The art of taking pictures of small objects in great detail is known as macro photography. If it is something that you have not tried before it may seem quite daunting. However, it is not actually all that different from regular photography. The following tips can help you master the basics of macro photography.

Choose The Right Lens

Even if your zoom lens has a macro setting, the only way to get a real macro photograph is to use a macro lens. For most photographs a 50-60mm lens will be enough to get the results that you want. If you want to take more detailed photographs then you can use a 100mm lens, but these tend to be quite expensive.

Make Good Use Of Aperture

The aperture that you select for your photos can have a big impact on the background. Selecting a small aperture will show everything in the photo In sharp focus and this is useful for highlighting the depth of field. On the other hand a full aperture will remove all of the sharpness from the picture and makes the object you are photographing the only focus.

Use A Third Hand

A third hand is considered by many to be an essential piece of equipment for macro photography. It can be used to position the object that you are photographing so that it is just where you want it. It can also be used to hold things in place in the background of your shot. It is a very functional tool and is well worth investing in.

Experiment With The Point Of Focus

You can get very different results from photographing the same object just by changing the point of focus. Just changing the focus by a few mms can really change the effect of the photograph. As you are taking macro photographs in the field experiment with this and explore all the options that available to you.

Photographing Insects

One of the most popular forms of macro photography is taking pictures of insects, particularly butterflies. In order to do this, there are some things that you will need to take into account. It can be difficult to get the perfect shot because insects are busy creatures so patience is the key. It may also help if you take the shots in the early evening as they are getting tired as this means that they will be slower.

Photographing Raindrops

Raindrops are also a good subject for macro photography because they really highlight the detail of the surface that they are on. If this is something that you want to try but it has not rained recently you could use a spray bottle to create your own water droplets.

As with all forms of photography one of the best ways that you can learn about macro photography is just to go out and try it. As you become more experienced you will find the techniques that work best for you and this will allow you to create something really stunning.