Looking at the world through a Macro Lens

When I first started seriously getting into photography I was often asked the dreaded question, "what type of photographer are you?"  And as I fumbled around with my words, basically naming off every type of photography out there, I realized I needed to find my niche.  I started experimenting with all different types, ranging from portraits to nature and everything in between.  I also experimented (and practiced) with my different lenses.  My husband is the one who insisted we get a macro lens and at the time I wasn't the least bit interested.  I actually became quite frustrated with it because I did not understand the technical side of the lens.  But now.... I am in love <3

Frangipani Bloom after a Summer Rain Shower ~ Ft. Lauderdale, FL

ISO 200 ~ 60mm ~ f/7.1 ~ 1/80 sec

If I could shoot only with my macro lens I would be in heaven.  Some say that macro photography isn't real photography because you don't have to hike to the top of a mountain to get a breathtaking photo such as in landscape photography.  I would have to disagree.  I think macro photography is a beautifully artistic form of expression and vital to the world of photography.

When shooting with a macro lens, your depth of field is very small, so your focus and composition have to be perfect.  There is also the issue of light and the sun.  Even more so with macro photography, you have to have the sun in the perfect spot or your composition will look dull and boring.  Sometimes I would see something I would want to shoot, but would have to wait and plan for the sun to be in the perfect spot and come back and shoot then. And then there is the topic of the wind.  Even the slightest breeze can blur your subject.  Usually I use manual focus when I am shooting macro, and when the breeze moves my subject I find myself frustrated because I don't have a third hand to stabilize what I am trying to shoot.  

It is the combination of patience, focus, composition, lighting, and a love for it that will make your macro photos stand out above the rest.  In a time where social media and phone applications like instagram, flood the photography scene with images that are less than professional, it calls us to step up our game to make our images rise above.

What I love most about macro photography is that it takes someone with patience who will slow down and look at everything on a detailed level.  I find that it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life... that being forced to slow down and "smell the roses" so to speak, is just what I needed.

Yesterday I had plans to shoot some macro photos of the gorgeous fall leaves in my neighborhood ~ but with the 20+ mph winds, I had to scratch that plan.  So today I will try again.

I always have my macro lens with me wherever I am going because I never know when I will see that diamond in the rough <3

I also wanted to add a blog post on this very subject that I love <3  Check it out -> Anne Rusk Photography Blog

Happy Shooting!

Corrie

"Are you planning photography around your trip?" OR "Planning your trip around photography?"

"Are you planning photography around your trip?"  OR "Planning your trip around photography?"

Your answer to the above question will be a clear indicator to the where you are in your relationship with your camera!  I know for me, I started out planning photography around my trips... and now it is seriously the opposite.  I am taking into account the time of day, the lighting, the scenery.... all before I even leave the house.  There are probably many of you somewhere in the middle.  I know with me, the level of focus on photography depends on if I am flying solo for photos or if I have the family with me.  But one thing is for sure, my family ALWAYS comes first.  I have missed out on photo opportunities before and I am 100% okay with that.  There will always be something to photograph, I will only have my boys for this moment, right now.  In life, balance is so important... with everything.

Regardless of where your focus lies, there are ways to make it work.  If you stay organized and plan ahead, you can fit photography into your probably very full schedule.  Think about what you enjoy doing and seeing, the places that you like to go.  There are most likely fantastic photo opportunities tied right there with what you love to do.  Take advantage of every moment <3

Tomorrow after school, my two boys and I have a date to go on a nature walk.  Each of us will have a camera and as my my 5 y/o stated, he's most excited about finding frogs to take photos of <3

Happy Shooting!

Corrie

Bomb Rushing Nap Time!

Today was one of those rare occasions that my 3 y/o son actually fell asleep during quiet time.  Since it was so late in the afternoon, I didn't feel guilty taking some photos and chancing waking him.  Apparently my camera makes very loud noises when I click the dial to change the settings of my shutter speed and aperture.... and I've woken up my boys before in my less than stealthy approach...

ISO 100 ~ 60 mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1.3 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Since I didn't want to lug my tripod upstairs and also since he fell asleep on the floor, I used the floor as my tripod.  Even with opening the window above him, it was still too dark to handhold the camera without using the flash.  If I put the camera directly on the floor, I got carpet in the foreground (which I didn't want).  So I propped the camera up on a few small books and got exactly the height that I needed along with the stability of the floor to account for the slower shutter speed.

I used manual focus here so that I could have a pinpoint focal point on his eyelashes.  The camera on automatic focus kept wanting to focus on his forehead.  Applied an action in Photoshop from Annie at Paint The Moon called Creamy Java (which is one of my favorites!)

Happy Shooting!

Corrie