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Macro Photography

Zebra longwing

Macro photography, commonly known as macro, has become popular with digital photography. Before, the development costs associated with the ratio of failure/difficulty rate made this discipline difficult for both amateurs and professionals. We know that with digital photography, one more photo costs nothing, so why deprive oneself?

A little reminder for the purists: macro has a ratio superior or equal to 1/1, this means that 1 mm of the subject has to be superior (or equal) to 1 mm on the sensor. But for ease of use the term is used as much for macro as for "close-up photography".

In macro, the list of "useful dedicated" accessories is long: flash, lens, close-up filter, etc. Do not succumb to the "recommendations of sellers", start with your basic equipment (see Equipment section) to familiarize yourself with it, you will then be able to decide what you really need.

Have the tips in this section helped you? If so, send me one of your photos, I will publish it on this page.

My experience

If you own a SLR and a short focal length lens (20 to 35 mm), consider the "reverse lens" technique before anything else: a less expensive solution than a "macro" lens.

Due to the relationship between the subject's proximity and the very shallow depth of field, it is necessary to disengage the autofocus (lack of contrast to focus) to switch to manual focus.

Position yourself at your subject's level (except for specific frames).

Do not hesitate to turn around the subject, change the framing: details, close-up, overview, etc.

Use natural light, but avoid the midday sunlight:
▨ using a diffuser,
▨ photographing in the shade using a reflector. If necessary, use the built-in flash for "fill-in" but beware of reflections on the insect shells.

Try to shoot hand-held.

You are going to be often on your knees and laying on the ground, so think about your comfort but also about nuisance: wear pants, long sleeves, boots, etc. Bring insect repellent with you.

During your stays on the ground that will be rather numerous, a bag of rice or dried vegetables will be very useful to wedge your device.

For plant macrophotography, beware of the wind. Without attaching your subject to a sturdy stand, your focus will become almost impossible.

▨ A sturdy tripod (indispensable in my opinion).

▨ A camera.

As a reminder I list here the main sensors (the most used, from the largest to the smallest) because from the size of the sensor will depend the "look" of your photos:
▨ medium format = 6 cm x 6 cm,
▨ full frame = full size = 24 mm x 36 mm,
▨ APS-C = 16.7 mm x 25.1 mm,
▨ micro 4/3 = 13 mm x 17.3 mm,
▨ compacts, bridges and some phones = 4.6 mm x 6.1 mm.

Whatever you choose, you should know that the size of your sensor will greatly affect the size of the area of sharpness and depth of field (DOF). Be aware of the fact that the smaller the sensor, the greater the DOF (which makes it difficult to create artistic blur). In the same way, the smaller the sensor, the smaller the distance to the subject (which leads to a "bigger" magnification).

▨ A "macro" lens or any other lens with a short focus value (less than 35 cm).

For insects, learn to identify the "host plants" of the species you are looking for..

Get out early in the morning:
▨ the days after cool nights for the dew,
▨ insects are more active as the temperature warms up, or after the rain.

Start by observing the surrounding life a few minutes. Which species are there? Who does what?

Respect the local flora, do not crush ten wild flowers to photograph one.

For a best held-hand stability, put a DIY clip on one of the legs of your tripod and use it as a stand.

Prepare your lens regarding the focusing distance you want to use. Focus on your subject and then adjust the focusing point by moving back and forth.

SEND YOUR PHOTO

Head down. Full frame, 105 mm macro, f/8, 1/400s

Damselfly. APS-C, 105 mm macro + teleconverter x2, f/18, 1/80s

The Queen of England. Full frame, 90 mm macro, f/16, 6s + close-up filter 10

Scorpion. Full frame, 105 mm macro + teleconverter x2, f/14, 1/100s

Giant Grasshopper. APS-C, 90 mm macro, f/11, 1/160s

Daylily. Full frame, 105 mm macro, f/4, 1/320s

The eyes of the tarantula. APS-C, 90 mm macro, f/13, 1/20s

Stainless steel. Full frame, 105 mm macro + teleconverter x2, f/10, 1/125s