Spring pictures: how to set up your camera for seasonal close-ups
Macro photography can be technically demanding, often requiring specialist equipment and forensic attention to focusing, aperture and shutter speed.
Although it may be tempting to let the camera take care of everything in its point-and-shoot Close-up mode (indicated by the flower icon on the Mode dial), the results are unlikely to do justice to the subject of your picture.
Your DSLR sets a fairly wide aperture in order to blur the background, and chances are parts of the subject that are further away from the camera will also be blurred. The shutter speed is also set automatically in order to avoid camera shake.
If light levels are low and a fast shutter speed isn’t possible, then the camera may increase the ISO or activate the pop-up flash. Neither of which will give you a particularly high-quality image.
More: Mastering Macro Photography: Get to Grips With Macro Focusing