macro photography tips with example photographs and images
Macro photography tips, images and photographs
Shown below is a set of 10 amazing macro photographs. Each photograph includes an explanation of the camera equipment that was used and tips on how it was taken. While many of the images have been taken with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens, the settings can be reproduced with any real macro lens.
Click on each image to see a larger version of the photograph.
1. Hoverfly in flight
Photograph of a hoverfly in flight was taken with a Canon 400D SLR camera, a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens and a Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX flash.
Exposure (shutter speed): 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/11
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
This macro photograph of a flying insect was taken in a shady part of the garden. Using a Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX flash allowed me to keep the aperture on a high f/11 without sacrificing shutter speed (exposure). Having the ability to keep the shutter speed at a fast 1/200th of a second allowed me to capture the moving insect sharply. It also allowed me to hand hold the camera without the use of a tripod. Like many macro photographers, I find a tripod really restrictive when photographing insects.
As the insect was moving, I also needed to turn off the lens AF (automatic focus) function. If I hadn’t turned this off, the lens would have kept swimming or refocusing, making it near impossible to capture a sharp image of the hoverfly.
2. Unshaven dragonfly face
This macro was taken with a Canon 400D SLR camera, a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens and a Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX flash.
Exposure (shutter speed): 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/11
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
I was lucky with this macro shot to have found a curious dragonfly. He sat really still and would allowed me to move in as close as I needed for a detailed macro photo of his whiskers. This also allowed me to keep the camera’s lens set on AF (automatic focus). The original image was cropped with Photoshop CS2 so that the dragonflies face takes up the majority of the final composition.
3. Blue dragonfly
Similar to the first two macro photographs, this one was also taken with a Canon 400D SLR camera, a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens and a Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX flash.
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/11
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
This dragonfly come up to me as I sat under a tree, so I took the opportunity to take a few macro shots of it. This is one of my best tips for macro insect photography. Personally, I’ve found it hopeless chasing them around like a mad photographer. That only seems to scare them away. Instead, it’s best to be patient and wait until you find a curious insect that is sitting still.
4. Macro water drop
Playing with water droplets, a Canon EF 100/2.8 Macro USM lens and extension tubes. For those that don’t know what extension tubes are, they are a plastic tube that sits between your camera’s body and the lens. When using extension tubes, you need to set your lens to MF (manual focus), because the automatic focus won’t work. Nowadays if you purchase extension tubes that are the same brand as your macro lens, you may be able to keep all the automatic functions (depending on the brand).
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/0
Focal Length: 0 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
If you view a photographs EXIF data and notice the aperture and focal length are showing as zero (0), chances are the photographer used an extension tube or some piece of equipment that sat between the camera’s body and the lens.
This shot of a water droplet was taken with a plastic bag (and a pin hole in it) being held over a fish tank. The camera was then focused past the glass tank and onto the droplet. There is a detailed explanation showing the setup for it at: How to photograph water drops.
5. What the snake see’s
Photographed with a Canon 400D and a EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens. When photographing a friendly carpet snake, it was a great opportunity for a self portrait. If you click on this image and view it in a larger size, you will clearly see exactly what the snake was looking at!
Exposure (shutter speed): 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 100
This photograph was taken with the use of a tripod and a remote release. Having a slower shutter speed of 1/30th of a second, I wouldn’t have gotten a sharp image if the camera was handheld. A general rule of thumb for hand held macro shots, is that if your lens is 100mm focal length, then the shutter speed needs to be at least 1/100th of a second or faster to achieve a sharp photograph.
6. Katydid macro
Picture of a Katydid photographed with a Canon 400D SLR and a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens.
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/11
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
For this shot, the ISO was upped to 400 speed so I could keep the aperture at a higher F number of f/11. This enabled me to get more of the Katydid in sharp focus. One of the mistakes I did when I first purchased my macro lens, was to keep the F number at a low F2.8 (just because I could). Later on I realised this wasn’t always a good idea, unless you intend on getting just the eye of an insect in focus.
