Macro Photography allows you to capture sharp, close-up pictures of small subjects that bring out the fine details. Subjects can be insects, flowers or inanimate objects.
To understand Macro Photography, let’s first understand Magnification Ratio which determines how large the subject/object will appear in your photograph.
A Magnification Ratio of 1:1 implies that when you take a picture from the closest distance, the image formed on the camera sensor will be a life-size image (of the same size as the subject is in real life).
Macro lens is used for macro photography. It offers a magnification ratio of 1:1 aka life size magnification.
To get a better understanding of 100mm macro lens, check this link https://www.amazon.com/Canon-100mm-Macro-Digital-Cameras/dp/B002NEGTSI
Minimum focus distance for 100mm macro lens is 30cms whereas for 35mm macro lens is 13cms; to get life-size image, you’ll have to go closer to the subject in case of 35mm macro lens.
To get a better understanding of 35mm macro lens, check this link https://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-35mm-2-8-Macro/dp/B06Y1HQDQQ
Macro lens is different from a telephoto or zoom lens. A telephoto/zoom lens brings distant subjects closer (like bird photography) while a macro lens is designed to focus and capture images of small subjects (like insects) that are very close to the camera/camera’s sensor to bring out their details.
Zoom lens offer magnification but have much larger minimum focus distance.
To get a better understanding of 250mm zoom lens, check this link https://www.amazon.in/Canon-55-250mm-4-5-6-Telephoto-Camera/dp/B0056E49MK
With 250mm zoom lens, the minimum focus distance is 110cms (1.1m) with a magnification ratio of 1:3. (image of your subject will be smaller in comparison to 1:1).
Some of the other areas of Macro Photography include Photographing Eyes and Photographing Flowers.
We bring you ‘Jo & His Camera’ Comic Strips wherein a Magical Camera gives DSLR photography tutorials to Jo.
To understand Macro Photography, Click on the below Image to see the Comic wherein the Camera explains Jo, the concept of Macro Photography with the help of practical examples.
Macro Photography Tips for You
If you are using lens with longer focal length of 100mm and above, you need not be very close to the subject while photographing it.
On the other hand, if you are using lens with focal length shorter than 100mm, you will have to get closer to the subject to photograph it.
(Remember: Do not take your camera closer to the subject than the lens’ minimum focus distance or else it won’t be able to focus and even if you release the shutter button to take the shot, it’ll not allow you to click the photo/release the shutter)
Click here to read the blog on how to get better focus in photography and conditions where camera’s Autofocus (AF) mode finds it difficult to set the focus point and hence switching to Manual Focus (MF) mode is recommended (photographing very small subjects is one of them).
When you do photography: Remember the 5E’s – Explore, Experiment, Experience, Enjoy & Express to develop your own style as a photographer.
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