April Photo Challenge: Macro Photography
As life artists, family historians, and scrapbookers, we often find ourselves surrounded by the details of an ordinary life. But as Dan Goldberg wrote, “Look closely, and you will find that even the ‘ordinary’ is extraordinary.”
Scrapbooking is all about combining photos, words, and beautiful embellishments to create a lasting chronicle of our lives, so here at the Sweet Shoppe, we’re dedicating some time each month to focus on the first of those three ingredients: our photographs.
This month, we’re learning how to look closely – very, very closely – as we focus on macro photography.
What is Macro Photography?
“Macro photography, in simple terms, is the art of making small things look big,” writes Kyle Deguzman. “It goes beyond capturing ordinary pictures and focuses on revealing the extraordinary details that are often overlooked due to their size.”
Ever seen a photograph of a bumblebee and marveled at the tiny hairs that cover its body? You’ve experienced the magic of macro photography.
From a purely technical standpoint, a macro photograph is one in which the size of the subject on the negative or image sensor is life-size or greater. According to Wikipedia, “In the digital age, a photograph is more practically defined as macro when an object measuring 24 mm (0.9″) or less either matches the frame’s height or is larger.”
For this reason, traditional macro photography focuses a great deal on shots of insects, flowers, plants, and other small items in the natural world like droplets of water and spiderwebs.
But if we’re a little less strict with the definition (and we’re all about flexibility here at the Sweet Shoppe!) a macro photograph is one where the finished, printed image is larger than the object itself was in real life. It’s all about zooming in (both literally and figuratively) and focusing on the small details that are usually lost to the naked eye.
What is the role of Macro Photography in visual storytelling?
It’s often fun to learn a new skill or technique simply for the sheer joy of trying something new.
But we should also take time to analyze our newfound skillset by asking the question, “how can this support my storytelling as a scrapbooker, family historian, or life artist?”
As Tom Wilson wrote for Storytelling Online, “Macro photography can be a powerful tool to communicate the wonder and magnificence of the world right at our feet and fingertips by getting up really close to a subject and showing the fine details that make it unique.”
In his article The Art of Visual Storytelling in Photography, Robert Borel writes, “Close-up shots allow you to isolate specific details and draw attention to their texture, color, and form. This can be particularly effective in capturing the intricate beauty of nature, the wear and tear of everyday objects, or the subtle expressions on a person’s face. Macro photography takes this even further, revealing the microscopic world that is often invisible to the naked eye. These close-up perspectives can evoke a sense of wonder, intimacy, or even vulnerability.”
When employed in visual storytelling, macro photography can help you:
- reveal hidden worlds or provide a new perspective on the world.
- create emotional impact by focusing on small details that symbolize larger themes.
- indulge in symbolism and metaphor; for example, a macro photo showing the detail of a spiderweb can convey fragility or the idea of multiple points of connection.
- create intimacy between the viewer and the subject.
- convey meaning through visual contrast and emphasis; for example, images of the very small can convey vulnerability or the power of survival against overwhelming odds.
- engage the senses; as you reveal fine textures and details, it appeals to the viewer’s sense of touch and adds another layer of depth and power to your storytelling.
“But what if I don’t like bugs?”
I promise, macro photography is about so much more than just insects! Although you can capture some fascinating images of the insect world – like this shot of a spider working on its web by Sugar Babe Jaye – you can employ macro techniques to capture a wide range of subjects. For example:
Elements of the natural world like water droplets, plants and flowers.
Small toys like LEGOs or other mini-figures. This is a good way to record what your children are playing with or how these items are stimulating their imagination.
Details of a hobby, such as needles and fibers or diamond painting drills.
Pills/medication. This can be a great way to tell the story about how a medication has improved your life, or expanded the time you get with a beloved pet; or you can use it to record your feelings about having to rely on medication.
Jewelry, whether to chronicle an entire collection or record the story behind a beloved piece’s sentimental value.
Holiday Ornaments or other knick-knacks.
Pieces & parts of babies or animals like those tiny fingers and toes on babies, or the sweet noses and tails on pets. This is a way to hang onto the cherished details that are around for such a fleeting time.
What do you need to shoot macro photography?
You need surprisingly little to create a beautiful macro photograph:
- camera
- close-focusing accessory
- lighting
- stability
- patience
Let’s take these one at a time…
You need… a camera
A digital SLR or mirrorless camera will get you some amazing results, but you can also shoot beautiful macro photography using a smartphone. Some phones have built-in macro lenses and/or applications; check your phone’s user guide to see what yours will support. Because it’s not the camera that makes the difference in macro photography … it’s what you put between the camera and your subject.
You need… a close-focusing accessory
If you’re shooting with a DSLR or mirrorless (a.k.a. “the big camera”), you’ll want a macro lens, a zoom lens, an extension tube, or a close-up filter. A macro lens is designed with a very short minimum focusing distance, which means you can get physically close to your subject and it will still be able to focus, whereas a zoom lens allows you to zoom in very close without having to get close physically. These are more expensive options, however, so if you want to try macro photography without making a large investment, an extension tube is a good option. You can pick up one of these for less than $100, and they work with your existing lenses to shorten their minimum focusing distance. Your least expensive option is a close-up filter which goes on an existing lens.
If you’re working with a smartphone, check out clip-on lenses in either zoom or macro formats. I own a set by ShiftCam in their LensUltra series that are lovely to work with.
Or you can use a separate piece of magnifying equipment with any type of camera like a hand lens, jeweler’s loupe, or a good old-fashioned magnifying glass. Check out this stunning image Sugar Babe Charlene captured using a magnifying lens:
You need… lighting
The best macro photographs are shot in diffuse light, like you get on a cloudy day when the sky acts as one giant softbox. Avoid shooting macro on bright, sunny days; you don’t want the harsh shadows that type of lighting will create.
You need… stability
Because of the way zoom and magnification work, the tiniest shake of the camera will result in big-time blur. You need to stabilize your camera as much as possible when shooting macro images. Use a tripod if you can; if not, change your shooting type to “fast continuous” or “burst” mode and use the highest shutter speed you can get away with. It’s all about getting your image as sharp as possible.
You need… patience
Macro photography can be wonderfully meditative. It forces you to slow down and practice patience.
Resources, tips, and tricks for shooting macro
There’s lots of fantastic free resources online to learn more about shooting macro photography. Here are just a few:
https://photographylife.com/macro-photography-tutorial
https://digital-photography-school.com/macro-photography-for-beginners-part-1/
https://digital-photography-school.com/get-stunning-macro-photos-mobile-phone/
https://www.treehugger.com/tips-for-better-macro-photography-on-your-phone-4868419
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/discover/macro-photography.html
A little more inspiration
Here’s a few more images from the cameras of our Sugar Babes to inspire your macro photography:
Now it’s your turn.
This month, we challenge you to shoot one or more macro images where the printed photo will be larger than the subject was in real-life.
When you’ve shot and edited your macro photographs, share them with us in our new Photo Challenge Gallery – because we can’t wait to see the stories you tell with your photography this month. We may even choose a favorite or two to win a sweet treat!
