PRO ADVICE Expert insight to help you take better close-ups of nature
1 Use a tripod
For torpid and less skittish subjects, it’s still worth using a tripod to eliminate camera shake, which is more easily visible at high magnifications.
2 Boost the ISO
Use a shutter speed of 1/200 sec or faster for sharp shots – you may need to boost your ISO a little to be able to achieve this.
3 Hand-holding
When a tripod isn’t viable, use any image stabilisation you have. Brace yourself against a wall if possible to steady yourself further.
4 Front-on
Get into a position where you can see your subject’s head: this will increase eye contact and make for a more engaging shot.
5 Continuous AF
Use your continuous AF mode and place a single AF point over the eye of your subject, to keep it sharp until you’re ready to take the shot.
6 Reversing rings
A reversing ring lets you shoot through a lens backwards and will transform a ‘normal’ lens into a macro one. If you have a kit lens or, even better, a 35mm or 50mm prime lens, you can flip it around and turn it into a macro lens with a reversing ring that is very budget-friendly.
7 Extension tubes
These fit between your lens and camera body to shorten your minimum focusing distance, so you can focus much closer than normal. Our Kenko tubes are in three sizes: 12mm, 20mm and 36mm; you can use one, all three or a combination of them to get the perfect working distance.
Best kit advice
This story is from the February 2023 edition of PhotoPlus : The Canon Magazine.
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This story is from the February 2023 edition of PhotoPlus : The Canon Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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