How to Take Amazing Macro Photos with Your Smartphone!

1. Introduction: My name is Kelly and I'm a photographer and digital artists here on skill share. In this class we're going to be talking about macro photography with your phone. This is something I haven't really looked into much. Up until a short time ago, my camera broke and I had to send it off and I was feeling lost without being able to take photographs. So I had to find an alternative avenues to be able to still create and capture the images I wanted to. Without my camera. My phone is not an iPhone, it's an Android and it's not one of the top phones on the market. So I had to find a way to be able to take great pictures with my phone. And that's what I'm going to show you has to do today. I love macro photography because it makes you stop and look at the world in different way. You have to really just take those moments to breathe and look around you, even to tune into your surroundings and your environment in a way that we don't typically do on a day-to-day basis. And so macro photography really gives us an opportunity to be able to stop and dive into that micro world in a way that we wouldn't normally do. We get C, familiar things in unfamiliar raise. Really? Just pause, pause life or moment and just take a look around us. Oftentimes we're going to be able to capture things that we can't see with the naked eye. And it's not until we look through our lens that we see these really cool details and shears of patterns of things that we look at every day. But we don't get to see all those tiny details. And that's what I love about macro photography. We just get to kind of dive into a whole different world. And now we're going to be able to capture those. And you can share them on social media and you can show them in so many different ways. I'm gonna show you what do you do with the photos that you've learned to capture today? So today we're gonna talk about what a macro is. Compared to just a close up photo. There is a difference. And we're going to talk about what makes a great macro. Wow, what are we paying attention to? What are we looking for that we're going to talk about year. There's very little gear that you're going to actually need. The biggest thing is your thumb, which you already have. So if you choose to buy the gear, then you'll be able to just push you back those just a little bit further, get a little bit closer, a little bit more finer details than you would with your font. So this path is really great for anyone who wants to just try macro without having to make the investment in expensive equipment. This is a fantastic way to get started on it. I'm really thankful i whose released sad when my camera broke and ask, What am I gonna do? But I'm actually really thankful to be able to find an alternate way to take these macro photos that is budget friendly. That's really easy on the GOP because they don't always have my camera with me. I would love to be able to carry my camera around with me all the time, but it's just not realistic in that way. And as a photographer, I'm having trained my eyes to be able to see all opportunities for photographs when I don't have my camera and I see something, it's heartbreaking to not be able to take it a picture of it. And so now I'll be able to have my little lens. And then wherever I go, whenever I see opportunities, I'm going to be able to get that shot. So this class is really great for photographers to who have invested in all the equipment, who are maybe just looking for something that is budget friendly, lightweight, quick and easy. Take your phone wherever you are, wherever you see opportunity, you're going to be able to get that picture. Let's dive in and take a closer look at macro. 2. What is Macro?: So before we get started on what makes a good macro, let's talk about what is a macro. Macro is not just a close up of a subject. So your close-up is anything that you can kinda get closer in on your subject without having a lot of background in, in your image or having a blurred background in your image. And a macro is using a more of a lens that we're going to talk about in the next lesson. So a macro is being able to get life-size, life-size image of your subject, something that's small. But the, you're going to be able to get a one-to-one ratio in your photo to make it look like it's more life-size or, or the ratio of it is life-size. And so basically just kind of going over that edge of a close up to something that we wouldn't have to really get down and look closely at in order to be able to see it in the same way that your image is not reflecting. Then there's extreme close up or extreme Makkot macro, which is a zoom of your subject. So that's what we're gonna talk about today too, with the extra lenses as B, the capability of being able to magnify your subject to beyond life-size. So getting that Grasshopper or flour or food or whatever it is that you're going to be taking your, whatever it is that your subject is, being able to actually go to the point where someone may not even recognize what it is you're taking the picture of because you're that close and that detailed and you are reflecting details, minute details that would be very difficult to be able to see just with your naked eye. And so I find that this is the most fascinating for me. Being able to put my lens on, look through, and being able to see something that I can't really see otherwise. That's what it really just makes this type of photography so exciting. 