Macro lenses bring out the appeal of macro lenses! Tips for landscape photography and how to create circular bokeh

A macro lens, as the name suggests, specializes in macro photography (close-up photography). However, it is not a lens that can only be used for macro photography. You can also enjoy landscape photography with a macro lens. In this article, we will introduce tips for shooting landscapes with a macro lens and how to take advantage of circular bokeh.

Macro lenses are useful for more than just macro photography

As the name suggests, macro lenses are ideal for macro photography and are generally prime lenses. It allows you to get closer to the subject than with a normal lens, and to capture a small subject in a large, photo-filled image. The appeal of this type of lens is that it can capture details that are difficult to see with the naked eye, such as the stamens and pistils of flowers and the compound eyes of insects, in great detail.

However, a macro lens is not a lens for “macro photography” only. It can also be used as a normal prime lens for landscape photography. Since macro lenses often have high resolution and excellent descriptive power, they can also be used to take high-quality pictures in landscape photography.

In addition, it is possible to take advantage of the features of macro lenses to create works of art, such as cropping out a portion of a landscape or creating an atmosphere by taking advantage of blurring.

Basic Features and Usage of Macro Lenses

To master the use of macro lenses, it is important to understand their characteristics. Here, we will explain the general characteristics and usage of macro lenses before getting into specific landscape photography.

Minimum Object Distance and Maximum Magnification

Macro lenses are characterized by their minimum object distance and maximum magnification. The minimum object distance is the shortest distance from the subject to the sensor within which the subject appears to be in focus. Macro lenses have a very short minimum object distance, allowing the photographer to get close to the subject.

The maximum magnification is the ratio of the actual size of the subject to the maximum size that can be captured on the sensor. Usually, the term “macro lens” refers to a full-size macro lens with a maximum magnification of 1:1.

On the other hand, a lens with a maximum magnification of 1:2 is called a half-macro lens. Half-macro lenses are also suitable for capturing pulled landscapes, as they allow you to capture the entire landscape more expansively than full-size macro lenses.

How to focus

The closer a macro lens allows you to get to the subject, the shallower the depth of field becomes. This means that the area that appears to be in focus is narrower, resulting in a large, beautiful bokeh effect.

On the other hand, focusing becomes more severe, so it is important to pinpoint the subject in macro photography.

In addition, it is important to become accustomed to using manual focus (MF) because there will be times when it is difficult to focus with autofocus (AF). In addition, using a larger F-number (aperture value) or using a tripod will make focusing easier.

Prevent camera shake

When using a macro lens to take close-up pictures, camera shake is likely to occur. The closer you get to the subject, the more blur will appear in the picture, even if it is only a small blur.

To prevent camera shake, it is effective to use a faster shutter speed than usual. In addition, as mentioned above, using a tripod and a larger F-number will help you take pictures with less camera shake.

How to take landscape pictures using a macro lens

From here, we will explain in detail how to take pictures of landscapes using a macro lens. Macro lenses can take beautiful bokeh pictures in close-up photography, but they are also recommended for landscape photography, taking advantage of their sharp, clear image quality.

Take pictures using appropriate settings

Guideline for exposure settings

First, check the exposure settings when shooting landscapes with a macro lens. Below are some guidelines, but in practice, try to find the optimal settings while shooting.

Shooting mode

Use aperture priority mode if you want to take pictures with a specific bokeh effect. In aperture priority mode, the camera automatically determines the shutter speed to achieve the appropriate exposure by setting the F-number. This makes it easier to take pictures with the intended bokeh effect.

F-number (aperture value)

If you want to capture the entire landscape in close-up, it is best to stop down the aperture to F8 to F11. By stopping down the aperture, you can capture the entire landscape more sharply.

Shutter speed

In macro photography, a faster shutter speed of about 1/200 sec. to 1/1000 sec. is often used to reduce camera shake. However, if you want to capture the entire landscape, you can use a normal shutter speed because the aperture is often stopped down. Using a tripod will help reduce camera shake even at slower shutter speeds.

