Macro photography is getting a lot of attention these days.
In this article I will share some of the tricks I use for my own macro photography.
You know the pictures of flowers that seem to float on a blurred background?You focus is drawn to the central subject, excluding all else.
When I first starting playing with macro photography, all of the pictures I took came out blurry.
They looked like blobs of color instead of the beautiful flowers in front of me.
I nearly gave up on the whole process.
But I kept trying, and today I would like to share a few of the tricks I learned about macro photography with you.
Here are 5 ways to get more from your macro photography:

1. Steady that camera - I am sure you have read that a tri-pod is a must have, especially in macro photography.
   If you do not have a tri-pod (which I seldom have with me) try balancing the camera on some part of your body.
   I have heard the suggestion of the face.
   But I found using anything to steady the camera will do.
   I have used my knee, arm, a rock, or even just the intent of focus works.
   
2. Use LCD Display - When I first got my camera I would use the viewfinder to take all of my pictures.
   This was a carry over from my film camera days I think.
   Then as I learned more about the digital camera I discovered that my pictures come out better if I use the LCD display.
   This setting uses up the batteries faster but the results are worth it.
   
3. Turn off the flash - When taking pictures with a point and shoot camera like the one I use (a 3.
   5 mega pixel), I discovered the flash distorts my colors.
   The flash seemed to give an orange cast to my pictures.
   The best pictures are produced with a low, natural light.
   Of course using the flash can produce effects you may want.
   But that is for another article.
   
4. Step Back - I recently discovered that when the flowers are really tiny, the macro photography setting works best from farther away.
   So step a little back and zoom in to get the best focus on that tiny flower.
   As we nature lovers know, some wild flowers are amazingly beautiful when you bring them up close.
   
5. Play with the brightness - One last tip.
   This tip is for after you get your pictures home.
   Use your photo editor to enhance the photo to look the way you envisioned it in the park.
   They can sometimes even look a little better.
   I find that if I lower the brightness, and raise the contrast, I get some very impressive results.
   

When you take a picture up close with your digital camera the macro setting is one method to use.
Usually you can find this setting by looking for a little flower.
The flower has the letters MF next to it.
Macro photography may seem a little hard at first but the rewards are well worth the effort.
I hope these tips will help you to bring nature into a close-up focus.
Enjoy those beautiful wildflowers, roses, daisies or even insects in a different light.