Okay, here’s my take on sharing my photography practice, blog-style:
Alright folks, so today I wanna chat about something I’ve been messing around with lately: close-up photography! Specifically, trying to nail that “ELS” (Extreme Long Shot) vibe, but, you know, super close up. Sounds weird, right? Let’s dive in.
First off, I got this idea from seeing some cool shots online. Like, imagine a landscape photo… but it’s just a tiny part of a flower, or a single drop of water on a leaf. That’s the kind of thing I was aiming for.
What I Used:
- My trusty old DSLR (Nikon D3200, nothing fancy!)
- A macro lens (essential, guys! I borrowed one from a friend – Sigma 105mm)
- A tripod (because shaky hands are not my friend)
- Natural light (tried artificial, didn’t love it)
The Process:
- Scouting: I started by just wandering around my backyard, looking for interesting textures and details. Think leaves, flowers, rocks… anything small and cool.
- Setup: Next, I set up my tripod, attached the macro lens, and got my camera ready. Important: Shoot in manual mode! You need that control.
- Lighting: Played around with different angles to get the best light. Overcast days are your friend! Harsh sunlight is a no-go.
- Focusing: This is the tricky part! Macro lenses have a super shallow depth of field. Use manual focus and take your time!
- Shooting: Took a ton of shots, experimenting with different apertures (f-stops) to control the depth of field.
What I Learned:
- Patience is key: Seriously. Macro photography takes time and effort. Don’t rush it.
- Get low: Don’t be afraid to get down on the ground to get the best angle.
- Experiment with composition: Rule of thirds, leading lines… all that good stuff still applies!
- Don’t be afraid to crop: Sometimes, a little cropping can make a huge difference.
The Results?
Well, I’m still working on it! Some of the shots were blurry messes, but I did get a few that I’m pretty happy with. I’ll probably keep practicing and see what else I can come up with.
So, that’s my close-up adventure for now! Give it a try yourself and let me know how it goes!
