{"id":169459,"date":"2022-07-11T13:00:38","date_gmt":"2022-07-11T12:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/?p=169459"},"modified":"2022-07-11T11:53:54","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T10:53:54","slug":"how-to-take-great-macro-photos-on-a-smartphone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/technique\/macro_photography\/how-to-take-great-macro-photos-on-a-smartphone\/","title":{"rendered":"How to take great macro photos on a smartphone"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some high-end smartphones are well-equipped to tackle tiny subjects \u2013 Amy Davies discovers how you can take macro photographs with a smartphone<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Your smartphone is probably not the first thing that you think of when it comes to taking close-up photographs. But what if you could achieve stunning results using just the smartphone in your pocket, giving you the option to grab close-ups while out and about wherever you are? Many of the recently announced smartphones have a dedicated macro shooting capability, therefore allowing you to get super-close to your subject and capture fine detail.<\/p>\n

There are other ways to achieve good results too, when capturing macro with your smartphone. Using the smartphone\u2019s telephoto lens is one way to get good results, while there are also additional add-ons, loupes and lenses that you can experiment with.<\/p>\n

In this piece, we\u2019ll be taking a look at three photographers who use their smartphone to create beautiful close-up work, each of whom will share their tips for getting the best results you can. On the final page we\u2019ll discover which are the best smartphones you can currently buy exactly for this purpose. As usual, if this is something you enjoy then we\u2019d love to see your pictures. Get in touch via social media or email us at ap.ed@kelsey.co.uk<\/p>\n

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Jeanette Lendon<\/h3>\n

Jeanette is the creative director of Jet Black Squares Ltd. She teaches smartphone photography courses, more information about which can be found at jetblacksquares.com<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\"A<\/a>\t\t\t

A fern at Kew Gardens, underexposed to retain details<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Jeanette uses the iPhone 11 Pro but asserts that any phone, no matter its age, has the potential to take cracking close-ups. Her favourite things to photograph are ferns: \u2018They look so magical when all curled up.\u2019 She also likes raindrops, insects (if they stay still long enough), and flowers in bud. \u2018Considering the size of the camera on the phone, they can produce excellent results.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think the quality is as good as a dedicated macro lens \u2013 but then you aren\u2019t paying lens prices. \u2018Don\u2019t dismiss the smartphone as not being a \u201cproper\u201d camera. It does take a bit of a mindset change, but as Rankin said on the Great British Photography Challenge, \u201cstop thinking of it as a phone, and start thinking of it as a camera\u201d.<\/p>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\"A<\/a>\t\t\t

A cobweb on the common<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

\u2018You may also want to use a macro clip-on lens, which are very cheap and can produce good results. Just ensure they are clipped on correctly \u2013 they are best used without a phone case to avoid any light leaks by ensuring a tight fit. You will have to be virtually on top of your subject too, otherwise you will just see a blurry screen.\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\"Ladybird<\/a>\t\t\t

Ladybird larvae – captured by turning the phone upside down<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Jeanette’s top tips for macro smartphone photos:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Take your time and don\u2019t zoom in. If you bring your phone in slowly, a good depth of field should be achieved.<\/li>\n
  2. If you have a close-up\/macro lens or setting on your phone, then switch to it. By doing this, you aren\u2019t zooming in and losing quality.<\/li>\n
  3. Touch the screen to set your focal point before you press the shutter. Being so close, it\u2019s easy for the camera to focus on something else, so you have to be very specific.<\/li>\n
  4. Turn the phone upside down. It often gets you closer, and gives a totally different view.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\"iphone<\/a>\t\t\t

    A crop from a wider shot<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

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    Gem Toes- Crichton<\/h3>\n

    Gem is an experimental photographer, artist and teacher as well as an amateur botanist. She uses photography as a way of examining plants, their morphology and engaging others with the natural world more broadly. Take a look at capturedbygem.co.uk<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\"Female<\/a>\t\t\t

    Female orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines)<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

    As well as her DSLR and macro lens (Nikon D850\/Nikon Df and 105mm macro lens), Gem is a keen user of her smartphone. She says, \u2018I usually have a Kite 10x Triplet hand lens\/loupe with me. My iPhone tends to be with me when out walking so I\u2019ll use this teamed with a 10x hand lens\/loupe to photograph and record the plants I identify in the field. It\u2019s a handy and lightweight combination when I don\u2019t want to carry heavy or expensive equipment.<\/p>\n

