how did you get started on macro photography?


magicianhisoka

Senior Member
Sep 14, 2009
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as per title, curious as to how people start on macro photography since its kinda specialized. been thinking about experimenting with it too but now sure whats a good start.

would love a healthy discussion with as little flaming or fighting as possible. thanks all!
 

as per title, curious as to how people start on macro photography since its kinda specialized. been thinking about experimenting with it too but now sure whats a good start.

would love a healthy discussion with as little flaming or fighting as possible. thanks all!

You'll only know if you'd like it or not if you have actually tried it. So as what I try to do, I practise most of the forms of photography at least once to see if I can get to like it and if I am able to do so with my limited amount of gear.

And if you don't have any, try to borrow, rent or test it out on other ppls cameras. At least you'll have a better idea as to how it's done and whether you'd like it or are able to continue on with it further.

I was personally quite lucky as I had some gear on hand to test out and play with before I aquired my own.
 

Its just an interest. If you have it, you'll delve deeper into it. Same goes for the portrait, landscape, sports etc etc ;)
 

in the beginning, photographer might want to try every genre if they have the time(unless they just want to see XMMs in bikinis/bras).... then slowly they will start to develop and interest in a specific genre.

however some genre needs special equipment that might cost a lot(eg underwater photography), so some people might not go into that

some genres are more difficult for some people than some other.
for eg, to do nature or wildlife photography, a person must have the patience to wait endure the weather. to do human portraits, a photographer must have have people skills etc
 

personally id like to give it a shot. Lack of gear is currently a barrier to entry though. But it seems fun because of what i can do with such a narrow point of view :)
 

For me I enjoy going to the parks to take a walk when I was overseas... the desire to take photos of what I see around me grew and reached a point where I wanted to take photos of what I couldn't really see. so well.. hence I started taking close up photos of flowers. While probably not as difficult as spotting insects it does require patience to wait for the flowers to stop blowing in the wind...

See if it fits into your other interests and you'll find it quite enjoyable :)
 

For me, its because I stumbled onto the macro sub-forum here. With so many nice shots, it's easy to wana try macro shooting.
 

If you interested, just go into it.

How specialise you want to be, will depend on your commitment.
 

With your current equipment, get a 2nd hand Raynox DCR250 to use with your 55-250. That should be sufficient for most, if not all, of your macro shots. If you don't like it, you can sell the close-up filter with minimum or no loss. If you like it, well, you can stick with the Raynox, or go get a dedicated macro lens. :)
 

as per title, curious as to how people start on macro photography since its kinda specialized. been thinking about experimenting with it too but now sure whats a good start.

would love a healthy discussion with as little flaming or fighting as possible. thanks all!

Serious? Get a dedicated Macro lens
Find ways to Improve ur lighting
Find ways to get a sturdy shot
Find ways to enhance reproduction ratio.
Its quite simple and straightforward actually
:)
 

Get poisoned by all the crazy shots in the macro forum by Numnumball, Madmartian, Leong23 (and everyone else who's name I haven't mentioned - coz too many good ones already!), and you'll be chin-deep into macros... :bsmilie:

Seriously? I saw a beautiful butterfly flying past me... and coincidentally I have a macro lens (only lens) fitted in my body (which I used for normal street/portrait/product shoot)... the rest is history (albeit a pretty short one...) :bsmilie:

Its pretty easy to get hooked on Macro... coz once you're into the microscopic eye-candies, you'll develop a taste for more!...
 

Join one of the macro outing and experience it yourself. You will never know until you try.
 

As the saying goes: "JUST DO IT". When you asked this question, obviously you have an intend to give it a try. Actually starting on macro photography doesn't require expensive setup. With just a kit lens plus get an extension tube (3rd party are cheap), you would be able to start the ball rolling. Learn from the rest. I still use simple setup like a lens + Raynox + a DIY diffuser. Of course at time use my twin lights for serious shoot.

Go, get your gears and start shooting. You will enjoy for sure. Good luck!
 

Here are a couple of options;

1. Rent/borrow/beg/steal a macro lens for a weekend

2. Buy a close up filter for your existing lens

3. Just take the plunge and buy a macro lens

...and see how you do. You already have a speedlite so just stick a DIY diffuser on it and you're well set for some macro shots. I took the plunge literally days ago and I was quite surprised at how easy it was -if you put some effort into it to get close!
 

Join one of the macro outings, surely get poisoned :bsmilie:
I joined one of Stevewhy's outings, he taught me a lot.

Start cheap, throw a Raynox DCR250 on 50mm lens. $120 + $180.
Most of my shots are using the above setup, there's hundreds of samples on my flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/troyparry/collections/72157617637028136/
 

in the beginning wanted to try everything and interested in everything ..
 

Macro is not everyone's cup of tea. For me, my interest has always been in Macro so there I go. However, many of my friends aren't as they find it troublesome and 'suffering'.

First of all, are you able to withstand heat, dirt and mozzies? :)

Give it some thoughts before you actually take the plunge.
 

Macro is not everyone's cup of tea. For me, my interest has always been in Macro so there I go. However, many of my friends aren't as they find it troublesome and 'suffering'.

First of all, are you able to withstand heat, dirt and mozzies? :)

Give it some thoughts before you actually take the plunge.

Not only that, also the sweat flowing down your neck and face as you are concentrating to take that crucial shot before the bug flies off or walks away.. :bsmilie:
 

Not only that, also the sweat flowing down your neck and face as you are concentrating to take that crucial shot before the bug flies off or walks away.. :bsmilie:

Then shoot fish lor. In the comfort of your house with all variables under your control except for the posture of the subject.

Cheers,
 

Not only that, also the sweat flowing down your neck and face as you are concentrating to take that crucial shot before the bug flies off or walks away.. :bsmilie:

And withstand dissapointment that u can squat inthe bushes for 2 hrs but only got 1or 2 shots :lovegrin:
 

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