In macro photography, on the other hand, to reduce camera shake, set a faster shutter speed of about 1/200 sec. to 1/1000 sec. and adjust as you view the picture.

ISO sensitivity

Adjust the ISO sensitivity according to the situation. If there is sufficient brightness, shoot at a lower ISO sensitivity.

If the photo is too dark, increase the ISO sensitivity or set the exposure compensation in a positive direction to ensure brightness. However, increasing the ISO sensitivity may increase noise, increase the risk of white-out due to excessive exposure compensation, or make the overall colors look unnatural.

It is important to find the optimal exposure by making fine adjustments according to the scene and subject.

Conscious of balanced composition

When shooting pulled landscapes, it is important to be aware of the balance of the composition. When capturing a large landscape, it is best to use a three-section or four-section composition.

In three-section composition, the image is divided into three equal parts, and the subject is placed at the intersection of the three parts. In a quadrant composition, the image is divided into four equal parts, and the subject is placed at the intersections or on the lines. By keeping these compositions in mind, you can take well-balanced and crisp pictures.

Crop out an attractive part of the image

A macro lens with a long focal length allows you to capture a subject area in a vast landscape because of its narrow angle of view.

For example, you can select a flower with striking colors from a vast field of flowers or a beautiful ridge line from a mountain range, and bring out the best of the scenery.

While observing the scenery, try repeatedly taking pictures with the part of the scene that attracts you as the main subject.

Macro Photography Expands Your Expressive Capability

With a macro lens, you can focus on small subjects you encounter in landscape photography situations. Here we will introduce the appeal of macro lens photography while incorporating landscapes.

Close in on Small Subjects

When shooting landscapes with a macro lens, focus on small subjects. Flowers, insects, water droplets, and other subjects that are usually part of the landscape will reveal new discoveries when viewed through a macro lens.

Once you have chosen a subject, observe the details of that subject further. For example, with flowers, you can capture the surface of the petals, the shape of the stamens and pistils, and other details in a large image to create a photo that can only be taken with a macro lens.

Changing impressions with backgrounds and angles

In macro photography, the choice of background and angle can make a big difference in the impression of the picture.

Choosing a simple background in the same color as the subject will create an overall soft and fluffy atmosphere. On the other hand, using a background blur of a color that contrasts with the subject will bring out the presence of details.

Camera angle is another important factor. Shooting from the front or from above will give the impression of objectively observing the subject. On the other hand, shooting from the side or from below will help express dynamism, storytelling, and emotion.

It is important to try shooting the same subject in various positions and angles to find an attractive composition.

Circular bokeh brings out the charm of macro lenses

One element that adds depth and atmosphere to landscape photography is circular bokeh. The addition of ball bokeh can create a three-dimensional effect, create a fantastic atmosphere, or add warmth with soft light.

Here we will introduce how to create circular bokeh and some photographic scenes that take advantage of circular bokeh.

How to Create circular bokeh

First, let's look at how to create circular bokeh. There are several points to consider when creating circular bokeh.

Find a light source that is a round point

Circular bokeh is a large blur of a point light source. Illuminations and streetlights, for example, are easy to imagine.

In daytime landscape photography, sunlight is the source of light for circular bokeh. Look for light that is nearly circular in shape, such as light reflected off the surface of water or leaves, or light scattered in the shade of a tree.

Conscious of distance from the background

To create a large ball bokeh effect, use a lens with a long focal length and position it so that the subject in focus and the light source in the background are far apart.

By moving closer to the subject, you will inevitably create distance between the subject and the background. This will make the light source in the background blur more greatly, creating the appearance of a large circular bokeh.

Open the aperture to near maximum aperture

To emphasize circular bokeh, set the F-number close to maximum aperture. By using a wide-open aperture, the depth of field becomes shallower and the bokeh effect is emphasized.

However, the area that appears to be in focus becomes very narrow with a wide-open aperture, so care must be taken when focusing. Check the bokeh effect and make adjustments such as increasing the F-number.

