MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY FIELD TECHNIQUES

Discover the fascinating world of macro photography and learn how to capture images of bugs, insects, plants and fungi in the wild

GERAINT RADFORD

Growing up in the valleys of South Wales, Geraint discovered a deep love for and appreciation of nature and wildlife. He's now a pro macro photographer and Olympus ambassador, and describes himself as "a vegan fella, Bourbon biscuit lover and an insect's best friend". www.geraintradford.com @geraintradfordmacro

The world is full of fascinating creatures and plants that can capture our imagination and inspire us to spend more time exploring our natural environment, whether that's local woodlands, a nature reserve or your back garden. There's nothing quite like noticing a weevil upon a beautiful flower, a bee covered in raindrops, or an adorable wolf spider, dancing his heart out to impress a potential mate.

Macro photography is a rewarding genre, and allows us to develop skills to improve our overall technique and enhance other genres that we enjoy. For instance, focus stacking plays a role in high-magnification photography, where depth of field is limited, and this can be a useful tool for landscape photography too.

Field macro photography presents us with a few challenges, but with the correct approach, equipment choices (see this issue's Group Test for our pick of four top macro lenses) and techniques, it soon becomes second nature. Typically, we are working outdoors in the elements, all of which can provide us with unique photo opportunities and should be celebrated... with the possible exception of wind!

I see macro as a form of wildlife photography, only on a much smaller scale, with composition, light, and the wellbeing of our subjects especially important. Be prepared to lose many images it's part of the process, and the photographs we keep will be all the more special for it.

When exploring the macro world I prefer to shoot handheld, because a tripod limits my creative options; and worse than that, it takes up vital biscuit space in my backpack!