If you've ever tried to take a photo of something super close up, you can probably attest that it's not always easy to get right. Getting everything in frame and in focus with ordinary gear will, at times, present something of a technical challenge.

Understanding macro photography can help you take better close-up shots. Here are the basics that you need to know.

What Is Macro Photography?

photo of water droplets forming on a leaf

Macro photography is the simple art of capturing very small subjects right on their level. This style of photography makes minuscule subjects like insects, plants, and other small items seem larger than they look in real life.

Many people define macro photography strictly as photography taken at a 1:1 ratio in terms of size, but this definition has fallen out of popular use to some extent—and you'll see multiple examples of macro photography in different dimensions.

You're effectively shooting macro photography whenever the photographed version of the subject ends up being significantly larger than the real thing.

Macro Photography Equipment: What You'll Need

Depending on what you're going for, you might want to invest in a macro lens or a macro lens attachment. Some brands offer macro lens filters and macro lens extensions that allow you to bring even very small subjects in closer. You can even use your smartphone for photography of this kind.

Macro lenses, while often expensive, are a great investment if you want to take this kind of photography more seriously. That goes for both hobbyists and professional photographers.

When considering a macro lens, focal length will be one aspect that you'll want to factor into the equation. Just like with any other type of lens, macro lenses of longer focal lengths bring you progressively closer to the object that you're photographing macro-style, while wider lenses may confer something of a fisheye effect, depending on how you use them.

A smartphone macro lens will usually fall somewhere around 35mm or 50mm, which is great for stuff like social media food photography and other casual types of macro photography.

A 200mm macro lens, on the other hand, is a much more powerful and intentional tool; long macro lenses act like miniature telescopes, putting you right into the subject's face. They do so at a relative distance, resulting in a clean, undistorted, and true-to-life account.

If you're just getting started, a macro lens accessory is a great place to start. There are also DIY macro photography tutorials online on how to enhance your camera's ability to shoot close up with a paper towel tube.

Macro Photography Ideas to Try at Home

close-up photo of a plant with water droplets

You can shoot anything with a macro lens. It's a natural choice for product photography and things of that nature especially, but there are no real rules to follow here. It's less about what you're shooting, and more about the way that you use the macro lens to frame what's in front of you.

The true, underlying quality of a macro photo lies in the theory behind it: composition, charm, intention, and skill.

If you're eager to try it for yourself, you can start literally anywhere, including your bedroom, your backyard, and even your kitchen. Any of the following can be great common subjects in macro photography for beginners:

  • Flowers
  • Rocks and dirt
  • Bugs
  • Food (especially fruits and vegetables)
  • Ice cubes
  • Common household objects
  • Fabric
  • Jewelry

Your subjects of choice will depend a lot on whether you're after something abstract or something more recognizable. Much of what you shoot will come down to your personal photography style, along with the message you're trying to convey. Don't be afraid to try new things, though, and branch out if something seems interesting to you.

Macro Photography Tips and Tricks

photo of a camera, lenses, and some books on a table

Photography largely comes from within, and it's about how you perceive the world. While you can try planning in advance, doing so takes a lot of the spontaneity out of what makes art so unique. Instead of trying to photograph everything, try to use macro photography sparingly.

When taking macro shots, try to think about the most interesting details you can capture. For example, let's say that you're shooting portrait photography. In addition to taking photos of the individual, why not think about capturing the day? You can get a close-up shot of their sneakers or the cup of coffee in their hand.

Next time you're shooting something new, consider keeping the steps below in mind:

  • Make sure you've got plenty of light to work with for the sharpest photo possible. A flash, a speedlight, or a strobe can help when shooting indoors or at night. If necessary, you should think about getting a tripod.
  • If you're using a real macro lens, shoot with a reasonably narrow aperture.
  • In addition to shooting in low-light conditions, a tripod is ideal for extremely small subjects—especially ones that happen to be moving. Sometimes, a steady hand just won't get the job done.
  • Avoid relying on auto-focus when shooting macro photography subjects. When working in such close quarters, precision is key. Set your focus carefully and avoid jostling the camera after that point. Use a remote control camera trigger if necessary.
  • When stuck for an idea, try coming at your subject from a unique angle or distance. When you can't get into the groove, take a step back or dial in closer.
  • Sometimes, a different perspective on something familiar puts a whole new spin on the matter. Look high and low for unusual details to hone in on, things most people would never think about.

Try Macro Photography for a Dramatically Different Photo

Some of the most interesting photos that you see were taken close up. We rarely get to see the insides of flowers, or the details of insects, in such good detail with our own two eyes—and macro photography allows the opportunity to look at things from a unique perspective.

If you're curious to try macro photography, you can always try using macro mode on your camera. But if you want to take things to the next level, consider purchasing dedicated lenses that can help you achieve your desired results.