3. What Makes a Good Macro?: I believe that the number one thing that makes a good macro is capturing what you love. What brings you joy, what you feel connected to, what you're passionate about. Because those things are going to shine through in your photos. Whether it's nature and you love getting up close to little garden creatures and insects are flowers. And getting out in nature, going to the beach in the forester. I mean, the possibilities for macros in those environments are endless and we are going to talk about location and what that looks like. Or maybe it's food and that metal kind of really rigid type of look. Perhaps it's still lifes. So setting up interesting environments within your home and having that controlled type of looks. So maybe it's marbles or really interesting little things that you can find that the fascinating thing about macro is that you will never run out of things to be able to stuff, whether it's in your home, your backyard, or beyond. So the second thing, after choosing things that you're passionate about, maybe you're passionate about many things and just loved the world of macro as a whole like I do and will take picture macro pictures of anything because I just find absolutely everything just so fascinating when it's through the macro lens. So from Still Life to food to nature, tech, anything beyond I, I find that you can take pictures of anything and make it really very, very cool. So once you've discovered the passion portion of your, of your macro, what else are we looking for when you're looking at your subject? You're looking for lines and shapes. And you're looking at color through the Kene at light and shadows and the contrast between the two, the balance between the two textures. So Textile, things like yarns, I'm blankets and fabrics and ropes and things that have a lot of really cool details when you actually get in there really close to be really actually fascinated by what textiles can look like when they are magnified. Looking, training your eye to look for patterns, whether that's a nature or still life, tack any of that kind of stuff that, that might draw the eye through out your photo. Because when you're creating a mapper, you'd have a very small window of focus. And so you're going to have a lot of things in your frame that are blurred or defocus. Because with macro there's, there is that small detail that is in-focus and thats just kind of how the magnification and the lenses work. So when you are thinking about these specific elements of your subject, those things are gonna be really important in the focused area, but also when in the blurred area and in the stuff that is out of focus. So especially with patterns, you're going to be able to still see that pattern sweeping through your photo, even if it's not in focus when I'm the most captivating arcs of macro is being able to show something that is familiar in a very unfamiliar way. Now we're gonna take a closer look at the gear that you can attach to your phone in order to create those really cool macro magnifications and photographs. 4. Gear: So you have your phone and that is the most important gear that you'll need for this class. The other options for gear, if you're looking to want to take those really close sat macros. So what I use, I have many tripod. And this one has really flexible legs so I'm able to get and move it down so I can get really close with macro because there is such a fine line of focus. You have to be really, really steady when you're taking your photos. You don't always have to. I don't always use it. But if you are really wanting to get those really crisp tack sharp photos, you really wanna make sure that your phone is steady when you're taking it. So attached to this i phone holder that is purchased separately and it discouraged right onto this little tripod. And then you can have your phone really steady on your tripod when you've got it in focus. And then the other part of that to ensure that your photos are crisp and in focuses. Once it's focused and you want to take your picture, set your timer to two seconds or three seconds so that the photo is not being taken when you push on your fault, when you push the shutter button on your phone. That's really important because you're gonna get camera shake almost every single time. So if you push your shutter button and you'd have the 2 second timer and you let you are not touching your phone, you have a much better chance of getting that super sharp focus in that little area that you need for, for the macro. So if purchased all this gear on Amazon came right to me really quickly. So I have the mini tripod, the phone holder to set onto the tripod. And the other gear that I use for this is there are many lenses, so it's a little kid and it comes in a little case, it's really cool. And it has a whole bunch of different lenses in it. So it comes with a couple of different lenses and fisheye lens and a little bit of a telephoto lens, that kinda thing. But for me I use the two macro lenses that are in this kit. I will post the one that I have. I think there's quite a few different options out there for getting mini phone lenses and I will post them on that. It's the only one that I use, so I can't account for the quality of the other ones, but this one is really great and it's been really awesome for me. And so this one actually comes with 15, Sam and the twenties, him for the macro. And they're really easy. So what happens if you just screwed on it comes with this little clip, clothes peg clip thing. And you just screw on your tiny little lens here. And then it just goes right on your phone. And so whatever phone you have, first one you have, it's going to be able to, you're going to be able to fit it. So if your camera lenses in the center of your phone, it fits. And if it's on the side of your phone, along the angle is going to be able to fit. So this actually will fit on any phone. So this thing will fit in my pocket, fits in my jacket pocket. I go