The Best Camera Settings for Macro and Close-Up Photography

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

I hope you enjoyed this video! I published it almost three years ago, or I would have mentioned this at the time, but I'm finally doing photography full-time now. It's been a difficult but rewarding road. If you liked this video, I just published a Patreon page with all of my newest projects, including my composition ebook and online workshops that I'm hosting. Thanks guys. patreon.com/PhotographyLifeBlog

[@stephaniemand]

This might be the BEST VIDEO about micro photography I've come across on yt !! Thank you SO effing mucht for sharing you insights. This was absolutely helpful !! greetings from belgium

[@mumo9413]

Top tips for non studio macro work. 👏👏👏 My tips for macro, If you have a basic lens you can always use extension tubes or a clip-on lens like the Raynox DCR-250. I never photo in direct sunlight, always use a flash & diffuser. You can you back button focus for continuous focusing if manual is not comfortable for you. Always start with a clean lens. For something non moving, I use a mini tripod & my live view screen. Zoom in on screen, you can then see full definition & if you need to tweek the focus. Get down to the level of your subject, think about interesting angles. And take a small spray water bottle with you, especially for flora (water droplets add interest) you can wet stones that brings out colours, puddles for reflection & if it's very dry it will attract insects because they're thirsty.

[@clovishound5756]

Good no nonsense tutorial. One thing I find very useful in my new Nikon Z5 camera is the user defined modes. I set up one for static bird/wildlife subjects, one for birds in flight, and one for macro. I may need to adjust a little, but the majority of settings are what I'll need for specific subjects, and I can change from one mode to another in seconds. This is especially useful in regards to focusing modes, which take some time to go through the menus to change.

[@5RustyBin]

great video - only thing I would say is that if you are shooting a burst of pictures for a focus stack then 1/4th flash power will likely have some images not flashing due to flash recycle time. I use 1/16th max normally and find the flash will fire every time that way. if test pic at 1/16th still comes out a little dark just pop the iso up to maybe 500 - the new denoise tool is superb at removing the small amount of image noise that results. Took a lot from your video though and keep up the great work. Thanks for sharing.

[@zarrir]

Good tips

[@maik723]

Thanks Dude. That 1:1 focusing info was on the money. Thanks.

[@DollhouseTutorials]

You are very good at explaining while keeping it short and sweet. You gave valuable information that wasn't drug out and I watched your entire video. Great job, great information ♡ thank you ♡

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@susanstevens2228]

Thanks!

[@lindabell4892]

I am fascinated with macro photography, especially insect macro photography. I am completely new to this. I don't have deep pockets, but I am definitely interested. Thanks for the tips.

[@KeithMoffat-yo4gq]

I am a latecomer to macro photography. I have A LOT TO LEARN. Your video has given me the start I need. Am a Willing and Happy subscriber.

[@shaysayag713]

Hey Spencer. great video tutorial i watched about this subject. Thank you and Happy New Year. Shay

[@kennytudhope4590]

This is the best tutorial that I have ever seen

[@YTsurferr]

I'm grateful you've done videos on the 2 areas I'd like to explore as I'm returning to the hobby, Astrophotography and Macro. The last time I shopped for camera gear was about 15 years ago. I wasn't aware that since then, all of the camera shops around me have closed, leaving no place to go to pick people's brain. Videos like this have been very helpful, thank you.

[@genemcloud4114]

Well done. Nice differentiation between just casual shooting up close and true macro shooting. Thanks!

[@ronmasters751]

Concise, comprehensive survey of reliable techniques!

[@fredswasudy2897]

very interesting and very useful content for me who really likes macro photography, keep the spirit friends

[@z000-y2t]

hi sir thank you for your videos . i have a suestion please what is the perfect distance betwen the object and the camera for macro

[@cameraopera]

Awesome video, I will definitely be using your tips. Thanks so much👍👍👍

[@johnmorgan4087]

This is one of the best videos I've seen on macro-photography. Well laid out and in logical order. I really liked that you explained the settings recommended.

[@lauraleebartholomew5211]

I'm new to macro photography, I've always done landscape. Your tips are very helpful.

[@castironwood]

I’ve watched two videos so far (Milky Way, Macro) and plan to watch every video that you have posted. Concise, relatable, and great content. Thank you.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Thank you, David!

[@katielacadie1214]

I am just beginning with macro photography. Thank you for the way you teach. Now to get the right camera and lenses. If you can recommend the best/ easiest one to use.

[@mindseyeproductions8798]

Your explanation and directions on how to achieve the images that you want are very concise and easy to understand thanks

[@50deserteagle]

Awesome Spencer i learn a lot from this short video thanks!

[@rufussamuel924]

Thank for the video. Would you please share the diffuser name or link ?

[@emmanuelnwali8826]

Thank you for this explicit explanation. This is awesome.

[@lesmar234]

Outstanding video. Thanks for sharing. This was really helpful.

[@Namaste..]

