Compact Close Ups
So, you want to enter the latest fabulous competition round on ThinkCamera but you've 'only' got a compact? So what! Compacts can be just as good as an SLR.
Below:
The 'studio' glass shot was taken with a compact digicam.
The snowdrops were 'photographed' without using a camera at all! Read on...
You might not know it but somewhere in the menu is a setting for Macro. Or even Super Macro. Look out for a picture of a flower in your scene settings or on a dial somewhere. If the worst comes to the worst you could get the manual out. (Look of shock)
Then it's just up to your imagination. You'll be amazed at how closely you can focus and what detail you can see when you zoom in on the screen afterwards.
See if you can guess what this one is. The answer is on the rollover below.
What is it?,
Answer,
Some cameras will focus up to 10cm and some will go even closer! I can focus up to 1cm away with Fuji S9500. It has macro and supermacro. On macro it will fire the on camera flash but it won't on supermacro as the lens will be in the way. However, it will trigger a studio set on supermacro.
Shooting close ups with a compact really can be that easy - just remember that you may need to steady the camera because when you get close every tiny shake gets magnified. The small sensors of compacts also give you a huge bonus at macro distances - you will get loads more depth of field to your picture than on a DSLR. Cheaper camera = more in focus!
|
No Camera? No Problem
So you don't have a camera at all. You can still enter the competition if you have a scanner:
Find yourself some artistic objects. Arrange them on the platen (that's the glass bit where you'd normally put paper to be scanned). Close the lid. (Some scanner lids are made to accommodate bulky items, if not cover it with paper). Set your scanner going. 300dpi should be fine. Some scanners are better with depth of field than others. The one I'm using now has a very narrow depth of field but my old one was much better. When you get confident, you can start to add coloured backgrounds to set off your pictures - these are coloured lighting gels but you can use paper or card.
|
|
Keep your clothes on!
One danger of taking pictures of small shiny things is reflections - check out our article ona home made light tent to keep them to minimum. If you don't use a light tent then make sure you are decent! Don't worry, it's only my hands you can see in this one.
