Taking Great Close-Ups: Basic of Photography Series Part 5
Photography is all about bringing to life and permanently capturing the world around us whether that be people, nature or random objects. Many photographers seek to capture things as they are however many wish to identify and enhance key things around us in ways we wouldn’t normally. One way many photographers capture the world differently is through close-ups. Close-ups are great fun and if done right produce stunning, mind-blowing results. The majority of close-ups are shots of nature, insects and animals.
Picking your subject
As you are essentially capturing a minute detail from around you, if you don’t have a plan of exactly what you want to photograph there is a good way to break things down to identify your perfect piece. If this is your first time simply go outside, to a nearby wood or nature park and identify an area of about 3 metres x 3 metres. Within this area you will find your photo. Finding your shot will take a lot of movement and playing about and patience. To begin try moving in towards flowers and plants, or try looking for a insect to follow and shoot.
Use Camera Settings Macro Settings
Macro settings don‘t give you the same quality as a macro lens however it does let you take a decent close-up image. Macro settings provide the ability to get close up to objects whilst remaining in focus.
Get up Close- Lens Extension tubes
Extension tubes are just a tube without a lens which fits in between your lens and your camera. They allow you to focus a lot closer and with higher quality.
Lighting- Flash
The use of flash when taking close up pictures can distort the picture and cause the background to go black. Rather than using flash without a filter try placing a white cloth in front of it to disperse the light.
Focus- Continuous Shooting
Continuous mode allows the photographers to take multiple shots without taking their finger off of the shutter button. Continuous shooting means your camera will continue its focusing throughout multiple shots rather than having to refocus after each shot. It also means you have multiple images to search through so never miss ‘the’ shot and images with movement blurring can be discounted.
Composition- Get Involved
Don’t forget as you are taking close-up images you can get your hands involved more in constructing the shot. Whether its manipulating a flower so it stands straighter or towards the sun or holding grass out the way; when taking a close-up less of the surrounding landscape is seen meaning you can manipulate much easier.
Taking close-ups is great fun and allows you to look more closely (literally) at the world around you. Managed to take some great close-ups? we’d love to see them ! Why not showcase your close-up photography on the wall of our Facebook Page.
