Take your photography skills to new heights by showing off your macro photography skills. While it might seem easy enough to zoom in on some water droplets or a flower, macro photography goes much deeper than that. If you want your close-up images to look stunning, check out these tips on doing macro photography like a professional.

Choose the Best Gear for Macro Photography

You may understand all the ins and outs of your camera, but if you still aren’t getting great macro shots, you might not be working with the right equipment. Most cameras have a macro mode but that setting may not be enough. For the best macro photography, you’ll need a macro lens with 1:1 magnification and a long focal length. You’ll likely prefer a longer focal length so you can blur you background and keep a reasonable distance from your subject, especially if you’re working with something that scares easily. If you know how autofocus lenses work, you’ll understand how important it is to get one with a silent autofocusing feature. Additional gear you can use to enhance your macro photography include:

• extension tubes

• close up lenses

• reversing rings

• focus rails

Choose the Right Background for Macro Photography

The backgrounds in macro photography are just as important as the subject. In this type of photography, the area around your subject is called negative space—and it can make or break your image. You don’t want to distract from your main subject so choosing a plain background is typically the best option, though plenty of different patterns and colors can work.

Pro Tip: Placing your background further from your subject allows your camera to focus on your subject’s details more than the background.

Use the Right Light for Macro Photography

The key to a show-stopping macro photo is in the lighting. You don’t want your shadow, or shadows caused by harsh lighting, to ruin your shot. Planning your photo shoot for times of day when the sun is not too bright—or too dim—is one way to work with lighting. Overcast days are great because clouds diffuse direct sunlight. You could also work with a ring light to control the direction and amount of light you put on your subject.

Be Patient When Doing Macro Photography

Sometimes, the most challenging part of macro photography is holding still. The slightest movement or even a gust of wind can ruin a perfectly focused image. You’ll want to hold your hand steady and wait for the perfect moment, taking extra care not to cause your subject to move in any way. The best way to steady your camera is with a tripod, or you can rest your arm against a wall or other sturdy structure. A third hand tool, such as a clamp, may also help depending on what you’re shooting.

Pick a Good Subject for Macro Photography

Some objects are better for macro photography than others. Make a list of what you want to photograph if you want to experiment with this form of photography. Sometimes finding the ideal subject is a matter of waiting for it to come along. Once you have decided on a subject, study it from all perspectives to determine the best angle for your photo. Common subjects used in macro photography include:

• food

• water droplets

• insects

• textures

• foliage

With a clever mind, you can take unique images of anything you want. The world is your oyster. Follow these tips on doing macro photography to achieve the most stunning, magazine-worthy images.