The WoW factor of close ups

How to get the WoW factor in close up photography. Close up photography involves a shallow depth of field (DOF) which helps keep the background objects from competing with the main subject of your photo. 

Notice how the background becomes blurred when using the automatic close up mode dial. A shallow depth of field (DOF) has been created.

The simple definition for beginning photographers of shallow depth of field (DOF) means objects closest to the camera lens will be in sharper focus than those further away. This post is applicable for people with DSLR cameras or Point and Shoot cameras. Be sure and read your camera's manual to find the close up or macro setting for your camera.

"Farmer's Market Peppers"

The nearer the subject is in focus to your camera, the depth of field (DOF) will be more shallow blurring the background. The above photo shows the peppers in focus and the background blurred. This draws attention to the peppers and blurs the distracting background.  In our case we are using close up on the automatic dial mode to achieve this effect.  In future blogs we will discuss the semi-automatic (A,S,P) modes and manual (M) modes of using your camera to accomplish what we've been learning in my posts.  

"Mica's Gaze"
Think outside the box when taking photos. Shoot from different angles.

Check your camera's manual for exactly what your close up mode produces and where it is located. On my DSLR camera the automatic mode dial is located on the top of the camera.  Close up mode is generally represented as a flower icon.

Nikon camera automatic mode dial

On my point and shoot camera, the automatic close up mode is a button located on the back of the camera. There are two close up mode settings, each setting proving greater depth of field (DOF).

"It's all in the eyes"
Notice the blurred bushes in the background and the shallow DOF

The photos above and below show more examples of shallow depth of field. The distracting backgrounds are thrown out of focus to draw the viewer's attention to the main subject. Remember, as we discussed earlier, the nearer the subject is in focus to your camera, depth of field will be more shallow.

"Shy Daisy"

In-camera Cyanotype Processing*

Get creative and fill the entire frame with detail and notice that what looked good from a distance looks even better up close.

"Dandelion"

When we focus in on detail we see textures and colors that we might not have noticed. These details draw the viewer in for a better look.




*Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that gives a cyan-blue print. The process was popular in engineering circles well into the 20th century. The simple and low-cost process enabled them to produce large-scale copies of their work, referred to as blueprints. wikipedia.org