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The post How To Take Fascinating Macro Photos On iPhone [Video Tutorial] appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

1. Capture Close-Up Detail With An Add-On Macro Lens For iPhone

Your iPhone’s built-in lenses can’t focus at very close distances. When you get too close to the subject, the image ends up blurred.

So, how do you shoot sharply-focused close-up photos with your iPhone?

It’s actually really simple:

You use an add-on macro lens for iPhone!

An iPhone macro lens allows the camera to focus at very close distances.

And this is perfect for capturing the intricate textures and details found in nature.

There are many different macro lenses available for the iPhone. If you’re looking to buy one, ensure you choose a good-quality lens.

The better the lens quality, the sharper your images will be.

One of the best quality macro lenses available is the Moment macro lens.

The Moment macro lens costs $129.99. You’ll also need the Moment iPhone Case (from $49.99) for connecting the lens to your phone.

Moment lenses are quite expensive compared to some other makes. But the image quality is very high, so they’re definitely worth it.

If you don’t want to spend that much, there are many cheaper macro lenses available. Just be aware that the image quality probably won’t be as good as the Moment macro lens.

Once you’ve got your macro lens attached to your iPhone, you can start shooting gorgeous nature macro photography!

2. Find An Interesting Subject For Your Nature Macro Photography

How do you find interesting subjects for your close-up nature photography?

Here’s the great thing:

You don’t need to be in an exotic location to find fascinating subjects.

Just go out into your garden. Take a stroll through your local park or nature reserve. Or explore the countryside whenever you get a chance.

Flowers, leaves, grasses, and seedheads are perfect for macro photography. And you’ll find them in abundance wherever you go.

Insects also make spectacular subjects. Once you start looking, you’ll find all sorts of insects on plants and flowers.

Twigs, bark, lichen, moss, and fungi are always interesting to photograph up close.

Dewdrops, raindrops, and icicles also look amazing through a macro lens.

And don’t forget about delicate subjects like feathers and cobwebs.

I also love to search for something a little unusual out in nature.

For example, there are beautiful flowers everywhere. But what catches my attention is imperfection.

Maybe the flower isn’t perfectly formed. Perhaps it’s drooping or decaying.

This imperfection is wonderful for conveying some kind of atmosphere or emotion.

It gives an ordinary flower a bit of character. And it tells a little story…. which is so important in photography.

3. Use Color, Shape & Texture For Compelling iPhone Macro Photography

There are certain characteristics that really stand out in iPhone macro photography.

So what features should you look out for in your subjects?

What is it that creates a compelling close-up nature photo?

Color is a great way to create eye-catching nature macro photography.

Vivid colors always work well. A colorful flower or insect will really catch the viewer’s attention.

But don’t be afraid to photograph more muted colors too.

Muted colors can convey a wonderfully calm mood in your photos.

Shapes are another thing to look out for.

Strong shapes are great for making your photos stand out – especially when they’re displayed as tiny thumbnails on Instagram.

When you’re out in nature, notice how many different shapes there are.

Study the shapes of flowers, leaves, twigs, and other small objects.

And then incorporate them into your photos to create a strong visual impact.

Finally, keep your eyes peeled for interesting textures.

An iPhone macro lens will pick up the tiniest details in a textured object. And this really brings your photos to life.

Photograph rough textures, such as bark, dried leaves, and lichen.

But don’t forget about delicate textures too.

Cobwebs, feathers, and softly-textured plants look beautiful in a macro photo.

4. Get Your Macro Subject In Sharp Focus To Capture Incredible Detail

When you shoot with a macro lens, only a small part of the scene appears in sharp focus.

This means you have to be very accurate when setting focus with your iPhone camera.

First, decide which part of the subject you want sharply focused.

Which part of the subject is most interesting to you? What is it that catches your attention?

Now, you need to get the iPhone camera to focus on that area.

As you move the lens closer to your subject, watch how different parts of the scene come into focus.

Tap and hold the iPhone screen where you want the focus to be set.

When you see AE/AF Lock at the top of the screen, the focus is locked. A yellow box with a sun icon indicates the focus point.

At this point, you can swipe up or down to adjust exposure (brightness) if necessary.

Hold the camera steady, then tap the shutter button to take a shot.

Now, here’s the key to getting perfectly focused macro photos:

Take lots of pictures!

The chances are that the focus won’t be perfect in the first shot.

The trick is to adjust your distance very slightly so different parts of the subject appear in focus.

Move the camera in and out slightly to adjust the focus point. Use tiny movements. And take pictures every time you change the distance.

You could even hold down the shutter button to shoot multiple photos using burst mode.

The more pictures you take, the more chance you have of getting at least one shot with perfect focus.

And with practice, you’ll get a good idea of how close you need to be to get sharply-focused photos.

You’ll also get the best results on a still day.

It’s difficult to focus on a flower or leaf that’s moving around in the wind. If there is a breeze, hold the stem to keep your subject still.

If you’re photographing an insect, try locking the focus on something else, then move in towards the bug.

Follow it with your iPhone, taking as many photos as you can at slightly different distances.

Try to get the insect’s eyes in focus. Sharply-focused eyes create a strong connection with the viewer.

Finally, ensure you keep the camera lens clean and dust-free. You’ll never be able to capture clear and sharp iPhone photos with a dirty lens!

5. Ensure The Background Complements Your Macro Subject

In macro photography, the background always appears blurred.

But this doesn’t mean the background isn’t important.

In fact, the background is extremely important in nature macro photography.

A good background helps the main subject stand out. And it never distracts the viewer from the foreground subject.

So, what makes a good background for nature macro photography?

A neutral background without too many distractions is usually the best option.

If the background is too busy, it takes attention away from your subject.

You don’t want too much detail in the background. But you need a little bit of texture or contrast to create beautiful background blur.

Consider how the color and brightness of the background affects your photo.

Does the subject stand out against the background?

How does the lighting and color of the background affect the mood of the image?

A dark background creates a very different mood from a bright background.

Likewise, a vivid colored background has a different atmosphere from a more muted background.

Too many different colors can be distracting. So it’s usually better to have a single color, or at least similar colors, in the background.

Of course, when you’re shooting outdoors, you don’t have much choice about the surroundings.

But you can change your shooting angle to get different parts of the background behind your subject.

Or gently bend a flower or twig to change its angle and include a better part of the background.

Taking the time to include a good background will make a big difference to your iPhone macro photography.

So always consider how color, texture, and light affect the background in your photos.

6. Consider How The Light Affects Your Image

What kind of light is best for nature macro photography?

And how do different kinds of light affect the quality and mood of your photo?

For best results, I’d recommend shooting on a slightly overcast day.

Why?

Because a cloudy sky creates a soft, even light… which is much easier to shoot in.

The problem with a sunny day is that your macro lens can cast a dark shadow on your subject.

But a cloudy sky diffuses the sunlight. And this means you won’t get any of those harsh shadows.

Of course, shooting on an overcast day isn’t always convenient. So here are some tips for capturing great macro photos in bright sunlight:

If you have to shoot on a sunny day, the mid-morning and mid-afternoon light tends to be best. At these times, the light is less intense and the shadows aren’t so harsh.

If the sun is casting shadow lines on your subject, you could try using your body to block the light.

Stand with the sun behind you so that you cast a shadow over the entire subject. Just be careful that the scene doesn’t become too dark.

You could also try shooting with the sun to one side of you. That way, you’re less likely to cast a shadow with your lens.

Sometimes, backlighting can work well too. This is where you shoot into the light so the subject is illuminated from the back.

Leaves can look beautiful when they’re backlit. The color and texture will be enhanced when the light shines through them.

Backlight is also great for macro photos of icicles. The light shines through the ice, revealing stunning detail.

In general, I avoid shooting early in the morning or late in the evening. The lack of light can result in grainy images.

However, if you have some beautiful golden light behind your subject, you can get some stunning results.

7. Experiment With Composition For More Eye-Catching Macro Photos

Composition is all about where you position the main elements within the frame.

Good composition is key to creating beautiful and engaging photos.

But when you’re shooting close-up subjects, what kind of composition techniques can you use?

Composing a macro photo isn’t that different from composing a landscape shot – or indeed any other kind of photo.

First, you should explore lots of different shooting angles and perspectives.

Don’t just go for the obvious shot.

Take a photo from above.

Then get down a bit lower and take a photo from the side.

Then get really low. (You might even need to lie on the ground!) And photograph the subject from underneath.

Try to show common subjects from more unique angles that people wouldn’t normally see. If you do this, your nature macro photography will be far more interesting.

Next, think about where you position the subject within the frame.

Would it look better in the center or slightly to one side?

If the subject is symmetrical, central placement can work well. The central composition emphasizes the symmetry of the subject.

But often, the composition will look more balanced if you position the subject to one side. This technique is called the rule of thirds.

You can use the gridlines in the iPhone Camera app to position important elements off-center.

For example, you could position a twig on one of the vertical or horizontal gridlines. Or position a water droplet at one of the points where two gridlines meet.

The rule of thirds is a handy composition technique to have in mind when taking photos.

But remember, these rules aren’t set in stone. It’s more about getting the visual balance right.

So, you could start with the rule of thirds. But don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a composition that look balanced and pleasing to the eye.

Close-up photography often involves filling the entire frame with the subject. But I usually like to leave a bit of empty space around the subject.

A bit of space gives room for your subject to “breathe.” It also allows for some leeway to crop or rotate the image in editing.

Some macro lenses produce slight blurring around the edge of the frame. So leaving some space ensures the subject won’t appear blurred.

Finally, look out for leading lines that you could use in your composition.

Lines help to draw the viewer’s eye into and around the image.

At first, you might wonder where you could find lines in nature macro photography. But once you start looking, you’ll find them all around you.

You could use a twig, a flower stem, a blade of grass, or the lines on a leaf.

