Macro Photography for Beginners - Complete Tutorial 

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A neighbour of mine is a highly talented photographer, and - still in the days of analogue photography / slides - my wife and I were invited to his house in the evening. He showed us some slides projected onto a screen which consisted of macro photographs of a single bloom of a red amaryllis : they were ASTOUNDINGLY BEAUTIFUL, and he used music to accentuate the impact of the individual images !!! His equipment was from Leica and it was possible to see even the microscopically tiny hairs of the flower on what looked like a bright red ski slope. Truly very impressive !!!

Good advice and pretty much how I shoot. The only thing I would add is that a high megapixel camera will enable the user to crop in more and therefore shoot from further away. This helps with depth of field, working distance and enables the use of autofocus in many cases. I have shot with 12 MP, 24MP and 42MP cameras and all are ok but the 42 MP does have advantages. Having said that, I got great results even with the 12MP camera.

I consider myself "experienced" as a photographer but not in macro. I can say this whole videos echoes my thoughts on macro and also a wonderful, easy to digest instruction into the discipline. Thanks much for the video and taking the time to explain why you don't need to spend a million dollars to get into another style.

I started with regular photography about a year ago and tried a closeup shot here and there but never studied macro. Thank you so much for this video! I'm not sure what shooting I will do but I came away with a great understanding of the basics. Thanks again!!

Your experiment showing how an extension tube works was amazing. I always wondered how extension tubes were so cheap but your experiment showed me how simple they are and why you lose so much light when using them.

Thank you so much for this video. I bought a macro lens about 3 years ago without much of a clue how to use it. After some miserable attempts it ended up in a drawer. After watching your video I hauled it out along with my speed light and used some of your tips. Results, while not perfect, have certainly got me hooked on this type of photography and photography in general now I have a base that I can work from to improve. Thanks again.

Been into macro photography for a few years now but always find it good to get back to basics every now and again just to pick up one or two tips that may have been forgotten - a very clear and well presented tutorial there Micael. 👍

My husband and I watched this together Friday night. It was both instructive and entertaining. I especially enjoyed your section about what was weird with macro photography. By the way most of the bugs that stay still for you tend to be predators: tiger flies, ladybugs, spiders, ambush bugs, and so forth. Or they have really good defenses-stink bugs are slow, but no other bug in its right mind would ever wish to eat it. 🤢

thanx much Michael, doing something different, I do lots of street & urban photography, now I'm dipping my toe in macro photography, and you gave me a good starting point!

Great video, your video's from a few years ago helped me get into macro photography. I stopped for the last 18 months and am now getting back into it, so this was a great refresher video and I learnt a few new things too, especially around aperture as I would tend to stick to F10 for most of my shots with the Lawoa 100mm x2 lens

I'm an experienced photographer but a complete newbie when it comes to macro work. I found your video very helpful so thanks very much for taking the time to make it!

Absolutely great video. Your calm and nice way of talking and your positive charisma made it easy to follow these essential tips. It helped a ton. Thank you so much 🤘🏼

Thanks so much for this video. As many others have said in the comments, I too am familar with "regular" photography but was looking for some good advice on how to get started with macro photography. Well done!

The setting for making the viewfinder bright for Olympus is "simulated optical viewfinder" or S OVF. A monopod is a good compromise between easy setup and steady camera. Another option for more steady (but harder setup) is to use a tripod with one leg all the way up so it's a bipod. Very stable left/right and up/down and you can still tilt in and out to change focus and working distance

Thankyou Micael for this video and the focusing tip! I was getting down but just makes me try harder.

I'm just starting out in macro photography and found this video very helpful. Thank you!

Awesome overview! I have been wanting to try macro but wasnt sure how to go about it. Now I have a place to start! Thank you for sharing!

Super video, Micael! I'm not a raw beginner, but I learned so much from watching this. In fact, I learn a lot from watching every one of your videos! Thanks for your hard work on these, and keep 'em coming!

I started doing macro about a year ago with some luck your videos have helped. I got extension tubes with no electronic on it so you can’t use a new lens because you can’t set your aperture. I have an old Pentax 50mm 1.4 and got a reverse mount for it.

Great tips! Thanks. I found setting the iso to auto and knowing the strength of my flash works well to see the subject in the view finder and get low iso images

You are the best! Very useful tips and i got laowa lens as per your recommendation and it is amazing. Thank you and keep up the good work Micael.

