When taking macro photos, you need plenty of light on the subject, to allow a reasonably large DOF (depth of field), yet keeping a reasonably fast shutter speed, and a low ISO. As a result, ambient light is typically insufficient, requiring the use of a flash.

However, using a bare flash will result in harsh lighting with harsh shadows, so it's important to diffuse and reflect the light to create a more pleasing photo.

This post provides details of the very cheap homemade reflector that I use for macro photography. Note that I can't claim credit for the idea, but I first saw it here on flickr.



I started with a sheet of stiff plastic, and cut it out in the shape shown below. The underside was then lined with reflective foil to provide a reflective surface. Rather than use aluminium foil (which would not be robust enough), I used the foil from inside a box of biscuits.

Some strips of double-sided tape were used to attach the foil to the underside of the plastic, and the plastic was edged with gaffer tape to provide a cleaner edge, and to stop the foil from lifting off.

I used to use rubber bands to hold the reflector onto the flash. However, I recently noticed that the silicone rubber wrist bands that seem to be very popular happens to be just the right size to hold the reflector securely on the flash.

reflector on Canon 430EX flash

I use Canon's 100mm f/2.8 macro lens for my macro photography - occasionally with a set of Kenko extension tubes between the lens and the body.

reflector on 430EX flash, on a Canon 350D body with 100mm f/2.8 macro lens

Because the subject is typically very close to the lens, I tilt the flash head completely forward, as shown in the photo above. This allows the reflector to reflect plenty of light onto and around the subject.



Here's a few sample macro photos taken using the flash reflector described above.

spider keeping watch

Canon EOS 350D, 100mm f/2.8 macro @100mm, 1/100 sec, f/9, ISO200

Rough Woodlouse (commonly known as "slater")

Canon EOS 50D, 100mm f/2.8 macro @100mm, 1/125 sec, f/13, ISO250

Last year, my son (aged 10 at the time) used the same setup to capture this photo of a tiny spider, and won first prize in two competitions.

explorative spider

photo by Ashley, aged 10

Canon EOS 350D, 100mm f/2.8 macro @100mm, 1/125 sec, f/11, ISO200