out hiking stuff. I brought my phone was me all the time anyway. And now I've got this quick little thing and it actually, it just snaps onto my phone like this and I'm ready to take my picture. So it's pretty awesome. So those are the only things that you need. We'll talk about some lighting. But if you're outside or you're using a lot of natural languages, then you don't have to worry about lighting. So if you are looking to have something that advances your phone a little bit more. And to get those macro photos, this is all that I used and I've been able to take some really amazing pictures, we have it. And I'm super excited to hold onto this. So even when I do get my other camera back, this is something that'll be carrying with me every day, all the time wherever I go to make sure that I'm not missing any of those photos when I don't have my camera. So now that we've talked a little bit about gear and let's take a closer look at location. 5. Location: So for location, it is literally anywhere and everywhere. That's, that's to your word, limitation. If you want to say it, the possibilities are endless. I'd like I said earlier. So you can start off with exactly where you are, whether it's room that you're in, your home and then extend that o is to the backyard, out, nature out on the streets, walking along wherever you are in your neighborhood. You're going to be able to find inspiration and fascinating macros where ever you go. Let's take a closer look at some other locations that I've gone on. I love going into the forest. I mean, the forests, the nature, the patterns, the colors, the textures is just unbelievable to me. So of course, living on the west coast, My favorite place to be is at the beach. So that is where I take many, many photos, is one of my favorite places for me, my children to go and explore. And when you can explore through the lens and better yet, a macro lens, you really can come find some unbelievable things you almost feel like a scientist too. It's going into the microscope is just spectacular. And I just can't get enough of it. One tip, if you are out in nature is to be careful of the wind because that can be the most frustrating portion of taking macro outside of your home where you have more control over those type of elements. And so when you are out at the beach or the forest or out in nature wherever you are. If there's that breeze or that wind is going to affect your photos. So just being careful whether you blockage or trying to find the day wear, There's more calm. Because when you have that little window of focus, any type of movement is going to affect about focus. So if you can get out and explore it, that's fantastic. If you can't, that's okay too. During the pandemic here were all stayed a bit closer to home. So I have been a lot more macro photography at home, creating Still Life setups, and also just kind of being an explorer in my own home, wandering around. My kids, kind of look at me, kind of like, what are you doing? Cuz I'm kinda creeping around thinking like, can I do what can I take? It's an implant thought, isn't it? Decorations? Is that food? Is that whatever it is, I'm kinda going around with my lens and just seeing because everything looks so different under the lens. So when you're taking photos at home, this is where you can really become the creators. So yes, I'm wandering around trying to see all of these really cool things in my home that I can take photos app. But also this gives you the opportunity to set up some really cool Still Life photos for you to be able to take. So start thinking outside the box with its texture or it's those sharp lines that you're looking for. Balls of tin foil wrapped up. The textiles like I had talked about, blankets and tablecloths and Blows. Even your couch cushion. I've even the denim of your, your genes at least create really amazing background images. And we'll again, we'll talk about what that looks like for taking these photos beyond just your phone, pacified, glass beads and yarn and anything that you can find that Skype, really beautiful colors and shapes. If you've got children at home, some of their, their toys are really neat to be able to take pictures out. Marbles. Slinky is I've done taking pictures of toys because they're really bright colors, so those are really neat to take pictures, I promise you there is going to be things in your house that are going to be incredible under the lens. So start looking, start exploring and start, you know, peeking around your house and guarantee. You are going to be amazed at the things that you are going to be amplified in your house that are going to take these incredible images. 6. Lighting: So now that we've talked a little bit at location, i do want to talk about lighting. So when you're outside, daylight, of course, is the best lighting to have for your photos, however, so with macro in, naturally you need more light with macro, the benefit with felony is, and we'll talk about the pros and cons, but the benefit with your phone is that automatically your phone tends to adjust lighting. You can manually adjust the exposure settings if you, if you need to. If it's too bright or too dark. But for the most part, your phone does a really fantastic job of that automated lady to account for that. And the other thing is, is that this lens, this macro lenses so small and narrow that the lighting isn't really as effective as it would be if you are using your camera and a macro lens. A, we are going to talk about lighting. So if you were in size and you don't have the natural daylight, This is gonna be the next, the next lesson is going to be great for you. And so if you're looking for alternatives to lighting, and it's a cloudy day and you're not getting a