A Novice’s Entry Into The World of Macrophotography

Dave Stone

University Laboratory High School

Urbana, IL

What is macrophotography?

Macrophotography is close-up photography of small objects or small parts of large objects.

Macrophotography allows the user to see things that are too small or occur too rapidly to be readily seen using the naked eye.

What is macrophotography?

Macrophotography is close-up photography of small objects or small parts of large objects.

Macrophotography allows the user to see things that are too small or occur too rapidly to be readily seen using the naked eye.

Past Image-related Involvement

Video-based

Used to slow movements of myself and my dogs in agility training

Key Areas of Focus

My timingMy body movementsMy footworkMy cuesDog’s timingDog’s body movementDog’s footworkDog’s cues

Training Video

Video played from my computer, though it can be accessed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKUS5RIfr-E&feature=PlayList&p=59D88AE42334D656&index=2

Macrophotography: A lens for seeing structure and behavior

Macrophotography Workshop (June, 2009)

Alex Wild– Nature Photographer– Postdoc in

Entomology–Myrmecos

Photo by Alex Wild

Some General Questions

Do you need a DSLR for excellent macrophotographs?

No, there are many very nice, very versatile compact digital cameras available, though shutter lag can be an issue.

Do you need a macro lens for excellent macrophotographs?

No, macro mode on most digital cameras works well. Are there options other than purchasing a dedicated macro lens?

Yes, they include close-up filters (which work as a magnifying glass) or reversing a lens [best if you use a prime (non-zoom lens)] with a reversing ring.

Some General Questions

Do you need a DSLR for excellent macrophotographs?

No, there are many very nice, very versatile compact digital cameras available, though shutter lag can be an issue.

Do you need a macro lens for excellent macrophotographs?

No, macro mode on most digital cameras works well. Are there options other than purchasing a dedicated macro lens?

Yes, they include close-up filters (which work as a magnifying glass) or reversing a lens [best if you use a prime (non-zoom lens)] with a reversing ring.

Some General Questions

Do you need a DSLR for excellent macrophotographs?

No, there are many very nice, very versatile compact digital cameras available, though shutter lag can be an issue.

Do you need a macro lens for excellent macrophotographs?

No, macro mode on most digital cameras works well. Are there options other than purchasing a dedicated macro lens?

Yes, they include close-up filters (which work as a magnifying glass) or reversing a lens [best if you use a prime (non-zoom lens)] with a reversing ring.

So, why buy a macro lens?

Macro lenses excel in sharpness across the entire image, contrast and overall photo quality.

Summer of Photography(Summer, 2009)

Lots of Arthropod-related ProjectsBeeSpaceReadingTechnique

Summer of Photography(Summer, 2009)

Reading Books

Summer of Photography(Summer, 2009)

Reading Blogs

Alex Wild’s “Myrmecos”

Ted MacRae’s “Beetles in the Bush”

Summer of Photography(Summer, 2009)

Technique

Equipment Nikon D50 60mm Nikkor Macro lens

Challenge #1Lens practically touches whatever you are

photographing

Often 2” to 3” from specimen

Challenge #2

Razor thin depth of field

Challenge #3

Lens interference with onboard flash

Challenge #4

Photographing nocturnal activities

Time is of the Essence

Being in the field at the right time is key.Mornings are times of less activity.Late AM and early PM hours are times of high

activity.

Different bloom times allow you access to different pollinators and predators.Spring and Fall – Best in the wooded areasSummer – U of I Arboretum, 1st and Windsor

 

Time is of the Essence

Being in the field at the right time is key.Mornings are times of less activity.Late AM and early PM hours are times of high

activity.

Different bloom times allow you access to different pollinators and predators.Spring and Fall – Best in the wooded areasSummer – U of I Arboretum, 1st and Windsor

 

My First (and Only) Rule

No baiting, no chilling, no stunning, no killing.

