MACR O MAGIC !

Explains how to photograph eye-catching close-ups of nature

Macro photography opens up a whole new world of exciting picture-making opportunities, and allows you to create stunning images from even the most mundane of natural subjects. The miniature world is a fascinating place when you stop and take time to explore through the ‘eyes’ of a close-up lens. Details that often go unseen when looking at the bigger picture are revealed in a way that transforms them into mysterious studies of shape, form and colour.

With macro comes a real sense of discovery and creativity that few other forms of photography are able to match. And by exploring the natural world in fine detail, its possible to train yourself to look for the vital ingredients needed for great macro shots. Being able to spot the potential for a successful image can take a little practice, but with time you’ll soon be spotting likely subjects in every direction.

What’s more, macro nature shots are not confined to one particular style. The shot shown here is one way to go about shooting a decaying fern, but there are almost limitless creative possibilities depending on the approach you take, the lighting, the composition, and how much of the subject you show in focus.