GET CLOSER ON A BUDGET

Mike Harris uses a reversing ring to capture macro photos on a budget, and reveals a few hacks for the economically minded

- Mike Harris

1 HOURS

Great photographers can make the most of any camera and lens, but they can’t work miracles. Some genres or techniques require certain items of kit, and there’s really nothing you can do to get around it.

Macro is one of those genres – if you can’t focus close enough to your subject, it’s impossible to capture a decent close-up image. However, if you’ve never tried macro before, shelling out on a specialist macro lens before you’ve even left the starting blocks might feel like a gamble. If only there was a way to shoot macro with any old lens…

Actually, there is. By reversing your lens, so that the front element is closest to the camera’s sensor, you’re able to focus much closer to your subject. And reversing your lens isn’t the only way to shoot budget macro images; extension tubes and close-up filters are easy to use and economical. Of course, the overall quality of these solutions can’t be compared to the results you’ll get with a dedicated macro lens, but there’s no reason why you can’t capture some stunning close-up shots.

This tutorial is all about shooting macro-style photos on a budget. All of our solutions cost less than £30/$40, so, whether you opt for a reversing ring, extension tubes or close-up filters, here’s how to capture your first macro images without breaking the bank. And who knows – maybe it’ll develop into a fully-fledged passion!

1 ATTACH THE RING