| Macro photography is an exciting segment of | | | | to produce different effects. |
| photography and can be very rewarding if done | | | | 5. Reflectors. Reflectors are flexible, coated discs |
| properly. Below, I've listed a few things you will | | | | that are usually colored and can be aimed to |
| need to get started with notes about each one. | | | | reflect light where you want it. I usually carry at |
| 1. Macro Lens. Many cameras let you set your | | | | least one small one in my bag specifically for |
| focus so that you are very close to your subject, | | | | macro. They fold up into almost nothing and lie |
| a macro lens lets you focus much closer, and | | | | flat for easy packing. I like one with a 'soft gold' |
| should let you get to a 1:1 ratio where your | | | | coating and often place it under flowers to reflect |
| subject is exactly the same size as your image. | | | | light up underneath the flower. This usually brings |
| Most lens manufacturers produce Macro lenses in | | | | light onto the stem and base of the flower adding |
| a 100mm or 105mm length, and some also make | | | | depth. It is a subtle thing, and can bring your |
| 150mm or 200mm lenses. The advantage of the | | | | images to that next level. |
| longer lens is that you don't need to be as close | | | | 6. Flash Diffuser. These soften the light from your |
| to your subject in order to get the 1:1 ration. This | | | | flash, which can help give your images a more |
| can be advantageous when shooting wildlife or | | | | natural look. Most diffusers are white, but you can |
| subjects that move. Most underwater housings | | | | also put colored film over your flash to bring |
| have ports for 100/105mm lenses. | | | | specific colors into your image. |
| 2. Tripod. Because you are focused so close to | | | | 7. Remote Cord for Your Camera. Some |
| your subject, your depth of field will be very | | | | cameras use a cable release while others use a |
| small. To help counter this, you will need to shoot | | | | wireless remote. Either one will let you trigger the |
| at f16 or higher which means your shutter speed | | | | shutter without moving the camera. Given the |
| will be very slow. This mandates a tripod. A tripod | | | | very slow shutter speeds, these will help to |
| will also help when setting up your shot. Removing | | | | reduce motion blur. Alternatively, Some cameras |
| any center columns and mounting your head as | | | | have a 2 sec timer, which can also be used to |
| close to the tripod collar will help you get as low | | | | help eliminate camera movement. |
| to the ground as possible. Some tripods let you | | | | 8. Extension Rings or Tubes. These are rings of |
| invert the center column and lower the camera all | | | | varying thickness that you attach between your |
| the way to the ground. This is helpful, but can be | | | | lens and the camera. They don't have any glass in |
| awkward because your camera is upside down. | | | | them, but should have electronic connectors. They |
| Some tripods are designed so that their legs will | | | | let you focus even closer than your lens normally |
| extend out flat, which is perfect for macro | | | | would. |
| photography. | | | | 9. Macro Focusing Rail. As you focus the lens, the |
| 3. Flash. With a small depth of field and large | | | | magnification changes. In some cases it may be |
| aperture, you will need to add in as much light as | | | | best to set the focus and move the camera until |
| possible to your image, and this is where your | | | | you have the desired subject in focus. Mount your |
| flash comes in. You can use a normal flash that | | | | camera on the focusing rail, then mount the rail |
| sits on top of your camera, or a ring flash that | | | | onto your tripod. The rail enables you to move |
| attaches to your lens and gives you light from all | | | | the camera in very small increments to bring your |
| angles. Alternatively, you can also find a bar that | | | | subject into focus. |
| enables you to use two flashes (one on each side | | | | This may sound like a lot, but once you have |
| of your camera), | | | | some of this equipment in your bag, you will find |
| 4. Remote Cord for Your Flash. Attach one end | | | | yourself reaching for it all of the time. It may |
| of the cord to your hot shoe on your camera, | | | | take some practice to coordinate the tripod, flash |
| and the other to your flash, and voila! You can | | | | and reflector, but once you have it down, you will |
| now move your flash where you like. Try using | | | | see your macro images improve dramatically. |
| your flash at different angles and power settings | | | | |