30 tips for pin-sharp pictures

Reach the peak

Many cameras offer focus peaking. This function works on the principle that areas of sharpness also have the highest contrast. With peaking activated, your camera overlays a white or coloured highlight along the edges and texture of all sharp objects and areas within the image space on the live view display – and through EVFs. By manually adjusting focus, you will see the peaking area move back and forth as parts of the subject grow sharp and others fall out of focus.

Line it up

The zone of focus is exceptionally shallow at high magnifications, so insect photographers need to ensure that they don’t waste the depth of field available to them at any given aperture. Try to position your camera parallel to the subject to place as much of the insect as possible within the plane of complete sharpness. Fail to do this, and parts of your subject will quickly drift out of focus, which is not always desirable.

Maximise your chances

It’s impossible to stay motionless when handholding a camera and this movement is far more noticeable when shooting close-ups of insects. Therefore, don’t be afraid to shoot a