lot of daylight if you're taking your photos at night. This is going to be really important to talk about with the lighting because your ceiling lading and that isn't going to be enough in order for you to be able to pick up those little details of the macro. So let's take a closer look at lighting. Okay, so like I said earlier, I lighting is super important for macro. Lighting is where it is going to help you capture those really minute details and create that balance and the also the abstract portions of your Leighton, your shadow when you're dealing with such a small object or subject. So you have a couple of different options. One that I use quite often, if I don't have the natural daylight is a ring light. And this again, I just purchased on Amazon and it just attaches it can attach to a tripod. So if you don't want to hold onto it, you can just attach it to a small tripod and have it facing. Your subject is actually attaches to my my regular camera, but I use it for, but I use it for z macro when I'm using my camera as well if I need the extra life because it's really easy, it's lightweight to take with me or to use at home. I don't take it out with me because of course the daylight is typically enough in order to be able to take the shots. But when I'm working at home and this is this is typically what I use. This is really great. Turn it on. So you can see here and you can adjust the lighting so you can make it later or less late if you need it. If you're just looking for just an added bit of floodlight in them. I really loved this. I think that it's really versatile in being able to use that when I, I'm not able to my subject and I need to leave that word is so I need to take my life into that. If I'm setting up a still life, I use my light box, which I have right behind me here. And so I'm gonna show you how that works. Just set it up on a table and I plug it in. It's just got the USB port to be able to plug that right in. And it's already, it's really quick to unfolded set up. It comes with a couple of different backgrounds. I typically just use the black and white just because that's my preference. And and I put my subject in there, it gives me all the LED lighting I need in there. And I'm able to set up my phone on my little tripod, set my timer, and I'm good to go to be able to take those shots. Sometimes if I'm not using the shy about it by half to get super, super close. Sometimes the tripod gets in the way. So I'll just use my hands. But if I can that I do use the tripod that I find the Lightbox is really fun to be able to create those setups and really have control of my lady and all of the elements that are around it when I'm taking that photo. 7. Photo Editing: Okay, so realistic, a closer look now at editing. My favorite editing applications for sure is the Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. So depending on what I'm using the photo for, if I'm using it for social media and I'm, I'm hosting and directly from my phone and I'm gonna use the Lightroom app, which is super awesome, is the amount of editing that you can do on there is just fantastic. You can add filters, you can change your exposure, you can add contrasts. The possibilities are really endless. There is such a great application and I use it all the time. So if I want a quick edit to be able to post it into social media, and that's what I use. If I'm going to use it for something more, whether it's my composites or stock photography. Then I take my photos to my desktop, again in Lightroom. And we're gonna take a little closer look at that as well. And this is where I find that can be really amazing to be able to adjust your photos so that you loved them and can use them for other things. But don't be afraid to take photos. As you can see here in this one. I can't even tell you how many photos. There's countless. Because I knew that with the focus being such a small window, I want to make sure I get that shot, especially for something that I really love. I wanna make sure that I am going to get if I take so many photos taking different angles event because that changes the lighting, it changes the shape, it changes the pattern of your subjects. So taking it a whole bunch of different angles changes, your perspective changes, and then you're going to be able to bring them all into your Lightroom or whatever editing software you're going to use. And be able to pick your favorites. And to be able to pick or choose through, you know, 50 photos as opposed to maybe five. You're going to have a much better chance of being able to find the photos that you love and have photos that are focused. So typically I will take a photo and then I will just tilt my phone a little bit or move it in closer or farther behind one of the other. Just constantly adjusting just tiny little minute movements. And taking a photo and taking a photo, taking a photo in order to make sure and a capture that photo that I'm going to really love. If you are wanting to take it to a little bit more of that professional route, or we are going to talk about that type of thing later. Then you do want to use a good application that's gonna give you the things that you need, the tools that you need to make sure that it's edited properly. So Lightroom is my favorite. I love the fact that I can have presets, make my editing really quick and easy. So I know that for certain photos, I know what I wanna do and I can be able to do that quickly and easily without a whole lot of time. I also use my Photoshop because I do a lot of composite. And we'll talk about that again as an option for taking your macro thoughts, photos and composite aim to create these whole other really cool micro world images. So the really wonderful thing about Lightroom is that when your photos on your phone, you can send it into the Lightroom app and it sinks to light reminder desktops. So you're not having to transfer, transfer through USB cords to transfer your photo is onto your computer or your desktop to be able to edit them the way that you want to, for further use, you'll be able to just click on your images on your phone, sync them into Lightroom on your phone in the app. And it will automatically sync to your desktop late room. So that to me is incredible, is such a time saver. And for somebody who is taking many, many, many photos every day, this is invaluable to me as far as time spent to be able to transfer all of these photos. 