Close-up kit

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO CAPTURE AWESOME OIL-BUBBLE ABSTRACTS

Camera and lens 1

You can use any close-focusing Nikon camera, but if you’re using an interchangeable lens camera we’d recommend a dedicated macro lens with a 1:1 ratio for the very best results. We paired our Nikon D800 with the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD.

Top-down tripod 2

It’s possible to shoot handheld, but a tripod allows you to precisely refine your framing and leaves your hands free to manage your subject and backgrounds. A tripod with a tilting central column is essential as this will allow you to shoot from a top-down angle.

Glass dish 3

A glass oven dish will allow your background to show through – just make sure you give it a quick buff beforehand! Ours had the brand name etched into the bottom, but a couple inches of water, combined with shallow depths of field, completely blurred this out.