Keep Flower Shots On Track With A Rail

100 photo product profiles in 100 days: Day 25

Any kind of close-up flower photography conjures up visions of macro lenses, ring lights, and tripods but there are other, unsung accessories, which will make your flower photography easier and more fun, too. This week, we look at my favorite flower-friendly gadgets.

 

Better closer: This rose was photographed using natural light with a Canon EOS 20D and using all of the accessories featured in this week’s first three tip with an exposure of 10 seconds at f/32 and ISO 200. ©2009 Joe Farace

A tripod alone is not always enough. When focused at the most critical distance you can’t always move the tripod back and forth in precise increments (at least not without a lot of wasted effort) to produce the closest and sharpest possible focus.

That’s why I use Adorama’s Macro Focusing Rail Set (right) on top the tripod. The set consists of two six-inch rails that permit movement in four directions (right, left, forward, and backward) and provides fine focusing adjustments. Positive locking knobs assure rock-steady focus. While not inexpensive ($174.95) this precision device makes macro photography easier and more precise.

Joe Farace is the author of a new book called “Digital Monochrome Special Effects” published by Lark Books and is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com.