Look for straight lines, curved lines, and spirals. Then think about how you could position that line in your composition.

Would the line have more impact if it was placed centrally or off to one side?

Would it look better to have the line running vertically or horizontally through the image?

What about positioning the line diagonally through the frame?

Composition isn’t an exact science. So, experiment with different angles. And take lots of photos.

With a bit of practice, you’ll soon be shooting beautifully composed iPhone macro photos!

8. Edit Your iPhone Macro Photos To Enhance The Mood

Knowing how to take macro photos with iPhone is just the first step. Now, it’s time to make them look even better by editing them!

Editing your photos allows you to improve the color, brightness, and sharpness.

But it’s also a great way to enhance the mood of your macro photos.

Try to let the picture dictate how you edit it.

So, if you have a bright sunny photo with a colorful flower or insect, go with it. Make the colors more vivid. Enhance the bright and airy feel of the image.

Don’t try to make it black and white or dark and moody. There’s no point trying to force an emotion or feeling onto it that doesn’t work.

But if you have a photo of some textured bark against a dark background, edit it to make it moodier.

Turn it black and white. Increase the contrast. Darken the shadows to make them really intense.

Snapseed is my favorite iPhone photo editing app. It has a huge range of tools, but it’s very easy to use. And it’s completely free!

The Tune Image tool allows you to make adjustments to color, exposure, and contrast.

The Selective and Brush tools let you make edits to just certain parts of an image.

The Mask tool is also amazing for applying edits to particular parts of your photo.

For example, you often want to sharpen the subject but not the background. Snapseed’s Mask tool lets you choose which parts of the image get sharpened and which parts are unaffected.

The Healing tool allows you to remove small imperfections and distractions from your photo.

And of course, you can crop or rotate your image to improve the composition.

I also use the Perspective tool to tweak the position of horizontal or vertical lines. And the Expand tool is great for adding a bit more background around the edge of the frame.

Finally, don’t be afraid to use the black and white filters in Snapseed. A black and white edit adds wonderful mood and atmosphere to your nature macro photography.

Black and white works particularly well on images with textures, strong shapes, patterns, and lines.

It’s also great for high contrast images that have dark shadows and bright highlights.

I do most of my editing in Snapseed. But if my image looks a bit grainy, I use the ACDSee Pro app. It has an excellent Noise Reduction tool for removing grain.

The main thing to remember is to keep your edits subtle. Use small adjustments to avoid over-editing your photos.

Your aim should be to enhance the natural beauty of your subjects with careful photo editing.

The post 8 Tips For Fascinating Nature Macro Photography On iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

1. Use A High-Quality iPhone Macro Lens For Beautifully Sharp Photos

The built-in lenses of the iPhone camera aren’t suitable for extreme close-up photography. They’re just not capable of focusing at such close distances.

So, how do you shoot close-up macro photos with your iPhone?

You simply attach a special macro lens to your iPhone!

An iPhone macro lens allows the camera to focus at very close distances – which is perfect for capturing the intricate detail of flowers.

To capture sharply focused images, make sure you use a good quality macro lens.

One of the best quality macro lenses available is the Moment macro lens.

The Moment macro lens costs $129.99. You’ll also need to buy the Moment iPhone Case (from $49.99) for connecting the lens to your phone.

With your macro lens attached to your phone, you can now start shooting beautiful flower macro photography!

2. Look For Interesting Features In Your Flower Subjects

The great thing about flower photography is that your subjects are always beautiful.

That said, some flowers are more interesting than others.

So what features should you look out for when searching for the perfect flower to photograph?

Flowers with interesting stamens make excellent subjects for iPhone macro photography.

Look for flowers with open faces so you can get the lens really close to the stamens.

Capturing fine textures also makes for interesting macro photos.

The magnified view allows you to capture textures that are difficult to see with the naked eye.

Look out for delicate details that will add a magical quality to your photos.

Dandelion seeds make wonderfully delicate subjects for iPhone macro photography.

Water droplets also add an interesting element to your flower macro photos.

You can look for water droplets after the rain. Or go out early in the morning when you’ll often find dew drops on flowers.

You can also use a water dropper or spray bottle to add your own water droplets to flowers. This allows you to capture water droplet photos whenever you want!

Of course, flowers attract bees and other insects. So if you spot a bug on a flower, be sure to capture a stunning macro insect photo.

I also like to keep flowers until they dry out. This allows you to capture even more unique features, such as crispy textures and dried seeds.

Once you start noticing the intricate details of flowers, you’ll be able to create mesmerizing macro photos with your iPhone.

3. Consider Color In Your Flower Macro Photography

Color is another important consideration when shooting close-up flower photos.

Flowers come in all sorts of beautiful colors – whether you’re shooting ordinary garden flowers or exotic blooms from the florist.

But there are ways that you can use color to create a stronger visual impact in your photos.

For example, contrasting colors will create a bold, striking image.

In the photo above, the contrast of purple against orange really makes the flower stand out.

Filling the frame with similar colors can also work well. But try to have a small pop of contrasting color to add a point of interest.

In the photo above, the white petal stands out against the blue surroundings. And this adds a strong focal point to the image.

Of course, white flowers make excellent subjects too. They add a bright, fresh feel to your photos. And they look great against any colored background.

Make sure you pay attention to the colors in your photos. If you do, your flower macro photos will be incredibly eye-catching.

4. Shoot In Soft Natural Light For Amazing Color & Detail

Good light is essential for creating beautiful macro photos of flowers.

The best type of light is soft natural daylight.

Why? Because you won’t get overly bright light or harsh shadows (which can ruin your photo).

The light will be soft and warm during the golden hours around sunrise and sunset.

So early morning and early evening are perfect for outdoor macro flower photography.

When you’re out shooting, tilt the flower with slight movements to find the best angle of light.

Notice how the light illuminates the flower in different ways as you move it.

You have to get very close to the flower with your macro lens, which might cast a shadow on your subject.

So keep moving around until you find the perfect illumination. And take lots of photos from slightly different angles.

If the flower has thin petals you could try lighting it from behind.

Backlighting will reveal wonderful details and textures as the light shines through the petals.

Try to avoid shooting during the middle of the day. Harsh sunlight can over-expose your photo, making everything too bright. And your camera will cast a dark shadow over the flower as you move in to photograph it.

If you have to shoot in full sun, try to use your body to cast a shadow over the entire flower. But be careful this doesn’t dim the light too much.

You could also use the semi-opaque diffuser hood that came with your macro lens. This diffuses the sunlight to create a softer light without harsh shadows.

If you’re shooting indoors, position your flower so it’s illuminated by light from a window.

You’ll need to ensure there’s plenty of light coming through the window. But the light needs to be soft, so avoid direct sunlight.

Remember, good lighting is the key to incredible macro flower photography.

And soft natural light is the best type of light for revealing amazing color and detail in your photos.

5. Shoot On A Still Day Or Take Your Flower Indoors

For stunning macro photos, the flower must be perfectly still.

Any movement will result in blurry photos… which won’t look good.

So, if you’re shooting outdoors, make sure you avoid windy weather. Wind makes it very difficult to capture sharp photos.

A still day is perfect for flower macro photography.

You’ll be able to take sharp shots while your flower remains perfectly still.

If there’s a slight breeze, you could try holding the stem of the flower to keep it steady.

But a better option is to take the flower indoors. There, you can shoot in more controlled conditions without any breeze.

Just make sure you position the flower near a window so you have plenty of natural light on your subject.

Remember, movement results in blurry photos. So, keeping the flower still is essential for clear and sharp macro photos.

The trick is to shoot on a still day. Or take your flower indoors to photograph it.

6. Get The Flower In Sharp Focus

The hardest part of iPhone macro photography is getting your subject in sharp focus.

Why is it so challenging?

Because when you shoot at very close distances, the depth of field becomes extremely shallow.

Depth of field refers to how much of the image is in focus.

With a shallow depth of field, only a small part of the image will appear in sharp focus. Anything behind or in front of the focused area will be blurred.

So, how do you get the camera to focus on a particular part of the flower?

First, ensure the flower is perfectly still. If the flower is blowing around in the wind, it will be almost impossible to set the focus accurately.

Next, decide which part of the flower you want in sharp focus.

Do you want to focus on the stamens? Is there a particular petal that you want to focus on? Is there a water droplet that you want in focus?

Finally, you need to get the camera to focus on your chosen area.

The iPhone Camera app lets you to easily set the focus point. Once you’ve composed your shot, tap and hold for a couple of seconds where you want the focus to be set.

When the focus is locked, you’ll see AE/AF Lock at the top of the screen. You’ll also see a yellow box with a sun icon which indicates the focus point.

Tap the shutter button gently to take a shot.

Now, there’s one problem:

The photo you just took might not have perfect focus.

If you moved the camera (even very slightly) towards or away from the subject, the focus will be on a different part of the flower.

So, here’s the key to getting perfectly focused macro photos with your iPhone:

Take lots of photos at slightly different distances!

With your focus locked (you’ll still see AE/AF Lock on the screen), use tiny movements to move the camera towards or away from the flower. Take a photo each time you change the distance.

When you look through your photos, there should be at least one picture with perfect focus.

Be sure to zoom in (pinch outwards on the screen) when viewing the photos you took. That way, you can clearly see which part of the flower is in focus.

Here are a few more tricks for taking sharper macro photos with your iPhone:

Find a comfortable position and ensure your body is relaxed. Sitting or kneeling down will help you keep your body steady.

Try to rest your hands on a solid surface to stop them from shaking the camera.

When shooting indoors, I use a small block of wood to rest my hands on.

Just before you take the photo, hold your breath to prevent any movement caused by breathing.

And press the shutter button gently to avoid moving your iPhone as you take the shot.

These tricks will ensure you capture perfectly focused macro photos that really stun the viewer.

