How to: macro photography and animals

Tips and tricks for macro photography

Macro photography is a specific form of wildlife photography that lets you create magical images. You capture insects, birds, dragonflies or reptiles, or zoom in on the details of your subjects. Marc-Peter Kooistra is a professional in this field and makes the most beautiful macro images. He shares 7 practical tips to help you get started yourself.

Tip 1: Start at home

Macro subjects are everywhere. They're often so small that you don't notice them unless you look very closely. Insects that seem uninteresting at first glance turn out to be surprising at higher magnifications (such as 2:1).

Many people find jumping spiders fascinating, and you'll find them all around your house. Bark jumping spiders (Marpissa muscosa), for example, love fences that are starting to rot. You don't have to go far to see interesting creatures.

Tip 2: Go beyond 1:1

I started out with a “normal” macro lens (Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro). That's where macro photography of insects only just begins. I soon realised that 1:1 wasn't what I had in mind.

I wanted to get even closer, and I managed that by going beyond the 1:1 ratio. So… try going beyond 1:1 macro, because that's what truly reveals the beauty of smaller insects.

Tip 3: Shoot handheld and use a flash

Macro magnifications are just like telephoto magnifications: they require a shutter speed that “freezes” the moment. A common belief is that getting a sharp shot requires a tripod. But a tripod is often impractical with moving subjects.

In macro and extreme macro photography of moving insects, a tripod is especially impractical, because a single millimetre of movement by your subject can mean you no longer see anything. A good way to freeze your subject is to use a flash. The flash light will freeze your subject's movement.

Tip 4: Create interesting colour combinations

Often you don't know exactly what colours your subject has until you've taken a first shot.

This may sound strange, but you wouldn't believe the unusual colour combinations insects have that you can't see with the naked eye. You simply see them better in the photo than in real life.

Look at your first shot and think about which background colour would go well with it. Change your angle to your subject so that the background changes.

A colourful flower a few centimetres behind your subject can result in a surprising and refreshing picture.

Tip 5: Change your perspective

Try to surprise yourself by doing something different. Don't just take shots you already know will look good – try thinking outside the box. A profile shot of an insect often looks great, but an unconventional composition may well be far more interesting.

Tip 6: Respect nature

An animal or insect usually looks its best in its natural environment. But if you do take an insect out of its surroundings, at least make sure it results in a really beautiful picture.

Put your insect back where you found it whenever possible. Respect nature!

Tip 7: Do your own thing

This may be the most important tip: do your own thing. Make sure you do what you enjoy. There's a lot of criticism and commentary among photographers – after all, you're each other's competitors.

Don't let it get to you. Focus on your own development and preferences.

Who is Marc-Peter Kooistra?

Marc-Peter Kooistra is a wildlife photographer based in Cairns, Australia. He was born and raised in the Netherlands and even worked for a while at Kamera Express head office.

In the summer of 2018, Marc-Peter decided to emigrate Down Under. The vast country with all its natural splendour, its animals and therefore its insects is one of the reasons Marc-Peter moved all the way to the other side of the world.

Gear

Marc-Peter uses a Canon 5D Mark IV. He photographs insects with a Canon MP-E 65mm, reptiles and amphibians with a Canon 100mm f/2.8L and Laowa 15mm, and birds and other wildlife with a Canon 600mm f/4.0 L II.