Macro photography is not only fun, but it can produce some of the most stunning images out there. The way you can get incredibly detailed close-up shots of flower petals, raindrops, insects—beautiful up-close and personal glimpses into everything Mother Nature has to offer. But, there’s beauty in everyday inanimate objects, too; you just have to “see” the potential. Fine art photographer Monica Royal discusses how to see normal, seemingly uninteresting objects differently and make something masterful out of them:
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right? What some people may see as garbage—useless pieces of cut wire, twigs, broken glass—is sometimes a masterpiece waiting to happen. Royal specializes in macro photography and some of the amazing images she has created began as nothing more than discarded everyday items.
Drop of water from twig
Tools to Make Great Macro Art Work
- Sturdy Tripod. You want a good, sturdy, professional tripod because you won’t be able to capture a clear detailed image hand-holding your camera when you’re working at shallow depths of field, like f/2.8.
- Dedicated Macro Lens. You don’t want to be too far away, but you don’t want to be right on top of your subject either. Royal prefers the Tamron 90mm fixed lens because it gives her a good working distance from her subject.
- Good Lighting. Lighting is really the essential piece of the puzzle, because without proper lighting, you won’t be able to capture the details as clearly. Small, portable studio lights, like the Westcott Flex LED are perfect.
Pieces of broken wine glass
Sometimes, Royal spends hours trying to capture the exact shot she envisioned. But, as she says,
“In the end, for me, it’s all worth it. If my artwork wasn’t complicated and frustrating to produce, then everyone would do it.”
For Further Training on Macro Photography
This guide covers everything you need to get started with close-up and macro photography. You can start taking macro photos with the lenses you already have. Learn how to use inexpensive tools and lighting techniques to create exciting larger-than-life images.
Found here: Introduction to Close-Up and Macro Photography
Go to full article: Beginner Tips for Fine Art Macro Photography
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Article from: PictureCorrect