Getting More Macro

Anyone who has read this blog, knows that I have an affinity for macro shots. For Christmas, my husband gave me a 105 mm lens so that I could really get macro. He knows how much I enjoy the smallest details of garden life. Recently, I spent some time getting to know my new lens. It has had its challenges but has been rewarding at the same time.

The beauty of this lens is that it provides even more detail in pattern and texture of the subject, in my case plants and insects. The challenge is that when you get in this close the slightest movement, from wind, insect or photographer (even with the vibration reduction on) can mess up your entire shot.

A lot of the time the subject can't all be arranged on the same plane and so I have to decide what is going to be in focus and what is not. And yes, I was only inches away from this snake when I photographed it.

Sometimes throwing more of the subject out of focus makes for some interesting results and a little more of an artistic look.

With macro shots the background will always be out of focus. Out in the garden it can be challenging to get the right background because of the angles you have to shoot from. I found that choosing a plain background makes the photo simpler, focusing on the main subject.

The fun part of all this is discovering the microscopic world. Many of the insects I looked at are very, very small, like the spider below. He is hanging on the parsley leaf which gives you a reference to how small he really is. Normally, these creatures go unnoticed because we focus on the bigger things in the garden.

I shot all these without a tripod but I think I will invest in a small, flexible one to get some sharper results, especially with the very tiny insects.

 

There is a whole new world waiting to be explored behind this lens.