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08/04/2011 05:47:28 PM · #1 |
| I'm looking into lighting for macro work and I wondered what other folks use. Ambient? Flash? on camera? off? anyone use a ringlight? or a multiple light setup? continuous lights? |
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08/04/2011 05:49:27 PM · #2 |
though I have not used it, but I am very interested in it...ringlighting I think is the way to go...then again it depends on what your photographing and what you can do with the lighting...lightbox vs ringlighting
me I just use natural lighting |
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08/04/2011 06:13:30 PM · #3 |
It's similar to other photography in that the lighting chosen should be dictated by the subjects being photographed, the distance from the lens and sensor to the subject, and the results that you want.
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08/04/2011 06:16:41 PM · #4 |
| Roz says she uses a 530ex flash and a stofen omnibounce. |
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08/04/2011 08:14:14 PM · #5 |
Ring flashes give very uniform lighting, almost shadowless. They are very useable in a wide range of situations. The alternative in macro flash lighting is something like the Canon MT-24EX. More customizable light, not as shadow-free. More versatile, but you may find that you have to experiment to get what you want, not just mount it and shoot. It's also very expensive for what it is. I have access to one from work, so I do have some experience with it. I really like it, but I'm also really waiting for them to update it. You can create inexpensive modifications to a hot-shoe flash to do similar things as the macro flashes. One strategy is just to use an off-camera cord, and hand-hold the flash with a diffuser on it. Great results, inconvenient as heck, since you are shooting with the other hand. I shot insect macros this way for years. Or get a bracket, and mount the flash on that. What I should have done years ago ;-)
Bottom line, there are as many twists on macro lighting solutions as there are macro photographers. Hope this has given you some ideas.
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08/05/2011 09:42:39 AM · #6 |
Thanks everyone.
I've tried a few of those, but now I'm thinking about engineering my own solution. |
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08/05/2011 12:12:26 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Spork99:
...I'm thinking about engineering my own solution. |
Good on ya! You'll no doubt go through some trial and error, but I bet you will be very impressed with the results you can achieve.
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08/05/2011 03:48:27 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
Originally posted by Spork99:
...I'm thinking about engineering my own solution. |
Good on ya! You'll no doubt go through some trial and error, but I bet you will be very impressed with the results you can achieve. |
We'll see...I need to refresh my electrical/electronic engineering skills. I have a habit of smoke testing things. |
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08/05/2011 05:46:49 PM · #9 |
I rigged something the other day for my speed light and got good results. I'll post a shot in a bit along with some pics.
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08/08/2011 10:09:42 PM · #10 |
Spork99...you still looking for some lighting tips?
I bought a macro bracket for my SB800 and put on my diffuser to get this shot.
Edit: I'm going to stick to one extension tube with my +3 close-up. 55mm of tube is hard to fool with !
Message edited by author 2011-08-08 22:18:31.
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08/08/2011 10:28:30 PM · #11 |
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08/08/2011 10:48:55 PM · #12 |
I'd say they're right on with those diffusers. No matter how I tried, I couldn't get a good balance without my crafted light softener...!
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08/08/2011 11:37:25 PM · #13 |
Look on Flickr to find a thorough discussion of LordV's technique. Just search for him, that's his name on there too. He's got lots of stuff and will answer questions, it seems.
Personally, I got an Orbis Ringflash that I love. I've used it for lots of mine.
These two (amongst many of mine) were shot using it.
 
I use it with an SB900 joined by an SC-28. It is very useful in that you can easily and quickly direct your light from any direction you want to. I often do not use it as a ringlight, and instead as a diffused portable sun around my subject.
It also works well for fill for portraits that are closer. Pretty versatile thing, but bulky. When shooting through it, it serves as a great support for my lens and steadies my hand nicely. |
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