7. Create Beautiful Backgrounds For Your Flower Macro Photography

When you’re shooting close-up flower photos, you might not pay much attention to the background.

After all, the background will appear blurred. So you might not think it’s important.

But the color, lighting, and detail of the background can really enhance your image.

So what makes a good background?

First, consider the color of the background.

Does the background color look good with the color of your flower?

A background color that contrasts with the color of the flower will make the subject stand out.

But a background color similar to the flower can also work well.

When you’re shooting outdoors, use surrounding flowers or leaves as the background for your photo.

With indoor macro photography, you could use colored card to create any background color you like.

It’s also important to have some kind of detail or texture in the background.

When this detail becomes blurred, it will create visual interest even though it’s not in focus.

Ideally, you want something that adds color and texture. And if it catches the light, that’s an added bonus.

I love to use glitter in the background of my macro photos. It reflects the light and adds a colorful shimmer to the photo.

You could also use a string of beads or colored straws. Even a kitchen scourer can make a great background for your macro flower photography!

For beautiful bokeh (out-of-focus points of light), use mini fairy lights in the background.

When the fairy lights become blurred, they appear as shimmering circles of light.

And this creates a truly stunning background for your iPhone macro photography.

8. Use Tiny Props To Add Interest To Your Close-Up Flower Photos

Have you ever thought about using props in your close-up photography?

Props can make your macro flower photos more interesting – especially when the flower is very small and doesn’t fill the frame.

Props are also perfect for resting your flower on while you take the photo.

So what kind of props work well for iPhone macro photography?

Small household objects make great props.

Try placing your flower in a miniature glass bottle. Or lay a tiny flower on some colored pencils.

In the photo above, the pencils add vivid colors to the background. And the tip of the pencil creates a sense of scale, showing just how tiny the flowers are.

You could even place a small flower in the eye of a sewing needle. Again, the needle adds a sense of scale to the photo.

You could also look for objects found in nature. For example, you could rest your flower on a leaf, a shell, or a piece of driftwood.

Feathers also make good props. Their delicate texture and pattern is perfect for macro photography.

Try placing a single dandelion seed on a shimmering feather for a beautifully delicate macro photo.

Look around your home and outdoors to see what other props you can find. Then try incorporating them into your macro flower photography.

The results will definitely be worth it!

9. Photograph The Flower From Many Different Angles

The great thing about flowers is that they look good from so many different angles.

This means you can capture lots of unique shots using just a single flower.

So once you’ve found an interesting flower, photograph it from as many different perspectives as you can.

Shoot from directly above to capture the detail of the stamens.

Then shoot from beneath the flower to show it from an angle that we don’t normally see.

Turn the flower upside down. And capture a side-on view.

Tilt your camera in different directions and take lots of photos.

Notice how different parts of the flower come into focus. And notice how the angle of the light affects the image.

If you experiment with different perspectives, you’ll be able to capture the many unique features of a single flower.

The post 9 Tips For Beautiful Flower Macro Photography On iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

1. Use A Good Quality iPhone Macro Lens

The iPhone’s built-in camera lenses aren’t capable of capturing extreme close-up detail.

So how do shoot close-up macro photos with your iPhone?

You use an add-on macro lens!

There are many iPhone macro lenses on the market. But not all of them produce good quality photos.

If you’re serious about insect macro photography, you’ll need a good quality lens that produces sharp images.

So which is the best iPhone macro lens?

In my experience, you can’t beat the incredible Moment macro lens.

This high-quality lens produces beautifully sharp images. And you don’t get any blurring or distortion around the edges of the photo – which is a common problem with iPhone macro lenses.

The Moment macro lens costs $129.99 – which is more expensive than most other iPhone macro lenses. But the superior image quality is definitely worth it.

To attach the lens to your iPhone, you’ll need the Moment iPhone Case (from $49.99).

With the Moment case on your phone, you simply attach the macro lens whenever you want to shoot close-up photos.

Once you’ve got your macro lens attached to your iPhone, you’re ready to start shooting.

Read on to discover how to find great subjects for your insect macro photography!

2. Find An Interesting Subject For Your Insect Macro Photography

How do you find interesting insects for your iPhone macro photography?

Here’s the good news:

You don’t need to be in an exotic location to find fascinating insects to photograph.

In fact, an ordinary fly is one of the most amazing subjects for insect macro photography.

Once you get up close, your macro lens will reveal incredible detail that you wouldn’t normally see.

Other great subjects that you’ll find in abundance include:

Bees, ladybirds, spiders, ants, caterpillars, and beetles.

Look for interesting features, such as big eyes, delicate wings, bold patterns, and vivid or metallic colors.

Even the hairs on a fly’s leg, or pollen on a bee, make for eye-catching features in a macro photo.

You really won’t need to go far to find a whole range of insects to photograph.

Just go out into your garden, take a walk along a country lane, or explore your local park.

Get down low and look closely at the flowers and leaves.

Insects love flowers. So summer tends to be the best time of year for insect macro photography.

When the flowers are in full bloom, you’ll find a huge range of species in just a small area.

Once you start looking, you’ll see insects that you never would have noticed before.

And when you photograph them with your macro lens, you’ll capture the tiny, unique features of these incredible insects.

3. Shoot On A Still, Sunny Day

What are the best weather conditions for insect macro photography?

A still, sunny day is perfect!

This kind of weather brings out the insects. And it provides the perfect conditions for capturing great macro photos.

If it’s windy or raining, you won’t find as many insects.

Wind also makes it very difficult to capture sharp shots.

If the flower that your insect is perched on is blowing around in the wind, your photo will be blurred from the movement.

If there is a breeze, try holding the stem of the flower or leaf to keep it perfectly still.

In many photography scenarios, it’s best to avoid bright sunlight. But I find that bright light results in better photos when shooting insect macros.

It seems to illuminate the insect perfectly, bringing out fine detail and texture.

I usually achieve better focus on my subject in bright sunshine than on a cloudy day.

Bright light also allows the iPhone camera to use a fast shutter speed. (Shutter speed refers to the amount of time the camera’s shutter is open).

Fast shutter speeds are perfect for photographing moving subjects.

Why? Because a fast shutter speed freezes movement.

In low light, the camera will use a slower shutter speed. And any movement will appear as motion blur. So you’ll definitely want to avoid this.

When shooting in bright light, you do need to watch out for shadows.

Try to ensure there are no harsh shadows falling directly onto your subject.

Look out for shadows cast by surrounding flowers and leaves. And ensure your body or camera doesn’t cast a shadow on the subject.

Remember, you can use your hand to twist the flower stem towards the light for better illumination.

4. Get The Insect In Sharp Focus

The most challenging part of iPhone macro photography is getting your subject in sharp focus.

Here’s the problem:

When shooting extreme close-ups, the depth of field is very shallow.

Depth of field refers to how much of the image is in sharp focus from front to back.

A shallow depth of field means that only a tiny portion of the image is sharply focused. Anything in front of or behind the focused area will appear blurred.

If you don’t focus on the correct area, you won’t be able to capture the intricate detail of the insect.

So how do you achieve accurate focus in your macro photos?

First, ensure you’re not shooting on a windy day. If the insect is on a flower that’s blowing around, it will be almost impossible to get the subject in focus.

If there is a breeze, hold the flower with your free hand to stop it moving around.

Next, you need to decide which part of the insect you want in sharp focus.

What’s the most interesting feature that you want to emphasize?

Is it the eyes? The wings? The legs? The pollen on a bee?

Now you need to get that area in sharp focus.

The iPhone’s built-in Camera app allows you to quickly set the focus point. Simply tap the area you want in focus. You’ll see a yellow box indicating the focus point.

In most photography scenarios, tapping to set focus works really well. But with insect macro photography, it doesn’t always produce accurate results.

Why? Because you’re working with incredibly small subjects. And those subjects are moving!

It can be difficult to set focus on a very small area with your finger. And even if you do set it accurately, that focus point will be lost if the insect moves.

So here’s the key to getting perfect focus in your iPhone macro photos:

Simply move your iPhone towards and away from your subject until the correct area comes into focus.

Use tiny movements and take lots of shots at slightly different distances. (Later, you can go through your photos to find the ones with the best focus.)

When you take a shot, ensure you press the shutter button gently to avoid moving the camera.

The built-in Camera app is great for insect macro photography as you can open it quickly from the lock screen. (Swipe left on the lock screen to open the camera).

However, you might also want to check out the Halide Camera app.

This app has a “focus peaking” feature which highlights the area that’s in focus.

Simply tap the AF (Autofocus) icon near the bottom of the screen. Then tap the Focus Peaking icon to the left of the focus slider.

The focused area will appear highlighted in green. In the screenshot above, you can see that the insect’s wings and legs are in focus.

Another great feature of the Halide Camera app is that you can shoot in RAW format. RAW images are higher quality than standard JPEG images. And they allow you to bring out more detail in editing.

Whichever camera app you use, remember to take lots of pictures.

The more shots you take, the better chance you’ll have of capturing a perfectly focused macro photo.

5. Compose Your iPhone Macro Photos From Different Perspectives

When shooting macro photos of insects, you’re under pressure to get the insect in sharp focus.

This means you won’t have much time to think about creating the perfect composition.

If you spend too much time deciding how to compose the shot, your subject might fly away before you even press the shutter.

Composition techniques like the rule of thirds and leading lines are great ways to create eye-catching photos. But they’re not the most important elements in insect macro photography.

The intricate detail of your subject is what draws the viewer to the image.

With that in mind, you should definitely consider the best angle to shoot from.

Different perspectives will emphasize different features of an insect.

For example, shooting a fly or bee from above will capture the intricate detail of its wings.

Shooting from above also means you get a great view of the flower or leaf beneath the insect.

