The Nikon guide to macro photography

Techniques to learn

Manual focus

Many professional macro photographers use Manual focus for complete control over where the focus point of the image is, especially where the focal plane is so thin. This technique should be partnered with a tripod so that the camera doesn’t move in relation to the subject. You can also use remote shutter release, either from a dedicated remote control or via the free Nikon SnapBridge app, so you don’t even have to touch the camera.  

Focus stacking

The focal plane can be extremely narrow in macro images so, to get more front-to-back sharpness of a subject, focus stacking can be used. This is where you take a number of different images, changing the focus slightly each time, and then assemble the results into one image in editing software. For lots more detail on focus stacking click here.

Projects to try

Oil and water

With a flat-bottomed glass dish, some water and cooking oil and a piece of coloured paper you can create amazing abstract images. Simply place the glass on top of the coloured paper and drip water and oil on the glass, mixing it together. Then use your small LED light to illuminate the scene from above. Take images with the camera perpendicular to the glass for a full overhead look.

Food

Food is a great subject for macro imagery (plus you get to eat it afterwards!). A great way to start is with an egg. The beauty of a simple egg is that there are so many ways to photograph it: in a cup or lying on a surface, lit from lots of different angles and in different ways. It’s a fantastic way to learn how to style and light a scene at the small scale. Check out this and other ideas to start with in macro food photographer here.

Flowers and leaves

Flowers and foliage are a classic subject of macro photography. You can either use bought cut flowers at home or plants growing outdoors. If you’re outside, an overcast day can be good because then you have a flat light to start with, which you can add to with small LED lights. If you are outside, it’s also important that you don’t cut or trample wildflowers. You can find a full guide to taking macro images of spring flowers here.

Insect safari

Armed with a camera, a macro lens and a small light (or even just the torch on your phone) you can be a wildlife photographer in your own garden or local park. And like any other wildlife photographer or filmmaker, you should never disturb the animals, move them, bring them home or otherwise interfere with their natural behaviour. Flying insects are often better to photograph in the very early morning or late evening, when they are roosting and tired. But there are plenty of small insects and animals that won’t fly away, such as snails and caterpillars, which are equally fascinating subjects.

Ready for more? Discover all there is to know about macro photography in Nikon Magazine…

• Exploring abstract macro photography at home
• 8 tips for getting started with outdoor macro photography
• Get creative with the NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 – a classic prime with macro capability
• Get started in macro photography with your Nikon Quickstart cheat sheet
• Get started in macro photography with spring flowers
• Improve your close-up photography with Ross Hoddinott
• 9 macro food photography styles and how to achieve them
• Macro shots that pop
• Elevating the ordinary with focus stacking