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How to Get Started With Super Macro Photography: 9 Tips
Are you mesmerized by the symmetry in a single snowflake? Do you find close-up photos of insect eyes captivating? Well, that's the beauty of macro shots—they let you see things you don't often see. And super macro photos take it to the next level.
With a true macro lens, you can project your subject in life-size on the sensor. Although super or ultra macro images look intimidating, taking them is not very hard. Surprisingly, you can use basic gear, and you don't need any expert skills.
1. Start With 1:1 Macro Photography First
If you've never taken macro photos, diving head-first into super macro photography is not a good idea. Macro photography can be challenging for beginners because the depth of field is too shallow. And with close subjects, autofocus will not help. You must also be comfortable with the exposure triangle to expose the subject correctly.
All these issues can be magnified when you try larger than 1:1 macro photography. So get comfortable with macro photography before venturing into ultra macro photography. This way, you will know the common problems and their solutions and avoid frustrations.
2. Use Extension Tubes, Filters, or Reversal Rings
You can use your existing camera and kit lens to start super macro photography. To begin with, you can buy a close-up filter, reversal rings, or extension tubes.
Each one has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For instance, low-quality filters can introduce unwanted artifacts, extension tubes reduce the light, and using reversal rings can expose the delicate part of your lens to dust and elements.
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So, do some research and choose the right option. Clip-on filters like Raynox DCR 150 and 250 are handy for capturing insects outdoors, and extension tubes are suitable for studio shots.
3. Invest in an Ultra Macro Lens
You can't take ultra macro photos with a 1:1 macro lens like the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 or Canon 100mm f/2.8 unless you crop the images too tight. This can sometimes lead to a loss of quality. So, you have to use one of the accessories like extension tubes or filters to get more magnification.
Or, you can buy ultra macro lenses. Canon's 65mm f/2.8 1-5X is the mother of all ultra macro lenses. It is a manual focus lens that can magnify up to five times the life size.
Unfortunately, Canon discontinued the lens, so your best bet is to get it used. Even then, it can be pricey, costing a few hundred dollars. Instead, try the Laowa brand, which has a few ultra macro lenses in different focal lengths at budget-friendly pricing.
4. Try Artificial Lighting
When you get closer to your subject, and the more you magnify it, the depth of field will become sliver-thin. You may be using f/16 but still only see a fraction of your subject in focus. So, you cannot open the aperture wide to add more light. Nor can you decrease the shutter speed if you want to capture a busy insect.
Artificial light will allow you to maintain the correct exposure without bumping the ISO too high.
A speedlight is a valuable tool when shooting outdoors early or late in the evening or in a studio setting. Choose a speedlight with high-speed sync to expose just the subject and make the background dark.
5. Practice Manual Focus
The advanced autofocus system in the latest cameras is a boon for wildlife photographers, but it is of little help in super macro photography. If you're used to your camera's autofocus nailing your shots, you have to practice using manual focus for super macro photography. Manual focus can be challenging in the beginning, but you will get better with experience.
Initially, use the live view on the LCD screen of your camera. You can zoom in and check if the subject is in focus.
6. Learn Focus Stacking
As a macro photographer, focus stacking is crucial to learn and master. You have to focus stack almost all of your ultra macro photos.
The idea behind focus stacking is to take pictures at different focus points and stack them together in post-processing. You can use a manual or motorized focus rail to take these shots. Or, just try focusing manually on different areas of your subject.
If you want some help, see our guide to focus stacking in Lightroom and Photoshop.
7. Feel Free to Crop
For many, cropping photos can be a polarizing subject, but as a macro photographer, you must learn to embrace cropping. With tiny subjects, it is impossible to fill the frame. You are portraying the subjects in larger-than-life sizes, so you must rely on cropping to make your subjects stand out.
There are some ground rules, though. Shoot in RAW, remember not to crop too much, and avoid resizing the images.
8. Shoot Early in the Morning
With insect subjects, you have to focus stack to reveal their details. But they are also fast-moving. So there is no way you can take multiple pictures with the same composition.
There is a workaround for this, though. Insects are cold-blooded, and they need the sun to be active. If you go early in the morning when the temperatures are cooler, insects can be cooperative because they don't move much.
Better still, go macro shooting in the spring and fall seasons when the mornings are cooler with frost. You can also try after it rained when insects are less active.
9. Try Flash Bracketing
If you find manual focus difficult, try flash bracketing, where your camera can take a set of pictures at different focus points. You can then stack them with your preferred software. This facility may not be available in all cameras—you're most likely to find this in higher-end, professional cameras.
If you plan on getting a new camera, do some digging if you want this particular function. All major camera brands support this function, but you have to search for the camera models specifically.
Taking Super Macro Photos Is Within Reach
Super macro photography may look complicated, but it is fairly easy to get started. You can try it today with your basic camera, lens, and an inexpensive accessory like an extension tube or reversal ring. Also, brush up on your editing skills. Regular practice is crucial for learning different techniques and taking amazing pictures.
