Macro moss sequence

This was my first foray into macro photography. 

I was on a beach with my grandson who happily poured sand from one toy to another when I happened to see this beautiful little patch of moss. At that time, I didn't have a macro lens, but I did have a set of screw-on magnifiers for my 52mm lens. I also was pretty new at this whole photography thing - this was March of 2014 so my Nikon was less than a year old and I was still taking pictures in one of the Auto Modes - this one happened to be Close Up - but that isn't quite good enough to get a real macro shot. 

The tool I used to get the photos here is a 10X magnifier that screws on to the lens, it came in a set of four put out by Polaroid. You can still get sets like this, just make sure you get the correct size for your lens. The reason and need for a tool like this is that without it, you can't get close enough to your subject to get this macro detail. Each lens has its own standard, and in order to focus, you need to be a minimum distance from your subject.....unless you have a nifty 10X or other magnifier. 

The camera used here is a Nikon D3200 with the kit lens Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S (auto focus motor in the lens), DX (crop sensor). Note that AF-S also means Auto Focus - Single mode and refers to single focus on one point as opposed to continuous or auto focus modes. BUT, when talking about the Nikkor Lens, it means focus motor in the lens. 

This was first, standing above the little patch of moss on the ground. The area of zoom is the top area of the patch of moss in the lower left area of the frame. 

I'm skipping a frame or two between, but you get the idea.....

Settings here are

f/8

1/125 sec

ISO 140

55mm (on my crop-sensor Nikon, this means it functions as an 82mm on a full-frame camera)

Getting a bit closer now,

f/8

1/125 sec

ISO 180 (automatically adjusted)

55mm

And closer still, 

f/8

1/125 sec

ISO 220

55mm

Final image - 

f/8

1/125 sec

ISO 280

55mm

This image can be purchased from my Pictorem Portfolio - select size and material (canvas or paper). Free shipping in Continental US and Canada. 

Hocus Pocus Focus

Getting a tack-sharp photo is one of the greatest challenges in photography.

I'll mention up front that I use Single Point Focus, I zero-in on only one point on my focus grid [that little set of boxes or dots in your camera that light up when you push the shutter half-down to focus].

Depending on your camera, you may have to shoot in other than the automatic pre-sets like "Landscape," "People/Portrait," and "Sports." They are fine, but limiting, and take away a lot of your creative control. For me, Single Point focus works exceedingly well!

Not only that, I attended a seminar on lenses last weekend, and when I mentioned that I shoot in Single Point Auto Focus, the instructor gave me a thumbs up and suggested that everyone else at least try it!

One tip from me before we let the experts weigh in: If you are too close to your subject, you may not get that tack-sharp focus! If you want a closeup, or to have your subject fill the frame, it may better to zoom in than to move in too close!

On to some more good stuff! Here are two resources offering stellar focusing advice.

Please Note this very important distinction: Manual Mode does NOT mean Manual Focus. Manual Mode means you are not using one of the pre-set automatic modes like "Landscape," and etc. but you are using Auto-focus!

1 - link to an article on Digital Photography School.com

Understanding Normal and Cross-Type Focusing Points

A Post By: Simon Ringsmuth

The author does an excellent job explaining simply but in depth how focus point sensors and auto-focus works, and at the end includes a list of cameras by make and model telling what type of focusing points each camera uses.

2 - six-minute video with Paul from Photo Genius in Australia who does an excellent job showing how and why to use Single Point Auto-focus, and change the focus points on two camera models. Refer to your Owners Manual to find out how to change your camera.