Thank you Micael, your videos helps me a lot with my experience of macro photos !

Thank you for all this advice, I could listen to you all day. A great video about Macro, I will definately be watching more of your videos x💕

Down to earth practical tutorial explained in a very relaxing mode. Thank you Micael.

Thank you for explaining macro photography for beginners. Many years ago, I was big into photography when digital photography was non existent. Getting the itch again and want to get back into it. Lately, I've been fascinated with fungi macro photography. It's like another world. I already have my Fujifilm XT-3 and just need a macro lens. Subscribed!

To try macro photography on the cheap, you can flip a normal lens around. Decades ago, I cut a hole in a lens cap and I cut another hole the camera body cap. After gluing these two caps together I could mount the lens on the camera backwards. These days, a 3D printer could easily make an adapter without destroying your lens cap and camera cap. This video has got me interested in trying macro photography again. Thanks for all the great information.

thanks for the good info! especially regarding flash and diffuser. I own an Olympus camera with 60mm macro lens and I have just attacked the macro 250 to it and works very well. Now I need to invest in a flash and diffuser. Your video helps to know what I need. Appreciated!

I use my Canon 60mm and 180 Macro all the time. I enjoy seeing what I get.I started out using Canon 20D and when the Canon 90D came out I started using that. I still use both depending on what lens is on what camera.

Thank you sir. Only getting into macro now that I have the necessary tools. and knowledge 👍📯 I prefer photographing objects, angles and structures; from small to large, inside and outside the household, with special attention to constant lighting the subject. Keep on going Micael!

Great tips (not just for beginners). Thanks Micael.

Thanks for taking the time to make this vid, really helpful. I sat here nodding at each point you raised. Especially around DOF being so short.

Great refresher course. Thanks Micael

Thanks Micael, very interesting video with lots of tips. Would like to get into this aspect of photography. Definitely will be checking out your other videos.

Every fall I think about giving macro a serious try then don’t. Going to try harder this fall (fungi). This video was great and changed my thinking on several points. Thanks! Subscribed and looking forward to going through your other vids.

Alltid lär man sig något nytt av dig. "Setting effect off" är någonting jag inte visste. Tack för det tipset Micael

What a great video! I did macro photography back in the olden days of film and have re-entered the subject with my new Sony A7Rv and a Godox V1s. Wow, how the topic has evolved with mirrorless cameras. I set up my camera and flash using your suggested starting point settings. I nailed the exposure on the first test shot! Thanks Micael. Yes, I liked and subscribed. Happy shooting!

Fabulous video, something that has always been on my bucket list but never attempted until now

If you are thinking about buying extension tubes, be careful with cheap versions. I had a cheap set that the little pins that facilitate communication between lens and camera stuck and didn't move as easily as they should. I didn't know this and when I put the extension tube on my camera, the little pins broke the contacts on the lens mount on the body. So, I don't recommend going very cheap on these and I definitely recommend checking to make sure the pins move freely before putting the tube on your camera.

Great video for beginners. Clear, step by step and in very nice manner. Thank you very much!

Thanks a lot for explaining the macro in very simple and practicable way.

Micael, thank you for this video! I’ve been making macro photos for more than 10 years and am “self-taught”. Either I got good results or not so I just shot lots and hoped one would meet my exacting standards! Back to basics with this excellent video and I can correct my mistakes! Many thanks! I’ve watched many of your videos and this one is essential for beginners in macro photography. I’m showing it to my Camera Club before we go out to find insects!

Brilliant advice. Thank you for sharing your tips on Macro photography. Much appreciated 👍

I copied / emulated your flash setup using the Godox X2T-S TTL (wireless controller) + the Godox TT600 (flash unit) using a diffuser and the difference in the quality of insect and flower macro is absolutely astonishing. I've only had it setup for an hour but took some great sleeping bee shots. Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brill vid, and thanks. I got a sony A6000 with the 16-50mm kit lens, I bought two AF extension tubes 16 mm and 10mm, £10. I had problems with the depth of field , and you explained it perfectly.👍👍👍 BTW a better flash than the Meike MK 320, is the Godox TT 350. it's just as small as the meike 320. It has a GN of 35. full range of head movement, including backwards. Sync up to 1/8000. TTL/Manual/Multi. each mode can be used as a master or slave. It has a deffuser protector cap and the normal pull out deffuser/white bounce card on the flash head. At this present time on Amazon UK, the Godox is cheaper than the Meike. Again a brill and I'm subscribed 👍😊

i used to use extension tubes but I had better results with a reverse lens adapter. i used a 24mm or a 50mm reversed and worked very nice for hobby. it was tricky to focus and to adjust aperture but it's a very cheap way to start.