A side-on view usually reveals the shape of an insect’s body. You’ll get a better view of the legs and eyes which is perfect for photos of flies.

Shooting an insect from the front often doesn’t produce great results. But a front-on perspective does work well for wider subjects such as spiders.

When shooting front-on, you’ll only get a small part of the insect in sharp focus. So it’s important to set focus on the face of the subject.

You could also consider shooting from behind the insect. This works particularly well for bees, especially if you can shoot from slightly below to reveal the detail in the wings.

Remember, you don’t always need to have the insect looming large in the frame. You can get great results by shooting from slightly further away.

This perspective works particularly well when the insect is on a flower. It allows you to capture the beautiful detail of the flower. And the flower will act as a frame around the insect.

Shooting from further away also adds a sense of scale to your image. In the photo below, notice how tiny the ladybirds look when you see them against the flower.

Of course, once you’ve taken your picture, you can always improve the composition by cropping with a photo editing app.

In the ladybird photo above, I cropped the image to create a central composition. Symmetry works particularly well for close-up flower photos.

You can also crop the image so that the subject is off-centre, aligning with the rule of thirds.

6. Avoid Frightening The Insect Away

With iPhone macro photography, you have to get very close to your subject.

But as you approach an insect to compose your shot, you risk frightening it away.

So how do you avoid disturbing the insect you’re trying to photograph?

Here are my top tips for avoiding frightening the insects away:

Keep very quiet. And use slow, smooth movements.

Avoid approaching the insect from above. It’s better to approach it from beneath a flower or leaf.

When you spot an insect you’d like to photograph, get down low, using the plant as cover.

Then bring your iPhone slowly up to the insect’s level.

Take your shots quickly before the insect flies off.

It’s also a good idea to wait for the insect to start feeding on a flower.

You can capture wonderful photos of bees once they’re busy drinking nectar and collecting pollen.

Insect macro photography is challenging because you’re dealing with fast-moving and unpredictable subjects.

So you need to do everything you can to avoid frightening the insects away.

With these tricks, you’ll have far more chance of capturing amazing macro nature photography.

7. Edit Your iPhone Macro Photos To Bring Out Detail

You’ve taken your shots. How do they look?

Are you disappointed with how they turned out?

Does the insect look too small in the frame? Do the colors look dull? Does the subject lack clarity and sharp detail?

If so, don’t worry! You can dramatically improve your insect macro photos with a few simple photo editing tricks.

I’ll show you how to turn an average photo (like the one above) into a stunning macro shot with amazing color and detail (like the one below).

The free Snapseed app is one of the best iPhone photo editing apps for enhancing your images.

Open your photo in Snapseed, then tap Tools. The Tools menu will appear with a whole range of editing options.

Unless you managed to get really close to the insect while shooting (which is very difficult), you’ll probably want to crop your image.

Cropping allows you to cut away the edges of the photo, giving you a closer view of the subject.

Select the Crop tool. Then drag the corner handles to crop the image. Tap the checkmark when you’re done.

Keep in mind that cropping removes pixels from your photo, making the image smaller. The more you crop, the poorer the image quality will be. So be careful not to crop away too much of the image.

Now it’s time to improve exposure, color, and detail.

I like to use the HDR Scape tool to bring out shadow detail and give the colors a boost. Go to Tools > HDR Scape.

At the bottom of the screen, try out the different presets (Nature, People, etc.) to see what looks best. Then swipe left or right to adjust the strength of the HDR effect.

Be careful not to overdo the HDR effect. Remember, you want to keep the image looking as natural as possible. Subtle edits are the key to a great final result.

You can access more tools for improving color and exposure by going to Tools > Tune Image.

Swipe up or down to choose a tool. (I find that Ambiance works well at bringing out color and detail.) Swipe left or right to make your adjustment.

Another Snapseed tool that’s really great for macro photos is the Selective tool.

This tool allows you to adjust exposure, color, and sharpness of specific areas of the image. It’s particularly useful for bringing out detail in the insect’s eyes.

Go to Tools > Selective. Tap on the area you want to edit. A small circle with a B (for Brightness) appears. In the example below, you can see that I’ve tapped on the fly’s eye.

Swipe up or down on the screen to choose an adjustment: Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, or Structure.

(Structure is great for bringing out detail in an insect’s eyes.) Swipe right to increase the strength of the adjustment.

If there are small imperfections or unwanted objects in your photo, you can easily remove them in Snapseed. Go to Tools > Healing.

Pinch with two fingers to zoom in on the object you want to remove. Then brush over the object with your finger (the selected area will be highlighted in red). When you release your finger, the object will disappear!

Finally, you might want to sharpen the detail of the entire image. Go to Tools > Details. Swipe up or down and select Sharpening. Then swipe right to increase sharpness.

Note that too much sharpness can reduce image quality and introduce unwanted grain. So only apply sharpening at a low strength.

When you’re happy with your edit, save your image by going to Export > Save A Copy.

As you can see, editing makes a huge difference to your insect macro photos.

In just a few minutes, you can turn an ordinary image into a stunning photo with incredible color and detail.

Just remember the golden rule of photo editing:

Keep your edits subtle.

With careful editing, you’ll reveal the fascinating world of insects in all their glorious detail.

The post 7 Tips For Incredible Insect Macro Photography On iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

1. Look For Details To Capture Unique Flower Images

How do you take unique flower photographs? How do you make sure that your images are original?

You look for tiny details in your flowers—the details that nobody else sees.

The world is full of potential flower photography subjects. Yet photographers frequently get caught up in shooting flowers as they appear on the surface.

If you want to create a truly unique photograph, you have to look beyond the surface-level appearance of a flower.

Look for the little things. For instance, notice the way a tulip petal curves, or the way a rose is lit by the setting sun.

One of the fantastic things about flower photography is that these opportunities exist everywhere. For the photo above, I focused on a tiny part of the flower—two petals—to create a flowing abstract.

Try going out in your backyard. See what you can find. I bet that you’ll discover something worthwhile to photograph—as long as you’re willing to look beyond the surface.

While out walking, look down at the ground. You might see some more potential subjects. Photograph their details!

This is even easier because you’re photographing with an iPhone. It’s a camera that you’ll always have with you!

If you can train your eye to look for detail, you’ll come away with stunning flower photographs.

2. Use A Macro Lens To Get Closer To Your Subject

Do you want to get powerful, in-your-face flower photographs? If so, then you’re going to want to use a macro lens.

What is a macro lens?

A macro lens is an iPhone photography accessory. It attaches to your iPhone camera. It magnifies your subject—so that you can get stunning close-up flower photos that capture the tiniest details.

A macro lens isn’t essential for iPhone flower photography. I’ve taken stunning flower photographs without one.

However, a macro lens gets you extremely close to your subject. It lets you focus on the tiny details. It lets you highlight specific aspects of the flower.

Basically, it allows you to take original, powerful, in-your-face flower photos.

So if you’re serious about iPhone flower photography, you should invest in a macro lens.

There are many iPhone macro lenses out there. But one of the best is the Moment Macro Lens.

Once you have your macro lens, you’ll be blown away by the images you can take. Your photo library will never be the same again!

3. Experiment With Angles For Jaw-Dropping Flower Photography

In flower photography, it’s tempting to take images from the obvious angles. For instance, you’ve probably taken some shots from a standing height while looking down at your flower.

That angle can create some excellent flower photographs. However, such photographs have probably been taken many times. If you want to create truly stunning, original flower photographs, try to go beyond those shots.

You need to experiment with angles.

What do I mean by this?

I mean that you should move your iPhone around the flower.

Try holding the lens directly above the flower, so that the camera is pointing straight down. This can make for some really creative images.

Then try putting your iPhone below the flower, so that the camera is pointing up. This is a fun angle, and one that’s rarely used.

Of course, these are just suggestions. Play around with your iPhone until you find your own favorite angles!

Are you interested in taking more original, stunning flower photographs? Then photograph from many different angles. This is how you’ll come away with jaw-dropping photos.

4. Take Lots Of Shots To Ensure A Few Stunning Keepers

Do you struggle to get sharp shots of flowers? Do you want your keeper rate to go up?

If so, my advice is simple: Take lots of shots.

You may be tempted to preserve space on your iPhone. You may be tempted to keep your photo library clean.

However, it’s more important that you make sure you capture great shots. There’s nothing worse than the feeling of coming home after an exhilarating photoshoot—only to find that all of your shots are slightly blurry!

This is especially critical for flower photographers. When you’re shooting at such high magnifications, even a small amount of camera shake can blur your photos. Plus, if your subject moves slightly, the image may turn out blurry. I took lots of shots to get the image below.

Therefore, if you want to get some stunning keepers, take many shots. You can always delete the bad ones later!

5. Use The Rule Of Thirds For Stunning Compositions

Composition refers to the arrangement of elements in a photograph. But how do you best compose a flower photograph?

For instance, do you put the flower in the center of the frame? Do you put the flower to the right or the left? Do you put the flower at the top or the bottom?

Unfortunately, creating beautiful compositions can be tough. It’s easy to fall into the trap of placing the flower in the center of the frame. But this often results in a static photograph.

So, how do you create stunning compositions?

One great tip is to use the rule of thirds.

The rule of thirds states that the most pleasing compositions place the subject a third of the way into the frame. In other words, you should put your flower along one of the gridlines or one of the gridline junction points (i.e., where the gridlines cross), as shown in the image below:

This will create far more powerful images.

For the photo above, I made sure that the flower was placed at one of the junction points. This resulted in a more pleasing composition than if I had centered the flower.

One great thing about iPhone photography is that your iPhone actually has the rule of thirds gridlines built into it! You can activate the rule of thirds gridlines, and then you’ll be able to see them whenever you’re doing photography.

Tap your Settings icon on the Home screen. Select Camera, then make sure Grid is switched on.

