Photography has undoubtedly become one of the key features of today's smartphones. We're tired of talking about megapixels, wide-angle lenses, and increasingly powerful telephoto zoom lenses… but what about macro? This type of lens doesn't get the attention it deserves, even though, with the right knowledge and use, it can be incredibly versatile. And today we're going to show you with several tricks that will help you take truly amazing photos.
Macro photography, what is it?
We could say that macro photography is the art of magnifying the small, a discipline that, in both photos and videos, allows you to capture all those details that go unnoticed by the naked eye. The main characteristic of a macro lens is its ability to focus just centimeters from what we want to photograph, allowing us to capture details that are difficult to appreciate at first glance.
But you need to know how to use a tool like this to really get the most out of it. Let's just say there's a bit of a learning curve; it's not just "point and shoot." Therefore, and given that this lens is gradually becoming more prominent in mobile phones, today we're going to share some things you should keep in mind when taking this type of photo—tricks we'll put into practice using one of the phones with the best macro lenses currently available: the new Pocophone F2 Pro.
This Xiaomi phone was released just a few weeks ago and although we already gave it a good review at the time, now we wanted to explore one of the qualities that surprised us the most when we tested it: its fantastic macro capture.
Considering that the device is currently on sale , it's the perfect time to fall in love with its photography capabilities and then take advantage of the Mi Store offer , which currently (and until the 21st) has it for 449 euros in its 6 + 128 GB version (with free Mi True Wireless Earbuds) and 579 euros in the case of the 8 + 256 GB model (with the Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite included).
You have no excuse. And after reading and watching our video today, less.
Tips and tricks for taking better macro photos
These are some of the tips and tricks that you can put into practice when taking macro photos with your phone.
- Know the focus distance of your phone
Knowing the maximum and minimum distances gives you an idea of ​​how close or far you can get from the object you want to photograph. Each lens has its own distances, so what you need to know is your phone's maximum distance to focus correctly on what interests you.
If you don't have the specs handy, a simple trick you can do is use a tape measure or ruler to see how close your phone is to focusing. Click on the screen on the numbers of the ruler and discover how far the focus is capable of reaching -in the video that you have a little above you can see better what we mean.
- Light the scene well
Light is always important in photography but it may be especially relevant here. Because? Well, because when we get very close to an object it is possible that you cast a shadow on it. To avoid this, it does not hurt to have some extra support, such as the flash light of another phone. Likewise, to achieve certain effects or to improve the lighting on stage, it can come in very handy.
- play with perspective
Perspective is essential when taking photos, and macro photography is no exception. This lens allows us to experiment and sometimes achieve quite striking images , but you'll need to use your imagination to get those incredible shots. If this sounds appealing, we recommend getting some miniature figure sets, like the one in the image. You wouldn't believe how much fun they can be!
- Look at the details and the textures!
With this ability to capture detail, you will be able to photograph very striking textures that cannot be seen with the naked eye and that will give you a lot of play to achieve great creative captures. From the surface of an orange to a few drops of oil, passing through the wall of a building, the possibilities are endless.
- Take advantage of nature photography
In nature photography, flowers and insects is how you can get the most out of this type of photos. If you want to start experimenting with the macro, this type of scenario is fantastic. Of course, we recommend you use a tripod and, if possible, with a remote shutter release, so that there is no vibration and the image comes out completely clear.
- Use manual controls
The macro lens is also active with the manual controls, so take advantage of those options that will allow you to manually adjust exposure, ISO and even focus when shooting.
- Don't forget the video option
Finally, don't forget about the creative options that macro lenses also offer when shooting video, where you can also get amazing shots. In the video at the beginning of this article you can see some examples of recordings made with the macro lens of the Pocophone F2 Pro.
Now all you have to do is put these tips into practice and experiment with everything around you. Trust us, you will surprise yourself at what you are capable of capturing.