Do you wish to take sensational macro pictures…

In this article, I am most likely to reveal to you precisely how you can surely record remarkable macro pictures on a budget plan. You will locate 5 DIY macro digital photography pointers you can surely utilize to develop continually sensational pictures.

1. Create stunning macro photography backgrounds using blackboards  

The first thing:  

In macro photography, the background is almost as important as the main subject.  Because context is what makes your main theme stand out.  

One of my favorite backgrounds is a solid, uniform color: dark black.  

The black background allows you to capture gloomy, moody macro photography.  

Now, it can be difficult to get a natural black background in nature.  That’s why this DIY hack is so valuable.  Because you can use it to create deep black backgrounds in all macro photos.  

Steps:  

Step 1: Go to your local hardware store and buy plywood.  I recommend using something super thin (because wood gets heavier and faster).  I also choose the right size: at least two feet on all sides.  

Step 2: Buy black paint and primer.  I suggest getting a sample paint can.  These are cheap and work well.  The primer is to prevent the wood from contaminating the color.  

Step 3: Add primer and paint plate.  I recommend two coats of black paint for a super dark look.  

Step 4: Let the board dry.  

You should choose a fairly light main theme (for example, yellow and white flowers).  Place your main subject in the sun, with the blackboard in the shade, about a foot behind it.  You want to create as much contrast as possible between the board and the theme.  That is, you want a bright theme on a dark panel.  

The goal is to completely lose all detail in the background.  If you don’t fully implement this feature inside the camera, you can use an editor to remove black from the image.  

You can still do this using diffuse light.  But you need to do more in post-processing to reduce the blackness.  

2. Use lightboxes to create an amazingly high profile transparent look  

Have you ever thought about taking macro shots that look bright and high profile? Maybe even transparent?

All you need is a basic lightbox, which artists often use for tracking. While larger lightboxes are usually better, anything A4 and above should work just fine.

Once you have the lightbox, you need to select the main theme. Flowers with translucent petals work best. The flatter the flower, the better.

You need to work in a room with only diffuse ambient light. You want your flowers to look soft and even. Then turn on the light board and put your flowers on it.

I suggest shooting parallel to the lightbox from above. While you can do everything hand-held, I don’t recommend doing so, especially if your flowers are more three-dimensional. Instead, mount your camera on a tripod and use a narrow aperture (that is, F/8 and above) to ensure perfect sharpness.

After shooting, you may need to do some post-processing. I suggest adding white to make the appearance brighter and airier.

3. Shoot powerful compositions with a flower in a vase

Does the way the flowers are arranged make the macro lens look great? If several flowers overlap, your photo may fall off. But if you could isolate a flower, it would be very dramatic.

Now, when you’re shooting in nature, you don’t have much control over that. You have to work with the equipment you have.

However, if you use this DIY macro photography technique, you can take a series of gorgeous macro flower photos.

Here’s how it works:

Go to your local grocery store and buy a bunch of your favorite flowers. I love using tulips, but you can really use anything!

When you get home, check the flowers for flaws and other problems. Find the biggest, most beautiful flower in the bunch.

Then place them all in separate vases (or cups).

Note: You want the flowers to extend quite far at the top of the vase, which is why I recommend you avoid using taller vases. Next time the light is good, take out all the vases. Set them in front of a gorgeous background.

Then photograph all the flowers individually. Because they are in different vases, they will all be completely isolated. This will allow you to easily capture powerful works.

4. Remove the lens for an artistic macro look

If you’re tired of getting the same macro look over and over again, then this DIY macro photography trick is for you,

It will help you take photos with bright light leakage.

If you’re familiar with the concept of freelancing, it looks like this, but with a twist.

Choose a spare camera body and a cheap camera lens in the 50mm range to focus the lens on infinity. Then turn off the camera and remove the lens. Next, turn the camera back on and pull the lens slightly away from the camera.

This will actually magnify your subject while often giving you some surprising artistic leaks.

While this technique may take some experimentation, you’ll get the hang of it in no time, and you’ll get some great macro shots.

5. Use fairytale lighting for stunning background bokeh

Here are your final DIY macro tips:

Use fairy lights to get a gorgeous macro background.

First, buy a set of fairy tale lights, which I recommend neutral or warmer colors. Go out and shoot at dusk, when the light really starts to dim. Find a beautiful theme and place the fairy lamp directly behind it. You can hang them from the surrounding vegetation or hold them in your left hand.

Now, you don’t want to place the fairy lamp too close or you’ll catch the wiring in the photo. Instead, you want them to show some nice bright light and not be highlighted. You should also make sure to use a small aperture in the F/2.8 to F/5.6 range. This way, the fairy-tale lights will be completely blurred, creating some stunning bokeaus.

6. Conclusion

You’ve now discovered five DIY macro photography tips. You can also use them to get amazing macro photos all the time. So go ahead and start. Make your blackboard. Give yourself some fairy-tale lights. And take some amazing macro photos!

FAQ:

Can you do macro photography with a telephoto lens?

Using a telephoto lens for near-macro photography will typically not allow you to magnify your subject as far as if using a dedicated macro lens, but you will be able to test the water to see if macro photography is something you enjoy, without having to splash out on any additional kit.

What’s the best lens choice for macro shots?

Extend the pipe. These empty extension tubes are mounted between the camera and lens, reducing the minimum focusing distance and thus increasing the maximum magnification of the lens.

What is the best focal length for macro photography?

A focal length of around 90-105mm is often regarded as ideal for macro photography (and particularly so for full-frame cameras), as it allows you to get close but not too close to what you’re shooting.