Lesson #5: Macro Mode--WrapUp

We gave Macro mode a try this weekend, but since it was Rob's and my first time getting up close like that, I'm not sure we've totally mastered the technique. We went for the more still life approach rather than the traditional flower approach. That's our style... and most of our plants around here are thirsty.

We kept trying to decide whether our photos were just zoomed-in photos or actually "macro." Rob thinks that he's more of an angles/perspective guy than a macro guy. And, well, I haven't decided what I am. I know that I am curious about how a Macro lens would enhance our technique, and I know that I am still in need of practice with Macro.

How did this challenge go for you?

From Rob of Jana and Rob.

From ljam.

From Jana of Jana and Rob.

Lesson #5: Macro Mode--due August 23

Getting in close

• Macro mode is used for capturing up close details of often small subjects.
• Most cameras use a flower symbol to represent Macro mode. Sometimes it is also represented by the letters "MF," which stands for "macro focus."
• Macro mode tells your camera to focus on a subject closer to your lens than the usual focal range, and will tell your camera to choose a large aperture (allow a lot of light in) so that your subject is in focus but the background is not.
• In Macro mode, you have very shallow depth of field, so focus on the part of the subject that's most important to you.
• A tripod comes in very handy when using Macro mode. If you don't have a tripod, you should practice holding your camera very still.
• In Macro mode use the digital zoom function to get closer to the subject.
• When you move close you should use the camera's LCD instead of the optical finder because the LCD shows you roughly what the lens is seeing and what will be recorded on the CCD. If you use the optical finder your subject will be off center because the viewfinder is, unless you have one of the newer digital cameras with an electronic viewfinder that shows the actual image that will be recorded.

Examples:

From Jerry*69.

From Omar Eduardo.

From Licht~~~~.

Resources:

• "Macro Photography Tips for Point and Shoot Digital Cameras" by Darren Rowse.
• "Photo Tutorial TP 103: Flowers/Macro" from Blacks University.
• "Shutterbug: Getting the Most out of Macro Mode" by John Canfield.
• "Curbly: Macro Photography- It's the Little Things that Count" by Erin Manning.
• "Take Amazing-looking Close-ups with your Digital Camera" from digital-photo-tutorial.com.

Let us know that you're playing along. In the comments, tell us what your favorite flower is. Remember, photos are due to the Flickr group by August 23!