Hi everyone! Welcome to my first photography challenge! This marks the starting point of my practical journey. For this challenge, I've chosen a topic to dive deeper into aperture: Macro Photography with Aperture.
As part of my year-long photography journey, I'm challenging myself with focused learning exercises. This macro challenge builds on the aperture fundamentals I've been studying.
Goal
A reasonable question: Why this topic? My answer is simple: macro photography has always absorbed and excited me. It invites us to notice the tiny details within the bigger picture. I remember the first time I tried macro photography. I was amazed at how a tiny subject, like a ladybug, could fill the entire frame. However, I quickly realized that achieving the desired depth of field was a delicate balance. This challenge is my journey to master that balance.
The goal of this challenge is to learn how to use aperture effectively when working with tiny objects.
What’s the plan?
Over the next 14 days, I’ll be experimenting with various aperture settings in macro shots, focusing on how it impact depth of field, sharpness, and background blur. To keep things straightforward and manageable, I’ll use Aperture Priority Mode (A/Av) for all shots
The key point: I’m not just sharing my successes. Mistakes are part of the process, and I’ll share those too, along with my own review.
What I’ll Learn (and you can too)
By the end of this challenge, I'll gain a better understanding of:
- How aperture settings influence focus and depth of field in macro shots.
- How to isolate your subject by blurring the background or maximizing sharpness.
- How mistakes can be stepping stones to improvement.
Equipment Setup for This Challenge
For this challenge, I'm using my Canon RP with these lenses:
- 35mm f/1.8: Not true macro, but excellent for close-ups with beautiful bokeh
- 70-200mm f/4: Telephoto macro for maintaining distance from subjects
- 17-40mm f/4: Wide-angle close focus for environmental macro shots
Technical Considerations I'll Explore
Aperture Range Strategy
- f/1.8-f/2.8: Maximum background blur, very shallow depth
- f/4-f/5.6: Balanced approach - subject isolation with acceptable sharpness
- f/8-f/11: Maximum detail capture, deeper depth of field
Focus Techniques to Master
- Single-point autofocus: Precise control over focus placement
- Manual focus: Essential when autofocus struggles with tiny subjects
- Focus stacking: Multiple shots combined for maximum depth
Day-by-Day Learning Goals
I'll document daily progress, sharing both successful shots and learning moments. Each day will focus on specific aspects:
- Days 1-3: Understanding depth of field at different apertures
- Days 4-7: Mastering manual focus techniques
- Days 8-11: Experimenting with lighting and backgrounds
- Days 12-14: Advanced techniques and creative compositions
Follow along as I discover the intricate world of macro photography! You can also see my reflection on specific challenges like finding focus where I share the difficulties and solutions I've encountered.
Ready to join the challenge? Start with understanding the basic photography fundamentals and then explore aperture priority techniques to build your foundation.