Next time you open your iPhone camera, you’ll be able to see the gridlines.

Remember: If you put your flower along the rule of thirds gridlines, you’ll create far more stunning compositions!

6. Shoot During The Golden Hours For The Best Light

If your flower images are looking a bit flat, then you probably want to shoot in better light.

What light is best?

The best light is during the golden hours. The golden hours are the hour or two just after sunrise and just before sunset.

During the golden hours, the light is warm and soft. It casts a beautiful golden glow over your subjects. And it’s amazing for flower photography! Notice the golden glow in the photo below:

While you should try to shoot whenever you can, the golden hours are the best time to bring out your iPhone camera. If you shoot during these times, you’re going to notice an immediate improvement in your images.

7. Use Light Filtered By Trees For Beautiful Backgrounds

Do you want to know a great trick for creating beautiful backgrounds in your flower photography?

Wait until the golden hours. Then find a flower near some trees. Position yourself so that the sun is pointing at you—so that the sun is coming from behind the flower. Then get down extremely low, and take a picture.

What’s especially important is that you make sure the trees are in the background of your image. The trees will filter the light from the setting sun—resulting in a beautiful, colorful background. This is precisely the trick I used to capture the photo below.

If you can pull this trick off, you’ll be astonished by how incredible your images look. You’ll want to shoot this way all the time!

8. Lock Focus For Perfectly Sharp Flower Photos

Do you struggle to focus when you’re shooting close-up subjects? Are you getting blurry close-up images? Then you’re going to want to use a special technique: focus locking.

Focus locking will help you maintain focus on your subject. You won’t have to worry about your iPhone changing focus when you try to take a picture.

How do you focus lock?

Fortunately, it’s quite simple! To lock focus, simply tap and hold your finger on your camera screen. You’ll see the words AE/AF Lock appear at the top of the screen. And your iPhone will lock focus on the place you tapped.

Therefore, if you want to focus on the petals of a flower, tap and hold on the petals. If you want to focus on the center of the flower, tap and hold on the center.

Then you can remove your finger from the screen and carefully press the shutter button. You don’t have to worry about the iPhone refocusing. Therefore, you have a much higher chance of getting sharp images.

Once you’re done taking pictures, you’ll want to deactivate the focus lock. Simply tap elsewhere on the screen, and the iPhone will go back to its normal autofocus setting.

If you’re getting blurry photos, then you should try this technique. It will dramatically improve your keeper rate.

9. Photograph Flowers With Water Droplets For A Beautiful Effect

Do you want to add a little something extra to your flower photographs? If so, then this tip is for you!

What’s the tip? It’s simple: Photograph flowers with water droplets.

Water droplets are a great addition to flower photographs. Droplets sparkle. They make flowers pop. Plus, droplets are beautiful!

How do you find flowers with droplets?

One way is to wait until after it rains. Then go out walking with your iPhone. You’re bound to find some flowers layered in water droplets!

You can also go out early in the morning—because this is when you’ll find morning dew!

Morning dew results in lovely little droplets on everything, including flowers. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity.

Finally, let me share one more trick for taking photos of flowers with water droplets: Make the water droplets yourself!

Go out and find a flower to photograph. Bring the flower inside. Then lightly dust that flower with water using a spray bottle or a dropper…and start snapping pictures!

If you use water droplets in your photos, you won’t be disappointed!

10. Use Editing To Enhance Your Flower Photography

Do you want to create eye-popping colors in your flower images? Do you want to elevate the mood?

If so, then you’re going to want to learn to edit your flower photos.

You don’t have to do complex edits. However, a bit of editing can go a long way when it comes to creating beautiful flower images.

For instance, you can use a photo editing app like Snapseed or VSCO to boost the contrast. This will make your photos more striking.

You can also increase the saturation. This will make your colors bolder and can really enhance your images.

You can also go further than this with other photo editing apps.

I love Mextures, which is perfect for applying textures to photos. It’s also great for all sorts of wild experimentation! Simply play with the effects—and see what happens.

If you want to enhance your flower photos, then try some editing! It will really make your photos pop.

11. Join A Photography Community To Take Your Flower Photos To The Next Level

If you’re interested in taking your flower photos to the next level, pay attention to this tip. Because here’s a big thing that you can do to dramatically improve your flower photography: join a photography community.

When I say “photography community,” I’m speaking rather broadly. You don’t need to find a group of photographers dedicated to sharing flower photos.

Instead, you want to be in contact with a few photographers that you really admire.

Instagram is a great place for this. Find a few Instagram flower photographers that you love. Then follow their photography. Observe it. Think about what you like and what you dislike.

A photography community exposes you to all sorts of beautiful images. This, in turn, helps you develop your own style. It helps you realize what you find aesthetically pleasing.

Plus, a good community will offer all sorts of flower photography advice—advice that is invaluable.

When you see a really good image, contact the photographer! Ask them how they managed to get such a great photo. Often, Instagram photographers are willing to share advice with beginners.

Joining a photography community was essential for my photographic growth. It can be great for your growth, too. If you join a photography community, you’ll find your flower photography growing by leaps and bounds.

The post 11 Tips For Beautiful Flower Photography On iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

The Lenses

SANDMARC lenses for iPhone X are well designed, look great, and feel like high-end photography equipment in the hand. Their noticeable weight is due to the amount of glass in each lens, and the use of metal rather than plastic in the construction.

They’ll certainly turn heads and mark you out as someone who’s serious about their iPhone photography.

Each lens comes with a plastic cover for both the front and rear lens openings to keep dust out. It’s advisable to use these as once dust gets inside a lens it can affect image quality.

The lenses all boast multi-coated glass. While I’m not sure exactly what the coatings are, or what purpose they serve, it does at least show SANDMARC are serious about getting the best performance out of their lenses.

Next, let’s look at each of the four lenses in turn. Then we’ll examine the attachments common to all four lenses.

Wide Angle Lens

SANDMARC call their wide angle lens product Wide Lens Edition. Its 16mm focal length lets you capture much more of the scene than the native 28mm iPhone lens.

An impressively big lens, this one weighs in at 71 grams (2.5 ounces). However, its weight does make the iPhone feel a little unbalanced in the hand. It’s not a big problem, but it can make holding the iPhone in one hand a little challenging.

In terms of image quality, it’s very impressive. There’s very little image distortion and minimal softness in the corners or along the edges. It’s the perfect lens for landscape photography, or social events where you want to capture more of the available scene.

Wide Lens Edition – $99.99

Fisheye Lens

Called Fisheye Lens Edition by SANDMARC, this is a 10mm fisheye lens. It’ll capture even more of the scene than either the SANDMARC Wide Edition Lens, or the native 28mm iPhone lens.

The lens is fairly bulky and weighs 55 grams (just under 2 ounces). However, it’s a little smaller than the SANDMARC Wide Edition Lens, so not too large or obtrusive.

As with all fisheye lenses, there’s a significant amount of lens distortion. This is part of the appeal of a fisheye lens, so don’t let this put you off.

The image quality is very good, but in the corners and, to a lesser extent, the edges of the frame, you’ll get some softening of the image. Therefore, it’s important to keep your primary subject near to the center of the frame.

Fisheye Lens Edition – $89.99

Macro Lens

This lens is referred to as the Macro Lens Edition by the manufacturer. Macro lenses are a personal favorite of mine so I was especially keen to try this one out.

A macro lens allows you to capture incredible close-up photos of tiny subjects. It’s perfect for flower macro photography and insect macro photography.

It’s a bulky lens, but this is mainly due to the removable plastic hood supplied with the lens. The actual macro lens itself is relatively small, and can be used without the plastic hood or the heavy threaded ring which connects the macro lens to the hood, making it much more compact the shown above.

The plastic hood is incredibly useful, as you can press it against your intended subject to ensure the iPhone’s camera and the subject are the optimal distance apart. This helps you to have at least part of your subject in focus.

Without the hood, you’ll find it difficult to use the macro lens hand-held. Even the smallest movement of the iPhone can cause the focal point to change.

The image quality is as good, if not better, than other macro lenses I’ve used. There’s a little softening in the corners and along the edges of the frame, but it’s not too distracting. Besides, with macro photography you would most likely have your subject centrally positioned.

Macro Lens Edition – $89.99

Telephoto Lens

SANDMARC call this the Telephoto Lens Edition. It’s another solid, well-built, lens which provides 3x optical zoom when positioned over the iPhone X’s standard lens, either using the case provided, or the Clip-On attachment.

The 3x optical zoom is an increase over the iPhone X’s 2x telephoto lens, but even better than that, if you position the lens over the iPhone X’s telephoto lens using the Clip-On attachment, you get a huge 6x optical zoom!

Unfortunately we didn’t receive a sample of this lens so I can’t comment on the image quality, however, if the other lenses are anything to go by, the image quality should be fine.

Telephoto Lens Edition – $99.99

What Comes In The Box?

All four SANDMARC lenses for iPhone X come bundled with useful accessories. Let’s look at each of these accessories in turn, in order of their importance.

Slimline Case

A dedicated, iPhone-specific case is the most effective way of attaching lenses to your iPhone, especially when it comes to accurately aligning the lens with the iPhone’s built-in lens.

The SANDMARC case is a super snug fit, which I really like, however it’s tricky to remove. And because the case is so thin and stiff, I suspect that it won’t survive frequent attachment and removal.

One other concern I have is that the case partially covers the iPhone’s built-in flash. With a SANDMARC lens attached, this is to be expected, because the lenses are fairly large, and would obscure the flash anyway.

However, when taking photos with the SANDMARC case attached but no lens attached some of the flash bounces off the case and enters the iPhone’s lens. Unfortunately, this means the case can’t be left on permanently unless you never use your iPhone’s flash!

Clip-On Attachment

Each lens comes with a spring-loaded Clip-On clip which grips your iPhone, holding the attached lens in position, as shown below.

