Macrophotography is a photographic world within a world, and one that holds an almost infinite variety of subject matter and themes. It is a place where a few square centimetres of moss become a jungle, or the beauty of an insect’s compound eye can be discovered. With so many subjects available, it is not hard to see why some photographers are drawn in… me included. Years ago, I assembled a full macro system to support my leaning and development needs and found most of my photographic effort was being spent capturing things that usually go unnoticed. As my own techniques developed, I soon learned that there was much more to macrophotography than simply magnifying a subject. Within a year I had gained a host of peripheral gear that assisted in my efforts, some of which was critical to success. Based on my own experience, I have put together a list of equipment that you may wish to consider if thinking of branching into the world of macro.
Light measurement is one of the most elementary requirements when capturing successful images and, without this or an external means of calculation, it fundamentally becomes a guessing game. It is how a camera determines the correct shutter speed, ISO and lens aperture to be used.
A well-engineered lens is a thing of beauty – a work of art from which we create art. Looking into a pool of highly polished glass, the depths of which reveal the beauty of multi coated elements, it is difficult not to marvel at each element’s seemingly perfectly refined properties. Some lenses, diminutive in their size, lend an almost jewel like quality to their design. Over the decades, many have acquired legendary status thanks to the unique way they draw an image. Camera bodies come and go, but good lenses become life long partners. Technological changes push back boundaries in their quest for perfection, but sometimes there is little to improve on and a lens manufactured forty years ago can have the same appeal as a new design.