Macro Photography in Memphis Part II

Photographing in Memphis can be fun. Memphis Botanical Gardens allows for quite a bit of macro photography. You need to know the various times of year to go and when flowers are in full bloom.

This macro photograph was taken of the inside of these bright yellow and red tulips. Needed to get real close for this one.

Photographing right after a heavy rain can give you some vibrant colors. This macro photograph was challenging in trying to get the right composition, because these kinds of photographs can be very busy.

I like the macro photograph of this flower at Memphis Botanical Garden. However, what would have made it a better image is to have a more muted background. Unfortunately that’s not always the case in doing macro. You find a great potential composition to photograph and there are distracting elements in the background. A couple of thoughts, some people will have a premade backdrop that is small to put behind the flower that will blend in nicely. Others who are good in post processing will drop in a background in Photoshop.

In photographing macro, remember to strive for a level plane to minimize softness and increase sharpness. Depending on what you want your final composition to be, you  might have to open up your aperture. Use a tripod to minimize shake, and some cameras today you can use Live view or Mirror Up to reduce shake as well. Another tip, use a cable release which helps with focus.

Springtime is a great opportunity to get out and do some Macro Photography. What do you like to photograph?

Macro Photography at Memphis Botanical Gardens

Macro photography is close-up photography, usually of very small subjects. Classically a macro photograph is one in which the size of the subject is greater than life-size.  Likewise, a macro lens is classically one lens capable of reproduction ratios greater than 1:1, although it now refers to any lens with a large reproduction ratio, despite rarely exceeding 1:1.

Macro lenses of different focal lengths find different uses:

• Continuously Variable Focal Length — suitable for virtually all macro subjects
• 45–65 mm — product photography, small objects that can be approached closely without causing undesirable influence, and scenes requiring natural background perspective.
• 90–105 mm — insects, flowers, and small objects from a comfortable distance.
• 150–200 mm — insects and other small animals where additional working distance is required.

I prefer to use a longer lens giving me more distance between the subject and camera. However, there are times when I will use a 50mm macro, but I need to be up really close. The challenge in macro photography is to always consider the background behind the subject. Numerous times you would have a great composition, only to be ruined by distracting elements behind the subject.

In the case of the white flowers above, the background worked out in my favor. However, most of the time that is not the case. Sometimes people will bring small backdrops to put behind the subject.

Extending the distance between the lens and the film or sensor, by inserting either extension tubes or a continuously adjustable bellows, is another equipment option for macro photography.

• The further the lens is from the film or sensor, the closer the focusing distance, the greater the magnification, and the darker the image given the same aperture.
• Tubes of various lengths can be stacked, decreasing lens-to-subject distance and increasing magnification. Bellows or tubes eliminate infinity focus.
• They can be used in conjunction with some other techniques (e.g., reversing the lens).