Macro Lens Tips for Portrait Photography

When working in portrait photography, you have to create some sense of deliberateness to separate a casual photo from a portrait. Even the smallest details can make a difference. While using macro lenses for portrait photography isn’t something for everyone, when used correctly they can add sharpness you can’t find with other lenses. To help understand a little more about how to use a macro lens to take close-up portraits, photographer Miguel Quiles created this helpful tutorial to provide some advice and some easy to follow tips and techniques for lighting and camera gear:

First and foremost, you have to understand how macros work. When working with macro lenses, the distance between you and your subject is very small. Sometimes you may even feel you’re practically pressing your camera lens against your subject.

miguel, quiles, macro, lens, portrait

f/8, 1/160 second, ISO 100

While using a macro lens won’t work for every portrait shot, it’s ideal for subjects with great skin. A macro lens will not only add more sharpness to the portrait, but it can also help create a more pleasing final image. In most cases, photographers alternate between using a macro lens and a regular portrait lens, with the subject determining how to proceed.

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