How To Take Great Close-Up Photos

Step 4 Lights!

Also you need some sort of light source. The more light the better, but you don't want it too harsh. Diffuse light is best, such as on an overcast day where there aren't many shadows. A naturally lit room is usually bright enough. Most of these pictures were taken in a room with a skylight on a day with average sun and with a 60w desk lamp above the items.

Here's the thing about light. When you turn off the flash, the camera automatically compensates for it by leaving the shutter open longer. The longer the shutter stays open, the more chance there is for you to move the camera and cause motion blur. Longer shutter times can also lead to more noise or graininess to the picture. Most cameras will give you a shaky camera warning icon when the shutter time gets longer than 1/30th of a second or so. The more lighting you have, the shorter your shutter time will be and the less chance you'll get camera shake. IF you have a situation where you don't have enough light, don't fret, that's where the timer comes in.

Note: I know a digital camera doesn't really have a shutter in the true sense, exposure is probably a better term, but this is what I went with. Either term gets the point across.

Comments

[endolith]

Put the object on top of white paper, and put white paper around the back standing up to reflect the light onto the back of the object. This will diffuse the shadows and make it a lot less harsh.