Do you want to master macro photography? We’ve got the perfect guide for you. Macro photography, which is taking larger-than-life-size pictures of very small subjects, is a fascinating form of photography through which you can explore and appreciate the usually unseen details of the world around you. You can of course come up with some amazing images in the process. 

In the past macro photography was impractical for many because it required a substantial investment in equipment. Macro photography is now far more attainable for everyone, whether you own a DSLR, or even a smartphone. Follow our 7 tips to master the miniature in minutes.  

1. Perfect Macro Photography Lighting  

What may seem to be great lighting when we’re looking through your own eyes, can suddenly become much less bright at ground level. We reduce the available light just by being there. There are some easy ways to bring in more lighting but beware of using your flash as this may prove too harsh. A flash diffuser may help if you are using flash.   

A small dimmable torch may be useful in some instances. A white piece of card can make a great reflector, especially if you’re just starting to try out macro photography. Once you’ve played with light levels, to get a truly great shot consider investing in some specialist lighting. We have a huge range of new and used lighting equipment. You may also benefit from keeping a higher shutter speed.   

2. Stabilise Your Camera 

Try using a tripod and a remote shutter release. Alternatively, you can set up your shots so that your camera is as stable as you can make it. Even tiny movements are exaggerated when shooting in macro and will make your image blurred in all the wrong ways. Keeping your camera as steady as possible is the key to capturing the perfect macro shot. 

If you’re not using a remote shutter release, try to shoot on the out-breath for the least movement.  

When out and about, it may not always be practical to have your whole kit at hand. It’s always handy to keep a small, portable tripod in your bag but don’t worry if not, try and find a nice sturdy, flat rock or tree stump, anything that will allow you to keep that camera as steady as possible.  

 3. Macro Photography Needs A Low ISO 

Try to set your ISO to around 200 when possible. This will mean the darker areas of your shot won’t be full of the bright pixels created by noise. This will give you the best quality photograph so you are more likely to be able to view it on a large scale. This won’t always be possible if the light is too low as the shutter speed will rise to compensate, leading to motion blur or camera shake. And as we know, motion of any type is not good for macro.  

If you need expert advice please feel free to call into one of our three stores in London, Essex and Stevenage or give us a call on 01438 367619.   

4. Selecting The Right Aperture For Macro Photography 

The closer you are to your subject, the shallower the depth of field becomes. This is the area of sharp focus. This can make it difficult to get your entire subject in sharp focus. If you’re using a DSLR you can increase the depth of field by decreasing the aperture. Simply choose a larger f-number.  

Decreasing your aperture, however, does restrict light. You may also need to decrease your shutter speed to compensate for this. As we said above, if the shutter speed is too slow it can be difficult to get a perfectly clear image. The best solution is to take lots of macro shots, at varying ISO levels, shutter speeds and f-stops to find out what’s right for you and your camera’s capabilities.  

5. Composing A Macro Shot 

If you’re photographing nature using micro, it’s so easy to forget the importance of composition such as the rule of thirds and negative space. Sometimes you may be able to correct composition in editing but try to be mindful at the shooting stage.  

If you’re shooting a staged subject, get your camera fixed and don’t move it. Once you’ve got your shot framed, light balanced and well in focus, keep your camera as it is and make any adjustments by moving the subject. Arranging your subject so that it can easily be moved, lifted and turned can be a great timesaver.  

Try different backgrounds if you’re indoors. You will find that by changing the background, you will change the entire aesthetic of your image. Play around with different coloured cards for example. Smooth backgrounds are usually best rather than anything very textured. 

 6. Use Manual Focus 

If you have a point and shoot camera this may not be an option. There may be some ability to alter the focus to a degree, but a DSLR will allow you to get the best macro shots. By adjusting the focus yourself, rather than using auto-focus, you can get the exact area of sharpness you want to capture.  

If trying to capture wildlife, Janice Gill has some great advice. She says “Set the focus up on the spot where you want your subject to be and wait till it gets there. Of course, you need to know where it might get to so observing your subject's habits for a while will help. It also helps to know a little about fieldcraft. For instance, bees and butterflies take a while to warm up in the morning so they are easier to capture early in the day. Beetles have a tendency to climb to the top of a blade of grass or flower spike as they wander around giving you the chance to compose your shot” 

7. Practice Really Does Make Perfect Macro Photography Images 

It’s the same with any type of photography, practice really does make perfect. These days there’s no film to waste so shoot, shoot and shoot again. Play around with different settings, varied lighting and of course, multiple subjects. Because you’re shooting the tiniest of objects, at a very close distance, it makes macro photography different from other types. Outdoor macro photography is great fun. There are so many potential subjects; flowers, plants, insects, tree stumps, just about anything in nature can make for a stunning final image.  

If you’re considering getting serious about macro photography you’ll find everything you need in each of our three stores in London, Essex and Stevenage or in our online store for UK wide delivery. We have a huge selection of new and used photography equipment and welcome part exchange if you’re looking to upgrade.