Photographic Techniques - February 2025

Photographic Techniques - Macro Photography 

Submitted by Kim Brewer-Bettencourt

Macro photography is a type of photography that captures extreme close-up shots of small objects, such as flowers, insects, or textures, showing incredible detail. It allows us to see the intricate features of tiny subjects that are usually invisible to the naked eye.

How to Achieve Macro Photography:
1. Use a Macro Lens: A macro lens is designed to focus on subjects at very close distances, allowing for a 1:1 magnification ratio (the subject appears life-sized in the photo).
2. Get Close to the Subject: Position your camera as close as possible to the subject while maintaining focus. This reveals details that aren’t picked up from a distance - like the texture of a butterfly's wings or the veins in a leaf.
3. Set a Wide Aperture: Use a low f-stop (e.g., f/2.8) to create a shallow depth of field. This blurs the background (known as the bokeh effect) and makes the subject stand out.
4. Stabilize Your Camera: Use a tripod to avoid camera shake, as even tiny movements can blur the image when shooting close-ups.
5. Focus Manually: Autofocus may struggle at close distances, so switch to manual focus for precise control.
6. Good Lighting: Use natural light or add soft artificial lighting, like a ring light or reflector, to highlight details without harsh shadows.
7. Use a Macro Mode (Optional): Some cameras and smartphones have a built-in macro mode that helps focus on small subjects.

What to Photograph in Macro:
• Flowers and plants
• Insects or tiny animals
• Textures (e.g., wood grain, fabrics)
• Water droplets or frost patterns

Bartram Garden Club member, Sherri Cappabianca has submitted some beautiful examples of macro photography below.

Here are some of the photographic techniques used in the photos below.

First Photograph (Orange Flower Bud):
1. Macro Photography: The extreme close-up captures the intricate details of the flower’s petals, textures, and center.
2. Use of Light and Shadow: The beautiful lighting emphasizes the folds and curves of the petals, adding depth.
3. Selective Focus: The background is blurred (known as the bokeh effect), ensuring the viewer’s attention is entirely on the flower.

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Photography: Sherri Cappabianca
Dahlia - Bullington Gardens, Hendersonville, North Carolina

Second Photograph (Purple Flower with Stamen):
1. Macro Photography: Close-up focus highlights the stamen and the vibrant color gradient of the petals.
2. Color Contrast: The vivid purple and green tones complement each other, making the image visually striking. 
3. Depth of Field: The sharp focus on the stamen with a soft blur around the edges of the petals creates a sense of dimension.

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Photography: Sherri Cappabianca
Daylily - Blue Ridge Daylily Farm - Alexander, North Carolina

Third Photograph (Monarch Butterfly):
1. Nature Photography: Captures the butterfly in its natural habitat, perched on a leaf.
2. Symmetry: The female monarch's wings are displayed in full spread, emphasizing their perfect symmetrical patterns. 
3. Vivid Color Capture: Bright orange, black, and white patterns on the wings are a nice contrast to the green and red of the background.
4. Sharpness and Detail: The butterfly’s texture and tiny hairs are clear and detailed.

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Photography: Sherri Cappabianca
Newly eclosed female monarch butterfly drying her wings - Bullington Gardens, Hendersonville, North Carolina

Each photograph demonstrates attention to composition, focus, and lighting to highlight the beauty of nature.