheppard

Labels: How To

This Article Features Photo Zoom

As you get physically closer and closer to your subject, you’ll find increasingly interesting possibilities for your images. The world looks different up close. You may find that your original subject is no longer the most compelling thing in front of your lens as you approach macro distances. Common subjects for close-up work are flowers and insects; they can be fun to photograph, and you can get outstanding images of them. But if you stay open to other close-up possibilities, you’ll discover a wealth of other subjects. In fact, just moving in close with your camera will help you see new worlds of compositions and subjects.

The details of nature offer a lot to you as a photographer that go beyond simple subject matter options:

1 You can shoot nature close-ups at almost any time, in any weather and in any place. That’s such a great benefit, giving you options for continuing to photograph when other subjects are less promising.

2 This type of photography will enhance the way you see light. Since close work has such a different scale, you can quickly move around a subject to find better light in ways that you can’t do with a larger subject.

3 Close-up detail work will train your eye for better compositions. The close shot can be your proving ground to experiment with composition, quickly trying different backgrounds, different proportions, going beyond the rule of thirds and more.

One thing I find helpful when doing close-up and macro work is to look for photographs and not subjects. With flowers and insects, I’m after a specific subject. With dew, leaf patterns or moss landscapes, for example, I look for interesting photos, not interesting subjects. That’s a subtle, but important change in how you think about taking pictures.

Look For Light And Its Effects
No matter the subject, the light always matters. The more you appreciate and develop your relationship to light, the better your photos will become. Up close, you really have the chance to work the light on a subject.

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kim makes this comment

Thursday, 19 November 2009

can you also add close up filters to a macro lens to get even more close up?
MK makes this comment

Thursday, 05 November 2009

Is there any way to take close ups without spending a fortune on expensive lenses etc? After all, we are in a recession and I have work furlough...
scott makes this comment

Monday, 02 November 2009

I always loved macro photography recently got tamaron 90 mm macro and just started to have some fun
PhotoKingh makes this comment

Sunday, 01 November 2009

On a trip in Japan. Most photos I do with zoom and a wide angle. To save space in my backpack, to macro with me. But sometimes I run into some nice details, insects and strange colour big spiders... Too bad the macro lens had to stay home.
Mark O makes this comment

Friday, 30 October 2009

I used to own an 85mm 1.8. When I got myself a tamron 90mm, i would say that I am more happy with the latter. NOthing wrong with the 85mm but practically wise, the latter is able to provide excellent macro capabality plus it can be used for portraits. Though when used for portraits, you need to do some extra work in post production to soften the skin a bit.
joyce makes this comment

Thursday, 22 October 2009

Gina, I have the 90mm and not only does it take amazing macros, but the close up portraits are beautiful! I love this lens.
Chrys T makes this comment

Monday, 19 October 2009

Website is www.featherlightphotography.co.uk
Chrys T makes this comment

Monday, 19 October 2009

I have the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro and have been very happy with it, both for macro photography and for taking portraits. There are examples on my website.
gina makes this comment

Monday, 19 October 2009

85mm f1.8 or Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro? Anyone own both or have experience with them? i heard the Tamron is excellent and produces better bokeh than the Nikkor macro. I know the 85mm is a prime and not a macro, but i'm trying to decide between these two. any input? thanks! :O)
John makes this comment

Saturday, 10 October 2009

Great article, thanks.

How-To

It's In The Details

Go beyond the ordinary macro shot to create striking close-ups anywhere

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