Rules for Photographing Arthropods

1. Move slowly.2. Find a spot that appeals to you and wait.3. Moist areas always have largest diversity.4. Utilize knowledge of arthropod senses and

behaviors.Look for shadows on the underside of leaves .Never get between an arthropod and the sun.Take advantage of territoriality.Take advantage of vision differences.

5. Use the whole of the frame to tell your story.6. Contrasting and bright background colors are key

in many of the best images.

Rules for Photographing Arthropods

1. Move slowly.2. Find a spot that appeals to you and wait.3. Moist areas always have largest diversity.4. Utilize knowledge of arthropod senses and

behaviors.Look for shadows on the underside of leaves .Never get between an arthropod and the sun.Take advantage of territoriality.Take advantage of vision differences.

5. Use the whole of the frame to tell your story.6. Contrasting and bright background colors are key

in many of the best images.

Rules for Photographing Arthropods

1. Move slowly.2. Find a spot that appeals to you and wait.3. Moist areas always have largest diversity.4. Utilize knowledge of arthropod senses and

behaviors.Look for shadows on the underside of leaves .Never get between an arthropod and the sun.Take advantage of territoriality.Take advantage of vision differences.

5. Use the whole of the frame to tell your story.6. Contrasting and bright background colors are key

in many of the best images.

Rules for Photographing Arthropods

1. Move slowly.2. Find a spot that appeals to you and wait.3. Moist areas always have largest diversity.4. Utilize knowledge of arthropod senses and

behaviors.Look for shadows on the underside of leaves.Never get between an arthropod and the sun.Take advantage of territoriality.Take advantage of vision differences.

5. Use the whole of the frame to tell your story.6. Contrasting and bright background colors are key

in many of the best images.

Rules for Photographing Arthropods

1. Move slowly.2. Find a spot that appeals to you and wait.3. Moist areas always have largest diversity.4. Utilize knowledge of arthropod senses and

behaviors.Look for shadows on the underside of leaves .Never get between an arthropod and the sun.Take advantage of territoriality.Take advantage of vision differences.

5. Use the whole of the frame to tell your story.6. Contrasting and bright background colors are key

in many of the best images.

Rules for Photographing Arthropods

1. Move slowly.2. Find a spot that appeals to you and wait.3. Moist areas always have largest diversity.4. Utilize knowledge of arthropod senses and

behaviors.Look for shadows on the underside of leaves .Never get between an arthropod and the sun.Take advantage of territoriality.Take advantage of vision differences.

5. Use the whole of the frame to tell your story.6. Contrasting and bright background colors are key

in many of the best images.

Champaign County Camera Club (Fall, 2009)

Became part of a local community of photographers

Introduced me to critique

Introduced me to improving my technique and images through competitions

PSA International Competitions

Entomological Society of America 2009 National Insect Salon

PSA’s Seven DivisionsColor Projected ImageElectronic ImagingNaturePhotojournalismPhoto TravelPictorial Print3D

Each division offers an information center, study groups, division memberships, and competitions.

PSA Star Ratings: NatureThe Nature Star Rating system was initiated to provide recognition for proficiency in international nature exhibitions. All acceptances must be in PSA recognized nature exhibitions.

Star Level # of Acceptances

# of Different Titles

1 18 6

2 36 12

3 72 24

4 144 48

5 288 96

Book Recommendation

2010 PSA Competitions

Ridgewood Camera ClubEntomological Society of America

North Central BranchSaguaro International Nature

ExhibitionFresno International ExhibitionGreat Lakes Digital SalonMississippi Valley Camera Club

Do Your Homework

1. Establish categories (e.g. Nature – Open vs. Nature – Wildlife).

2. Look for special designation awards (e.g. organisms under 1 cm in length).

3. Look through postings of past year’s accepted images.

4. Select images based on background of judges.

Various Nature Categories

Nature – OpenNo human elements, domestic species, or modifications other than cropping and global changes.

