Macro without a flash

[TeddTucker]

For those of you who play around with macro do you use a flash and if so what kind. I really enjoy macro but I don't want to have to invest in a ring flash or a speedlite to get great results. Can good results be achieved with a reflector or do I need to invest more?

[michaelb]

99% of my macro is done without flash and most without a tripod, however most of my macro is more "close-up" than true macro.....

A few examples (all without flash and hand-held)....








http://www.brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/279017539_aA7hP-L.jpg








http://www.brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/283649081_3eLJJ-L.jpg








http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/219157083_xd7oK-L.jpg








http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/220178321_uWDq8-L.jpg








http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/220178361_grx36-L.jpg






http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/220183610_znmXP-L.jpg






http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/220183949_wdBj7-M.jpg






http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/220184019_dLYHz-M.jpg







http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/220183988_yYQSY-M.jpg

[TeddTucker]

Great work. Do you use a reflector at all?

[drama]

Not to forget
On camera flash can be very useful, in tricky situations

[michaelb]

Great work. Do you use a reflector at all?

Thanks.

Nope, don't own one, but after seeing some of Don's recent flower shots I've been thinking about getting one. The problem is that I tend to attract enough odd looks when taking shots and I don't think a big reflector will help any. ;)

[DonSchap]

@ Michaelb: Beautiful work, Michael

@ TeddTucker: A ring flash is one of the more common devices used in MACRO work.

35888

Ring Flash on TAMRON 90mm f/2.8 Macro

It allows you to get really close ... and not have the annoying and rather useless casting of a lens shadow, that you get when using the pop-up flash or an external flash, mounted on the hotshoe.

The one pictured above comes with different adapter rings to accomodate the different sized filter-ring sizes on the various lenses that are out there. Costs of these devices vary in price from as little as a couple hundred to upwards of $800. The device can definitely make or break most shots. I got mine, used, for about $125, at the local camera shop. Definitely worth spending a little more and having the RIGHT equipment, than struggling through shot after shot, unable to vector lighting where you really want it.

I mean ... when you only have one crack it ... go in prepared.

[FLiPMaRC]

Don, don't forget those twin macro flashes too :D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/2394794771_a9d895e968.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/2394790175_312b0803d9.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2248/2394787249_d40f1ff2f0.jpg

[nism]

haha nice one flip
(what's going on with the red nikon triangle on the grip?)

[DonSchap]

Going for the real portable handheld, shot, eh? The Bugs and Bees are just going to love seeing this coming in for a landing. LOL :rolleyes:

Good lookin' rig, though. Definitely "prepared" for the up close and personal stuff.