Taking close-up pictures with a Point & Shoot Digital Camera is easy and fun. Most of them have a “macro mode” which allows the camera to photograph close-up pictures of small objects such as flowers, insects, and jewelry. How close you can get depends on the camera but you should be able to get within 2 inches or closer. This mode is usually activated by a button on the back or side of your camera near an icon that looks like a single flower or tulip. Check the manual for the exact procedure for turning on the macro mode on your camera and you will discover a whole new world of interesting images.
Here are some tips to help you get that great image once you are in macro mode:
Get In Close
The macro mode is a great feature so make sure that you use it and get in as close to the subject as you can filling the frame. This will create “impact” and make your image much more interesting.
Hold the Camera Steady
Camera movement is magnified the closer you get to an object and this could easily result in a blurry image. You will want to make sure that your camera is steady when taking the photograph. The best way to assure that your close-up image is sharp is to use a tripod. Some of the cameras are equipped with a feature called “Vibration Reduction” or “Image Stabilization.” This feature is built into the camera and is good at reducing blur to help you obtain sharp pictures. Good lighting allows you to use a faster shutter speed which helps reduce the effects of camera shake.
Watch the Light
Harsh sunlight and light from your camera’s built in flash can result in a bad image when taking close-up pictures. This harsh light causes deep shadow areas with bright highlights. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to take pictures outdoors because the low angle of the sun defuses the light. Cloudy and overcast days can produce good lighting anytime of the day. A great time to take close-up pictures of flowers is on a cloudy or overcast day right after a rain. Try not to use the flash for your close-up pictures. If you have to use flash, you can soften the harsh lighting by putting a piece of wax paper or a white tissue over the flash. The flash output can also be changed on some digital cameras. Check your manual and see if your camera has this feature and then turn down the flash power when taking close-ups.
Choose Your Focus Point Carefully
You may have noticed that when you are taking an extreme close-up picture that a large portion of the subject is out of focus. This is caused by a rule in photography called “depth of field” or the distance in front and beyond the subject that appears to be in focus. The closer you are to the subject, the more shallow the depth of field. All of the subject will not be in focus. The impact of the image is greatly influenced by the part of the subject that is in focus. Choose the focus area very carefully to control the result that you want to accomplish.
Your Assignment:
Go to the bookstore and look at the images in some Close-up/Macro Photography books to get an idea of what you and your camera are capable of accomplishing.
Make a list of items in your house, garage, basement or objects in your yard that you think would make interesting subjects for close-up photography.
Turn on the macro mode on your camera and take some pictures of the subjects on your list
Do a self-critique of the results