MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY
Abstract macro photography: shooting soap bubbles
Discover how to shoot striking, colourful abstract macro images of soap film with this easy step-by-step guide.
MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY
MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY
Get a fresh take on flower photography using a macro lens and the power of refraction to create striking shots. Capture detail within a droplet of water and experiment with reflections. For this technique you'll need a macro lens, and ideally a tripod and remote shutter release – if you have a Wi-Fi-enabled camera, such as the Canon EOS 90D, you can use the Canon Camera Connect app on your smartphone to frame the shot and trigger the shutter. For the most controllable lighting, it's handy to use an external flash such as one of the Canon Speedlite range.
You can use this technique outdoors (if you have the option) or indoors. The advantage of setting up indoors is that you have more control over the lighting and there's less risk of a breeze disturbing the water droplets. You also don't have to get up early to shoot the morning dew!
In addition to a macro lens and a tripod to keep your camera steady and avoid camera shake, you'll need some flowers, plus some glycerine (available from a pharmacy, the baking aisle in a supermarket or online) to create long-lasting, highly reflective droplets. You'll also need a bright source of light – either from a window or an off-camera Canon Speedlite flash.
Focus your macro lens at its closest focusing distance to achieve the highest magnification. Even at life-size or 1:1 magnification, the water droplets will appear small in the frame, so you may want to crop the shot in editing software afterwards. The lens will need to be positioned close to the droplets, so make sure it doesn't cast a shadow across the picture. If you're using a lamp or an external Canon Speedlite, you'll have more control over the direction of the light. Another way to avoid shadow is to use a macro lens with a built-in Macro Lite, such as the Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM or the Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM.
Using glycerine instead of water will create shinier, more viscous drops that stick to their support for longer, giving you more shooting time to capture the perfect shot. And using a faster shutter speed will enable you to get as many shots as you want in a short amount of time. Dip a needle or toothpick into the glycerine and use this to transfer the liquid – this way, you'll be able to position the droplets where you want them and add as many as you like. Experiment with different sized droplets and clusters of them to produce more creative compositions.
Manually focus on the drops and move the flower in the background closer until its refracted image is rendered sharply in the liquid. Shoot in Aperture priority (Av) mode so that you have more control over the depth of field, and choose an aperture of f/8 to start with. The trick here is to keep the flower in the background blurred while its refracted image appears sharp, so be prepared to experiment with the position of the flower and the aperture. Keep the droplets parallel with the camera to keep all the drops sharp.
To improve sharpness, use Live View mode so that the mirror movement won't jar the camera, and take the picture using your camera's self-timer, a remote shutter release, or the Canon Camera Connect app on your smartphone if your camera works with it. For additional advice on how to get started with macro, and for further inspiration on new tricks to try, download the Canon Photo Companion App for iOS or Android.
Written by Marcus Hawkins and Tamzin Wilks
Whatever you shoot, however you shoot it, the EOS R6 lets you be creative in ways you never thought possible.
A professional RF macro lens, the RF 100mm F2.8L MACRO IS USM is perfect for handheld 1.4x life size images and stunning portraits, with L-series quality.
Get Inspired is your key source of useful photography tips, buyer’s guides and insightful interviews – everything you need to find the best camera or the best printer, and make your next creative idea come to life.
Back to all Tips & TechniquesMACRO PHOTOGRAPHY
Discover how to shoot striking, colourful abstract macro images of soap film with this easy step-by-step guide.
MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY
Wildlife photographer Ian Wade shares his top tips for shooting macro.
MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY
Macro photography made simple – discover the best kit, tips and techniques.