7. Eye in the sky (photographed by 2minutes who can be found on flickr)
This macro shot of a butterfly was photographed with a Nikon D40 camera and a Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens.
Exposure (shutter speed): 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 105 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
Because this butterfly was moving around quite a bit, the photographer upped the ISO speed to 400, so he could keep a faster shutter speed of 1/500th of a second.
8. Fairyland
This is what I’ve always imagined fairyland to be like 
However, in actual fact it’s a macro shot of the tiniest moss, found at the bottom of an orchid pot. This is the beauty of macro photography, in that you get to really appreciate the smaller things in life and see them in a whole different light.
The camera was a Canon 400D SLR and the lens a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro.
Exposure (shutter speed): 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
9. Miss Ladybird
Photograph of a ladybird taken with a Canon 400D SLR and a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens.
Exposure (shutter speed): 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
The only reason the shutter speed is set to a fast 1/640th of a second in this case, is because I was attempting to capture the ladybird as it flies off. However, I wasn’t too successful this time around at getting one in flight.
10. Butt Heavy
Just had to love how hairy this little fellow was
Photo of a dragonfly taken with a Canon 400D SLR and a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens. A Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX flash was also used.
Exposure (shutter speed): 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/11
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
This particular photograph was taken at 8.30 in the morning with strong sunlight coming from behind the dragonfly. While many photographers don’t like shooting into the sun, I find when it comes to macro photography, it can often help to highlight an insects tiny hairs. You do need to be careful not to capture lens flare though. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Thank you for making this accessable for newbies like myself. I am just starting to get into digital photography and I am on a budget due to my recent purchase of my Nikon D60 and a couple lenses and some cool accessories. I can’t wait to try some of these techniques.
Thanks again for sharing some really awsome photos.
Ron
So with macro would you recommend setting your camera in aperture or shutter speed priority?
Hi John,
This depends on what is important to you, depth of field or freezing a subject in motion when you photograph it. Personally, on a windy day I like to use shutter priority to stop motion blur. This is also good if your photographing an insect or bug that is in flight or won’t stop moving. If your subject is motionless and you want to ensure either a nicely blurred background, or that a certain percentage of it is in focus, then use aperture priority.
Hope this helps
This is a wonderful resource, thank you! I just purchased a Nikon D90 and the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens. I too was trying to shoot everything at 2.8, haha.
My question is, how have you managed to compensate for the focus breathing (image size changes with focusing) issue? When my tiny critters are moving back and forth and darting near and far in a flash (and changing size to boot!), it is awkward to get everything ‘in sync’ to frame AND focus the shot. Sometimes I ‘lose’ the subject altogether and have to lower the camera and re-group, missing the moment completely.
I need more control.
Have you found a way around this?
Thanks so much!
Cathy
Hello Cathy,
Yes, I’ve learned to only shoot insects that are quite still. Or for example, if it’s a bee that is flying in and out of flowers, focus instead on the flower. Then when the bee lands on the flower, take the shot. In my personal experience, it is hopeless to continually follow a fast moving insect
Kind Regards.
Tanya.
Hi
i have just purchased Nikon D200 along with Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens… and trying to click some micro photos.. and i am looking for help.. I couldn’t get that close to the subject or what is the close focus distance, is it 6 inches. i thought i could focus an object just one inch away with this lens, am i went wrong.. or couldn’t able to figure it out .. plz help
Hello Raju,
First I have to say, you have an excellent set up for macro photography. The minimum focal distance on that lens is 1 foot or 12 inches.
Kind Regards.
Tanya.
I’ve already purchased my macro lens and am waiting eagerly for it to be delivered .. these photos has inspired me even more with macro-photography .. I would definitely keep in mind of the above mentioned techniques .. tataaaz
Hi, i’m a newbie to Photography and recently bought the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens. I tried to photograph a fly the other day but couldnt get a close view of it. the macro doesn’t have the zoom, so just wanted to know how you could get such close up photos? do you have to be physically very close to the subject. or could you adjust it with the lens?
thanks
Hello Iman,
Yes you do have to be physically close to the subject, for example say 30cm. As you said, this lens does not have a zoom. Another idea is to be further away to take the shot, then possibly crop the image so it only displays the fly. But yes, for the most part you do have to be quite close to the subject.
