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Ben Harvey offers a solid tutorial on macro photography, covering everything from gear and techniques to practical insights. A must-watch for any aspiring macro photographer!
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This jumping spider spent a few days on a lavender bush next to our driveway. It was very interesting watching it hunt. There were many failed attempts but I had the privileged to see two successful kills. This bee was one. The spider had to share his meal with these little flies that could not be deterred by the spider flicking his legs at…Read More
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![Profile picture of Rosalie Rothner]()
Such a great shot!
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Mantis on decaying leaf.
Gear: Canon EOS 5DM4, Canon EF 100mm/L macro.
Settings: F8, 1/250 sec, ISO 800. Single image, handheld. Natural light.![]()
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![Profile picture of Bruna Mentrup]()
Very nice. The insects is such an imporatnt part of life.
Most of the insects we are familiar with are tiny little things, but praying mantises are among the giants of the insect world. The praying mantises we see locally can be 2 inches to 3 inches long or even more, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they will be easy to spot.Despite…Read More
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![Profile picture of DPC]()
Thanks for sharing this info Bruna
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![Profile picture of DPC]()
Hi Renate just my penny’s worth—I would have loved to see more subject and less background in these shots. The backgrounds feel quite busy, which makes the subject get a little lost, especially since the colours aren’t popping. John Fox has a great system where he sometimes uses a colourful paper backdrop to make insects stand out. It’s som…Read More
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Mantis on cat’s tail asparagus.
Gear: Canon EOS 5DM4, Canon EF 100mm/L macro.
Settings: F8, 1/250 sec, ISO 800. Single image, handheld. Natural light.![]()
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Mantis on cat’s tail asparagus.
Gear: Canon EOS 5DM4, Canon EF 100mm/L macro.
Settings: F4.5, 1/200 sec, ISO 1600. Single image, handheld. Natural light.![]()
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The Sony A7R V features a new AI chip capable of tracking focus even on insects! This technology will likely become standard in future Sony cameras, and other brands will probably follow suit. Macro photographers, hold your breath!
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Mantis on tumeric leaf.
LrC edits: Brightened the mantis and brightened the background with a radial gradient mask. Applied denoise tool.
Gear: Canon EOS 5DM4, Canon EF 100mm/L macro.
Settings: F8, 1/125 sec, ISO 1600. Single image. Natural light.![]()
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![Profile picture of Rosalie Rothner]()
I love your composition here! Were you using a tripod, or was it shot handheld? These macro lenses have such razor thin focus planes, it can be so difficult to get the focus 100% at the right spot. And then you have a moving subject too.
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![Profile picture of Renate Laaks]()
Thank you, Rosalie. It was handheld. I find photographing insects in situ does not give me the time to fiddle with a tripod. It is also an early morning shot when insects move a little less. The mauve color behind the mantis, is the turmeric flower that provided the pleasing backdrop.
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![Profile picture of Rosalie Rothner]()
That’s a good idea, I’ll need to start getting out early in the morning to catch the little guys while they are still cold and sleepy 🙂
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This picture dates back to October 2021. These wasps were nesting close to our backdoor and I had such fun observing them, observing their habits and photographing at the same time. This is a 2 image hand held focus stack which allowed all three the larvae to be in focus. I have decided to revisit some older work to experiment with the newer…Read More
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![Profile picture of DPC]()
#ProPhotoCritique
Renate, it’s crucial for photographers to frequently revisit their older work. Firstly, to gauge your growth, and sometimes, after a fresh edit or crop, you might realise you had a gem like this macro shot all along! Congratulations on your feature!
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![Profile picture of Rosalie Rothner]()
This is an absolutely stunning shot, and you are really brave for getting so close to a wasp nest! The Canon 100mm Macro lens it is such a great lens, I love mine too.
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![Profile picture of Renate Laaks]()
Thank you, Rosalie! I took the picture early in the morning when they are still fairly lethargic. It reduces the risk somewhat. Later in the day they are quite aggressive and take a menacing posture by aligning their stings in the direction of the perceived threat.
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Beaunard Grobler, “Golden mushrooms in garden”.
Canon R, EF 100mm F2.8 USM at 1/13 sec at f/16 & ISO100. No flash. Edited/ retouched with Lightroom.
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![Profile picture of Rosalie Rothner]()
I love the gorgeous warm colour tones you captured here, it works so well with the photo subject.
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Travel to a New World! Backyard Macro Photography by Chris McGinnis
Stunning