The clip has a threaded metal insert for connecting to the lens. This is a nice touch as it’s very easy to damage the threads when one of the threads is metal and the other is plastic.

Aligning a SANDMARC lens with your iPhone’s native lens using the Clip-On is a bit tricky, so I’d recommend using the supplied case for optimal alignment and the very best image results.

Drawstring Bag & Cleaning Cloth

SANDMARC include a drawstring bag and cleaning cloth. It’s an important reminder to protect your photography equipment to ensure the longest lifespan.

Where To Buy SANDMARC Lenses For iPhone X

All four lenses featured in this article are available individually from SANDMARC’s online shop.

Wide Lens Edition – $99.99

Fisheye Lens Edition – $89.99

Macro Lens Edition – $89.99

Telephoto Lens Edition – $99.99

You can buy the Photography Edition – iPhone X package from SANDMARC for $239.99.

This package includes the Wide, Fisheye and Macro lenses and represents a saving of $39.98 when compared to purchasing the three included lenses individually.

SANDMARC Lenses For iPhone X: Conclusion

The four lenses we’ve reviewed in this article are optically very good, so you’ll be able to take fantastic photos with them. SANDMARC lenses for iPhone X provide a highly desirable flexibility to your iPhone photography, and will allow you to take photos not possible with the native iPhone lenses.

The post Discover The SANDMARC Lenses For iPhone X (Wide, Fisheye, Macro & Telephoto) appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

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Which one of these photos is your favorite? Please let everyone know in the comments below!

The post 30 Incredible Close-Up & Macro iPhone Photos appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

First of all, thank you for recognizing my passion for shooting macro photos. I’m very honored to be interviewed and share my love of macro photography.

I’ve lived most of my life in Africa. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe, and have spent my adult life in South Africa.

I’m a wife, mother to two adult sons, and grandmother to a two-year-old boy. I take endless photographs of this delightful child.

I live on the east side of Johannesburg – a sprawling inland metropolis that stretches 100 kilometers from east to west. It has the world’s largest man-made forest, estimated to be about 10 million trees.

I’m strongly connected to the earth and nature. My father was a commercial rose grower which has influenced my love of plants and flowers since childhood. I think I’ve always had a love of creating beauty with nature.

I qualified later in life as a landscape designer and started running my own landscaping business.

The best part was designing and drawing the plans for presentation – there was no computer aided design back then! It’s another example of my natural love of creating pretty pictures.

How did your passion for photography begin?

We were sailing the Mediterranean with friends in 2014, and while coming into the harbor in Bonifacio, Corsica, my friend was unwell and gave me her DSLR camera to use.

When she viewed the images that I’d captured, she said I had an eye for photography. That comment planted a seed that has since grown into a passion.

What is it that you enjoy so much about iPhone photography?

I love the spontaneity that having an iPhone provides. It allows you to capture an image at any time. So when I came across iPhone Photography School, I thought that would be the perfect opportunity to learn more about it.

The tutorials, interviews and photo contests, together with the community and participation on the Facebook page, bring together a unique way of learning, sharing and enjoying photography.

You primarily shoot close-up photos of nature. What draws you to this kind of photography?

Macro photography fascinates me as it opens up a whole other world that’s not readily seen. I can lose track of time finding new subjects and trying to capture them.

I love to shoot flower macro photography with my iPhone. I also look photographing feathers and water droplets – including the very smallest dew drops, rain, and carefully placed droplets of water to create a macro still life.

To be able to get outside into the garden after it’s rained, either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, presents endless possibilities.

The macro images that I find on Instagram are incredible. The details and subjects spur me on and give me ideas for future images that I want to create.

One of the accounts I follow on Instagram is @weeklymobilemacro. Not only do they have amazing images, but they also run a weekly competition and feature the best photos. It can test the imagination, but it’s so much fun.

Could you tell us about the equipment and iPhone accessories that you need for taking such great macro photos?

I use the olloclip 4 in 1 lens kit which includes a wide angle, fish eye and two macro lenses (15x and a 10x magnification).

My preference is for the 10x macro lens as it becomes increasingly difficult to get clear focus with higher magnifications.

Macro photography can require some imaginative setups. I once resorted to sticking a single dandelion seed into a slice of mango fruit, with a blue plastic shopping bag draped over a knife block in my kitchen as the backdrop.

I used a dropper to place the perfect little drop of water into the centre of the dandelion seed. All of this was to create what looks like an image taken outdoors towards a setting sun.

I rarely use a tripod, so it’s important to keep the iPhone very still when pressing the shutter.

While clicking away, I always keep looking at the images I’ve captured on my iPhone. The details are so small that the slightest change of light or shooting perspective can make a big difference to the final image.

Due to the shallow depth of field when shooting extreme close-ups, it’s often difficult to get the focus on the right part of the subject. What focusing tips do you have for anyone new to macro photography?

I do find that it’s more difficult to get focus on round subjects as you can only focus on a small part of the subject while the rest of it appears blurred. Flatter subjects are far easier to focus on.

Start by shooting with smaller magnification lenses, such as a 10x or 7x macro lens. It’s surprising just how close the lens has to be to the subject, so make sure you get close enough.

I pick the exact point I want to focus on, then very slowly adjust the distance between the lens and the subject, watching that point until it appears in sharp focus.

To keep the camera steady, use an iPhone tripod to stabilize the phone or balance it on your knee. When I’m outdoors and struggling to keep my hands still, I let my breath out slowly as I focus and press the shutter.

Do you usually shoot outdoors, or is it easier to take the subject home and photograph it under more controlled conditions?

I probably do a 50/50 ratio of indoor and outdoor photography. Weather conditions have to be conducive when shooting outdoors – it’s impossible to take outdoor macro shots in wind.

The background also plays an important role in a macro photography. Even though the background is blurred, it needs to enhance the subject, so taking the subject indoors and creating the perfect setup can often be the better option.

It’s easier to use a tripod indoors, and controlling the light can have a dramatic effect on the image. I usually place my indoor setup near a window to get soft diffused light on the subject.

Apart from macro photos, what else do you like to shoot with your iPhone?

I usually stick to photographing nature, such as flowers, trees and landscapes. But I’m also drawn to abstract photography and textures.

I love the simplicity of minimalist photography – it’s so clear and uncluttered. But I’ve still got a way to go with identifying possibilities. It’s something that I’ll keep working on.

You’ve enrolled on our iPhone Photo Academy and iPhone Photo Masters courses. How have these learning experiences changed your approach to photography? 

I joined the iPhone Photo Academy and iPhone Photo Masters course late last year. This ongoing photographic journey is one of discovery and delight.

It’s a great feeling to see an image captured and edited, then displayed for others to see. And likewise, to view images shared by other students.

Firstly, it’s made me so much more aware of the capabilities of the iPhone camera. I honestly understood so little of the functionality of the iPhone camera and editing possibilities. Being able to edit with so many available apps is incredible.

I’ve become much more aware of the photographic opportunities out there. I see things differently now, and I’m always looking for new images to try out.

I go to the iPhone Photo & Editing Academy Facebook page every day to participate and look at images posted by other students.

Not only do I learn from the comments and feedback on the photos that I post, but it’s also possible to learn so much from looking at other people’s photos.

Let’s talk about photo apps. Are there any apps that you use for taking photos besides the native camera app?

I’ve only used the iPhone’s native camera app, but I recently downloaded Camera+ and plan to use that for shooting as well.

I’m still playing with it at the moment – getting used to the manual options and how they affect the image I take.

What are your favorite apps for post-processing?

I use Snapseed the most. TouchRetouch is great for erasing unwanted clutter from images. I also use Tadaa SLR and SKRWT.

I have other editing apps on my phone, such as Slow Shutter, Alien Sky and LensLight, but I use these less often.

Can you briefly explain the story and editing behind your three favorite iPhone photos?

This image of a drop of water on a chive leaf was one of the first photos I took after buying my olloclip lens.

There had been a light rain shower just before sunrise. As I walked outside, a planter filled with garlic chives was shimmering with rain drops.

I got my phone and macro lens ready, then crouched down so that I was level with the leaves, balancing the phone on the edge of the pot. I moved around, watching how the light danced through the water as I took lots of shots.

I love the simplicity of this image with the tiny sphere of water and the glitter-like reflections on it. And the background has lovely natural bokeh lights going on.

I didn’t have to edit this photo much. I just used Snapseed to sharpen the details and correct the brightness. I prefer to use a light hand when editing.

This photo of a pelargonium seed unfurling was a complete chance discovery. I was taking macro shots of a pelargonium flower at home when I noticed this tiny seed. I didn’t realize just how beautiful it was until I got the macro lens to focus.

Even though this was taken during mid-afternoon (which normally isn’t a good time to shoot because of the bright light), everything just came together.

The light was perfect, there was no wind, and for a change my dogs didn’t come crashing through the plant I was photographing! They like a close up view of what I’m doing.

Again, there was very little editing needed with this image. I used Snapseed to crop slightly, and I sharpened the details. With the Tune Image tool, I decreased brightness and increased contrast, then decreased warmth and shadows a tiny bit.

This is a still life photo that I created with a guinea fowl feather against the sun. I love feathers – they’re great subjects for macro photography, and they create a lovely ethereal image.

I’d found this feather while playing golf, and a few days later a lovely clear sunset presented the possibility to put the two together.

I placed the feather on a waist high wall with the setting sun behind it, then got down low with the macro lens so that I was level with the feather. I played with the feather, moving it around, and reviewing the shots that I was taking.

In post-processing, I just used Snapseed to decrease brightness and sharpen the details of the feather.

Do you ever feel the need to use a larger format camera for your photography, or does the iPhone do everything you want?