Kind Regards.
Tanya.
Hello
I think that this is a very good post with some excellent example photographs. Taking pictures of hover flies in flight is very difficult – I’ve tried it!
I have a website called Macro Photography for Beginners which may be of interest to any newbies to macro photography.
Hi thankyou for sharing the images i was trying to pic a macro lens for my canon 20d your images have made my mind up for me, they are fantastic. I wish there were more people like you in the world that are willing to give free advice without any catch, keep up the good work
kind regards dave
Hi Dave, I’m happy to hear you’ve found our advice useful
Tanya, WOW! These are absolutely incredible shots!! I am contemplating purchasing the Canon 100mm and I think I am convinced! I have never used and do not know much about a macro light. When do you use it? To be able to use a faster shutter speed? Also, when do you use extension tubes? How much closer do they actually get you?
Thank you so much for sharing this information and your phenomenal pictures!! It helps so much to know the techy stuff behind the art.
Hi, firstly thank you for your comments
I use a macro light to help me achieve a faster shutter speed in low light. In the case of macro lenses, this also refers to when the subject is in a shady area. It allows me to shoot with an f stop of 11 or higher, yet with a fast speed, which gives more detail in the subject. It’s also important to shoot with a faster shutter speed if the subject is moving as insects do *smiles*.
I dont use extension tubes all that often. They are handy keeping in your camera bag for times when you may not have your macro lens with you. For example, when I holiday I don’t usually carry all my lenses with me, including the macro. So if I come across something I want to photograph in macro, I’ll use a telephoto lens with an extension tube.
Hope this answers your questions. Kind Regards.
Tanya.
Incredible pictures! Please excuse my lack of knowledge in photography as I am just getting into the SLR arena. You commented that you rarely use the 2.8 appeture and I noticed that the “sweet spot” you reference is more in the F11/14 area. Can you get the same affect using a 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 ?
Hello Cindy,
Every lens is different. However, I have found a lens set at 200mm at F3.5 for instance, will give a similar effect as a macro on F 2.8. Without the detail seen in a macro of course.
Kind Regards.
Tanya Puntti
Love the macro shots, I have purchased a Canon 40D SLR, and only have the twin lens at the moment. I love taking macro shots and would like to purchase a good macro lens that will take detail shots of my subject. I have a budget so I can spend too much, what lens will do the job for me which will suit my camera, I was reading about Canon MP-E 65mm macro photo. Will this suit my camera and for what I want to do. Please help.
Hi,
I can’t say I’ve used that specific macro lens myself, however here is a link to someone who has: http://www.flickr.com/photos/villiv/2646629619/
I also notice they use a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM for later images. I’m sure they would be able to let you know the main differences
Kind Regards.
Tanya.
I am blown away by the sharpness of your pics. I have just bought a Nikon D60 & have the kit lenses, but I couldn’t get sharp enough results of close up flowers, so I just got a Nikkor fixed 60mm. I,m still having problems with tack sharpness. I thought you had to use F11/16/22/32 for the depth of field on flowers, but I see some of yours are at the other end of the Fstop range. What is defraction all about? Do you think I should be able to get sharp images from the 60mm lens?
Thanks for any help! Stephanie
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Hello Stephanie,
Yes, you should be able to get sharp images from any lens, including the 60mm. There are many reasons why your images may not be sharp, even with camera settings of F11/16/22.
Have a look at the EXIF data (photo properties) of your images and check if the shutter speed is equal to or faster than 1/60 of a second. Hence, if you use a focal length of 60mm, then your shutter speed needs to be at minimum 1/60th of a second to take sharp photographs. If not, then it means your camera is taking the image too slowly for F11/16/22 aperture. If this is the case, then increase your ISO to say 800 and see if it’s any better.
re your question on defraction, there is a good explanation at: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/u-diffraction.shtml After reading the tutorial, you’ll see why it’s not often recommended to set your F stop to 32
Kind Regards.
Tanya.
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