How to Use Close-Up Mode?

First, you need to select the Close-Up Mode at the camera Mode Dial. You might found your Dial looks different, but I'm sure you can find the flower icon ( In red circle) at the Dial :)

So, what does Close-Up Mode do? Let's begin. These are the setting for my camera, but it will be about the same as yours as well. Do not worry ^^

Aperture = Auto

Shutter Speed = Auto

Exposure = Not Available

ISO Speed = Auto

Picture Style = Standard

White Balance = Auto

AF Mode = One Shot

AF Point Selection = Auto

Drive Mode = Single

Metering Mode = Evaluative

Built-in Flash = Auto

Do you remember the chapters "How to Use Portrait Mode" and "Controlling the Depth of Field"? In Close-Up Mode, you can't control the Aperture because it is in Auto. But, the camera is designed to use lower f-number Aperture in order to narrow the depth of field and make the background blur.

There are something similar between Portrait Mode and Close-Up Mode because both of these Modes are using a lower f-number to blur the background. So what is the different between these 2 Modes?

Portrait Mode is designed for tuning the skin's tones in order to have a healthier, lighter and softer result. Of course, Portrait Mode colour control will not only target the subject, it target Everything in the picture. The colour of Portrait Mode will be lighter most of the time, compare with Close-Up Mode. Therefore, I would say the main difference between these 2 Modes is the Colour.

Some model of compact digital camera will automatically switch into Close-Up Mode if you put your camera near to the target, even the target is a human being. The digital camera does not know whether it is a skin or a flower, insect, food and etc. The distance of focus determine the Mode as well. 

By the way, I do prefer to Zoom In to the target instead of getting close to it. It is because some Lens have a minimum distance and if you get too close, you will not able to focus. Also, you might disturb the target (animal, insect, or something holding on someone's hand), I believe that is not a good move. :)

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Controlling the Depth of Field

What is Depth of Field? Depth of Field is the area focus of your camera, which means the distance in front and behind the focused subject. Changing the Aperture will affects the Depth of Field, larger Aperture wider the Depth of Field, and smaller Aperture narrower the Depth of Field.

When you wider the Depth of Field, you will get everything focus in the picture (Not exactly focus but will be very clear as well) . Most of the time we wider the Depth of Field in sceneries such as mountain, waterfall, jungle and etc. the grass in the front and the cloud at the back are all focus. And guess what, compact camera will automatically wider the Depth of Field ( or activate multiple focus function) most of the time, so everything will be focused.

Why do we need to narrow the Depth of Field ? We do not want part of the subjects in the picture get blur, do we?  As you can see, only the subject is focus while the background is blurred. So, it makes the subject stand out more. In some case, due to the environment, you need to blur the background because there are unwanted things such as bag, boxes and cabinet behind the subject.

Of course, you are advised to choose a better background as well :) 

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