Note: Good photos of things like razors don't require macro techniques
but ...
Macros are all about tripods for the camera, a stage for the subject, lighting, problems with focus and very shallow depth of field etc ...
Search the internet for the techniques that are used to overcome these problems.
To illustrate that having a "macro" lens is not the issue see pics below.
[all these are resized and compressed for posting here on B&B - quality is better than it looks here]
The first 3 shots of my grandfathers silver match box were taken with a low cost (under $100 3.0 mpx) digital camera. Shots 2 & 3 added the use of a $1.00 glass magnifier with a diamater of about 1.5 inches.
The magnifying glass is placed in between the camera and the subject for 2x increase in magnification.
The last 2 pics (stamp & dollar bill) are taken with a slightly better camera (under $300 6.0 mpx) with no added magnification.
Macro photos are all about technique ...
here are 2 tricks to get you "ahead of the pack" ...
Trick 1 - focus by moving the subject in relation to the camera.
Note:
Due to the very limited depth of field you usually can't see squat in the view screen of the digital cameras so Trick 1 is nearly impossible!
What to do ...?
Trick 2 - take your camera to the Dollar store and try using various strengths (1.25 to 3.5 diopter) of those ($1 / pair) reading glasses so you can see clearly the image in the camera screen when you are moving the subject (closer/farther) relative to the camera lens.
Pick the reading glass strength that best helps you see to focus at a reasonable (but much closer distance to the viewer).
(I must leave it to you to get details on the lighting and staging techniques - but at least you will have a chance of seeing what you are trying to do - while you're doin' it.)
[These tricks were taught to me by a fellow who was sight-disabled and specialized in macros of flowers and insects. It seems when you must always use a magnifying glass to see small things it is natural to assume you would also use them when photographing small things.]
Good luck
2bits
but ...
Macros are all about tripods for the camera, a stage for the subject, lighting, problems with focus and very shallow depth of field etc ...
Search the internet for the techniques that are used to overcome these problems.
To illustrate that having a "macro" lens is not the issue see pics below.
[all these are resized and compressed for posting here on B&B - quality is better than it looks here]
The first 3 shots of my grandfathers silver match box were taken with a low cost (under $100 3.0 mpx) digital camera. Shots 2 & 3 added the use of a $1.00 glass magnifier with a diamater of about 1.5 inches.
The magnifying glass is placed in between the camera and the subject for 2x increase in magnification.
The last 2 pics (stamp & dollar bill) are taken with a slightly better camera (under $300 6.0 mpx) with no added magnification.
Macro photos are all about technique ...
here are 2 tricks to get you "ahead of the pack" ...
Trick 1 - focus by moving the subject in relation to the camera.
Note:
Due to the very limited depth of field you usually can't see squat in the view screen of the digital cameras so Trick 1 is nearly impossible!
What to do ...?
Trick 2 - take your camera to the Dollar store and try using various strengths (1.25 to 3.5 diopter) of those ($1 / pair) reading glasses so you can see clearly the image in the camera screen when you are moving the subject (closer/farther) relative to the camera lens.
Pick the reading glass strength that best helps you see to focus at a reasonable (but much closer distance to the viewer).
(I must leave it to you to get details on the lighting and staging techniques - but at least you will have a chance of seeing what you are trying to do - while you're doin' it.)
[These tricks were taught to me by a fellow who was sight-disabled and specialized in macros of flowers and insects. It seems when you must always use a magnifying glass to see small things it is natural to assume you would also use them when photographing small things.]
Good luck
2bits
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