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How to Shoot DSLR Close-Up Photos

A mix of lenses, distance and manual focus yield great close-up images

By Kyle Schurman Kyle Schurman Freelance Contributor University of Nebraska-Lincoln Kyle Schurman is a writer who specializes in digital cameras. His writing has appeared in Steve's Darkroom, Gadget Review, and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 23, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Travel Tech Digital Cameras & Photography Tips for Mobile Photography

What to Know

Use a macro lens to magnify your subject or move close to the subject to take close-up photos.Macro lenses are best for blurring the background and keeping the main subject in focus.For the most precise focusing, use manual focus for close-up photography.
One of the great things about using a DSLR camera to shoot close-up photos is that you have a lot of options for adjusting the aperture and other settings to create a high-quality close-up photograph. The DSLR camera also has a few accessories that are designed specifically for close-up or macro photographs.

Micro vs Macro

Among lenses for your DSLR camera, the terms micro or macro both refer to the same type of lens. Both will perform the kind of photography you want—in other words, making a small subject look big. Macro is the more common term, though, referring to DSLR equipment designed for close-up photography. For a photo to truly be called a macro photo, it must be shot with a DSLR macro lens, which must have the capability of shooting at least a 1-to-1 ratio magnification. You can think of macro lenses as shooting extreme close-ups. Angela Heine / EyeEm/Getty Images If you don't want to purchase a macro lens for your DSLR camera, you still can shoot close-up photos by simply moving closer to the subject, filling the frame with the subject. Almost any type of interchangeable DSLR lens will work for a close-up photo. While a DSLR camera may offer a macro setting, most of the time this actually is close-up photography. When using the DSLR camera's macro setting, you're simply causing the camera to adjust its autofocus mechanism to work with subjects that are very close to the lens. The macro setting doesn't change the way the lens itself works. An interchangeable lens that is a true macro or microlens is required for actual macro photography.

Find the Right Lens

So why would a photographer care if he or she is shooting macro or close-up photos? With an actual macro lens, you can capture far greater details in your photos than you can with simple close-up photography. You also can achieve much greater magnification using a macro lens with your DSLR camera. However macro lenses can be expensive, so unless you plan to shoot a lot of macro photos, it can be difficult to justify the additional cost. When selecting a macro lens for a DSLR camera, pick a lens that achieves the type of magnification you want. Additionally, make sure it can sharply focus on the subject without causing the overall scale of the photo to be distorted. You may need to test these types of lenses before you buy them to ensure you’re receiving the quality and features you want. Another advantage of most macro DSLR lenses is that they are fast lenses that can shoot at a wide open aperture (with a small f-stop number). This feature supports a very shallow depth of field, which blurs the foreground and background and produces a sharp focus on the subject, drawing attention to the subject.

Go With the Manual Focus

When you shoot true macro or close-up photography, use manual focus to ensure the sharpest focus possible. Rely on the DSLR camera's autofocus mechanism to attempt to provide a sharp focus, but some autofocus mechanisms struggle with extreme close-up photos. By using manual focus you also can pick the precise point on which you want to focus, which is important when shooting with a very shallow depth of field. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What to Look for When Buying Used Camera Lenses What Is Burst Mode and How to Use It The 8 Best Lenses for DSLR Cameras of 2022 Tips for Shooting Water Reflection Photos DSLR Autofocus vs. Manual Focus Camera Terminology for DSLR Camera Lenses How to Photograph Running Water With a DSLR DSLR vs. Point-and-Shoot Cameras What Is a Prime Lens? Everything You Need to Know The 6 Best Cameras for Under $400 in 2022 What Is a DSLR Camera? Buying Only the Camera Body to Save Money Understand Camera Zoom Lenses DSLR Camera Basics: Understanding Focal Length How to Use Macro Photography on iPhone 13 What Is a Fisheye Lens? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies