Pics Can Talk

Some of you may have had the childhood fascination of looking through a magnifying glass and discovering this strange world of the small and tiny. We are so used to seeing things in our normal field of vision that we pass by things which we take for granted. Well, ever thought about “stopping and smelling the flowers”? While you are at it, take some really cool macro or close-up shots?

Compact digital cameras benefit from the fact that they have really close focusing range. On some cameras you can focus down to 1cm from the subject. That’s why almost all new cameras come with a “macro” mode.

WHAT MAKES IT SO INTERESTING?

Firstly, it is actually interesting to look at something at a different angle and close-up. It shows a world that is unknown to us in revealing minute patterns, shapes, colours, textures and structures.

Secondly, by going close-up, you are actually eliminating distractions by other objects and creating an image purely of the subject. This creates a powerful expression and a bold, beautiful image of the object.

If you get your picture printed (maybe even up to 8R or 10R sizes) your viewer would be able to enjoy looking at the subject of your picture from a comfortable distance rather than peering through a magnifying glass.

When I am not away on a photographic expedition, I get to do small close-up photography projects right at home with the things available around me. This adds variety to the types of shots I take.

TIPS FOR SOME COOL CLOSE-UPS

Get Down On Your Knees.

Yes, getting down on your knees is a good way to start. Sometimes great close-up opportunities are just right next to your feet. Some examples to begin with are seashells on a beach, blades of grass, wildflowers, an insect perched on a plant, colourful pebbles, water droplets and the list goes on.

Spare a little time from looking at the entire scenery to look at the small things which form parts of the whole surrounding. Having these types of shots gives a set of pictures more variety.

Look for Unique Shapes and Colours

Mother Nature has a knack for creating some really interesting shapes out of plants, insects and natural formations. Look out for what catches your eye. If need be, carry a magnifying glass with you on your hunt.

Consider the colour contrast between your subject and the background. A strong contrast between your subject and a clean background makes your subject stand out more.

Get Creative with Stuffs around You

Look around you right at this moment. Everything around you can be shot close-up. You are only limited by how creative you can be. Try close-up of a piece of fabric, corners of a stamp, textures on a wood surface, weaving on a basket, a digital circuit board and lots more endless possibilities.

Take Your Time

Don’t rush in taking a close-up shot. Sometimes, you may just miss the obvious and the opportunity to get a good shot. For example, you need to take your time when taking shots of insects as sudden movements will scare your subject. A good tip is to watch that your shadow do not surprise the insect.

Don’t use your flash

For extreme close-ups a camera’s built-in flash is virtually useless. The very short distance between the camera and subject means that your subject is most likely to be overexposed by the flash.

Professional SLR cameras have special macro lighting used to illuminate close-up subjects. Make sure you have enough lighting or you may have to give a little more distance between your camera and the subject to get a good exposure.

Use a Tripod

Getting close-up means high magnification which also means any movement or camera shake is magnified. If you do not have adequate lighting to prevent this try setting your camera on a higher ISO setting or use a tripod.

Remember to Compose!

Even though you are shooting close-up sometimes with virtually minimal background, you need to remember to compose your shots properly. Most of the time, you would have your subject placed right in the middle of the frame. But, take into consideration the shapes and lines on your subject and how it would look in various compositions (Check out our August 2004 issue on Composition Rules). Even the Rules of Thirds can apply effectively here.

HERE’S SOMETHING YOU CAN TRY AT HOME

If you have a subject such as a flower and you are not sure what type of background you can take its picture with, try making your own background.

1) Simply print out an A4 sized picture of a suitable scenery.

2) Place it upright on a table.

3) Position your subject so that it is in front of the “background” picture.

4) Make sure you have adequate lighting for this.

5) Set your camera on “macro” and compose your picture with the A4 picture covering the background.

6) And shoot.

The shallow Depth of Field (DOF) would sufficiently blur the background enough to create a soft background against the sharp close-up shot of your subject.

Great photographers make great pictures simply because they have perfected the art of looking at things in a unique way and are able to convey it so effectively that we see it the same way they do. Don’t just look at the big and obvious, find uniqueness in the small and intricate. It helps to take a little break from the hubbub of daily life and look at the little things that make up the big picture. Have fun and happy shooting!