The 105mm Nikon Macro lens can be used to create depth of field in macro subjects.
The Nikon 105 mm f/2.8 Macro is both a telephoto and macro lens. Traditionally macro photography is defined as any subject that is photographed with an aspect ratio of 1:1. The Nikon 105 mm f/2.8 Macro is a 1:1 lens and is capable of a shooting with a wide aperture, meaning it makes an excellent portrait lens as well. Photographing macro subjects is dependent on proper preparation and setup. A few simple techniques can help you get the best out of your shots.
Shoot With a tripod
The 105 mm Nikon Macro lens is suited for photographing small subjects, but should be done using a stable surface or suitable tripod. The lens has an aspect ratio of 1:1, meaning that subjects appear life-size in the viewfinder or when photographed. Unfortunately, the magnification of a macro lens shows any sort of vibrations that occur when shooting and magnifies this. To avoid this, use a stable tripod to eliminate any sort of movement. The benefit to using a tripod is clear, detailed photos, which will look professionally done. Details will not be lost due to camera shake when using a tripod.
Proper Lighting
Photographing such small subjects requires adequate lighting or you risk loosing the detail you are focusing on. If the light is too bright, you can over-saturate the subject. It is a delicate process that is equally as important as shooting with a tripod. To select the right lighting, first determine the subject. If it is a flat subject you will need to cover the entire shape. If the object is elevated, than it'll need to be cross lit with two lights. Experiment with lights to see what is the most effective lighting setup.
Depth of Field
Depth of field is used to describe the effect of having a subject sharp, or in focus, and the background blurred, or out of focus. This effect is used to isolate the subject for the viewer. It is an important element for macro photography because so much of it the intention is highlighting and displaying a small subject. To make use of the depth of field on the 105mm lens, open up the aperture by stopping down the f/stops till you get to a number from f/2.8 to f/3.3. The lens will focus on the subject in the foreground, while blurring the background elements. Experiment with different apertures to see what works for your subject and photo.
Tags: Nikon Macro, Nikon Macro lens, aspect ratio, depth field, Experiment with, Macro lens