Focus peaking is a real asset when shooting macro, especially handheld!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

I use peaking a lot for my macro videos! Good tip. I should have added a note in the video about using it for stills as well. If you're lucky, it can boost your focusing keeper rate all the way to 50% for those 1:1 shots :)

[@carmennebe988]

amazing Spence, the first time after watching many videos I found one, yours, that is really helping, thank you!!! 👍👍

[@Sonny80m]

Thank you for good kick starting tutorial for macro photography!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Of course! Glad you found it useful.

[@aaza2310]

Great Job

[@lynnsargeant2749]

Thank you ! Keep up the great work

[@hansingram4761]

Well done! I loved this video. you just now gained a new subscriber

[@dianejohnson6777]

Great video to watch thank you. Been finding it difficult to get use to the settings on a macro lens.

[@fendo57]

Hi Spencer, very usefull video. Thank you. But you say at 3:56 that you can use burst mode to get a serie of pictures and than one is really sharp. But with burst mode without a tripod, don you get to much movement of your camera? So your pictures aren´t sharp? Sorry fot my bad English. I´m Dutch

[@annerichard788]

I agree that this is one of the best videos on macrophotography, thanks!

[@nh6405]

Love the video. I am trying to set up my Fuji X-S10 for macro photography using Touit 208/50M. Can you please do a video on how to set up macro settings to C1 or C2 menu?

[@jimwilliams4170]

Great Presentation. Very informative.

[@actorpoesia]

Excellent presentation, very easy to understand. Congratulations.

[@Chimboica2011]

Excellence video Spencer, thank you so much. I will watch again.

[@tiko6363]

Perfect video, you helped me out greatly!

[@withak7683]

Very nice video Spencer, thanks.

[@samelogio7441]

A very good series of tips. Thank you.

[@uratasan]

I just dove into the macro photography world and quickly realized there’s so much more to learn than I expected. Your video was quick and filled with great info. Thank u!

[@billbain2943]

Thanks for putting this together. Lots of helpful info here.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Sure thing, Bill, glad you found it useful!

[@robertclarke1833]

That was explained really well. No 'filler'.......perfect

[@Pine4205]

I enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@houcinesinaceur5170]

Thank you so much for this video we can feel the dedication and love for photography I hope you become a very good photographer and thank you so much for this very useful information

[@NataliaSkorokhod]

So happy to see the channel growing :)

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Thank you, Natalia!

[@mikepittman1950]

I just stumbled across you and immediately subscribed to your channel. You are probably the best camera instructor on KZbin! You simplify things and make them very clear and concise. I can't recommend you highly enough. Putting a link to on my photo club facebook page. Outstanding work please keep the videos coming.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Wow, thank you, Mike! Very glad to hear you like the channel so much.

[@Tunesmithnw]

Thanks. I really enjoy your videos. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

[@abdulsslamkhierallah5170]

Very much appreciated. Thank you for the sharing.

[@tup2012]

Thank you for the great video! Can you post a link for the diffuser you used in the video, please.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Sure thing! There are a lot like this one, but here's the one I use: amzn.to/37nN3cM

[@tup2012]

@@PhotographyLifeChannel thank you!

[@pipwaltersart9693]

This is brilliant! Helped me a lot and answered some important questions for me. Thank you.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Sure thing! Happy to hear it.

[@2allanator]

Where did you get that cool diffuser?

[@GoldtriggerDude]

I'm new to macro and came across your tutorial. Very well done. Thanks!

[@FreeWillPhotos]

Thank you for sharing this information. Now I will have to go and try that out.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Excellent presentation! Thank you.

[@highwayman1224]

Awesome video! I just got into photography at 55 years of age about 3 months ago and I'm learning a lot from watching these KZbin videos. I just got my olympus 60mm macro lens from FedEx today and have been playing with it all day. Lot's of stuff to learn that's for sure but man it's fun!

[@coachcindy]

Loved the video. Working with my new Sony A7R 111 and this helped me to produce much better pics with this setting. I learned some new things about the settings. I have only had the camera for 3 weeks. Went to a local camera shop to learn more. The guy i had did not tell me anything I did not know already. You gave me more information that was wonderful. Thanks so much. Will be watching more of your videos.

[@c.e.m7535]

Bro- you're my hero! Thanks.

[@marian-valentinlascu5099]

Great tips and presentation! I knew most of them, but the way you show them here make them more easy to understand. Congrats!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Glad you thought so! Thanks for the great feedback.

[@tanmoydas825]

Very informative and very specific too. Thank you.

[@MonsieurSingh]

Thanks for this! Helps a lot especially since I'm new to macro photography.

[@sabgerland5298]

Thanks so much Spencer for the quick, easy, and clear info. I can't wait to try!

[@crisnein6092]

Great video. What flash are you using for Macro photography?

[@jonkers2007]

excellent, thank you. no filler, loads of good info and great pace.

