Ready for an extreme close-up? If you’re a photographer curious about macro photography or wanting to improve your craft, we will teach you everything you need to know!

What is Macro Photography?

The word “macro” means looking at things on a large-scale. In photography, macro means taking pictures of tiny objects (such as insects or other phenomena). When images are shot in this manner, the subject (for example, a dragonfly) will be shown in all of its glory!

This means that the final, finished image will be intricate and have detailed dimensions not visible with the human eye. Macro photography can be used within many genres, such as portrait and travel photography or even to shoot images of inanimate objects (such as gemstones and jewelry).

Macro Photography Tips for Beginners

Magnification

When working with macro photography, photographers think in terms of ratio. Lifesize is a 1:1 magnification and half size is a 1:2 magnification. Beware of images shot at 1/10th of life-size, as that is not “macro” or close-up photography.

Try and find a macro lens which allows you to shoot at that 1:1 ratio or better, with additional features which will enable you to magnify even more. For instance, manufacturers like Canon sell a macro lens with 5x magnification, or 5:1.

Distance from Your Subject

The distance between your lens and the subject you’re working with is called “working distance”. In traditional photography, it might be easy to observe how this working distance impacts your shots. In macro shots, if you get too close to the subject, you might block the reflective light and produce a blurry image.

DSLRs and Mirrorless

For macro photography, you have the option of a mirrorless camera or a DSLR camera. By pairing these with a great macros lens, you’ll soon be on your way to life-size (or better) photographs. According to Photography Life, the differences between the two are “generally negligible” and sometimes swerve in “favor or mirrorless”.

This might be based on the fact that mirrorless cameras offer focus peaking. When you use focus peaking, your camera has an overlay which allows you to check focus and use manual focus while working within macro images.

User Tip: If you opt for a mirrorless camera, buy one with an electronic viewfinder.

Focal Length

When selecting a lens for your macro shots, compare focal lengths against your desired use. These types include:

• 45-65 mm: You can use this for small objects which you can get close to, along with showcasing the background.
• 90-105 mm: Perfect when you photograph inanimate objects, insects, flowers, etc. from a reasonable distance away.
• 150-200 mm: When you can’t get close to your subject, and a greater working distance is required, this camera will work.

Continuously-Variable Focal Length

You can use this for almost any subject during your macro shoot.

Familiarize Yourself with the Scheimpflug Principle

As you are photographing with a magnifying lens, consider the planes and constructs you are working within. This will allow you to focus on (or not) the subjects you want.

Macro Photography Ideas

Not sure what to photograph first? You can start in your backyard, home, or studio. Try these ideas and see how they turn out.

Bees

Bees pollinate flowers, and they can also make for stunning macro photography. Don’t confront an entire swarm of bees (or do so at your own risk), but try and capture an image of a lone bee!

Dandelion

Dandelion seeds aren’t only for making wishes; you can capture their fluid movement and motion, blow or let the breeze do its work.

Wedding Ring

Try taking macro shots of you or your spouse’s wedding ring. Unmarried? Borrow a ring, but whatever you do, don’t lose it!

Water

Head toward a body of water (creek, river, lake, or ocean) and take images of the insects, plant-life, or small, notable subjects you see.

Insects and Plant Life

You may not enjoy flies crawling on you during a hot summer day, but they can make for a fantastic shot. If insects aren’t your thing, consider plants and flowers, and get close (such as an image of a flower’s pistil).

What do all types of photography have in common? Online photo theft! Some forms of photo theft are perpetuated by sites or businesses that know what they’re doing and want to make money off your hard work.

Other types of photo theft happen when regular internet users see a photograph they like and use or share it without crediting the original creator. Start locating your stolen images and put a stop to your work being uncredited. Berify scans multiple search engines, databases, and social media sites.

With Berify, you can find out who stole your images, along with how and where they were used. Retain credit for your photographs and credibility for your exclusive photo rights using Berify.