Macro Photography Tutorial - How to Shoot on White Background in the Field

12/29/2017 ISO 1200 Magazine 0 Comments

From the rainforests of Ecuador, Phil Torres uses a Canon 100mm macro and MP-E 65mm macro lens to demonstrate how he gets clean, studio-like photos of insects in the field.

SOME FINAL IMAGES:

This cute little salamander is giving you two upside-down middle fingers 😎

Una publicación compartida por phil_torres (@phil_torres) el Ago 4, 2017 at 9:24 PDT

Nature dropped some glitter all over this beetle and evolution was like "yeah ok let's do this"

Una publicación compartida por phil_torres (@phil_torres) el Feb 26, 2017 at 12:04 PST

Everybody loves a good praying mantis. This is a subadult Macromantis hyalina, one of the hundreds of insect species you can see in a night at #Yasuni National Park. Check out this and other photos of mine in @biographic_magazine this week- it's an important story of oil in the Amazon. Thanks to @mnochisaki14 for the ID!

Una publicación compartida por phil_torres (@phil_torres) el Ene 12, 2017 at 7:13 PST

There is beauty in the Amazon, and this butterfly is one example you'll see fluttering around in the shadows along the trail. Learn about the encroachment of oil extraction which is slowly changing the most biodiverse place on Earth from a national park to an oil free-for-all. Check out biographic.com for more on the struggles of #Yasuni @biographic_magazine

Una publicación compartida por phil_torres (@phil_torres) el Ene 12, 2017 at 12:37 PST

Macro-Photography Dream Kit

In this second video, Phill gives some ideas about macro photography equipment to Rob Nelson, and then he got the kit, and flew to Panama to test it out in the rainforest.

The Canon MP-E 65mm lens is a unique and powerful tool for macro photography. It has the ability to magnify subjects up to 5 times their actual size, allowing for incredibly detailed and close-up images. However, this lens also requires some specialized techniques and knowledge to use effectively, because the most difficult thing in macro photography is achieving sharp focus on a small subject with shallow depth-of-field.

Here are some tips and instructions for using the Canon MP-E 65mm lens:

Set your camera to manual mode: The extreme magnification of this lens means that the camera's auto settings may not be accurate enough. Use manual mode to have full control over your exposure settings.
Use a tripod: Even the slightest movement can cause blurring at high magnification. A sturdy tripod will help keep your camera steady and ensure sharp images.
Get close: To achieve the full 5x magnification, you need to get very close to your subject. Be prepared to move in close and adjust your focus manually.
Use a ring flash or external lighting: At such close distances, your camera's built-in flash will not be effective. Consider using a ring flash or other external lighting to properly illuminate your subject.
Consider your depth of field: At high magnifications, your depth of field will be extremely shallow. Be prepared to use a small aperture (high f-stop) to increase your depth of field and keep as much of your subject in focus as possible.
Practice patience: Shooting with the Canon MP-E 65mm lens requires patience and practice. Take your time and experiment with different settings and techniques to find what works best for your subject.

In conclusion, the Canon MP-E 65mm lens is a powerful tool for macro photography, but it requires some specialized techniques and knowledge to use effectively. By following these tips and instructions, you can get the most out of this unique lens and capture incredible close-up images of your subjects. Get the user manual here