Thanks so much Micael. An excellent overview. I particularly appreciated your tips on settings and tripods. I have a lot of trouble keeping a lens steady (big clunky DSLR) so I'll practice more as suggested and hopefully my flash will compensate. Only challenge then will be using hi-speed drive and not 'burning' out my flash. I'm hoping that with 1/16th power that my recycle times won't be an issue. Something to be said for caterpillars At least they don't fly away :-) Thanks again, very well done!

Thank you. I enjoy greatly watching your lecture on Macro Photography.

Thank you Micael. Very much appreciated.

Thank you for this video! I really appreciate all the information. I saw it from start to end. Thank you!!!

Possibly the best breakdown of this subject that I have seen on YT. Well done.

Excellent. I’m just starting macro photography and this is a great starting point. Thank you.

Great video. You explain it all very nicely and easy to understand. New subscriber here 👌 I love macro and agree completely about being patient and just take lots of photos but check before leaving. Last time the bees was only at each flower one or two seconds. I newer seen that before. Trysil, Norway. But then I anticipated one specific flower to be visited multiple times, so I could just wait there for a while and see if I got lucky. Great fun.

I have been looking for such a great easy and comprehensive video. After hours and hours of searching, this is by far the best. Thank you so much!

Thank you for great overview! I'm just starting with macro (with a really limited budget kind of - got a cheap Lumix GF3 body + already had extension rings and dozen different vintage soviet lenses for M39). In terms of lenses, it seems literally anything can work great. Even cheapest lens in my possession (Industar I50U-1 designed for photo enlargers selling for like 60 cents in a box) gives interesting results.

Your speed of light comparison was so great

The "review photo" setting you were using, omg i totally forgot that existed! would save so much time compared to pressing the gallery button

Thank you for taking the time and presenting your very important tips. It is greatly appreciated. Loved the video.

Thankyou soo much ! Just starting with macro photography

Good stuff! I have recently tried animal Eye AF in R5 using macro lens. Surprisingly it works like a magic lol. I did not have to use manual focus and used animal AF and tracked small insects with precise focus. I almost felt like I am shooting a big animal. lol.

Thank you so much for explaining all of this. I tried the recommended base settings with my 50mm prime and extension tubes. Results are so much better than I had up to now. The biggest mistake I was making before was not using a flash and diffuser and shooting wide exposures. Have only tried on plants so far, can't wait to go find some little beasties in the garden.. Thanks!!

What a fantastic video. Thank you for putting it together. 👍🏻🙂

This was an amazing lesson, thank you so much 😊

I love your channel - so helpful.

