| Macro photography is a technique which allows | | | | threads on the front of a lens. This allows the lens |
| photographers to take close-up shots of subjects. | | | | to be used for macro photography. Oftentimes |
| Though it once referred exclusively to | | | | photos can be taken in up to 4:1 magnification |
| photography which rendered the subject in | | | | with a reversing ring while still maintaining excellent |
| life-size on the negative, it has come to | | | | image quality. |
| encompass almost all magnified photographic | | | | Extension tubes, or bellows, extend the distance |
| techniques. Macro photography differs in many | | | | between the camera lens and the film or the |
| ways from other types of photography: it often | | | | digital light sensor within the camera. This makes |
| requires specialized equipment and it requires that | | | | the focusing distance of the camera much |
| the photographer make a number of special | | | | shorter, allowing for higher degrees of |
| considerations when planning their shots. This brief | | | | magnification. This also has the effect of making |
| guide will give you an overview of macro | | | | the image darker for the same aperture settings, |
| photography techniques. | | | | a fact which should not be overlooked by the |
| Macro photography requires some specialized | | | | photographer when they are planning their shot. |
| equipment. Most often, this includes macro lenses | | | | Another special consideration macro |
| and extension tubes. The focal length of a macro | | | | photographers must keep in mind is that the |
| lens determines the smallest size of the objects it | | | | depth of field of macro photographs is very |
| can capture. Focal lengths in the range of 50-60 | | | | limited. This makes focusing a critical step, as the |
| mm are most often used for product | | | | photographer must determine which element of |
| photography or small objects. 90-105 mm lenses | | | | the subject should be in central focus. Lighting is |
| are appropriate for insects and flowers. 150-200 | | | | also a hurdle for new macro photographers to |
| mm lenses are most often used for small insect | | | | overcome. This is because macro photography |
| photography. Most of these lenses are 1:1, or | | | | setups often leave very little space between the |
| 'standard' magnification. | | | | lens and the subject. Telephoto macro lenses are |
| Some macro lenses, however, can achieve up to | | | | a popular solution for this problem, as they leave |
| 5:1 magnification. These are necessary for | | | | considerably more space between the lens and |
| capturing detail in extremely small objects such as | | | | subject. Ring flashes are another solution to this |
| snowflakes and insect eyes. If you don't want to | | | | problem. As they attach to the outer edge of the |
| spend the money on a new macro lens, you can | | | | lens, they require very little distance to the |
| use a reversing ring. These rings allow lenses to | | | | subject to properly light them. |
| be attached backwards by attaching to the filter | | | | |