Welcome to the World of Macrophotography


Do You Have the Characteristic Attributes for Macro Work?
Macrophotography is demanding, requires meticulous exposure and focusing control, rewarding, fascinating, intriguing, sometimes frustrating, but never mundane, boring, or predictable. A requirement for patience, dedication, and attention to detail is necessary. Macrophotography can be challenging. If you like tackling challenges and overcoming some of the photographic obstacles that are not characteristic of other genres of photography, then you will enjoy the satisfaction and rewards that go along with shooting macro images.

Let’s take a deeper dive into some additional characteristics and attributes that are common to successful macro photographers. Contrary to what a lot of macrophotography aficionados tell you, shooting macro images is not simple but neither is it rocket science! It is not a leisurely pursuit and it requires effort and work. This is precisely why macrophotography is a most satisfying visual art form. When you shoot that outstanding photograph of a tiny lifeform that very few people ever get to see, and you observe how viewers are amazed by it, you feel a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction by the fact the it was YOU who created such a masterpiece. But, unlike other genres of photography, macrophotography requires much more than just focusing on a subject and pressing the shutter button. So, let’s explore the attributes you must possess to be a successful macro photographer.

Attribute 1: You Enjoy Preplanning
I've heard it said by more than just a few amateur photographers that to shoot good macro images all you have to do is find some subjects and start shooting? The fact is much preplanning is required! If you're someone who throws preparation to the wind, and not into doing the necessary homework to get great macro images, you would do well to pursue another less challenging genre of photography, like scenic or portrait photography. Scouting good locations for specific types of macro subjects requires some work. Yes! There are all kinds of tiny lifeforms you can photograph. But your mission should be not to shoot bugs in general, but to capture exquisite images of dragonflies, bees, exotic-looking spiders, and other subjects that command a viewer's attention. And to accomplish that, you've got to know what kinds of environments attract certain types of lifeforms and how to get those lifeforms to remain still long enough for you to focus on them and shoot them (photographically speaking). The fact is good macrophotography demands preparation and dedicated attention to using the right equipment to get that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

Attribute 2: You Enjoy a Good Challenge
It never ceases to amaze me when so-called knowledgeable photographers make comments that relegate macrophotography to the leisurely activities of other forms of photography. I recently read an article about macrophotography in which the author made the following statement: “Certain forms of photography can be quite physically demanding. For instance, it’s not unusual for the bird photographer to spend several hours crouched in the mud, crawling towards that elusive sandpiper on their elbows and knees. Macrophotography? Not so much!”

The author continued, “Once you’ve found your subject, you’re free to explore it from various angles. Standing, sitting, kneeling, lying down; all of these are potential points of view for the macro photographer..." Sounds almost effortless, doesn't it? As far as being free to explore your subject, tell that to the subject when it decides to unexpectedly move to a different position or scampers away under the protection of thick brush, or decides to take to flight just before you press the shutter button.

In the pursuit of your macrophotography endeavors you will quickly discover, sometimes frustratingly so, that much effort and patience are needed to successfully capture an image of your subject that is in tack-sharp focus within a narrow depth of field. In addition, you may be hindered by branches, leaves, dark shadows, and other obstacles to getting the shot you want.

Attribute 3: You Are Not a Social Butterfly
Now, I’m not saying that macro photographers are antisocial. I am saying that to get down into the weeds and concentrate on your subject matter you can’t be a social butterfly—while you’re trying to get that perfect shot.

The author I referenced in Attribute 2 also stated; “Macrophotography doesn’t have to be intense, involved, solitary.” I wholeheartedly disagree! It should be intense in that it requires concentrated observation and scrutiny of the subjects to be photographed; it should be involved in that, in my humble opinion, you will never succeed as an outstanding macro photographer unless you get very involved and passionate about your dedicated choice of photographic genre. Involvement and passion go to the core of knowing all about the tiny lifeforms you desire to photograph and understanding the best ways to shoot them in their specific environments. As for solitary, if you wish to find enjoyment in your photographic outings, invite only those who share your passion about nature and photography; otherwise, general banter about any other topic except the one you should be focusing on will almost certainly distract you from getting the best possible macro images.

With respect to bringing a friend along with you on a shoot, the author in question also erred in his advice against “…getting too caught up…” in an effort to capture macro images. “Otherwise, your friend might decide that you’re an unresponsive conversation partner, and choose to pursue other relationships.” To that end, I respond, find another friend!

Attribute 4: You're (Really) Patient
This is the most important attribute that one must possess to be a successful macro photographer—hands down! From preparation for a shoot, to setting up your camera and equipment at the shoot site, to taking the perfect shot, you must exercise patience. Especially for getting that perfect shot—oh, how your patience will sometimes be tested! Many of your subjects will quite simply not be at all cooperative. You will spend time mounting your camera and lens on a focusing rail, then focusing as sharply as you can on the subject, and then tweaking the focusing knob on the rail for an ultra-sharp image. And at the moment you decide to press the shutter button, your subject moves ever so slightly—just enough to warrant another refocusing effort, or will suddenly disappear from view.

Attribute 4: You're Meticulous In Everything You Do
When you put your mind to a particular task at hand, you’re all in from beginning to end and you’re only satisfied with knowing that you did a meticulous job. In macrophotography, this encompasses preparation (choice of camera and lens, making sure you have all the necessary equipment to accomplish your task, selecting a photo site, setting up and staging the site, and shooting the subject). The definition of meticulous means: Marked by extreme or excessive care in the consideration or treatment of details. The hallmark of macro imaging is being a meticulous photographer.

Another quality of being meticulous is knowing how to approach macro subjects. Bugs, bees, and butterflies get antsy (excuse the pun) when something enters their field of view—like us!

Smaller bugs just fly from one area to another whenever it suits them. So, more times than not, luck plays a role in one’s ability to shoot macro images of these creatures. Fortunately, there are a few behaviors of your own that increase your chances of getting good photographs. Those behaviors are summarized in the Certified Macro Photographer Workshop.

An Invitation
I invite you to view this unique website to learn more about MACRO Camerawork and my passion for macrophotography. While viewing this website, be sure to check out my Certified Macro Photographer Workshop and how you can earn a diploma that identifies you as a Certified Macro Photographer.