Thank you Micael for your tips on the macro. Once again, compact cameras are forgotten. Next to my Nikon D500 used for landscapes or birds, I persist in using a simple, affordable and very powerful compact camera Olympus TG-5 (TG-6 is the latest version). I know my review will arouse the skepticism of readers who claim that a $450 compact with a built-in lens cannot produce the image quality of more sophisticated DSLR or mirrorless cameras with expensive lenses and accessories. And yet, it is the opposite! Here is. My hiking buddies and I have been sharing our photos of flowers, mushrooms and insects for a few years. One uses a Nikon D500 + AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens and the other a Nikon D4S + AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED lens. Despite their equipment and their long experience, they are unable to capture the ocular facets of a weevil (Anthonomus quadrigibbus) for example) as I do with this Olympus. And the depth of field? And the focus? Here are the benefits I've noted of this compact aptly marketed as a "macro machine". Depth of field. The small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor of this Olympus generates a much greater depth of field than the Nikons of my friends. And this, even if they use a low aperture. Photos with the Olympus give a wider depth of field although generally captured between f/2.8 and f/5.6. Processor. At the heart of the TG-5 and TG-6 is the same high-end TruePic VIII processor also nestled in the Olympus OMD EM1 Mk II (body only costs €1500). Focus peaking. To perfect manual focus, a highlight is displayed on the sharpest areas of the image. Focus stacking. Focus stacking performs very well even without a tripod, just leaning against the ground or a tree. The precision and depth of field obtained are astonishing even at 1/30 sec. Macro lens. The macro lens is actually the one already integrated into the body. Its range is 25-100mm (35mm equivalent) for f/2.0 - f/4.9. Working distance. My argument will differ from most photographers. I prefer a lens that has the shortest working distance. Thus, the Olympus TG-5 allows a 1 cm approach to the lens. Many insects are not shy and tolerate such closeness. For the the most fearful, with patience, they can also be captured very closely. For this, I start my shots at a good distance then I approach very gradually and I pose, approach, pose and approach again. Sometimes the subject flies away, but often it stops moving again and tolerates me more. To this end, I remember this maxim: "The subject must be given time to get used to our presence." Magnification. Along with optical magnification, sensor and subject size, keeping the working distance as short as possible is essential in the equation if you want to capture detailed shots of very small subjects. The Olympus TG-5 and TG-6 have the highest magnification rate of any camera currently available on the market. Auxiliary lighting. A flash diffuser attached to the perimeter of the lens (ring shape) provides a soft and uniform light and will reduce exposure time, therefore camera shake. Olympus FD-1 at €55. Video. In addition to shooting in 4K, a slow motion mode allows you to shoot in HD definition at 240 frames per second (720p). The beatings of insect wings are then tasty. I avoid 480 frames per second, which is a bit noisy. Maneuverability. In addition to its small body, the small size of the Olympus is due to the reduced and non-protruding lens diameter and by the absence of windscreen, extension ring and other accessories. Many times, I was able to take pictures in places too cramped for the bulky cameras of my friends. Quality/price/performance. A well-kept secret for some, merits shunned by others, this rudimentary-looking compact proves to be one of the most efficient for macro photography. May I send you some pics to prove it? Cheers.

Thank you. You are a very knowledge and humble man. I am sure insects like you.

Very helpful to have everything in one place!

Thank you for giving helpful info without being a snob about hardware

Very fine and gentle way of talking. It is a happy experience listening to you... Thanks and congrats.

Hi, thx for this helpfull tips, i started with an MFT Lumix DMC 80, Zoom 45-150 mm F5,6 and Raynox DCR 250, with your tips i got great shots, the only thing with my flash the Meike MK320 i must set very often to 1/ 128 for good exposure Pictures with an F8/9 ans SS from 1/80

Thank you for the great and very helpful tips 🙏

Great tips! Thanks

Excellent video, simple but very useful tips!

Great tutorial, thank you!

Thank you Michael!

Thank you. Cool easy advice.

this is an incredible beginners video Micael! You covered everything. GG

You have no idea how much the title of this videos excites me. ✌️❤️ Thanks for making this.

amazing tips, thank you so much!

Currently building myself a macro setup with an Nikon lens from an old Film Scanner. 3d printing parts and adding an aperture ring. Hoping it will turn out nice. Also i found enlarging lenses (like the Schneider componon series) are very good at 1x to 5x mag

Thanks a lot for this great video 🙏 Soon the insects will show up outside in Sweden and this year I will do my best to get som good images of them, a lot thanks to the help from your videos. so thanks again 😀🙏

Excellent video and content, thank you!

this tutorial is very helpful and useful. thank you for sharing your knowledge about macro photography.

Thank you so much for such a in depth video. You are like a macro photography guide to me. I am feeling encouraged. 👌😁

Fantastic video so much detail and easy to understand for beginner Went out the other day to take some shots figuring bits out as I went along but after watching this again afterwards it all makes sense now. Thanks so much truely helpful

Good tips for macrophotography. Would be nice if you include links for you equipments

Uff, after 6 years its now time, NiCE. Im so Hyped ;)

Thank you Micael.

Excellent advice. Many thanks.

good stuff! Very helpful. Thank you

Excellent tips. Thank you.

Great video! Thank you!

Gread idea for this video! Thanks

Thank you for sharing this wonderful presentation👍🏻

You're the best, thanks!

Awesome. Thank you for making this video

Very detaied and simply explained video. Thank you!

I commend you for this excellent presentation! Outstanding tips!

Helpful. Thank you!

Very informative. Thank you.