Macro essentials

Here’s WHAT you need To get SET up for exceptional close-up photography

Macro lens

1

A macro lens allows you to frame closeup subjects at 1:1 view, meaning that the size of the subject can be recorded in its actual size on the image sensor. They come in various focal lengths. At shorter focal lengths, like the 15mm used here, the subject has to be very close to the lens for a true 1:1 capture.

Speedlight

2

A Speedlight helps to lift your subject and bring out the colours. Fired directly, the flash can be too harsh – a small softbox attachment results in more diffuse, more natural light. Some photographers like to attach the flash to the camera with a bracket, but if not you can simply hold it, or use a stand.

5-in-1 reflector

3

This is very useful for all kinds of photography, including macro. Held opposite the light source, it can be used to bounce light back into the shadows. Alternatively, it can also provide shade when the sunlight is too harsh, and the diffusion panel can be useful for softening sunlight or flash.

Tripod

4

A tripod frees up your hands and allows you to perfect your focusing. Often when focusing it’s easiest to move the camera back and forth slightly. A focus rack is ideal for this, but if you don’t have one then a sliding tripod plate – like the one on the Benro gimbal head here – can work just as well.

Aperture control

5

Your aperture is key in macro photography. At wide apertures, like f/4, the depth of field might only stretch to a few millimetres, so often it’s better to stop down to f/8 or more, to ensure a decent area of sharpness across your subject. We’re in Manual mode at f/11, 1/250 sec, ISO640.

Live View focusing

6

Using Live View to compose and focus your macro shots is often the easiest way, especially if your subject is static, as you can zoom in to the Live View display and manually fine-tune the focusing. If your camera has focus peaking – like the D850 here – it can overlay highlights on sharp areas, which can be helpful.