{"id":75639,"date":"2018-01-07T10:36:59","date_gmt":"2018-01-07T18:36:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=75639"},"modified":"2022-12-18T10:57:51","modified_gmt":"2022-12-18T15:57:51","slug":"7-tips-how-to-shoot-better-macro-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/01\/07\/7-tips-how-to-shoot-better-macro-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Tips How to Shoot Better Macro Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re having a hard time finding inspiration in your photography and life, I recommend trying out shooting macro photography — or just photographing the details of stuff, very close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download PDF<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DOWNLOAD PDF: 7 Tips How to Shoot Better Macro Photography<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why is macro photography frowned upon?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cyclops.
Cyclops. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Okay first of all, macro photography gets a bad reputation for only being for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153noobs\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (newbies). But, I think the secret to staying inspired as a photographer for your entire life is to in fact, be a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153noob\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (newbie\/beginner photographer) for your whole life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"1928,
1928, the false mirror eye in clouds by Rene Magritte<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For example, long before I shot street photography<\/a>, and all I had was my little Canon SD 600 point and shoot digital camera, I loved photographing closeup macro photos of everything \u00e2\u20ac\u201d flowers, stuff I found on the ground or details of things I found interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Purple<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, as I started to become more experienced in photography, shooting photos of flowers or my food wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153serious\u00e2\u20ac\u009d enough. Thus, I stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when I stopped shooting these childlike, beginner photos \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I think a part of my childlike curiosity also died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The joy of being a beginner photographer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Now, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m back in full noob photography mode, having fun shooting without barriers. I give myself full freedom to photograph anything I want, however I want to shoot it, regardless of what it is. In fact, I love photographing my food \u00e2\u20ac\u201d even though I am sometimes scowled at by other more \u00e2\u20ac\u0153serious\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photographers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find beauty in the small things<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Macro<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Anyways back on the topic of macro photography: shooting close up detail photos of things are fun. It allows us to really pay attention to the beauty in the small things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cindy
Cindy with blue candle over face. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I shoot closeup macro photos with my RICOH GR II<\/a> in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Macro\u00e2\u20ac\u009d mode, and use the popup flash. I love it, because I can make interesting photos of anything \u00e2\u20ac\u201d the trash I find on the ground, a detail of some texture in the wall, or even my food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some ideas and tips to make better macro photos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Clean background and edges of your frame<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cup
Espresso at CULTURE ESPRESSO in NYC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re photographing a closeup macro photo of something, look at the edges of your frame, and try to keep the background simple and clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will allow the viewer’s eye to be fully focused on your subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Use a flash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"red<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Use the built-in flash in your camera, if you have it. If not, use a small flash when shooting closeups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fun thing with a flash: it transforms whatever you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re photographing into something else \u00e2\u20ac\u201d something more unusual and surreal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good inspiration is to see Araki\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s<\/a> closeup macro flash photos of flowers (which he makes look like genitals) and Martin Parr<\/a> from his \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Common sense\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Book, when he makes food and other British things look quite disgusting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seek to make \u00e2\u20ac\u0153pretty\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Urinal
Urinal and red catcher.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To me, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m more interested in making interesting (non boring) photos than pretty pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Beef
Beef goulash macro. Prague, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That means, often when I photograph closeup macro photos, the subjects actually look pretty gross. The food I photograph looks a bit gross. Also, when I photograph urinals, yes, that looks a bit gross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Curry
Curry bratwurst. Prague, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shy away from making \u00e2\u20ac\u0153ugly\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153gross photos\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Stop, pause, and really look at something<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Little
Little man abstract. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For me, the purpose of macro photography is to really just stop, pause, and look at stuff \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and examine it, closely. That means, when you look at your coat, just stop and really look at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pink
Pink toilet paper. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We have become so accustomed to common objects like clothes hangars, light bulbs, and coffee cups, that we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see the inherent beauty in the shapes and forms of the objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Toilet by Edward Weston<\/a>. For two weeks Weston studied and photographed the ordinary plumbing fixture from different angles. For this version he dispensed with the tripod, rested his 8 x 10-inch Seneca view camera on the floor, and directed the lens upward, lending unexpected volume and monumentality to his subject. He wrote that the “swelling, sweeping, forward movement of finely progressing contours” reminded him of the Victory of Samothrace.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So macro photography is a good exercise for us to stop, pause, reflect, and really see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Look for interesting shapes, forms, colors, and textures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Face
Face abstract. Amsterdam, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Look for circles, triangles, rectangles, squares, and when you shoot, try out different perspectives. Shoot from a high angle, and low angle. Work the scene by tilting your camera to the left and right, and try to make a diagonal composition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Colorful
Colorful wall abstract. Amsterdam, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Also, look for interesting colors \u00e2\u20ac\u201d what color is the object you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re photographing, and what color is the background?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or do you see any interesting gritty textures you can photograph?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Shoot portraits in macro mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Macro
Cindy with hands on face. Red, Kyoto 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve done a series of street portraits<\/a> on the RICOH GR II in Program mode, iso 800, and macro mode with the 28mm lens. It creates a very interesting perspective and look for peoples faces\u00e2\u20ac\u201d which I like. The photos feel more intimate, like you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re standing right next to them, looking straight into their soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Laughing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So as an experiment, try to shoot portraits of people in macro mode. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re uncomfortable doing that, maybe do a self-portrait series of yourself in macro mode instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woman
Woman with thick glasses and green hat. BART, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

7. Shoot like a child<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Tissue
Tissue on ground. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Just imagine,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If I were 5 years old, what would I stare at, and find interesting \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and thus want to photograph?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Rediscover your inner child, and shoot without hesitation or any barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Orange
Orange and blue. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Macro photography is fun. If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a lens that focuses closely, just use your phone and flash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take it too seriously. Use macro photography as a way to better appreciate the common objects in your everyday life, and as a way to just shoot more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Abstract
Abstract man with arm. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s beauty all around you: everything is interesting, as long as you look closely enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JUST SHOOT IT,
ERIC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HENRI WRIST STRAP<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"HENRI<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Never miss the decisive moment ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PHOTO JOURNAL<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Find more Personal meaning in your photographic life with PHOTO JOURNAL ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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STREET NOTES: Mobile Edition<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
STREET NOTES MOBILE EDITION<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

STREET NOTES: Push Yourself out of your Comfort Zone in Street Photography ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MASTERS<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"LEARN<\/a>
LEARN FROM THE MASTERS BOOK<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reinspire Yourself in photography from timeless lessons from the masters of photography><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
THE MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER by HAPTICPRESS<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Marketing, branding, and monetization tips and techniques to stand out as a photographer ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Eric<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For more inspirational free resources, join ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER<\/strong><\/a> and be the first to get exclusive content, access to books, presets, and new upcoming workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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