8. Now What? : So now that you've captured all of these incredible images, what do you do with them? So my case, I had to add, if you're just using it for social media and then that's fantastic. You already know how to do that so you can post-process and upload to social media and have and amaze your followers and family and friends if you're wanting to take it beyond that, there's many options for using your images in a different ways. For example, I create composite images. So these are micro worlds where I take my macro photography and then I shrink down life-size things to create this surreal world. Obviously wouldn't be possible to actually take a picture of. For example, a here my son, I got him to oppose in a certain way to be able to create a, I took the hot chocolate with the marshmallows and created a macro photo. And then I also created separate photos of each of the marshmallows and then life-size photo of my son. And I was able to shrink him down and then be able to composite all of my macro images together to create this an image that looks like he is like super tiny little human who is feeding marshmallows into the hot chocolate. So you can have a lot of fun with these kinds of things. Especially when you're combining macro images with bigger things and shrinking them all down to create this micro rub, I am going to actually do a class on this. So if it is something that you're interested in, that is a class that is coming up in creating micro worlds with macro photography. So you have a lot of options to be able to make money from your photos as well. There are some really great photo sites where you can upload your images and people can purchase them for sale out or, or licensing sites like pick fair and debug are really great sites to be able to upload your photos and share them with the world and have the opportunity to make some money when people purchase them. The other part of that is stock photography. I do a lot of stock contributions with my macro photography. They make great background and it's easy to upload them and then people can purchase them for licensing. And, and then you get to make a little quick little bit of money on your macro photography as well. And then of course, the compelling visuals of Instagram and Facebook. And, and I even use these lenses to make macro videos and post them on tick tock. So there's such a vast array of options for you to be able to use these images. And either whether your goal is to be gait and gaining followers on your social media or to make a little extra money as a stock issued either or. We're making even more money with posting them onto photography sites where you can actually have people by your prints and they do it all for you. So you just upload your photos and you create your, your site in your account. And then those sites will actually do the printing and the all of all of the other background stuff for you and send it off to the customer. There's also print. I mean, I know it prints seems to kind of be one of those Lost Art's at this point where we don't often print photos anymore, but you can really create some amazing abstract art with your macro photography to display in your home. 9. Pros and Cons - Phone vs DSLR: Okay, so let's quickly talk about the pros and cons between using your phone and using the camera for when taking macro photos. So the, the phone is really fantastic for your quick and easy. You budget friendly. You have your phone with you all the time. So anywhere you go, you're going to have the opportunity to be able to take that photo when inspiration hits you. So the lenses fit in your pocket. They're quick and easy to carry around. Even if you get the little mini tripod, everything just kinda fits compact and you're ready to go out exploring and taking those, that awesome images, capturing the photo on your phone. That means that you have a quick and easy access to post-process and being able to throw it onto social media right away and wherever you are. So that is also a really super great benefit if you are a beginner and you're not wanting to invest, you're just wanting to experiment, or you don't want to be that professional photographer, you don't want to go above and beyond. You're just looking for some really cool, playful ways to be able to up your social media pages and create some really interesting photos for your followers, friends and family. Then this is a really great way for you to do that in a budget friendly, easy way. So some of the cons, if you are looking for a more creative approach to the macro is sometimes with the automated part of your phone camera. You don't have as much creative control as you would like in taking the macro photos. So sometimes with your depth of field or the focus point, if you're wanting to ultimate You Can. You just, I find that when I if I want to focus more in the front or more behind, then where the camera has said it. Then I'm doing a bit of tapping in order to be able to find that focus point. So it might take a little bit longer for your camera to read that as opposed