This lens is exciting. Meet a macro lens for my iPhone and the pictures it takes. It was part of the same kit
that my fisheye lens came from, and I’ve been experimenting with it for the last couple of days.
A macro lens lets you get finely detailed shots of the tiny details, the smallest nuances in the littlest of subjects. Some of the details I captured were ones I couldn’t see easily with my eyes, so I found myself seeking out the best tiny subjects to shoot.
I’m not going to say that my iPhone with a lens kit will take the same quality photos that you could get with a DSLR and a traditional macro lens. The depth of field, the area of the photograph is in focus in a photograph, felt very shallow and small. So I found myself taking a ton of pictures of each subject to be sure I hit the right focus.
The other issue I noticed is that low light means extra noise or grain in the photo. You can see it in this picture of Tito, our fish.
But I did find that I like the details that do come up, the textures, the specifics. They’re the little things that get overlooked when you shoot for the big picture. When I focus on composition or light (which are so important too), I loose these smaller specifics. and I like them. Molly’s wet nose. The bundle of yarn with the tiny whisper threads. It’s lovely.
It’s it’s own art, shooting macro. And I look forward to learning more as I go. In the meantime, here are 5 tips to help me along the way.
- Don’t be afraid to get close. Really close. Sometimes it’s difficult, and you feel like you’re invading your subject’s personal space, but here’s the thing. You have to get close to get the macro shot. It’s that simple.
- Use a tripod. If your subject is still, then a tripod can help you get a sharp focus. I didn’t use them for these, and I kind of wish I had.
- The lighter the better. Use your flash or an external light source or extra sunlight, but make sure your subject is lit well and completely.
- Simple is best. Concentrate on your one subject. And only one. Not only will it make the composition stronger, it will also make it easier to focus your shot.
- Fill the frame. Fill the frame with your subject, make it clear and specific. Your photos will be stronger for it.