From Meager DIY Beginnings to a Course in Macro
I have dabbled with macro photography on and off ever since I got my first DSLR back in 2010. First I played with reverse rings and extension tubes. They were a very inexpensive way to delve into the unseen world of things.
Using these methods makes you slow down, take your time to compose and focus your shot. I practiced a lot using feathers. Set up in my basement, I used whatever I had on hand to help me out.
That meant using clothespins to secure a feather to the edge of a lamp. I also used corn syrup to create ‘water’ drops as it was more viscous and didn’t flatten or fall off if I happened to breathe on it.
I improvised with backgrounds. A dead bee I found even became a macro subject.
I did ok, I learned patience, which for me was a big deal! Over the years I had a lot of fun with these methods.
Then a friend was selling his Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro lens. I got a deal.
The first time I put that macro lens on my camera I was completely disappointed. Why? It did not get me nearly as close to my subjects as the reverse ring and extension tube methods.
So, started seeing the options differently with the 100mm lens. I am not a flower person. Yes, they’re lovely, people love to photograph them and people love to see photographs of them. I prefer something different.
I started using my 100mm macro lens for portraits (when asked, something else I don’t tend to do). It has been with me at car shows and also in the city photographing architecture.
There was plenty of experimenting on random objects as well. Bonus points for those of you who know what the image above is of.
I played with shells, feathers, leaves, flowers and anything else I thought might be interesting up close. My 100mm lens comes with me sometimes on my hikes as my only lens. It’s one of my favorite exercises, one lens only. I love how it makes you see and compose your images differently.
In June of 2021, I signed up for a 6-week macro class. After ten years I figured it was time to learn some things to improve my work and add to my creative toolbox.
We started in the classroom with plenty of tools to help us. The instructor brought in props, flowers, backgrounds and all we needed to be able to create refraction in water drop images.
He did not bring us extra patience.
It’s so much easier to create macro images like these when someone is telling you and showing you what to do. Step by step. I amazed myself. It seemed so simple. Seemed.
When I tried to recreate refractions in water drops at home, they did not turn out so well. Mostly they were ok as macro images, but not as refraction images. I lack patience and get frustrated too easily.
We also ventured out into the field for flowers (of course) and bugs. This was a fun challenge and we did it without tripods. Ok, I’m all for this. I surprised myself at the sharpness I achieved.
Typically when I attempt to shoot macro in the field, I can not get a sharp image without a tripod to save my life. I move and sway forward and back when I’m trying to stand still. Ever so slightly, but enough to blur the image.
We also learned how to use a ring flash. I love this look. Am I able to recreate it at home when no one is telling me how to do it? Nope. Although to be honest, I have not practiced this much.
I’d rather use my ring flash to capture “snokeh” (a term my friend Nick Ulivieri made up), it’s the combination of snow and bokeh.
But, learning how to do it and seeing the results was fun. It’s nice to know if I went back and relearned how to make this work, I could. Having options for a time when I might get that bug to relearn these things is good.
I never would have been able to capture a shot like this of a bug. From time to time I try but I’m not patient (in case you missed that fact). Also, I think that because my true photographic interests lie elsewhere, I’m not overly concerned with getting it right. Not a great attitude, is it?
While in this story, my macro abilities appear to have gotten loads better, the reality is I would struggle to create the images I created during the class. Maybe it’s time to get out the 100mm, ring light and head out into the backyard again to play. Handheld. Just to make it harder.
You can find these and other images in my Macro World Gallery.
