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Macro magnificence and the bear necessities

MISSION: Use macro photography to express my way of looking at hidden worlds PHOTOGRAPHER: Matteo Trentin

LOCATION: Trento, Italy

KIT USED: Nikon D7100, Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro, tripod, LED panels, focus rail WEBSITE: www.mtrentin83.wixsite.com/tinyworld www.facebook.com/matteotrentinfoto

Istarted getting interested in macro photography back in 2012. A friend lent me a macro lens, just for fun, but within a few shots I had fallen in love with the genre. I started to document plants at first and soon moved onto insects – the real protagonists of these hidden worlds. I prefer taking images in a single shot. I think focus stacking is only necessary if you want a particularly large depth of field, or are looking to retain as much detail as possible.

Timing is fundamental as subjects move much slower if the temperature is lower. Early mornings and evenings are perfect, which is when I photographed this shot of the two dragonflies [1]. I try to shoot insects that are evenly lit and almost never take photographs when the subject is covered in direct sunlight. Finding suitable subjects requires knowledge about their environment and habits.

Not all ideas prove successful; other times the results are unexpected. I photographed the two dragonflies while I was photographing a grasshopper. Suddenly I saw the two specimens, waiting for the warm morning light. I repositioned my kit and started shooting. I managed to get one of the shots I’m happiest with.

Minute methods

Your shooting technique is obviously very important too. When taking this image [2], for example, I ensured the sensor and subject were perfectly parallel. Focus and depth of field are two other major considerations, and so is the background/ foreground. I use blurred backgrounds and foreground interest to omit details that are not important. This allows the viewer to concentrate better on the subject, which is prevalent in this photo [3].

I prefer natural backgrounds, but if I can’t find the right one, I use artificial ones. Clamps or mobile arms are used to position roosts and avoid elements that disturb the frame too. Setting up the final shot [4] required a lot of work to make the subjects collaborate. However, the best weapon in your arsenal is, without a doubt, patience.

Choice of equipment can affect results. A macro lens ensures greater clarity, but you can use non-macro lenses and reversing rings if you’re just getting started. A stable tripod ensures greater control when framing scenes too, but overall macro photography is not a genre that requires very expensive cameras or lenses. It’s easily accessible to anyone wanting to give it a go.

[1] Matteo was photographing another subject when this pair of dragonflies settled nearby. He quickly rearranged his equipment and bagged the shot.

[2] Top: Matteo uses a tripod and takes the time to set up the perfect composition.

[3] Above left: Blurred foreground interest and a shallow depth of field has been used to lead the eye directly to the sharp subject.

[4] Below left: Odd pairings like this are rare, but patience is the key to Matteo’s (and other photographers’) success.