10 top tips for shooting better macro shots

The first thing to get your head around when choosing a macro lens is there’s a big difference between lenses that shoot close-ups and those that shoot true macro pictures. Many lenses – like telephoto zooms – claim to have a ‘macro’ function, but to be a true macro device in the scientific sense, they must be able to focus close enough so that your subject is reproduced at lifesize. That’s a reproduction ratio of 1:1 or a magnification of 1x, and it means the subject appears at the same size as it would be if you placed it directly on the camera’s sensor. The good news is that whether you choose the Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Micro with its built-in Vibration Reduction technology or the Nikon AF 60mm f/2.8D Micro for your macro photography, they’ll both give you a perfect macro shot. Plus, with their fast maximum apertures they also double up as great portrait lenses, so it’s like getting two lenses for the price of one!

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK

Macro photography gives you a totally fresh and exciting view on the world around you and this means you can find loads of great subjects right under your nose – try simple household items like tools and cutlery for a start.

LOOK FOR TEXTURES

Macro mainstays like insects and flowers are great, but if you’re looking for a more abstract approach, try seeking out textures, such as the fine details of leaves or the delicate patterns of seashells.

ADD A DEWY GLISTEN

If you’re shooting plants and flowers, you can make them look even better with a fine spray of water – a few well-placed water droplets on petals and leaves adds a feeling of freshness and sparkle to the subject and all you need is a cheap garden spray.

LIGHT LOSS

Even if the front element doesn’t physically extend, macro lenses suffer from light loss when focusing down to the maximum 1:1 reproduction, so an f/2.8 macro lens will offer a slower effective aperture when used at its full potential.

DEPTH-OF-FIELD

Because of the magnification involved, even higher f/numbers like f/8 and f/11 will produce a very shallow depth-of-field when shooting with a macro lens. Try shooting at the lens’s minimum aperture – f/22 or f/32 for example – if you want to pack in the detail.

PREVIEW THE DEPTH-OF-FIELD

When framing up, all lenses use their maximum aperture, like f/2.8. This lets more light in and makes composition and focusing easier, so you’ll see a shallow depth-of-field. For a better idea of how your macro shot will look when using higher f/numbers, press your camera’s Depth-of-Field preview button.

MANUAL FOCUS

When shooting in macro, using autofocus can be fiddly and the AF may struggle to lock on where you want it to. Instead, set your focus to manual and, while looking through the viewfinder, rock back and forward until your shot is sharp where you want it to be.

MOVE THE SUBJECT, NOT THE CAMERA

For even easier and more precise focusing on table-top subjects, mount your camera on a tripod, switch to Manual focus mode and then set the focus as close as it will go. You’ll now be able to slide the subject around in the viewfinder until it's crisp and clear.

RING FLASH

Because macro lenses tend to be long, or have a front element that ‘racks out’ towards the subject, using your camera’s pop-up flash will just cast a shadow on the subject. Close-up enthusiasts prefer to use a dedicated macro flash mounted around the front of the lens.

CHECK FOR SHARPNESS

Always review your macro shots on the camera’s screen and zoom right in to check that they’re sharp exactly where you want them to be – it’s better to discover a badly focused shot at the time of shooting than hours later on your PC screen.

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Upload your photographs to the Photoanswers.co.uk gallery? Click here.

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	MORE content Ten Tips - Macro Ten Tips - Action Ten Tips - Portraits Ten Tips - Landscapes Ultimate lens selection Essential accessories Meet Bob Atkins, pro golf photographer Win £1000 to spend on Nikon kit Home Todaysgolfer.co.uk			10 top tips for shooting better macro shots The first thing to get your head around when choosing a macro lens is there’s a big difference between lenses that shoot close-ups and those that shoot true macro pictures. Many lenses – like telephoto zooms – claim to have a ‘macro’ function, but to be a true macro device in the scientific sense, they must be able to focus close enough so that your subject is reproduced at lifesize. That’s a reproduction ratio of 1:1 or a magnification of 1x, and it means the subject appears at the same size as it would be if you placed it directly on the camera’s sensor. The good news is that whether you choose the Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Micro with its built-in Vibration Reduction technology or the Nikon AF 60mm f/2.8D Micro for your macro photography, they’ll both give you a perfect macro shot. Plus, with their fast maximum apertures they also double up as great portrait lenses, so it’s like getting two lenses for the price of one! . TAKE ANOTHER LOOK Macro photography gives you a totally fresh and exciting view on the world around you and this means you can find loads of great subjects right under your nose – try simple household items like tools and cutlery for a start. Take a look at the underside of leaves for beautiful textures LOOK FOR TEXTURES Macro mainstays like insects and flowers are great, but if you’re looking for a more abstract approach, try seeking out textures, such as the fine details of leaves or the delicate patterns of seashells. Use a water spray to add a beautiful dewy glow ADD A DEWY GLISTEN If you’re shooting plants and flowers, you can make them look even better with a fine spray of water – a few well-placed water droplets on petals and leaves adds a feeling of freshness and sparkle to the subject and all you need is a cheap garden spray. LIGHT LOSS Even if the front element doesn’t physically extend, macro lenses suffer from light loss when focusing down to the maximum 1:1 reproduction, so an f/2.8 macro lens will offer a slower effective aperture when used at its full potential. Add a dewy glint with a simple water spray DEPTH-OF-FIELD Because of the magnification involved, even higher f/numbers like f/8 and f/11 will produce a very shallow depth-of-field when shooting with a macro lens. Try shooting at the lens’s minimum aperture – f/22 or f/32 for example – if you want to pack in the detail. PREVIEW THE DEPTH-OF-FIELD When framing up, all lenses use their maximum aperture, like f/2.8. This lets more light in and makes composition and focusing easier, so you’ll see a shallow depth-of-field. For a better idea of how your macro shot will look when using higher f/numbers, press your camera’s Depth-of-Field preview button. MANUAL FOCUS When shooting in macro, using autofocus can be fiddly and the AF may struggle to lock on where you want it to. Instead, set your focus to manual and, while looking through the viewfinder, rock back and forward until your shot is sharp where you want it to be. MOVE THE SUBJECT, NOT THE CAMERA For even easier and more precise focusing on table-top subjects, mount your camera on a tripod, switch to Manual focus mode and then set the focus as close as it will go. You’ll now be able to slide the subject around in the viewfinder until it's crisp and clear. RING FLASH Because macro lenses tend to be long, or have a front element that ‘racks out’ towards the subject, using your camera’s pop-up flash will just cast a shadow on the subject. Close-up enthusiasts prefer to use a dedicated macro flash mounted around the front of the lens. CHECK FOR SHARPNESS Always review your macro shots on the camera’s screen and zoom right in to check that they’re sharp exactly where you want them to be – it’s better to discover a badly focused shot at the time of shooting than hours later on your PC screen. Why not upload your photographs? Upload your photographs to the Photoanswers.co.uk gallery? Click here. Learn From A PRO Golf photographer must-have kit : Learn what kit you should have to tackle any situation . Meet bob atkins : Read our Q&A with Bob, pro nikon golf photographer.. win Nikon kit: Win over £1000 to spend on Nikon camera kit..