@holymogwai: But why would you when macro shots are so easy and create such nice results, no photo editing required?

Also, I don't know about your point and shoot, but mine won't really focus close up unless I'm in macro mode.

Adam Pash

Or, you COULD just take a regular photo up close, and add a soft blur around the focus area in photoshop. Hell, even Picasa will do it for you.

holymogwai

For anyone with an SLR, look into an "extension tube". I purchased a Kenko extension tube on Amazon which works with any Canon EF lenses (I believe the Canon brand extender works with EF-S as well).

It was $70, and converts the lens into a macro lens by multiplying the zoom by 1.4x and shifting the focal plane closer to the lens.

It's a very cost effective way to add macro abilities to your gear bag.

ahawks

This is sweet, thanks for posting.

TheOtherOtherGuy

@CaptainChickenpants: looks like Chickenpants is thinking along the same line.

spicedham

Some tips I learned in addition to the macro mode:
1. Get a tripod, pocket-sized are fine as long as you've got a table, something to rest on.
2. Drag a floor lamp over to where you're shooting.
(you can see results here [www.danschwartz.org] )

spicedham

It is worth pointing out that the narrow depth of field is mostly due to the small lens to subject distance. Photographers spend a lot of money on flashes so that they can get more of the subject in focus.

@mogwai You won't get the same results with post processing.

Also in the list of instructions it states
2 Compose your shot and press your shutter button halfway down to lock in the exposure and focus.
3 Experiment with the angle and distance to your subject until the focus looks sharp in your LCD viewfinder.

Don't adjust the angle and distance after you have locked your exposure and focusing. At macro distances you will end up with hopelessly blurry shots. Adjust angle etc before half pressing the shutter button.

Additional points.
The more light you can get on the subject the better.
If you can use some kind of support (e.g. tripod) then do so. Even resting your camera on a box or beanbag will help. If you rest the camera pointing at the subject then consider using the timer mode on the camera. That will help to reduce camera shake.

Adjust the position of light relative to the subject. Feathers and leaves look quite different with light shining from behind them to light shining face on. Lighting from a shallow angle (i.e to the sides) will enhance textures.

Just my tuppence worth.

CaptainChickenpants

i use macro a fair bit for creating lifelike lego diaramas. another good tip is to put one of those fish eye things from a door over the lens of a point and shoot to get a neat looking widescreen effect (thanks popsci)

B1663R

@PinkNBlack21: -_-;;;; I really wish you could edit comments.

PinkNBlack21

I'm glad this was stated. I have taken some amazing photos with my little digi cam just by taking the moment to set it to macro lens.

For example: [www.members.cox.net]

PinkNBlack21

Absolutely MUST use either a tripod or something to stabilize your camera. You can pick up one of those nifty tiny tripods that fits in your pocket. I hate seeing a really cool looking macro shot on Flickr only to view the full size version of it to find out it's actually quite out of focus.

mardigan71

@ahawks: $70? That sounds good... I've played with the idea of getting a macro filter set. Except this photography hobby is just so expensive!

yitzle

Go to the dollar store, get a magnifying glass. Now take your camera, focus on your subject as closely as you can, then hold the magnifying glass in front of your camera lens, moving it until your subject is in focus. It works brilliantly, is super cheap, and portable.

baglunch

Another option is to use portrait mode and zoom in. If the background is far enough away, you will get a sharp focus on your subject and a nicely blurred background. Works great in natural light.

jrstark

I just got into photography a bit (picked up a Canon Rebel XTi a month ago) and macro photography is really something I'm interested in. There is a good article here [strobist.blogspot.com] about building a little macro studio to make your photos really pop.

Michael Kizer

I saw a tip somewhere on the web where you took a large white plastic bucket, cut a large arch in one side, and hey presto you have a small "studio" for you macro projects which will bounce all the light back onto your subject. Yes, my description sounds rubbish, but from the shots I saw it looked very effective.

Oh yeah; it was Lifehacker (from Instructables)! :-S

[www.instructables.com]

reclusivemonkey