to the manual focus on a camera. So that's something to just consider. Again, with the images, your resolution might not be as strong. So if you are looking to take it to a more professional level, if you're wanting to use your photos for something beyond just the social media, then you're wanting to have more creative control and be able to take photos in raw so that you're in post-processing. You have a lot more control over your images that way. Control in your capturing where your focus point is, your depth of field, all of those things that you'll have a little bit more control over manually in your camera. So if you are looking to do something that isn't a little bit more, take it on a different level than you're want to start thinking more about that digital camera once you've now played with the macro photography and if it's something that you love and want to carry on doing, the great thing is, is that you can do both. You don't have to do one or the other. You can have your camera for when you're only going, you're wanting to set up and take those more professional pictures. And then you have your camera or you have your phone with your little mini lens so that wherever you are, wherever you go, you have that option to be able to take that macro if you don't have your camera with you. 10. Class Project: So for this class project, it's really easy. What brings you joy? What are you connect it to? What are you passionate about? Go out, take those photos. I find that taking a picture, macro picture, if it's something that I'm going to use kinda to get the attention of my followers or family and friends. I take a picture of what it actually looks like at a normal distance so they can see the difference between the two and it kind of draws bat that connection and that familiarity between the two and that sense of awe. Even more so because they see, OK, yeah, like that's when it normally looks like mounts, but I see every day and then see your image and think like, wow, like that would it actually really looks like magnified and close up. It gets people in tune with wanting to pay more attention to those little details in life and in an hour. Which is pretty amazing. So take your photos, edit them the way that you like. What makes you happy, what brings you joy, what you love, and post them in the gallery so that we can all take a look. 11. Final Thoughts: So we've come to the end of the class. I hope you enjoyed it. I hope you got some really great valuable information about macro photography and especially taking it with your phone. Just a recap on some of the things. Those key elements to be able to take away. What is a good macro looking for those textures and patterns and colors and light. Where to take your macro anywhere and everywhere. You take your phone with you anywhere and everywhere. You can take pictures anywhere and everywhere. And there is going to be amazing images wherever you go. We talked about gear. So if you are interested in purchasing the gear that just kind of takes your, your images just to that next level and pushes your phone phone capabilities to take photos just that much further and lighting. So whether it's the ring light or the light box or you just want to focus on your daylight images. That's awesome to editing. So you can choose any photo editing app. Your phone probably has the great photo editing that. But if you do want to take it to the next level where you're using Lightroom. Lightroom is fantastic because it can sink it all to your desktop, which is a time-saver. And so if you're taking a lot of photos, then that's really awesome way to edit your photos. What you do with those photos after you've taken them. So whether your social media or whether you wanting to create micro world composites, or whether you're wanting to be something more like the stock. You have many options to be able to use these really awesome images that you've captured. Now, we talked a little bit about the pros and cons. So if this is, you know, kind of where you want to be, where your plane and your just experimented with a macro, then this is a really great, easy, inexpensive way to be able to do that. And then if you are looking to go more professional down the road, and this is something that you could see yourself doing long-term, then you'll want to be looking into the digital camera. And again, if you're a photographer and you have all of that, now you have the option to be able to leave the gear at home sometimes because I know how exhausting it can be sometimes to just pack everything up, just in case you have that inspiration or you see that image that you want to take. Now you can kind of describing go take your phone, you always have it and be able to have that more lightweight option when you're just out and about and then not have that missed opportunity because I know how many times I've said when a man, I wish I had my camera or Wow, I wish I had my macro lens and now I have that with me wherever I go. And now you will TO thank you so much for joining my class. I'm really thankful that you are here. I hope that you'll follow and stay tuned for more macro classes, more compositing classes. Along the way, I do have a beginner composite course already on skill share, if it's something that you're interested in looking at. And then I will dive more into how we create the micro worlds in the next class. So I hope you'll post your images into the project gallery. I can't wait to see them on any thoughts or comments or questions. You can post them below and I will reply back to you, and I look forward to hearing from you. I hope you'll get out there, take your macros, be inspired, creates, and find your passion with macro photography. And I'll see you next time.