Shooting in Macro Mode

I took a photography class a few weeks ago on macros. The macro setting is used to take close-ups of flowers or whatever else you want to get that close to. Most point and shoot cameras have a macro mode, usually symbolized by a flower. This mode puts your close-up object in focus while the background will be out of focus. Some cameras don't allow you to make many adjustments in macro mode, but I learned that my camera will allow me to move the focus from the middle of the picture to a different location so it is easier to take pictures like the orchid photo above. It is a more interesting picture if it is not centered in the screen. I had the camera on a tripod so it was a lot more steady than me trying to hold the camera! Shooting something that close will exaggerate any movement. So along with the tripod to steady the camera it needs to be a day without much wind if you are shooting outside. I learned the best time to shoot with minimal wind is early morning and evening. I love to take close-ups of flowers so the macro setting definitely comes in handy for getting great shots. The photo in the post Digital Photography is another orchid shot in the macro mode. Of course if you have a DSLR there are actual macro lenses called diopters. But I get some pretty good shots with just my point and shoot camera. So do some experimenting and happy shooting!