"NL" - Neutral Layers | Macro Photography Session - Technical Description

14 days ago

Hi everybody :)

Macro photography offers us the opportunity to see the world through new eyes, revealing textures, shapes, and patterns that, on a natural scale, might go unnoticed. In this session, I chose as my subject a piece collected on a beach, the origin of which remains uncertain; it could be a shell fragment, a fossilized remnant, or even a mineral structure shaped by the sea.

To capture these images, I used a simple but effective technique: the use of an inverting ring, which allows the lens to be inverted, transforming it into an accessible macro tool. This approach requires greater proximity to the subject, manual focus, and careful attention to depth of field, but it rewards images with a remarkable wealth of detail.

In the photographed piece, the concentric layers and small cavities stand out, suggesting a long process of natural erosion. The soft lighting and shallow depth of field allowed us to isolate specific details, creating an intimate atmosphere that invites the viewer to explore every visual detail as if it were a miniature landscape.

Let me present today’s model:

_{F-stop: F/4 | Exposure time: 1/300 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/5 | Exposure time: 1/350 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/4 | Exposure time: 1/250 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/4 | Exposure time: 1/300 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/4 | Exposure time: 1/250 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/4 | Exposure time: 1/300 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/5 | Exposure time: 1/350 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/4 | Exposure time: 1/250 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/4 | Exposure time: 1/300 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/5 | Exposure time: 1/350 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/4 | Exposure time: 1/250 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/5 | Exposure time: 1/350 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/4 | Exposure time: 1/250 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

_{F-stop: F/5 | Exposure time: 1/350 sec. | ISO speed: ISO 800}

Used equipments

Camera: Canon EOS 600D Digital SLR with CMOS sensor
Lens: EFS 18-55mm with f/5 maximum aperture, allowing shallow depth of field and capturing fine details.
Used inverter ring
Tripod: not used
Lighting: Adjustable LED lights to provide soft, even lighting, avoiding harsh shadows and highlighting the details of structures.

Technical Description of Macro Photography Session

Camera Settings

Focus Mode: Manual focus to ensure precision in specific details of oyster shell structure.
Aperture: Variable aperture between f/4 and f/5 for adequate depth of field, ensuring all important details are in focus.
ISO: Low ISO setting (800) to minimize noise in images.
Shutter Speed: Adjust shutter speed as needed to avoid underexposure, while maintaining a value that allows you to capture sharp details.

Procedures

Environment Preparation:
Assembling the macro photography set in a controlled environment, minimizing the presence of dust and ensuring a clean and white surface for positioning the shell.
Section Positioning:
Placing the subject in position that highlight the unique characteristics, using appropriate supports to keep the example stable.
Lighting Adjustment:
Setting the LED lights to provide uniform illumination, adjusting the intensity and angle of the lights to eliminate unwanted shadows.
Image Capture:
Taking multiple shots with variations in aperture settings, shutter speed and capture angle, exploring different perspectives and compositions.
Image Review:
Immediate analysis of images captured on the camera's viewfinder to ensure that all desired details were captured sharply and clearly.
Post-Production Editing:
Importing images into editing software (Adobe Photoshop CS) to adjust brightness, contrast, sharpness and remove any imperfections.

Session Purpose

The main objective of this macro photography session is to capture detailed images of a shell, with a focus on thoroughly observing and documenting all characteristics and visual details. Furthermore, i seek to create attractive visual compositions for publication on this blog, aiming to share the beauty and complexity of this structure.

To finish, i leave you with some considerations regarding these photo sessions:

Examining miniature subjects through macro photography reveals a compelling domain where minute details assume significant importance. Immersing oneself in the intricacies of these diminutive objects allows for the recognition of the often-overlooked beauty within this microenvironment. Each image captures a fleeting moment, showcasing the complexity hidden within the small-scale elements of nature. The essence of macro photography lies in its ability to elevate ordinary subjects to extraordinary levels, offering an intimate and captivating perspective.

The session is closed for today.
Hope you like it :)