You may have a point and shoot digital camera that has this function, but have never used it. The question is Why? Shooting in the Macro world is a very cool place to do photographs.
As a professional, having a macro lens in your bag is nearly a must. We have photographed everything from the detail in jewelry to background images for websites and wedding albums alike using our macro lens. Most point and shoot digital cameras today come with the ability to use a macro feature. You can recognize it by the cool little flower symbol in your menu or dial structure. What this does is change the focus ability of your fixed zoom lens. You will be able to get to within inches of your inetended subject and photograph in great detail. We recently did the image to the left for an article running on our website. While the article wasn't about shooting in macro, the shot was done with our macro lens. Giving us close up detail of the camera in the shot and selective focus to keep it interesting.
Ok this is great but how does this help you? Well the answer is simple. People are always asking me how to make an image more interesting. Many times I will tell them to shoot from a different perspective or an unusual angle. A macro lens will actually allow you to achieve both of these things in one convenient package. The best part is, you already have the hardware necessary right on your camera.
There are some great applications for macro from floral pictures to insurance documentation. Let's say for instance your insurance agent has asked you to give them a listing of items in your home that you have insurred with them. They would like detailed serial numbers and an idea of the items condition. With a few macro shots of your most valuable items, you can easily provide them with the images they are requesting.
Maybe you are building a website and need some graphic images for the site or filler images for information. Again macro can be of great use here. You can get in really close to an object and use it to convey an idea or instruction.
Another great application is to use your macro setting for items you might be selling on Ebay or another online auction. Many buyers want to see that scratch or dent on the slightly used item you are selling. If that is the case, do a macro shot of it and post it in the gallery when you are selling it. There will be no questions asked if the customer can see for themselves just what it is they are buying. Here is a hypothetical Ebay scenerio. You are selling one Motoroloa Talkabout Walkie Talkie. The unit offers a multi chanel monitor system and the ability to plug in a headset with a microphone for use in quite places.
FEATURES of your item shot in Macro
Ok so how do we do this and what is the best method? Really you can use simple window light, non direct is best. Set up your camera on the little "flower" icon we discussed in the beginning of the article and then start shooting in close. As you work with the camera, you may find that you will have to set the macro "flower" button multiple times. If the camera turns it's self off automatically between shots or if you do not have a "dial" setting for this item, the camera may revert back to normal shooting mode between shots. All of the shots in this article were taken using macro. For standard range, 3-5 feet and all the way into just an inch or two the macro setting on your camera can open up a whole new world to you.
This is really detail shooting, the biggest problem with shooting macro is the depth of good sharp focus issue. As you focus closer and closer on a subject you will notice that the area of good sharp focus gets narrower and narrower. To over come some of these effects, shoot at a higher aperture. On a point and shoot camera this means around 8 or 11 if you have it. On standard DSLR's you will likely have a maximum aperture of around 32 on a fixed macro lens. This is very handy for carrying that depth of focus. Keep in mind though as you begin to apply more and more aperture to your image, you will need to bump up your light or slow that shutter down to compensate.
Finally, have fun. There is a whole macro world out there just waiting for you to explore it. So push the flower button once in a while, you might just like the results. - Aloha
