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Ten Tips for Macro Nature Photographers

Mike Moats

Rating: 9 / 10

Mike Moats' Ten Tips for Macro Nature Photographers

Click here to read our interview with Mike Moats

Click here to read Mike Moats' Bio / Background

1. Look for subjects that have contrast, great colors and interesting light for images that will have impact with the viewer.

2. When shooting flowers or any freestanding subject, always view from all angles for the least distracting background.

3. If you have lines in your subject that are not naturally horizontal or vertical in nature, place them on the diagonal for a less composed look.

4. Use a diffuser for shading your subject from sunlight. Harsh sunlight can cause your colors to look washed out, and can create unwanted hot spots and shadows in the subject.

5. Check your camera settings before every shot: ISO, white balance, jpeg, raw, etc.

6. Make sure the subject you choose to shoot is the best specimen, with no blotches, missing parts, poor color, etc.

7. Arrange the main subject using the rule of thirds rather than placing it in the middle of the frame.
When shooting flowers, find the flower that is isolated away from the clutter of the other flowers and plant parts. This will make it easier to get those solid-color, blurred-background shots popular with flower photography.

8. For nice, sharply focused macro images it's always best to use a tripod.

9. When shooting high magnification, the smallest camera movement will cause soft-looking details. If handholding, make sure you're shooting with a high shutter speed.

10. Macro lenses run from 50mm to 200mm in focal length, and when buying a macro lens choose the longest focal length you can afford.

MIKE MOATS' EQUIPMENT

Fuji S5 Pro DSLR Camera
Tamron 60mm, 90MM AND 180MM Macro Lenses
Feisol Carbon Fiber Tripod with an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead
Photoshop and Nik Software for processing

Click here to read our interview with Mike Moats

Click here to read Mike Moats' Bio / Background

Nino Xerri

03-06-2010

It would have been very helpful if exif data was also given.

Bobby Doris

07-12-2010

This information was very helpfully. Although I have been shooting for about two years I there is so much I am not aware of about lighting and other setting on the camera, so thanks

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