    \u2018Hand lenses\/loupes can be picked up relatively cheaply from places that stock naturalists equipment, such as NHBS and Summerfield Books. Using a phone and a hand lens\/loupe is quite a different experience from using a DSLR. It works well for me as I usually have my phone. I am particularly interested in plant morphology (the study of the physical form and external structure of plants), so it really depends on what you\u2019re interested in photographing.<\/p>\n\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\"Gem\u2019s<\/a>\t\t\t

    Gem\u2019s Triplet hand lens\/loupe<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

    \u2018There are downsides, of course. You need a steady hand, there\u2019s a smaller field of view (less in the frame), and you usually get vignetting from the barrel of the lens (which I quite like). You also need to get physically closer to the subject, which isn\u2019t always going to work with wildlife. Overall however, I think these limitations force you to think about composition, using the foreground as focus without distracting backgrounds.\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\"Forget-me-not<\/a>\t\t\t

    Forget-me-not (Myosotis)<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

    Gem’s top tips for macro smartphone photos:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. The subject needs to be well lit. You can take portable LED lights into the field with you, use a small reflector, or even take the subject home for closer examination. (Please be mindful about picking \/ removing protected wildflowers).<\/li>\n
    2. An elastic band is a good way of temporarily attaching a hand lens\/loupe to your smartphone.<\/li>\n
    3. Experiment! Find out which results you enjoy, try different hand lenses\/loupes, camera settings, angles and lighting until you get the results you like.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\"White<\/a>\t\t\t

      White campion (Silene latifolia or alba)<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

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      Mel Collie<\/h3>\n

      Mel is a photographer who has been shortlisted in a number of different competitions, including Close Up Photographer of the Year. Her book, Elemental, was published in 2017. She runs workshops on mindfulness and using your smartphone for photography. For more details see melcollie.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\"Detail<\/a>\t\t\t

      Detail of a bamboo fence in the Japanese gardens in Cornwall<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

      Another user of the iPhone 11 Pro, Mel also has a small Manfrotto tripod with a smartphone mount for her close-up work. Occasionally she will also use an Olloclip 21x lens for microscopic detail. She says, \u2018When I\u2019m out and about, I might not have my camera with me, but I always have my iPhone. So when something catches my eye I can still take a shot. It\u2019s always in my pocket, so I can readily get the shot that I want.<\/p>\n

      I like promoting the smartphone for photography because I would like to get people to use them less for scrolling and comparing their lives, and instead as a tool for a better way to see the world, and themselves.<\/p>\n\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\"Red<\/a>\t\t\t

      Red bark from a tree in Chatsworth House Gardens<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

      \u2018During my workshops I especially emphasise the idea of using the camera the way a person used to write a diary. Instead of labelling the smartphone as the enemy \u2013 because it\u2019s not a \u201cproper\u201d camera \u2013 we can see it as a camera we can use to be fully engaged in the moment.<\/p>\n

      \u2018A smartphone is great for many reasons, and they\u2019re more flexible than you might think. Comparing the iPhone\u2019s 12 megapixels to the 20 or more from a DSLR\/mirrorless camera may mean your print size is somewhat limited, but I\u2019ve been able to print my iPhone images to A2 size with no loss of detail.\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\"closeup<\/a>\t\t\t

      A flower in Mel\u2019s sister\u2019s garden<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

      Mel’s top tips for macro smartphone photos:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Camera shake can be an issue, so I use my headphones to take the picture (press the \u2018volume down\u2019 button). This means I touch the screen far less. Alternatively, use the timer setting of 3 or 10 seconds which can help to minimise touching the screen.<\/li>\n
      2. To get the exposure right, tap the screen lightly to set the focus on the main subject, then gently swipe up and down to make adjustments (this is for iPhones, but Android devices generally work in the same way).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\"Cactus<\/a>\t\t\t

        Cactus detail, Hortus, Netherlands<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

        \n

        Best Smartphone for Macro Photography<\/h2>\n

        There are a few smartphones which offer dedicated macro functionality, while others can be used for close-ups so long as you use them in a specific way. Here we\u2019ve included three of the best smartphones you can currently pick up \u2013 the iPhone 13 Pro<\/strong><\/a>, the Google Pixel 6 Pro<\/strong><\/a> and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra<\/strong><\/a> (which was the recent winner of Smartphone of the Year at the AP Awards<\/a>).<\/p>\n

        Shooting exactly the same macro scene with each of the smartphones reveals how each of them copes with close-up shooting. Giving you an idea of whether or not you might want to add it to your wishlist.<\/p>\n

        iPhone 13 Pro<\/h3>\n