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

[@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.

[@susanstevens2228]

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.

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@carmennebe988]

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

[@shaysayag713]

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

[@maik723]

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

[@rickcady6571]

This is the most impressive photo tutorial that I have ever watched. It's a 9:02 minute video with 9:02 minutes of very wise and useful information. A combination of perferct logic combined with expert wisdom without any fluff. There a lot of tutorials out there, and I bounce around from video to video, but this is one where I not only clicked "Like" but I also clicked "Subscribe". And not only that, I'm eagerly looking forward to view more from this channel. Again, I was very impressed and very grateful for some very solid advise and tips.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Very glad to hear it, thank you!

[@cameraopera]

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

[@mindseyeproductions8798]

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

[@genemcloud4114]

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

[@lesmar234]

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

[@emmanuelnwali8826]

Thank you for this explicit explanation. This is awesome.

[@50deserteagle]

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

[@hansingram4761]

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

[@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.

[@bananaskin7527]

An enjoyable and practical introduction to close-up photography. And I'm convinced, from a practicing photographer, and less of a gearhead. The flash and diffuser makes sense to me. In particular, I like the mention of "close-up photography". In my limited experience with a macro lens, 105mm f4 AIS AutoNikkor, close-up photography is more approachable than macrophotography. Most enjoyable 9 mins I've had in a long time. Keep up the good works.

[@jimwilliams4170]

Great Presentation. Very informative.

[@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.

[@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!

[@fredswasudy2897]

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

[@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.

[@Pine4205]

I enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@lynnsargeant2749]

Thank you ! Keep up the great work

[@ronmasters751]

Concise, comprehensive survey of reliable techniques!

[@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!

[@kennytudhope4590]

This is the best tutorial that I have ever seen

[@samelogio7441]

A very good series of tips. Thank you.

[@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

[@Sonny80m]

Thank you for good kick starting tutorial for macro photography!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Of course! Glad you found it useful.

[@Chimboica2011]

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

[@abdulsslamkhierallah5170]

Very much appreciated. Thank you for the sharing.

[@tiko6363]

Perfect video, you helped me out greatly!

[@lauraleebartholomew5211]

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

[@dianejohnson6777]

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

[@pipwaltersart9693]

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

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Sure thing! Happy to hear it.

[@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.

[@withak7683]

Very nice video Spencer, thanks.

[@NataliaSkorokhod]

So happy to see the channel growing :)

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Thank you, Natalia!

[@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.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Excellent presentation! Thank you.

[@aaza2310]

Great Job

[@robertclarke1833]

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

[@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!

[@billbain2943]

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

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Sure thing, Bill, glad you found it useful!

[@michaelscaife6150]

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

[@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.

[@2229east7thstreet]

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

[@genewhitney5993]

Really good video, Spencer. Very helpful.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Thank you, Gene! Glad you found it useful.

[@highanddryful]

😊 Thanks for a very informative tutorial. As a beginner in Macro photography, I found your video most helpful.

[@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

[@paulfrancis2476]

That was very helpful thank you 🎉

[@annerichard788]

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

[@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.

[@shelmana]

Great info, well presented and easy to understand. Some KZbinrs seem to explain things in an overly complicated way, so I really appreciate the effort you have gone to for those of us who love Macro. Special bonus points for the mirrorless tips. 👍

[@tanmoydas825]

Very informative and very specific too. Thank you.

[@briansquibb999]

Another super video! Thank you Spencer!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Sure thing, Brian! Glad you liked it.

[@mr.t5610]

Thanx for really useful tips, Spencer 👍.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Sure thing!

[@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

[@GoldtriggerDude]

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

[@joyceyang6976]

Hi Spencer, what a great video on Macro and Close-Up Photography , I would say that I have learned so much from this less than 10 minutes video of yours, very impressive content, love it! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙏😃💕

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

I’m glad to hear it! Thanks, Joyce, and good luck with your own macro shots!

[@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 :)

[@jonkers2007]

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

[@actorpoesia]

Excellent presentation, very easy to understand. Congratulations.

[@tigersunruss]

Great video mate!

[@MonsieurSingh]

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

[@rufussamuel924]

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

[@gerryphilpott9766]

Thanks, this is great. I ordered the Z MC 105mm and can't wait. Making due with others for now and really appreciate the tips. You cover more info and explain more clearly in 9 minutes than some 30 minute videos. That gives everyone 21 more minutes to go out and shoot the little creatures.

[@majawn]

Great stuff, very helpful, thank you!

[@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.

[@Tony-Elliott]

Great information spencer

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@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.

[@ronshark5551]

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

[@johnlochness]

I'd got a bit disheartened doing macro photography as so many of my pictures where out of focus or blurred. Your techniques have really inspired me to try again, thank you.

[@iulimihu]

Awesome tutorial

[@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.

[@sabgerland5298]

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

[@c.e.m7535]

Bro- you're my hero! Thanks.

[@Tony-Elliott]

Great information spencer, Just waiting for the weather to pick up here in France

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

It’s just getting to the point where I’m seeing a lot of bugs here in Florida, although I’m in one of the few parts of the US that’s warm right now. Good luck out there when the conditions are right for some close-ups!

[@NataliaSkorokhod]

@@PhotographyLifeChannel I was just about to comment that Colorado winter sure looks warm :D

[@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!

[@subramanyam6985]

Great Video.. I do macro/close-ups since many years and this video is one of the best that i have come across that talks about everything within 10 mins.. Must watch for anybody who wants to get into macros.. continue the great work.. may be you can add few videos about macro/close-up composition.. There are hardly any videos out there on this specific topic..

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Good thought, I will add it to the list!

[@johnjoe351]

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

[@DrUta-nl1sk]

You fantastic mate !

[@vishypai7554]

Very useful tips explained so simply. Thank you, Spencer!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

You’re quite welcome! Happy you found it useful.

[@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!

[@vikassaraf3122]

Another great video from you sir!! Awesome tips! Thank you soo much!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

You’re quite welcome!

[@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?

[@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.

[@andrewlamberson539]

Excellent. Very well done

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Much appreciated!

[@betulokandan6731]

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

[@markewert7207]

Spencer this is great info thanks I shared with others

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Sure thing, Mark! Thanks for sharing it, much appreciated.

[@franciscocalvo1980]

Very useful. Thanks!

[@simon01ize]

Great video, easy to follow and good practical advice.

[@Wendy-cf5tv]

This was great! Thank you!

[@momentswhisperedphotograph2805]

Great insight Spencer!! I look forward to trying these tips out!!! Thank you!!!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Glad to hear it, hope it goes well!