But even if you shoot small subjects indoors, 5 I don’t include studio flash units with softboxes or umbrellas because most macro photography is done in the field. Macro flash options There are three types of flash units practi- cal for macro photography: 1) A ring flash, 2) a twin flash setup, and 3) a typical hotshoe mounted portable flash. ![]() This, in turn, means a flash is necessary to freeze unwanted movement in the subject. Portable flash units sitting in inherent in photographing small subjects, and the hotshoe of the camera will illuminate the that means shutter speeds are relatively long. Most macro shots re- Macro photography means almost by defin- quire small lens apertures to offset the loss in tion the camera and lens will be very close to depth of field due to significant magnification small subjects. A gentle breeze, the tentative step of an I also don’t recommend portable flash units insect, the flutter of a wing - all of these things like the Canon 600EX or the Nikon SB500. Macro photography requires flash if there is studio equipment is too large and unwiedy for any possibility the subject could move, even macro work. Or we want to increase the page was 16,000th of a second, and that com- depth of field as in the picture of the frog, be- pletely froze the wings. The flash duration used for the lit and we need the additional light to insure green crowned brilliant hummer on the next a sharp picture. Hummingbirds ture for three reasons: 1) The subject is dimly are an example. when the subject is moving too fast for even We use artificial light when photographing na- a super fast shutter to freeze. Even if we use moonlight, this is simply sary because of the low level of light as well as the sun’s reflected light off the lunar surface. The natural light we use to il- brief flash duration (the actual length of time luminate subjects comes in two forms and two the light inside the flash is on during the expo- forms only: sunlight and diffused, ambient sure) to freeze movement. Macro flash rtificial light used in nature pho- low 2) we want to create dramatic lighting as I did in the shot of the seashell on the next page Atography looks unnatural because in which the flash was placed directly behind this kind of light is, in fact, not the shell for backlighting and 3) we use the natural at all. If it doesn’t please someone else, even a judge, who cares? Jim Zuckerman 3 If a picture pleases you, that’s what makes you feel good. It seems to me that’s not what photography is about. For example, how can a herd of galloping horses be judged against a great shot of a spiral staircase? Or how can a compelling portrait of a small child and a big dog be judged against a stunning macro shot of a butterfly? In addition, it’s been my observation that many photographers are constantly trying to please judges. The difficulty in making a decision is compounded if the fi- nalists represent a diversity of subject matter. In a photo contest, out of hundreds or thousands of submissions, if there are 10 stunning and unique landscapes, or portraits, or cityscapes, or whatever, how does a judge decide to rate them in order of superiority? The truth is, at some point, it’s an arbitrary and subjective deci- sion. Critics for hundreds of years have agreed the works of art created by these masters are incomparable, and it would be futile to judge them against each other. There would be preferences and opinions, of course, but these artists have stood the test of time. If there were an art contest and entries were made by (if they happened to live at the same time) Rembrandt, Van Gogh, DaVinci, and Michelangelo, how could the judges say one is better than another? It would be impossible. And that’s the frustrating part because many times there are several images that would win, yet judges are forced to choose only one. ![]() ![]() But only one image can win the contest or at least be named as the ‘grand prize winner’. Often, several honorable mentions are awarded, and sometimes more than one second place is given. How- ever, I’ve judged many photo contests and, from my point of view, they are very frustrating. They also keep many people engaged in photography with something to focus on, to strive for. Hotography contests motivate a lot of people to seriously undertake this art form Pand work hard improving their skills. Table of Contents On the cover: An Icelandic horse, southern Iceland. Jim Zuckerman’s PHOTO INSIGHTS August 2022 When You Really Needed a Zoom 1 MAancarotoflmasyh of Natural Light Portraits SUkyprseipdleacDemoewnnt sRtreatfelegcietsions BPAPAhlsakoshctkokJoitmPJotoilmeutxoryus rsVStudent showcase SStuudbenjetcSthionwdceaxse Back issues
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