STAY SHARP
When depth of field is seriously limited, precise focusing is crucial. Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do to increase your chances of pin-sharp pictures – from making the most of Artificial Intelligence to limiting your range and taping over your AF button
Tracy Calder is a photographer, writer and former editor of Outdoor Photography magazine. In 2018 she co-founded Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY). Last year she was awarded a gold medal from the RHS for her Plant Scars series. Her work has been exhibited at The Photographers’ Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and Saatchi Gallery. To see more, visit Instagram @tracy_calder_photo and www.cupoty.com
1 Get creative
Macro photography and shallow depth of field go hand in hand, but this needn’t be a problem if you approach the out-of-focus areas of your image with an air of curiosity and possibility. A wash of colour behind a plant can create a beautiful, painterly effect, for example.
2 Do the splits
If, like me, you started out using a film SLR, you will be familiar with the idea of using a split focus screen. Imagine my joy when manufacturers started to include this as an option in digital cameras! Simply switch to live view, select the split-image focusing aid and rotate the focusing ring until the separate parts of the image line up. It’s so satisfying!
3 Hit the ground
Just like wildlife, plants often look great when you get down to their level, so wear waterproof trousers and use a garden kneeling pad. While some tripods allow you to get down low, I find a beanbag can be useful. (I know one photographer who uses a swimming armband as a camera support!) You can buy beanbags empty or filled, but make sure the material is waterproof, and the filling won’t hold moisture (Wildlife Watching Supplies has a great selection).
4 Get some support
When the zone of focus is seriously limited, even the slightest movement of the camera will result in the subject falling out of focus, so invest in a decent tripod (preferably one with a central column that can be positioned at 90°) and use it! If you’re worried about carrying the extra weight, think carbon fibre and buy a strap to hold it over your shoulder (Op/ Tech has a good range).
5 Familiarise yourself
Play around with all of the focusing aids on your camera and choose one that suits you (and the situation) best. If you use focus peaking (which assumes the sharpest parts of an image have the highest contrast) you will usually have an option to alter the colour of the highlights. Choose a colour that contrasts with the scene so that you can see what’s going on. It’s also worth experimenting with the focus peaking level (most cameras have at least two options).
6 Watch the weat
