If you have begun experimenting with different ways to get creative digital images, you may have been wondering how to take close up photos with a digital camera. You can now use your highly-rated digital camera to take close up photos. Keep reading to find all you need to know about macro photography and macro shots.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The art of taking close-up photos or extreme close-up photos is called macro photography or close-up photography.
- Most cameras can handle macro photography or a close-up shot, so long as you experiment with the various settings and get a handle on its capabilities.
- Try installing a macro lens, instituting the camera’s macro mode, and experimenting with depth of field when attempting close-up photography. You may also want to experiment with the camera’s manual modes.
- A slow shutter speed can be good for close-up photography and close-up images as can an abundance of natural light.
What is Macro Photography?
Macro photography is a subset of digital photography that involves shots that are extremely close to the subject. Think of an ant or a flower and you’ll have the general idea of what constitutes a macro photo.
Why Get Into Macro Photography?
Understanding the fundamentals of macro photography is an absolute must for certain types of images, such as extreme close-ups of smaller-than-average subjects. Plus, it’s just fun. Wildlife photographers and even some sports photographs are well-versed in the ways of macro photography. Plus it opens you to a world of more creativity like learning how to take bokeh photos with a digital camera.
Insider Tip
Macro photography is a subset of digital photography that involves shots that are extremely close to the subject.
How to Take Close Up Photos With a Digital Camera
Each camera is different, so there are no universal guidelines when it comes to taking close up digital images. Still, here are some tips to take into consideration as you go about practicing your macro photography.
Experiment with Depth of Field
You should become intimate with the settings of your digital camera, most importantly the depth of field setting. The depth of field setting can make or break a macro shot. Experiment with it until you find that you can take a sharp macro image.
Try Out Manual Focus
As you study your subject, preparing for a shot, try out your camera’s manual focus feature. Your camera’s automatic focus may not be the best tool for macro photographers. Some cameras, however, do have a macro mode that will adjust the focus to fit the needs of macro photographers.
Insider Tip
You should become intimate with the settings of your digital camera, most importantly the depth of field setting.
Install a Macro Lens
There are numerous camera lenses on the market that have been purpose-built for macro photography. Try out one of these macro lenses in tandem with the camera’s macro mode. These macro lenses can really get up close to produce some gorgeous extreme close-ups.
Study Your Camera
Even a simple point-and-shoot camera or a compact camera can handle macro photos. Dive into the settings to look for a macro mode. In many cameras, the macro mode can be found via a flower icon. You should also experiment with exposure times, shallow depth, the shutter button, and more. Make sure you also have a good light source for the macro image.
If you would love some more fun with your camera then you can also find out how to take pictures in low light with a digital camera.
Warning
Your camera’s automatic focus may not be the best tool for macro photographers.
F.A.Q.
What equipment do you need for macro photography?
In most cases, just a camera. However, you may need a macro lens or a tripod to keep your hands steady as you attempt to get the perfect shot of a subject in focus.
How to focus on the moon?
Taking shots of the moon is pretty much the exact opposite of macro photography, though it is a task most DSLR cameras can certainly handle. As a matter of fact, the camera’s autofocus should be able to focus on the moon when necessary.
Do I need a macro lens?
No, not necessarily. You can get great macro shots without a dedicated lens, though one of these macro lenses can certainly simplify the whole process. The same can be said for extension tubes.
STAT: Macro photography, according to the most technical definition, is photographing subjects at 1:1 or higher magnification. (source)
