Make a Macro Focusing Light

Want to shoot a closeup macro but want a little depth of field? To do that, you will need to shut down your aperture to its smallest (or close to it). To do that, you will need to slow it down as well. And while you can buy specialist gear for this, you can save money by making a macro focusing light with things you may just have at home.

Using a Cable Cuff

 * 1) Measure the circumference of your lens you will be putting the focus light on. Make sure that the cable cuff can fit around it.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 1.jpg|center]]
 * 2) * Depending on the fit, and maybe regardless of the fit, you might want a paper towel to go between the lens and the cuff.
 * 3) Put the paper towel around your lens. Depending on the fit of the cuff, you may need to fold it in half or quarters.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 4) Put the 'top' of the cuff at the right angle where you want your light to be. You will be fastening the light to it.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 5) Affix the light onto the cable cuff, however you can. In this case, it has been attached using a rubber band. Be sure that you will be able to focus the light onto the subject.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 4.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Adjust the light until it is focused on the subject and so is the camera. Having your camera on a tripod is very helpful here, so that there is little movement.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 7) Be sure that your lens is closed down as much as possible.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 8) Slow down your speed to about 1/60ths of a second, to start with.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 7.jpg|center]]
 * 9) Take your picture. You should have a good depth of field, as evidenced by this image.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 8.jpg|center]]

Using a Headlamp

 * 1) Get a head lamp with an elastic band. You can find them online and at your local store.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 9.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Set the head lamp at its smallest.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 10.jpg|center]]
 * 3) Wrap the headband around your lens.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 11.jpg|center]]
 * 4) Twist it once.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 12.jpg|center]]
 * 5) Wrap it around the lens. If you find it is facing the wrong way, unwrap it and turn it around.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 13.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Take your photo.[[Image:Make a Macro Focusing Light Step 14.jpg|center]]

Things You'll Need

 * Cable cuff (Electrical section of your local hardware store)
 * A 'smallish' LED light
 * Paper towel (possibly)
 * Tripod (or something like a beanbag)
 * Rubber band (or something like a rubber band)

Related wikiHows

 * Improve Your Macro Photography With a Macro Sized Light Box
 * Make a Light Diffuser for Macro Photography
 * Create a Home Macro Photography Studio
 * Make a Flash Reflector for Macro Photography
 * Diffuse Light
 * Learn Photography by Shooting Macro
 * Create a DIY Extreme Macro Tube
 * Shoot 2:1 Macro Without a Macro Lens
 * Make a Focusing Rail for Macro Photography

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