1036 Macro Photography

This is in response to all the questions you have asked me about Macro Photography. Please keep this in mind. I have only been doing true macro, image to subject ratio of 1:1, for a short time now. I wouldn't call myself an expert in the field. But I have gobbled up a lot articles, books, internet search and surf in the field.

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Setup:

1.Background boards. This is standard poster board (22"X28"). You will want these for starters. One each of: white, black, blue, and green.

2.Two or Three sheets of White Foam Board, same size as Background boards.

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My background in the picture is black in this case. I have one sheet of foam board and several other color boards fastened together with little clamps of any kind to hold them firmly in place back there.

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I use a little device to hold my subjects in place. In this picture it is holding the little twig from the azelia photo with a bug on it. (Yes, this is where the tiny flower with the penny was held in place.) It's important to find something that will hold your subject rigidly in place. Do not start trying to do this work until you have some kind of tool to serve this purpose.

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Find something to photograph before setting up, then choose what color will make a good background for that subject. Black will make a yellow daffodil pop right off the page.

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All the rest of the necessities shown are:

Light source of some kind. My Nikon SB800 Speedlight is mounted on the camera. I sometimes use a small table lamp (40 watts), or even the overhead room light.

 

Pay attention to the White Balance. Use it. Don't let it use you. Remember that you are shooting in color, and make a sensible choice.

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Camera: Nikon D80

Macro Lens: Sigma 105mm (1:1)

A good tripod: mine is Manfrotto 190MF3

Tripod head: Manfrotto 804RC2

Remote shutter release, so there can be no camera movement when the shutter is tripped. Mine has a switch on one end and the other plugs into an outlet on bottom left of the camera.

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My camera is mounted on the Super Mag Slider by Velbon. This ingenious little device permits you move your camera in or out in very precise movements. It is geared down so you can get the camera exactly where you need it.

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A second control knob allows you to make very small adjustments to move the camera left or right, with precision.(Retails for $99.95 at B&Hphotovideo.com)

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And now, live photography, love photography, think photography, talk photography, and may God bless your photography.

WT

Done