Tiny details can make a huge impact in photography so, if you want to elevate your cat photos, let’s explore the power of close-ups and macro modes. These techniques can add a whole new dimension to your cat captures of whiskers and beans.
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A new camera mode can be an eye opener for you and here, getting in close allows you to capture the intricate beauty of fur, paws, and noses. If you look beyond the standard cat portrait, the alternative view can look pretty spectacular.
Let’s start with the tools you will need for the job. You will need your camera, which can be a DSLR/Mirrorless or a Smartphone. Then you will need to either navigate to your macro mode on the camera, or use a macro lens.
Let’s look at what a ‘mode’ is, and what ‘macro’ really means.
What is a Camera Mode?
Modes are like pre-set recipes for your photos. A mode will tell the camera how to handle light, focus, and exposure. I believe that using the macro function on a DSLR/Mirrorless or smartphone camera is a great place to begin experimenting with cat close-ups.
There is a bit of snobbery around using modes. Some people insist you use manual but if you are a beginner this might not be a great idea so give modes like Av/A or Tv/T a try. Knowing your camera is a big part of building your confidence as a cat photographer.
What is Macro Exactly?
Macro photography is close-up photography of small subjects, including things like bugs and flowers. You can take macro pictures in a studio or outdoor environment so long as you are magnifying your subject sufficiently.
Photography Life
So, when you use your camera to take close-ups a whole new world of ideas opens up. Suddenly, the textures of strands of fur become crystal clear, toe beans reveal their unique textures, and your cat’s unique noseprint becomes the centre of attention.
You can start to take good close-ups either using your camera’s macro function (usually a stylised flower), or by using a more expensive DSLR/Mirrorless macro lens. (I aim to try and find one secondhand for my DSLR!) You can get a smartphone lens for your ‘phone at modest prices. Take a look at this Xenvo that works on iPhones and Androids.
- BONUS TIP: I also use my Canon 22-250mm lens to zoom in from much further way and grab an excellent closeup shot. If you have a zoom lens this can give you the successful capture you want.
Closeup Slideshow
Intense Eye Portrait
Taking Your Close-up Cat Portrait
Once you have decided on the mode or lens you want to explore, you can begin to practice.
Start with a small shift in your cat photographer’s mindset.
Look beyond the ‘whole cat‘ to a smaller element of the body such as a paw, toe bean, set of whiskers, or an eye closeup. To give you an idea of what I mean, look at the cicada in my slideshow. You will see that you can get much closer. Educate your eye to think ‘close and then closer still’.
Stand where you might take a photograph then move or zoom close. Check your results and try again. If you are using a zoom lens (like my 55-150 mm above) you have the option to stay further back but remember digital zoom can magnify camera shake so hold your camera firmly; brace against a stable surface or maybe try a simple one-legged monopod.
Close Ups Summary
Closeups bring you close to your cat and you can have so much fun exploring using the simplest camera settings on your smartphone, or Av/A on your DSLRMirrorless.
With a special macro lens there are a whole lot of tips for you to explore with your lens. If I get a macro lens I may cover it in a future post, in the meantime, if you use a proper maco lens, let me know and I can show off your shots.
I LOVE macro! I used to love to shoot pics of my Huskies gorgeous eyes using my macro lens. Now, with all my Huskies being furangels, I have become very lazy and do use my iPhone for things like my grandkids’ hands when doing art, or a bee on a flower, but still love that macro setting! I am so glad, however, that I have some beautiful photos of my pups to look back on. Such great info here as always (for cats, dogs, horses, people! everyone can learn something from you!) Pinning to my Shutterbuggin’ board to share!
Eye shots with a proper Macro lens? OOOOHHHH!
Fantastic close up shots and I need to get Nili not to move when I try taking them LOL but as you would say practise makes perfect
These are great closeup shots. I love the one of kitty’s nose print! That is really something. In an intro photog class I took, we did some “fill the frame” exercises which I really enjoyed.
Beautiful close-ups, the cicada one is amazing ! Purrs
Super tutorial on taking close-up photos! Well done! You can certainly see why Dot got the name with that closeup. I love seeing the fur texture and the winged critter is spectacular! Amazing yet again, Marjorie!
I would love to get a macro lens for my phone. Close up shots like that would be fantastic!!
I ws astonished when I discovered you could get them, then EXCITED!!!
Love those close-ups of the fascinating details of cats! Also love the cicada close-up. I’ve photographed those when they were emerging but didn’t get anything near as fabulous as this one!
Beautiful close-ups. I actually knew the flower symbol was a close-up. I think that is the only thing I know. 🙂 XO
I’ve tried the macro on my phone camera and it’s fun, although it often doesn’t turn out quite right. At least I usually get one photo to keep.
The photos are beautiful. I really should start taking more again When Eric and Flynn were here I never went anywhere without my small point and shoot in my pocket and used my better camera for them and flowers etc., and taking on holiday. Laziness means I use my phone mostly now and it really doesn’t cut the mustard.
I sometimes use the macro function on my camera or my phone, (iPhone13), for flowers and insects.
I haven’t thought to make closeups of the pups, but that is s fun idea!
Wow, I haven’t been here in a long while and so I was so surprised and shocked to e=read about Toulouse and all his medical issues. We hope he will heal well and do well with his new way of voiding. We pups send him our best tail wags and a ton of POTP. And for you too as yodel with all that is involved in having a kitty in sick bay. Hang in there Toulouse, soon you’ll be back into your normal routine…well we sure hope so!
One of these days, I hope to get a macro lens, too. I also use that technique with my zoom lens! 🙂