Macro photography is one of those things that I appreciate for how cool it looks, but I don't spend much time doing it.
But that might change...
In the video below, our friends at COOPH have put together a few fun macro photography tips that you can do at home, even if you don't have any macro experience.
As you'll see in the video, with a few simple tricks, you can create breathtaking images with nothing more than water, a few household items, and a macro lens.
Give the video a look, and for a detailed breakdown of how to take epic macro photos, check the tutorial below.
Macro Photography Tips: How to Create Water Droplets
In looking at the image above, you might think that creating a macro photo like that would be complicated.
However, it's actually quite simple...
First, fill a tank with water. Then set up your camera on a tripod and position it close to the tank.
Next, place a colored sheet of paper (or a two-toned sheet of paper, as was done in this case) behind the tank.
Using a straw or a sponge (or some other apparatus), simply drip water into the tank.
Another fun option is to modify the light that illuminates the tank.
You can cover a flash with a colored gel, use a colored reflector, or even place colored paper under the tank to give the water an interesting, color-filled look.
As you can see above, the final results can be quite eye-catching!
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Techniques for Macro Photography: Water Distortions
Creating water droplets isn't the only fun way to do macro photography. You can also create gorgeous water distortions.
There are a number of ways you can go about doing this.
In the image above, the photographer simply found a water droplet on a tree branch, got in close with a macro lens, set a fast shutter speed, and voila, an awesomely distorted water droplet image!
Another option is to use a straw to place water droplets on a clear plastic sheet.
Then, have a model hold the plastic in front of them.
When you shoot through the water droplets on the plastic, you can get a crazy, out-of-this-world result like the one shown above.
Water Bubbles are a Fun Macro Photography Trick
Using the same tank of water as before, simply insert a straw into the tank and start blowing bubbles.
By setting the camera up on the same eye level as the bubbles and placing an interesting background behind the tank, you can capture something like the shot above.
Looking at it, you'd never know how simple it is to create!
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Use Oil and Water for the Best Macro Photography Results
As far as macro photography goes, I'm always impressed with what oil and water look like close up.
Creating images like the one above is about as simple as it comes, too.
Just pour oil into a water tank and get in close to snap photos of the oil and water mixing together on the surface.
You can also shoot from a lower perspective and capture the moment that the oil descends into the water.
The drops of oil take on an ethereal vibe, especially if you add a bright background behind the water tank to show off the interaction of the oil and water.
There's plenty more where that came from, too.
Be sure to check out the video above for all of COOPH's awesomely easy macro photography tips!