Nature – WildlifeSee Nature – Open above. Organisms must be photographed in their natural environment. No zoo, game farm or landscape images.

Special Designation Awards

Best example – “Organisms under 1 cm in length” award offered by the Entomological Society of America North Central Branch

Encourages photographers to photograph a subset of organisms they would not normally photograph

Non-PSA CompetitionsInvertebrates in Education and

Conservation Conference, Tucson, AZ

Four days of morning presentations and Sonoran Desert afternoon/ evening field work

Hosts a photo competition judged by conference participants (academic institutions, museums, zoos and aquaria, captive breeding program directors, authors of the major arthropod field guides).

Participants focus more on detail and difficulty of getting the shot.

Realizations After My FirstYear of Competition

Most Successful Images

My most successful images have been those 1) with strong detail, 2) a good contrasting background, and 3) show an action such as predation, courtship or mating.

Most Successful Images

My most successful images have been those 1) with strong detail, 2) a good contrasting background, and 3) show an action such as predation, courtship or mating.

Most Successful Images

My most successful images have been those 1) with strong detail, 2) a good contrasting background, and 3) show an action such as predation, courtship or mating.

Most Successful Images

My most successful images have been those 1) with strong detail, 2) a good contrasting background, and 3) show an action such as predation, courtship or mating.

Storing Images

During Michael Jeffords presentation last year he stated that he had thousands of slides to organize.

I realized that I had to plan how to organize my images AND I wanted them to be available to others.

This led to creation of Things Biological (http://thingsbiological.wordpress.com/).

Origin of “Things Biological ”

Video played from my computer, though it can be accessed at https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/stone2/uiwp/video.html

WordPress as a Means of Sharing Your Work

Allows for storage of a vast number of images

Intuitive InterfaceEasily customizable to your needsBuilt in search functionAllows you to easily link to online

resources and videos

Nature Blog Network

“A nexus for the very best nature blogs on the net. If you're looking for outstanding blogging about birds, bugs, plants, herps, hiking, oceans, ecosystems, or any other natural topic - or if you blog on those topics yourself – this is the place for you!”

So, what have I learned that can be of value to others?

Three macro lens ranges are commonly available

50-60mm lenses are best for handheld shots and stationary objects.

Require the shortest working distance15.0 oz. (425 g) $375 - $475My preference

100-105mm Macro Lens

Most commonly available macro lensWorking distance of about 1’ awayWhen you use built-in flash, the longer

105 lens may block the light path$475-$90019.837 oz., 562.4g

200mm Macro Lens

Extra long focal lengthWorking distance of about 1’ away$1684-$1794Heavier, requires a tripod

Several other technologies can magnify your image size.

Teleconverters

Teleconverters fit between your lens and the body of the camera.

Canon calls them extenders.

1.2x, 1.4x, 2x, 3x$150-$220Nikon 1.7x ($400) comes VERY highly recommended

Extension TubesTeleconverters without any opticsPiece of metal with bayonet fittings on each

side, fits between the camera and lensThe best extension tubes (Kenko) connect

electronics of the camera with electronics of the lens.

$170 - $180 for a set of three

Enhanced Lighting

For Night Photography - Headlamp

Enhanced Lighting

Ring FlashInexpensiveFlat image

Enhanced Lighting

XotoPro

Provides the ability to move the flash units, adding greater depth and definition

Allows for hand-held photography in the field or mounting on a tripod in the studio

$350

Enhanced Lighting

XotoPro Images

Enhanced Lighting

XotoPro Images – Red Light, Auto Focus

Camera SupportTargus Monopod

Extends to 5.5 feet Foam hand grip and wristband Quick-release leg locks Rubber foot with ground spike 1 lbs.$10-$15

Some Future Directions

Image Stacking

Helicon Focus

Work with a Better Camera

14.2 Megapixel Sensor

1080p HD Cinematic Video

Continue Watching and Learning…

…And Take A Lot of Pictures!