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Ruben Dario Cruz - Ten Tips to Improve Your Macro Photography in the Field Tamron Shooter and Macro Photography Specialist Ruben Dario Cruz offers Ten Tips on How to Improve Your Macro Photography in the Field. Article rating: 8.58

1) Shoot with a 1:1 macro lens for the best detail, and understand the specifications. For example, macro lenses achieve life size reproduction at the minimum focusing distance. Depending on your subject you may need one that achieves that at 11” or 18”. For subjects that move, it is better to have a macro lens that allows you more working distance so you don’t disturb your subject. I shoot primarily with a 180mm f/3.5 when shooting insects as it allows an 18.5” MFD. When shooting flowers, I shoot a 90mm f/2.8.

2) Use a ring light to help freeze motion and add light to dark places. It also creates a catch light in the eyes of insects, which in turns creates volume.

3) Use a small portable scrim to help diffuse and create even light on your subjects when shooting in harsh sunlight. This will increase detail in the shadow areas and reduce blown out highlights.

4) If possible, steady your subjects. In windy conditions, I use the Wimberley Plamp ™ to secure my flowers.

5) Be aware of the direction of available light and use it to your advantage. For example, if you are shooting at high noon, where the sunlight is directly above, shadows tend to be harsh. However if you use a reflector below your subject, bouncing the light from above, harsh shadows can be eliminated.

6) Know your subject. Whether you’re shooting flowers or insects, become familiar with the blooming habits and nesting periods of both to maximize your shooting time. I suggest purchasing a book of insects and flowers in your region.

7) Don’t go into the field unprepared. Create a checklist of items and be sure you have them with you before you leave.

8) Always bring extra batteries and media cards to every shoot.

9) Stop down your aperture as much as your lighting situation will allow you to maximize your D.O.F. because depth of field is extremely shallow at 1:1 reproductions. If this is not enough, then increase your lights' output and adjust. As a rule of thumb, I shoot my insects and flower images at around F/11-F/22 and adjust my shutter according to the effect I desire. 

10) Be sure you set the proper white balance for your light. Custom white balance is best, but using the pre-sets on your D-SLR is excellent as well. Do not use Auto WB when using mixed light!

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	cool images Posted by: Shannon Cruz Aug 8, 2007 @ 10:8 PM EST
	learn alot about what d,f to shoot Posted by: tony tysinger Aug 18, 2007 @ 9:53 PM EST
	I enjoyed the article and although I have not yet purchased a dslr, I use the Samsung pro 815 adn the Sony DSC-H9. I am a jump out, point and shoot type of person and with these two cameras, I am ready for just about anything within the 400 mm range. I love to shoot macro and plan on purchasing a dslr in the near future. mr Cruz's information has given me new insight into the use of my camera that I couldn't get from the instruction book. Thank You Sir. Posted by: Larry Campbell Aug 23, 2007 @ 1:46 AM EST
	Nice job on the article Mr. Cruz. You have truly mastered the art of macro!!!! Posted by: Kballs Aug 27, 2007 @ 2:35 PM EST
	I just learned something new, Thanks Posted by: Alvaro Oct 5, 2007 @ 12:10 PM EST
	LEARNED SOME INTERESTING IDEAS Posted by: WALTER THOMAS Nov 27, 2007 @ 1:43 PM EST
	GREAT PICS Posted by: WALTER THOMAS Nov 27, 2007 @ 1:45 PM EST
	Valuable inputs. Posted by: Ajay Dewan Mar 23, 2008 @ 4:25 AM EST
	Thank you for sharing your knowledge.... I learned 9 new things the easy way :-) ( I learned the extra battery and media card the hard way ) Posted by: Kay Jun 8, 2008 @ 8:47 PM EST
	Thanks mate. Very interesting Posted by: Binzy Jul 14, 2008 @ 9:59 PM EST
	I found you article great ant very informative. It makes me want to go out and shoot some macro shout Posted by: Hubert Boudreau Sep 21, 2008 @ 12:35 PM EST

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