I’ve never owned a larger camera myself. I used to have a small point-and-shoot camera, but honestly, the iPhone takes better quality pictures and it’s always with me.

So I don’t ever feel I want a large format camera – not now that I’ve learned to use the full capabilities of my iPhone camera.

What tips do you have for beginner iPhone photographers who want to start taking more creative photos with the iPhone?

Enter your photos in assignments and competitions. The monthly assignments in the iPhone Photo Masters course are a fantastic way of learning about a new genre of photography and getting more creative.

If a photographer’s image resonates with you, why not try to replicate it where possible? Keep the idea in your head, and at the next opportunity give it a go.

Which iPhone photographers do you admire the most?

Besides the many excellent photographers on the iPhone Photo Academy Facebook page, I also enjoy following a number of photographers on Instagram.

I really like the work of @shezasphotos, @ritaharra and @flowersandmacro (although I’m not sure they’re necessarily iPhone photographers).

I follow @weeklymobilemacro on Instagram and enter their competitions. This keeps things fun and means that I’m always looking for something new or unusual to photograph.

On EyeEm I like the photography of Rosa Perry (@RosaPerry), Georgia Barlow (@momentsforever) and Nadine Feld (@NadineFeld). There are many more, and my list could go on and on!

Where can we see your iPhone photography?

You can see my photos on Instagram @sherolis and on EyeEm @SherryManners.

The post How Sherry Manners Takes Beautiful Macro iPhone Photos appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Oregon, and except for four years in Santa Fe, NM, I’ve lived here all my life.

I’m currently living in Eugene, and I work as an Executive Assistant in the College of Business at the University of Oregon. I have a daughter and two grandsons.

How did your iPhone photography journey begin?

My photography journey began in March 2015 with the click of a mouse. While searching the Internet for something, I came across an advert for iPhone Photography School.

I checked it out and immediately signed up for the iPhone Photo Academy course taught by Emil Pakarklis, founder of iPhone Photography School. From that moment I was hooked!

Once I’d completed that course, I signed up to the iPhone Editing Academy to learn more about editing my photos.

And now I’m enrolled on the iPhone Photo Masters course where we learn from a different iPhone photography expert each month.

Apart from family and vacation photos with a basic point and shoot camera, I’d never done photography before.

Since day one of these courses I’ve been going all out trying to learn as much as I can and taking photos almost every day.

What is it that you enjoy so much about iPhone photography?

The iPhone has made photography accessible to me. Without it, I never would have gotten started in photography.

I just love taking photos, but wouldn’t be doing it if I had to haul around a DSLR camera and equipment.

I’m so appreciative of the way iPhone photography has opened my eyes to seeing things I never noticed before. I now view the world in a completely new way.

I’ve become addicted to photography, and I guess like any addict, I need my daily “fix” which I can easily get using my iPhone.

What kind of things inspire you to reach for your iPhone and take a photo?

I love textures and patterns, both man-made and in the natural world.

I’m a detail person and I’m drawn to simplicity. Consequently, a lot of my photos are close-ups and tend to be somewhat minimalistic.

I love nature, and photography has provided me with the motivation to get outdoors.

I also like to photograph architecture, especially architectural details.

You shoot beautiful close-ups of nature, including flowers, leaves and insects. Do you use a macro lens or just the built-in lens of the iPhone?

I’ve always used the built-in lens, and only very recently acquired a macro lens. For close-ups, I generally shoot using the macro mode in the Camera+ app.

It can be hard to get your subject in focus up close, and you have to hold the camera very still. Turning on the stabilizer mode in Camera+ can help.

Since focus can be tricky, I always take a lot of shots so that hopefully I get a good one.

You also capture stunning abstract images of interesting textures. What kind of subjects work well for this type of photography?

I love rust! Until I started photography, I never noticed how beautiful rust could be. There seems to be no end to the variety of colors and textures, especially if it also includes old paint.

The natural world also provides infinite variations and sources of wonderful patterns and textures.

What tips would you give to anyone who wants to start shooting more interesting photos of buildings and architecture?

Look for unique angles, structural details, textures and patterns. Another good technique is to look for ways to include symmetry.

However, in order for symmetry to be effective, you need to ensure the shot is composed with everything lined up perfectly central.

Are there any other genres of photography that you’d like to try out?

I’d like to learn how to do night and low light photography, which can be very challenging with the iPhone.

The iPhone Photo Master’s course is presenting me with a wide range of opportunities to try out different photography genres.

You mentioned that you’ve enrolled on several of our online iPhone photography courses? How has this ongoing learning changed your approach to photography?

I never did photography before the iPhone Photography School courses, so pretty much everything I know has been a result of this learning.

I also participate in a number of Facebook groups and local meetup groups focused on photography, which provide me with learning opportunities.

I’ve been participating in the iPhone 365 Photo Project Facebook group since July. The challenge and feedback has been a catalyst for great improvement in my photography.

Are there any apps that you use for taking photos besides the native camera app?

I use the Camera+ app most of the time when shooting. I also sometimes use ProCamera.

Slow Shutter Cam is handy for blurring motion, such as water movement.

And Cortex Cam is good for low light and night photos as it produces less grain.

What are your favorite apps for post-processing?

Snapseed is the app I use almost exclusively for editing. I can do just about any editing I care to do with the Snapseed photo editor.

I’ll use TouchRetouch to clean up artifacts or remove unwanted objects. To fix perspective problems, I use the SKRWT app.

I tend to do somewhat minimal editing to my photos, so I don’t spend a lot of time on post-processing.

I think that “less is more” when it comes to editing, and I’d much rather be out taking photos.

Do you use any iPhone photography accessories?

An iPhone tripod is indispensable, and I have the MeFoto SideKick 360 Adapter on mine to hold my phone.

I own a set of Moment lenses (telephoto, wide angle and macro), and I use the telephoto a lot. I also have the Muku Shuttr remote shutter.

I quickly learned not to go out shooting without an external battery, so I now own two of them, along with a 6-foot power cable.

And I love my Shoulderpod S1 smartphone grip. It provides me with a much more comfortable and secure way of holding my phone.

Can you briefly explain the story and editing behind your three favorite iPhone photos?

I took this photo about a month after I started doing photography. It may not be technically the greatest photo, but I love the feeling and emotion it evokes in me every time I look at it.

I was on vacation, staying at a wonderful bed and breakfast lodge in Hood River Oregon. I’d gotten up very early to try to photograph the sunrise (without much luck) and ended up with this photo instead.

I used my iPhone 5 on a tripod, and took the photo with the Slow Shutter Cam app. I straightened the perspective with SKRWT, and used the Tune Image tool in Snapseed for other enhancements.

This photo was taken at Sunset Bay on the Oregon Coast. I’d gone out early one morning at low tide to photograph rocks and sea life in the tide pools.

I came across this exquisite bejeweled moth in a shallow indentation in the rocks. It was so unexpected.

Conditions were perfect for the photo with the way the light reflected off the bubbles on the moth, and the perfect background formed by the rock. Even death can be beautiful.

I took the photo using the Camera+ app on my iPhone 5. Minimal editing was done with Snapseed.

On my breaks at work I often go out walking with my iPhone to look for things to photograph. This photo was taken on one of those walks and has always been one of my favorites.

The sprinklers had just been turned off, and the light was reflecting off droplets on these grasses. It really caught my eye.

I took the picture with my iPhone 5 using the macro mode in Camera+, and I edited it in Snapseed.

Do you ever feel the need to use a larger format camera for your photography, or does the iPhone do everything you want?

There have been times when I would have loved a good zoom lens that a DSLR would provide, but the iPhone really does everything I need.

If it wasn’t for the iPhone, I wouldn’t even be doing photography and my life would be so much less rich.

What tips do you have for beginner iPhone photographers who want to start taking more creative photos with the iPhone? 

Get out there as often as you can and take a lot of pictures. You don’t have to take a lot of time or travel far.

Open your eyes to what’s around you as you go through your day. You’ll be surprised at the new things you’ll see and the opportunities that will be presented to you.

The beauty of the iPhone camera is that you always have it with you, but it doesn’t do any good in your pocket. It’s up to you to be aware, see the photo opportunities, and pause to capture them.

Keep learning by taking courses, viewing other photographers’ work, and participating in photography groups like those on Facebook or a meetup group.

Which iPhone photographers do you admire the most?

Obviously, Emil Parkarlis (@iPhone_Photography_School) from iPhone Photography School has had the biggest influence on my photography.

I really resonate with Jack Hollingsworth’s photographic style and philosophy. He’s on Instagram @jackhollingsworth.

Evelyne Sieber Lang’s photography has been an inspiration to me, and I strive to attain the quality and precision that her photos exhibit.

In addition to being a great photographer, she’s a classy and gracious person. You can see Evelyne’s photography on EyeEm @evelynesieber.

I admire Teri Lou Dantzler’s joie de vivre and passion, which carries over into her photography.

She’s a huge advocate for iPhone photography and is always willing to share her knowledge and encourage iPhone photographers to grow and stretch in their art.

You can see Teri’s work on her blog: www.teriloublog.com

Where can we see your iPhone photography?

You can find my photos on EyeEm @ornative.

The post How Chris Baird Takes Stunning iPhone Photos appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

1. Get The Focus Right

Focus is key in any kind of photography, but it’s especially important in close-up photography.

iPhones generally produce images that have a large depth of field. This means that when you take a shot you have good sharp focus throughout your image.

But when you take a close-up shot, you’ll discover how to blur background in photos with the iPhone. Getting close to the subject results in a shallower depth of field where only part of the image will be in sharp focus.

This means that focussing on the desired part of a close-up image is essential in order to get your main subject in sharp focus.

Think about the composition of your shot, and which part of the image you want to be in focus. Then tap the iPhone’s screen on the subject that you want in focus.

You’ll see on the screen whether or not that part of the image sharpens as the background drops out of focus.