Examples of photographs that take advantage of circular bokeh

Here are some examples of photographs taken with a macro lens that take full advantage of ball bokeh. Let's take a look at how to use ball bokeh to suit each subject.

Floral works

In photographs featuring flowers, the vividness and vitality of the flowers can be expressed more impressively by capturing the light reflected in the background as ball bokeh.

For example, when photographing petals wet with morning dew, capturing the light reflected off the water droplets in the background as circular bokeh will bring out the beauty of the flower even more.

Also, when shooting close-ups of flowers against the backdrop of a flower garden, you can create a fantastic atmosphere by using the sunlight scattered in the background as circular bokeh.

Work of water droplets

When photographing water droplets, you can create a more gorgeous, sparkling impression by capturing the light reflected off the surrounding water droplets in the background as a circular bokeh.

For example, when photographing water droplets on a leaf, by capturing the light reflecting off the water droplets in the background as a large circular bokeh, the small water droplets stand out. The contrast between the water droplets and the circular bokeh will give the photo depth and a three-dimensional feel.

Insects

When using insects as the subject matter, the presence of insects can be emphasized by capturing the light reflected off the surfaces of plants and flowers as circular bokeh.

For example, when photographing insects resting on flowers or trees, the beauty and fragility of the patterns can be enhanced by using the light reflecting off the leaves or sunlight filtering through the trees as circular bokeh.

How to choose a macro lens for landscape photography

When choosing a macro lens, there are several points to consider. Here we will explain the points you should check when using a macro lens for landscape photography.

Resolving performance and bokeh texture

Photos taken with macro lenses are characterized by large, mellow bokeh. Different lenses have different detail rendering capabilities and bokeh textures, so it is important to find the right lens for your own preferences.

If you are using the lens for landscape photography, you should also check the sharpness and flatness of the periphery of the angle of view. Ideally, you should try the lens in person, but it is also a good idea to refer to reviews and example photographs.

Minimum Focal Distance and Maximum Magnification

Telephoto macro lenses with long focal lengths are attractive because they can be used for a wide range of subjects, from macro photography of insects to landscape photography. In addition, lenses with a maximum magnification of equal magnification (1:1) or greater can make small subjects appear large enough to fill a photograph.

On the other hand, macro lenses with shorter focal lengths allow you to get closer to the subject. This is especially useful for flowers, small objects, and table photos.

F-number

A lens with a small maximum aperture F-number allows more light to enter the sensor. This is especially useful for macro photography where you want a fast shutter speed, or when shooting in dark areas.

Choosing a lens with a bright F-number aperture will make it easier to take brighter pictures while reducing camera shake.

Autofocus (AF) performance

The autofocus (AF) performance of a macro lens is also an important point. It is important to check whether the lens can focus smoothly and accurately and whether it can track a moving subject.

However, since macro photography is often done using manual focus (MF), it is also a good idea to check the operability of the focus ring.

Weight and compactness

In close-up photography with a macro lens, you often carry the camera around and repeatedly shoot from various angles. Therefore, a lens that is compact and easy to handle will be easier to use. Compact lenses not only make it easier to get close to the subject, but also allow you to quickly position the camera on the subject of interest.

Choosing a lens that is as lightweight as possible will also make it easier to suppress camera shake when shooting hand-held.

Moisture-Resistant Construction

Macro lenses are often used in wet or watery environments, such as dewdrops on flowers and grass or near water. If the lens has a Moisture-Resistant Construction, even a little rain can minimize damage to the lens, allowing you to concentrate on your shooting.

Macro lenses make landscape photography more impressive

Macro lenses offer excellent descriptive performance not only in close-up photography but also in landscape photography. In addition, by taking advantage of the “circular bokeh” effect, you can add depth and a fantastic atmosphere to your photos. Choose the lens that best suits your shooting style and the subject you want to capture, and enjoy the world of macro photography to the fullest.