Want to dive into macro photography? This post will inspire you and will help you get started right away. No special lenses are necessary! We are featuring interviews with viewbug members who share the tips and techniques behind their awarded photos. Ariel explains how he shoots macro photography and how any type of photographer (even beginners) can take a great macro shot (even without a macro lens).
Ariel Gitana (arielgitana) took this photo in his home studio in Taguig City, Philippines. "This was an experimental macro shot when I was still learning the lighting in photography. I used a tripod, backdrop, and 1 lighting setup."
I wanted this image to look mysterious and dramatic. I just used 1 external flash on the right side of the feather to make the background dark. This was shot on a Nikon D7100, Tamron 18-200mm, Benro tripod, and 1 external flash.
I challenged myself to take a macro shot even if I don't have a macro lens. A macro lens is one which allows you to take sharp, detailed, close-up photos of small subjects.
In my camera bag I always pack is my Nikkor 50mm 1.8 prime, it gives a great depth of field. And of course a Nikon D7100 body. Aside from 50mm, Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 is also my favorite because of its range for landscapes and for street photography.
In a nutshell, remember to always shoot a lot, keep your camera steady, experiment with different backgrounds, and keep your lens (or mobile device) always in good focus to achieve a great macro shot.
