Photography Technical - Macro Lenses

Objective: To understand how to use multiple lenses, the difference between them and to shoot "tethered"

Tools Used:

- Basic Light Set Up 

- Light Metre

- USB Cable 

- Capture One

- 50, 60, 85 and 100ml lenses

- Canon 550D

100ml prime lense (macro) refined focus shot                           85ml lense intense close up focus

60ml lense (macro) close up shot                                             50ml prime lense close up focus

This photography session focused on developing our understanding of lense types and experimenting with both close up photography, macro and tethered shooting. Different lenses cover a wide variety of shooting abilities from full head shots to intensely focused macro imagery, dependant on the aim of the image will decipher what lense is most appropriate for that shoot. Macro lenses (100ml and 60ml) refer to lenses that are able to focus on a subject at a high intensity close up focus. This means that the quality is significantly better on finer close up details of the subject as the lens inside is able to capture texture more accurately. In addition to Macro lenses are Prime lenses, these are different in the sense that they do not possess an adjustable focus. Instead their focal range is fixed to a singular number setting. This is beneficial as the photos are of a much higher quality in comparison to a lense with adjustable focus as there is no possibility for mild dis-focus. When using a macro lense/high intensity focus lense there is an important step to consider and that is the use of a tripod stand on which to place your camera. The use of a stand is particularly important for intense close up photography as due to the high quality of the zoom any slight movement in immediately registered by the shutter. In addition to the camera being stable it is also advised that the model remain seated throughout the photography process as their movement may also hinder the capturing of the image. 

During this studio time we were also introduced to the technique of shooting tethered, this refers to the process of connecting a camera to that of a computer screen (Apple Mac). This is done through a programme known as CaptureOne which allows for you to manipulate and view your images as they are taken on a screen much larger than that of the camera display unit. Within this programme you are also able to closely inspect your work to check the fine details of the makeup and reassure that the image is in full focus. By blowing up the images on a computer screen like this (particular useful for macro imagery) you can be confident in reviewing the quality of your images before the shoot is wrapped up. This avoids later access to a whole folder of out of focus imagery.