Photography Foundations: Macro and Close-Up

Explore the world of the small with this guide to macro and close-up photography gear, lighting, and technique.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you need to know for this course

1. Close-Up Shooting

• What is close up?
• Understanding minimum focus distance
• Comparing wide lens and telephoto
• Understanding depth of field and focus
• Working with extension tubes
• Working with close-up lenses

2. Basic Macro Shooting with Gear You Own

• What is a macro photo?
• Understanding how to shoot macro with a reversed lens
• Using a point-and-shoot camera for macro
• Working with backdrops for macro
• Practicing macro by shooting in the kitchen

3. Using Macro Lenses

• Choosing a macro lens
• Exploring macro lens features: Focal length
• Understanding macro lens shutter speed
• Shooting basics with a macro lens
• Getting closer with macro lenses and extension tubes
• Working with depth of field and macro
• Understanding depth and composition in macro
• Working with subject holders and support
• Shooting with the Canon 65 mm

4. Macro Shooting Accessories

• Working with macro stabilizing options
• Working with sliders for macro
• Working with a bellows
• Working with viewfinders in macro

5. Macro Lighting

• Working with direct light
• Macro and the angle of light
• Augmenting direct light with reflectors
• Continuous lighting to add fill to a macro shot
• Lighting your macro scene with continuous light
• Lighting the macro scene with strobes
• Setting up a macro-specific flash unit
• Shooting with the Canon Macro Twin Lite
• Shooting macro in a light tent
• Shooting macro on a light table

6. Macro Shooting in the Field

• Field shooting for macro, starting at home
• Managing backgrounds in the field
• Shooting macro water droplets

7. Depth of Field and Focus Stacking

• Creating a simple manual focus stack
• Creating a focus stacked image with manual merge
• Creating a focus stacked image using Helicon Remote
• Working with a StackShot rail for focus stacking
• Merging a focus stack with Photoshop
• Merging photo stacks with Helicon
• Understanding the aesthetics of depth of field

Conclusion

• Next steps