ABSTRACT
The wonderful magic of close-up photography is largely due to the vast array of colorful and interesting subjects so readily available. Most subjects allow you to approach within camera range without being disturbed, but it can still be challenging to shoot sharp close-up images because one's camera handling techniques must be nearly flawless. For most images to be effective, sharpness is critical. Even a miniscule bit of wobble while shooting handheld will radically change the composition from shot to shot because the magnification makes the subject bounce all over the viewfinder. The most expert close-up and macro shooters working today regularly rely on light-modifying devices, diffusers, reflectors, flash, to skillfully improve the light on their small subjects. If one hand is needed to trip the shutter with a remote release and the other must hold the light-modifying device, then no hand is available to hold the camera.
