Side view versus front view in macro

September 08, 2024  •  Leave a Comment

As we have already discussed, one of the major challenges of macro (or closeup) photography is depth of field (how deep or shallow the focus is). To overcome this difficulty, many macro photographers (me included, at times) will advocate for photographing the side view of the insect. If the whole insect is situated on the plane of focus then all of it will be in focus.

In this image we show the side profile of the moth. Because the whole insect is basically on the plane of focus the whole insect is basically in focus. Photographing your subject from a side angle works really well and solves the depth of focus issue. Like most issues in life, things are not always that simple for every situation we face. Not all subjects show well from a side angle. In this case, a side angle works well because the moth does not have any body parts coming our way. What should we do to solve the depth of field problem if the subject also had wings that were open? For example, if this moth opened its wings then it would be near impossible (without focus stacking) to get the wing and the moth's eye in focus.

          Therefore, at times, a side view does not work well and we should consider other angles such as a frontal view. Let's look at a different kind of subject such as a dragon fly.

A side profile would render the wings out of focus. Yes, the tail would be in focus. So the photographer needs to make a decision. Either the tail or the wings are going to be out of focus depending on whether we are approaching the dragon fly from the side or the front. For me, this images works because the face, from this angle, is so powerful. The wings help to move the viewer's eyes to that face. The tail is just not that important, in this image. In fact, I wish I could have taken this image even more from the front. I could not since I was already dangerously leaning over the water and had I gone any further I would have landed, camera and all, into the water. If, however, I could have shot this image directly from the front I could have hidden the distracting tail behind the dragon fly's head and the wings would have been even more in focus.

          The bottom line is that there is not one answer that solves all our photographic problems. What we are photographic should dictate the angle of attack we choose. At times, a side angle works best and at other time a frontal angle is best. Let your subject determine what you should do.


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