CONTROL YOUR LIGHTING
Learn to work with tight lighting angles and complex environments for beautiful illumination of miniature scenes
Some aspects of macro photography require quite a bit of adaptation to the usual techniques applied in other genres. Focusing and depth of field is one, but another less thought about aspect to many beginners is lighting. This presents some major challenges. The issue is not with overall exposure – the same rules apply in macro as any other area – rather it regards space to work. The common working distances in macro imaging are mere centimetres from the subject, making it tricky to place a flash to evenly light the whole scene.
What usually ends up happening is that the lens itself starts to cast a shadow on the subject, when using the minimum focusing distance of the optic. This effect renders built-in flash all but useless, with its unmovable position on the camera’s top plate, and the lens barrel between it and the subject. However even off-camera flashes can be ineffective. We are left with the speedlight placed too high, or behind the subject, or alternatively, with the light too close, creating burned highlights.
In order to add soft, attractive lighting we need to strictly control diffusion, direction and intensity. This might involve spreading the light as much as possible, or changing the direction to light the subject at the best angle. The aim is almost always to make the light blend with the ambient illumination, to make it appear as if the flash is sunlight, so pay attention to shadow angle and density. Remember that at high magnifications light should be more widely spread, since you are capturing a small part of a larger object, where light gradients are shallower.
Beyond ‘correct’ lighting though, we have a wealth of creative options. This feature is about adding that extra element, which sets your macro images apart from the pool of record shots, so think about how you can use light to your advantage. This can be done with natural light alone, using a diffuser to create a studio-type high key image. Alternatively off-camera flash offers great control over local lighting and spot-lighting effects. Try mimicking the sun to generate the impression of light at different times of day, allowing you to access colour and direction on-demand, regardless of actual shooting time.