How to Photograph Up Close
Information on Macro & Close Up Photographing by Janice Sullivan
Introduction/ II: Cameras, Lens’ & Tripods / III: Fun Gadgets for Macro Photographing / IV: Basic Macro Shots using Natural Light / V: Digital Darkroom Basics / VI: Creative Techniques using Natural Light / VII: Alternative Lighting Techniques 1 / VIII: Alternative Lighting Techniques 2 / IV: Alternative Lighting Techniques 3 / X: Printing Your Close-Up Photograph
Hello everyone,
This is the tenth article of my series of How to Photograph Up-Close. In this series of articles I have discussed various info to start you on a wonderful journey of photographing close up. I hope that I have inspired you to go-for-it and enjoy the macro world. Every time I shoot something new I learn something new. Whether it be the subject or the process itself, it’s a wonderful feeling to learn something new everyday.
Before I start this post on printing, let’s touch on what I have discussed in this series of articles to refresh your memory.
I began my series of How to Photograph Up Close with an Introduction to discuss how the series would be set up. I said I would plan on discussing close-up photography and would give you links to read the technical information. These articles will have various books, magazine articles, and links to help you learn this style of photography. I stressed that to make a professional photograph you will need excellent equipment, patience and of course have fun!
The second article, Cameras, Lens, and Tripods, I talked about the digital single lens reflex camera, various macro lens’ and of course tripods. I added links with technical info on the equipment and links to companies for you to check out, if you want to purchase these goodies. The reading for this post was Hogan’s article on photography equipment.
The third article, Fun Gadgets for Macro Photographing, discussed equipment to make it easier while you’re shooting close-up. I talked about some of my favorite gadgets…the focusing rack, ball heads for your tripod, the angle finder to help you focus, a cable release to help minimize the shake of the camera, and the ring light flash. You can read all about these gadgets on this post. Also, I wanted you to check out John Shaw’s book, “Macro & Nature”. It’s an old edition but I like his concept of macro photo skills.
The fourth article discussed Basic Macro shots using Natural light. This post was a tutorial on using natural light and the importance of knowing the F-Stops, Shutter Speeds & the ISO. I talked about how I start a project and how the depth-of-field affects your shots especially when you’re photographing close-up. The reading material I gave you for this post is a wonderful book by Nicki Wheeler, “The Complete Guide to Close-up and Macro Photography”
The fifth article in this series, Digital Darkroom Basics, was a must… I discussed the software you most likely received when you purchased your digital camera and various formats like a tiff, jpeg, and raw files. The reading material on this post is by Hoddinott, “Digital Macro Photography”. Hoddinott has some excellent info on digital dark-rooming.
The sixth article, Creative Techniques using Natural Light, was on just that, techniques using natural light. I also discussed some art rules and color info, (the rules of thirds & the color theory), and I focused on some fun macro shots with textures, water drops and backlighting. The reading for this post Harold Davis’ article, “Focusing on What Matters”.
The seventh article, Alternative Lighting Techniques #1, discussed exposure, HDR (high definition range) and zone levels. I gave you info on examples of light reflectors, flashes, and flash diffusers. There are some examples of photographs shot with natural light and a flash to show you the difference between them both and again I talked a bit about the f-stops and shutter speeds. The reading on this post was, “Closeup shooting” by Cyrill Harnischmacher’s.
Because I didn’t want to overload you with several lighting techniques in the seventh article, I decided to discuss more lighting in the eighth, Alternative Lighting Techniques #2. I talked about using a flashlight for lighting your subject and linked you to technical info on color temperature. This article gives you a kit that works awesome for macro photographing. I also discussed strobe lighting, various grids, and snoots. The reading suggestion on this post was an article by Urs Recher, on Light Lessons, and an excellent book on lighting is by Robert Morrissey, “Master Lighting Guide”.
The ninth article in the series, Alternative Lighting Techniques #3, had more information on lighting techniques using umbrellas and fun tools you can use with an umbrella. I also talked about reflective surfaces and using a tent to help with this problem. I gave you a link to help you make a tent if you didn’t want to purchase one and showed you some of my photographs using my tent. This post gave you some of my favorite magazines for you to check out.
This article, Printing your Close-up Photograph, will discuss how to make that perfect print. From this series you should be able to photograph a great macro shot…and how to print your work. You have taken time to perfect your skills and now I would like to talk about the ending result…put a smile on your face and print your favorite work!
If you don’t have a printer you can use outside printer companies, which is nice when you have time for mailing etc… Of course you can go to Costco but I’m not talking about quick prints…I’m talking about professional prints. These are the companies I have used and recommend… West Coast Imaging, Nations photolab.com, & if you want fun products with your images on them, check out Mpix.com.
But, if you are like me and really want your colors perfect using specific paper to add quality to your print, then you will need to purchase a printer. I use Epson printers and I also use their paper.
If you want more details on various printers, check out this link I found, Printerinfo.com, so you can read up on printers before you invest your money. As you will see, professional printers can be expensive.
I really need to stress that if you do have your own printer, please calibrate your printer to your monitor. I used to go crazy and waste time, ink, and paper, trying to achieve what I saw on my monitor and what was actually printing. Yes, there are techniques you can use if you know your color #’s but that’s for a later and more detailed post.
I would suggest using Spyder to calibrate your monitor.
Spyder
From datacolor.com
Check around for pricing… I found this site, Calibration-Direct.com…you can start with them for some bargain shopping and you can always check out Amazon.
Ok, let’s go through some basic steps on printing your photograph… When you purchase your photo paper you will see instructions on printing. READ THEM, it does make a difference!
Let us print this image:
Remember, if you want to look at these images closer, click on them…to get back to my blog use your back arrow key 
First you will want to go to file > Page setup > select your printer and paper size>
Now select your paper size:
You can print from this but I suggest you use a program like Photoshop to print from. You will be able to set up your pages, printer, manage color…
Once you click on print you will see the info below:
Check the print management: do you want the printer to manage the color or do you want your program (Photoshop) to manage the color? <click on print>
You will see this screen next:
You will see a bar “Layout” click on this to get to printer settings, see below:
This is the box where you need to make your changes, layout, paper, & make sure “finest details” is checked and that you have the correct paper type. Click around to learn… click Print and enjoy ☺
Today, I went over the various articles on How to Photograph Up Close and because you now have the knowledge to create an awesome close-up photograph… you will be able to print that amazing shot! Print your favorites and put a huge smile on your face to remember the steps you achieve to make this photo. A couple of things to remember when you print:
• Select your printer
• Select the size you want printed
• Make sure you have read your info on the paper you choose to print on.
• Select the correct paper, for example “Epson fine art paper matte finish”.
• Select if the printer or your software will color manage your print.
• Select the “fine” print quality. If your printer is slow, be patient…it’s worth it.
Also, I highly recommend you use a program like Spyder to calibrate your monitor with your printer.
I would like you to read this link on Printing Quality Photos and “Fine Art Printing for Photographers” by Steinmueller & Gulbins, check it out at Amazon.com.
Hope this helps you feel confident to print, print, & print some more. Happy Fall to you all and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Cheers,
Janice
Photographers, Diamond Bar, CA