It may take several attempts to get the focus exactly right, and you may need to move nearer or further away from your subject to achieve sharp focus.

Another tip that I find helpful in achieving the desired focus is to zoom in slightly on your subject. Pinch the screen to zoom in and out. As you do this you’ll see a slider appear on the screen which you can also use to zoom.

Be careful about how much you zoom in though as that will affect the final image quality. Too much zoom will result in a poor quality and grainy image.

2. Hold Steady

It’s essential to hold your iPhone steady when taking a close-up shot. This will help you get that all important focus nice and sharp.

To help steady the phone, you could use an iPhone tripod. But for convenience, simply hold your arm or phone against something fixed such as a wall, tree or rock.

A useful item to carry with you is a bean bag. These make great supports to steady your phone when taking a shot, especially when you’re down at ground level.

3. Think About The Background

When taking a photo of something close up, it’s very easy to forget about what appears in the background of your image. So always make sure you think about the bigger picture.

Ensure there are no items that will distract from the main subject of your image, and keep an eye on the horizon. It’s all too easy to end up with a 45 degree horizon!

Your choice of background for your subject can also enhance the final image. Choose a natural background canvas such as grass, a wall, or sky by changing the angle you take your shot from.

Background choice also gives context to an image. You’re outside, getting close to nature, so let that be felt in your image.

In the photo above, there’s no doubt that we’re outside in the countryside. The choice to set the barbed wire against the grass background allows the detail to be seen, and the sheep in the background add depth and interest.

4. Go For A Minimal Look

For a minimalist look, try a plain background to really give your subject center stage. Getting down low allows you to fill the background with sky which allows for minimal distraction from the shapes of your subject.

A textured, uniform background such as a wall, fence or rippled water can also provide a great backdrop for your subject.

Think about the distance your subject is from a fixed background. As you increase the distance and focus on your subject, the loss of focus of the background ensures that it’s not distracting and that your subject stand out clearly.

A snowy landscape can also make a great background for a minimal shot. The photo above shows how the out of focus background allows the subject to stand out clearly.

5. Try Something A Bit More Chaotic

Nature is often a beautiful chaotic mess. So another approach is to fill your image with a mixture of the best that nature has to offer. You can use a wonderful mix of colors, shapes, webs and droplets galore.

Think about which part of the image you want to be in focus, and make sure you tap the screen to set focus on that area.

If you’re not sure which part of a busy scene you should have in focus, tap different areas of the screen to find what looks best. Take several shots so that you can select the best one later.

6. Compose Your Images With Thought

Composition is just as important in close-up photography as it is when shooting wide open landscapes. It’s always a good idea to have the rule of thirds in mind when composing a photo, and this remains true for close-ups.

Imagine your viewfinder to be divided into nine equal sections, then think about lining up elements of your image along these lines or at the places where the lines intersect.

In the image below, the focal point lies at the top right intersection of the thirds lines, and the background fills the bottom third of the image.

To help you visualize the rule of thirds when shooting, turn on the grid setting in the native camera app (Settings > Photos & Camera > Grid).

Always think carefully about how you place your subject in your shot. Sometimes you’ll want to include the entire subject, but as you get closer this may not be possible.

Choosing which part of the subject will fill the frame allows further artistic control of the image.

If I’d chosen to photograph the entire dandelion in the photo above, it wouldn’t have been possible to show the detail that becomes apparent with a closer cropped image.

7. Try Unusual Angles

The angle you choose to take your shot from can be the making of an image. You might find yourself in some strange positions, but it will be worth it to get that unusual perspective!

Try crouching down low, or even lying on the ground, so that you can shoot from a very low angle. Looking up from beneath some flowers will change your subject completely, creating a more unique view of the scene.

By changing your position relative to the sun, you can use that bright light to highlight color and detail as it shines through the petals.

Nothing captures the feeling of a relaxing summer’s day more than lying back in a field. Try capturing this feeling in your images by photographing some tall crops from beneath. Canola is perfect with its vibrant yellow colors.

During fall, look out for those beautiful red, brown and yellow leaves on the ground as well as in the trees. Try getting down low for a sense of scale. Really get up close with your subject for maximum impact.

8. Look For The Unordinary

Nature is full of wonderful surprises, and the unusual often make great photo opportunities.

A falling oak leaf caught and suspended by a fine strand of spider web made for a great shot on a foggy morning.

The combination of the foggy backdrop and the close-up view of the leaf work together to make sure the leaf stands out in the shot.

In the photo below, a delicate feather caught in tall grass in the summer provided a similar opportunity.

The slightest breeze or movement of the iPhone will affect the focussing in this type of shot. So remember to steady your iPhone against something solid if possible, and take several shots so that you can select the best one later.

Reflections can also provide interesting subjects. Look hard and you’ll come across these in less obvious places.

In this shot, a pool of rainwater caught in a fallen leaf after a heavy downpour gave an unusual abstract view of the forest above.

9. Get The Lighting Right

Golden hour is a great time to take photos because the light is so warm and beautiful. The golden hours occur around sunset and sunrise when the sun is near to the horizon.

When the sun is low in the sky, your subject will be lit from the side rather than above, enhancing shadows and textures.

The light is softer and less harsh during golden hour which minimizes the chance of glare and light spots. For detail on close-up shots it’s best to avoid taking shots during the middle hours of the day.

Cloud and fog also works well as it diffuses the sunlight, creating a nice soft and uniform lighting for your subject.

If you want to capture moody shots without any harsh shadows, make the most of foggy and overcast cloudy days.

Light can be used in creative ways to enhance your photos. For example, you can create beautiful bokeh effects where the shallow depth of field produces wonderful circles of light, as shown in the photo below.

To help achieve this bokeh effect, a good tip is to compose your shot in such a way that bright sunlight is filtered through trees or a hedgerow behind your subject.

Another way to make use of light is to capture beautiful sun rays to add an ethereal feel to a shot.

With the sun low on the horizon, get yourself down low and shoot directly into the sun for wonderful end results.

10. Create A Striking Silhouette

Silhouettes are perfect for showing the variety of wonderful shapes and forms that nature has to offer.

To create a silhouette, shoot straight into the light. A rising or setting sun is ideal.

When you’ve composed your shot, tap to focus on your subject in the foreground, then swipe up or down to adjust exposure (image brightness).

Your aim is to make sure that the main subject appears darkened in the image.

11. Include Close-Up Foreground Interest

When you’re shooting landscape photos, a great technique is to include objects in the foreground to create a sense of depth and scale.

Don’t be afraid of getting really close to the foreground subject, so that the background is thrown out of focus. Shooting from a low angle will help you achieve this.

Always keep your eye out for interesting bits of nature that you could use in the foreground of your photos. Then get nice and close to capture its texture and detail.

Don’t just limit yourself to very small objects though. A log pile in a recently felled forest made for great foreground interest when captured from this perspective.

12. Use A Macro Lens

You can get pretty good close-up shots with the iPhone alone, but if you’re craving more detail, a macro lens add-on such as an Olloclip is a great option.

These lenses often simply clip on and off your iPhone as you need them, and they come in a range of magnifications.

With an iPhone macro lens, you’ll be able to shoot incredible nature macro photography. You’ll be able to capture stunning close up photos of insects, flowers, and other tiny subjects.

When you first use an add-on macro lens, one of the initial things that you’ll notice will be the very shallow depth of field. Only a very small part of the image you’re trying to capture will be in focus across the depth of the shot.

This means you need to think carefully about which part of the subject you want to be in focus. You might find it easier to start with a lens with a smaller magnification.

The out of focus parts of your shot are just as important in contributing to the overall effect though, so use the shallow depth of field to your advantage.

13. Check The Weather Forecast

It’s always worth checking the weather forecast before setting off out into nature, particularly if you plan to take some close-up shots.

Windy weather will make it hard to get those close-up shots in focus because your subjects are likely to be moving, so try to plan to go out on a nice still day.

It’s not always possible to plan though, so if it is windy, make the best of the situation and use it to your advantage to capture movement. As with all moving subjects, using burst mode can help you capture the shot you’re after.

To activate burst mode and take multiple shots with your iPhone, simply keep the shutter button held down when taking your picture. You’ll then be able to select the best shot from the sequence.

Make the most of early morning mist or a rain shower as these kinds of weather provide the perfect opportunity to get great water droplet shots.

Look out for wonderful glistening droplets on spider webs and in grasses. And when the temperatures drop, you’ll be treated to a whole new shiny world with fabulous ice crystals created by frosts and snowfalls.

14. Enhance Your Photos With Editing

Once you’ve captured your close-up photos of nature, don’t forget to consider post-processing as part of the image creating process.

There’s a huge range of apps available on the App Store that can facilitate creativity in your image processing.

With a few simple steps you can add textures, increase contrast to bring out details, change tones to add warmth, or convert an image to black and white for a dramatic effect.

As a great starting point, try the free Snapseed app. Or to add more creative effects such as textures and light leaks try using Mextures.

There’s no limit to how creative you can get. Try blending images, introducing reflections, or creating a painterly effect. You name it and there’s an app out there for it!

Conclusion

As you start trying to take close-up shots of nature, your biggest challenge will be getting the focus right.

Be reassured though that the iPhone camera can be used successfully for great close-ups, so stick with it and you’ll be more than happy with the results.

Remember to take lots of shots to make sure you end up with a final image with the focus just the way you want it.

Get creative by photographing your subject from different angles and directions, and think about how you fit and crop your subject in the frame.

Shoot in different kinds of light, and notice how this affects the final image. The same scene can look very different depending on the time of day you’re shooting.

Most of all, enjoy discovering all those little details that nature has to offer. Once you start photographing them, you’ll begin to see tiny details that you’ve never noticed before!

The post How To Take Beautiful Nature Close-Up Photos On iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.