[@IanWilkinson]

I think you covered most of the important aspects of successful macro photography very well. One tip that sometimes helps with high-magnification photos of bugs is to hold onto the insect's 'perch' with your left hand and rest the lens on that hand as well, for better control of the subject-to-lens distance and consistent manual focusing. And a lightweight monopod helps too. When the insects eventually reappear in the Spring I'll be breaking out the kit again.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Glad you like it, Ian! And thanks for adding these tips. A monopod definitely makes things more stable and easier to focus. Naturally it does require slowing down slightly to set the monopod at the right height, so I don’t use one all the time, but it depends on the subject.

[@michaelscaife6150]

Spencer, you have a great presentation style and you are providing very useful, clear and precise advice. Please keep them coming!.

[@genewhitney5993]

Really good video, Spencer. Very helpful.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Thank you, Gene! Glad you found it useful.

[@2229east7thstreet]

Hey Spencer, your videos are great->keep it up

[@marilynzanca7712]

Hi what do you call the flash diffuser or where do you get them? thanks mal

[@Robinicat]

You have such a clear and concise way of explaining things. Question: Where do I find 1:1 magnification? That's the only thing that wasn't clear to me. I have a Nikon D750. Thanks so much. I am going to watch more of your videos.

[@ronshark5551]

Before processing my RAW files, I use DxO PURE RAW. Thanks for the video. Friendships from France

[@majawn]

Great stuff, very helpful, thank you!

[@briansquibb999]

Another super video! Thank you Spencer!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Sure thing, Brian! Glad you liked it.

[@sarahmitchell4729]

What are your thoughts on using a "ring flash"???

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Most of them aren’t bright enough, and I’d recommend a normal flash on your camera, with a diffuser around your lens instead.

[@johnjoe351]

Very helpful I will put what I have learnt into practice. Thanks.

[@Tony-Elliott]

Great information spencer

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Anna-gv7vo]

The best vídeo I've seen so far. I just order some close-up filters for my 85mm 1.4 and I'm looking forward to seeing if it works... If you allow me one question, I didn't understand how can you set your focus for max magnification.. You probably talking about a Macro lens, right? In my case, with a non Macro lens, I can probably just leave my focus ring stopped somewhere (I have no idea yet) and move forward and back with the camera as you said... Thank you so much!

[@carljarvinen1189]

Spring is coming, thanks for your suggestions. Wondering have you ever considered or used a Lume Cube for lighting?

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

A constant light like a Lume Cube can work well for taking macro videos, or as fill light for general close-ups. It wouldn't help much for high-magnification macro photography though, because it's still not as bright as a flash. You'd need to shoot at f/22 for depth of field and about 1/500 second to freeze motion, and no (portable) constant light I know of is bright enough at that point. Flash is the way to go for those extreme magnifications.

[@andrewlamberson539]

Excellent. Very well done

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Much appreciated!

[@betulokandan6731]

This is really an excellent tutorial, thank you so much!

[@berginrp]

This is the first time I stumbled on your channel and I really like your way of explaining things and very informative. Thank you!

[@franciscocalvo1980]

Very useful. Thanks!

[@WillySolares]

I am 42 years old man learning from a little boy. Thanks a lot. I love macro photography, juste gettings started with a Nikon D3500 and a 85mm micro.

[@SuchaDoofus]

Little boy? He's clearly a young man. Think before you write....

[@sebw3964]

​@@SuchaDoofusKaren

[@Peaches-i2i]

@@sebw3964 Then speak respectfully as an adult should.

[@brianfry5059]

Very informative, an introduction to area of photography that takes a lot of practice.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Thank you, Brian! Practice is key, but it helps to start off on the right foot.

[@davidbickford2790]

Where did you find your defuser at the 4:16 mark? Interesting.

[@dildralax7567]

Thank you your info was most helpful...

[@kejenkins468]

This was Great for a beginner and even for a pro there are some tips. Like that Diffuser. I just use the one that comes with the Flash. (I'm a Nikon snob so this was great.}

[@tigersunruss]

Great video mate!

[@iulimihu]

Awesome tutorial

[@claireshickora931]

Liked the video, but what about the metering mode?

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

I tend to use matrix/evaluative metering, but center-weighted could work if you’re used it its consistency.

[@DrUta-nl1sk]

You fantastic mate !

[@simon01ize]

Great video, easy to follow and good practical advice.

[@doogieham]

Very helpful video, Spencer! What diffuser were you using.?

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Glad you liked it! There are a lot like this one, but here's the one I use: amzn.to/37nN3cM

[@wpsam52]

Great video. Any plans on doing something on macro videography? Would love to see it.

[@usernamemykel]

Why are you not using the flash "off-camera"? Thanks, in advance for your reply.

[@paulfrancis2476]

That was very helpful thank you 🎉

[@leftie7000]

Thank you for presenting in a way that is easily understood by those of us that don't know all the ins/outs of our cameras - this is one of the BEST videos I've watch regarding macro and close-up - which is a new obsession of mine - I can't wait to try out your suggestions and recommendations - I need to order a diffuser but will maybe make one until I can get one delivered. I'm so excited to try these techniques - thank you Spencer!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Wow, glad you found it so useful! Good luck with your macro work, it's such an exciting genre of photography.