February 7, 2012

The Lazy Man's Floral Macro Technique ...

Or I guess I should say lazy woman's technique, because this is my "lazy" technique. I say "lazy" in quotes, because, by that, I mean that I'm not hauling out and setting up the tripod, which would be the proper photographer's tool of choice for macro photography. Don't get me wrong: the tripod is wonderful. And in a perfectly fastidious, slow-paced world, I would use it every time. But I don't use it every time; sometimes, I just want to take the picture. Without the extra hassle. And so this is my stand-in-the-gap ["lazy", if you prefer ...] technique for taking macro photos without the tripod.

IMG_2379T
ISO 800, f/2.8, 1/500sec


The key to the equation is to keep the shutter speed high enough to override the camera/hand shake factor. Because macro is sooooo close up, camera/hand shake is amplified. In each of the following pictures, I bumped my ISO just high enough to buy me a fast enough shutter speed. All pictures were taken with my 100mm macro lens. All images were taken hand held. All images were shot "wide open" (except as noted) at f/2.8 , which also helps to buy me extra shutter speed.

IMG_2473T
ISO 640, 1/640sec

IMG_2370
ISO 640, 1/320 sec

IMG_2468
ISO 640, 1/640sec


In the picture below, I wanted a less shallow depth of focus. At the very least, I wanted the entire center of the flower to be in focus (thus, my smaller f/stop of 4.5). Oftentimes macro photography will require small f/stops like f/8, f/11, even f/16. Those small f/stops will NOT work with my technique, as they require a slower shutter speed to let in enough light to compensate for the smaller aperture. But for the picture directly below, I had enough light to use a slightly smaller f/stop while still maintaining a fast enough shutter speed to handhold the camera.

IMG_2783
ISO 500, f/4.5, 1/400sec

IMG_2441
ISO 400, 1/640sec

IMG_3860
ISO 800, 1/250 sec (this is about as slow a shutter speed as I can handhold effectively)


There is an added benefit to my "lazy" technique for outdoor macro photography. If there is any wind at all, a tripod + slow shutter speed combo is going to get you nothing but a blurry-blowing-in-the-breeze flower picture. A fast shutter speed, however, will override not only your shaky-hand-held-camera effect, but also will "freeze" the movement of the flower. Both pictures below were taken, handheld, in breezy conditions...

_MG_9355
ISO 400, 1/1000 (fast!)

_MG_1854T
ISO 640, 1/400sec


FYI, all these flowers, except the last two outdoor ones, are all store-bought bouquets from Trader Joe's. So feel free to go buy yourself some winter cheer and try some macro photography. Oh, and if you don't have a macro lens, experiment with reverse mounting a prime lens you already have ...

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11 comments:

Shawntae said...

Okay, you've convinced me to go out and buy a bouquet! Such gorgeous photos!

Tracy P. said...

I'm super impressed at the clarity of that magenta flower at 1/250! Do you use a short timer on these at all?

All of this deliciousness reminds me that I've been meaning to explore macro photography for a long time. I don't even have a clue what distinguishes a macro lens from any other. Thanks so much for the reverse mounting link--looks like an idea that could well be in my future!

stacey said...

These are soooooo lovely, Susan.

Tracey said...

oh my Susan...these are stunning! That second one down...my favorite. I have longed for a macro lens bc I often see things in macro and yet my lenses won't let me get close enough. Your images tug at my heart strings!

Anita Johnson said...

Great tips! I have used my poor man's macro (reversing my kit lens) for years and have loved the challenge of it...pretty happy with most of the results. I too, understand the importance of a tripod, but often they are just too cumbersome to use. Like a giraffe in the garden! I so wish we had a Trader Joes here!

Natalie said...

These are beautiful! I just got the 100 mm macro and was eying the bouquets at Trader Joes the other day for this very reason. Now I wish I had grabbed one.

Gerty said...

I am going to find me a bunch of flowers to photograph! Thanks for the inspiration.

Naomi said...

Oh my. Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous!

Mrs. H said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

Blue Eyed Brooke said...

These are spectacular!!! Now I'm dreaming of summer!

Unknown said...

I am glad you share and help people : )
You are the best.