When it comes to any type of photography, I think harsh light is what we photographers dread most — it’s not so easy to balance the highlights and shadows. In macro photography, though, harsh light has been the most amazing friend to me, by presenting opportunities to showcase spectacular details that would otherwise probably go unnoticed.
The following are five tips for using dramatic or harsh lighting to your advantage when creating macro photographs.
1. Shadows.
Use the harsh light to capture shadows cast on your subject to add intrigue. The shadows might be cast by parts of the subject itself or by other objects around it. Try using backlight or sidelight to find them. One method I like to use is like shadow puppetry, where I might use a leaf as a scrim between the sunlight and my lens, showing off branches, flowers or other leaves behind it.
2. Details.
Use the light to capture details that might otherwise be overlooked, like the silk strands of a spider web, “hairs” on plants, and the veins of a leaf. Try placing the sun directly behind your details to create a glowing rim light that will accentuate lines and shapes. Challenge yourself to shoot 1:1 so you can focus on the tiniest features, creating visual interest and curiosity for the viewer.
3. Flare.
Use the light to create haze or flare for visual interest. Shoot toward the sun to harness the rays to create a magical or dreamy atmosphere. Shifting your lens very slightly up, down, left, or right can make a huge difference in the kind and amount of the effect you’re after. In harsh light, I often need to underexpose my actual in-camera metering reading. Check your LCD panel regularly to ensure your highlights, in particular, are exposed properly.
4. Storytelling.
Use the light to tell a story. You might not immediately categorize macro as a storytelling genre, but I’d argue that it can, in fact, share the stories of the smallest details in the world around us. For example, water droplet bokeh can tell of the morning dew or recent rainfall. The golden rays of sunrise or sunset can speak to the warmth of the moment. Showing off the fuzz of a plant or bumps on a leaf can tell your viewer a story they hadn’t known before the moment you shared it with them. Seek out storytelling elements to elevate your macro photos.
5. Spotlight.
Use the light to spotlight and thus isolate a subject of interest. Sometimes it happens naturally as with, for example, sun rays falling on a blossom or other object in a forest. You may notice, as you move in close on some greenery, that most of the area in your viewfinder is shaded, except for the tip of that one leaf highlighted by the sun. Take advantage of these situations! They can make for very powerful images.
Settings to get you started with macro photography.
If you’re unsure where to begin with your camera settings, I recommend using ISO 100 and f/11-14. Remember, the closer you are to your subject, the narrower the depth of field will be. From there, you can adjust your shutter speed until you have correct exposure. I generally don’t go below 1/125 second hand-held, but you may need to experiment, as some hands are steadier than others. If you find you need to increase your shutter speed, I recommend countering with an increase in your ISO rather than opening your aperture. You want to maintain the depth of field necessary to keep the subject in focus.
Michelle uses a Nikon D750 with Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro D Macro lens and a Sony α6000 with Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art lens for her macro photography.
Photos by Michelle Baisa
