Olloclip Tutorial – Macro Insect Photography
The Olloclip lens system consists of three lenses. A wide-angle, fish-eye and a macro lens. The macro lens magnifies your image roughly around ten times. It allows you to get close to focus on your subjects with your iPhone, usually within 12 to 15 mm of your subject. In this tutorial I talk through my experiences when using the macro lens on the Olloclip.
We are still in the midst of winter in Australia but the unseasonably warm weather has brought out some creatures, one of which was this adorable caterpillar.
Step 1
I use the app 6×6 for almost all of my macros. I find it the easiest interface with clean crisp results and fast image processing time which is essential for capturing macro bug images.
Step 2
The day was overcast but bright, perfect lighting in my opinion, and thankfully the caterpillar was snoozing when I found him. It enabled me to fire off a lot of practice shots to get the exposure and focus point just right before it stirred.
I tend not to use the focal/exposure lock because bugs can be fast moving so I like to be able to reposition the focal point as needed.
Step 3
It was quite challenging to get the focus point right because of it’s “fur” tricking the lens making it focus on the spikes rather then the face but I managed to work with it, micro managing the focus until it was in the right spot.
Step 4
Micro managing is making very small adjustments in the position of the iPhone in relation to the subject to get the focus spot on. Remember to always focus on the key interest point of your subject.
I have included images focusing on both the amazing bright pink tail spots, and the beautiful face of this little fellow, but if I only had time for one image, or was only displaying one image then I would focus on the eyes.
This was something I struggled with when I first started macro photography. I would point, shoot and hope for the best, but that is really only cheating yourself of the best image, taking the time to get the focus in the right spot really is worth the effort. I know it can be easier said then done with some of the faster moving or winged creatures but those images when you get them spot on are even more spectacular.
Step 5
I am glad I found a slow moving creature to ease me back into macro bugs, I’m a bit out of practice since they left with the warm weather. I know it will take me a few times to get my technique spot on again when the garden comes to life in spring.
If you are interested in purchasing an Olloclip and we would highly recommend it, Apple sell them in their online stores, you can go here to view or order.
Mahoganyturtle
Mel Harrison is an Australian digital artist, iPhone photographer and writer. Her work has been shown in exhibitions around the world including the LA-MAF. She has been honoured with Artist of the Day and Artist of the Month at www.iphoneart.com. Mel is active in the IPhoneography community and is part of our sister site staff team at www.mobitog.com. You can follow Mel's work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahoganyturtle/ and her work is a available to purchase via http://iprints.iphoneart.com/artist_studio/MahoganyTurtle As a Columnist for theappwhisperer.com, Mel will focus on digital art and collage images. Her column will be called APPart and she will be incorporating a different 'mainstream' editing app each week and will hopefully inspire you to try your hand at some APPart of your own.
4 Comments
Delta
Thanks Mel ! This was wonderful and as always, there is something new to learn from you.
Mel Harrison
Thanks Delta 😀 glad it was helpful
David
Great tutorial Mel!! Love your images!! (My problem with macros of bugs is that I can’t get them to stay still long enough!)
Mel Harrison
David it’s all part of the thrill of the chase 😉
Mel xx