Head for the woods... macro season is here!

by Peter Levenspiel


Posted on 2016-06-03 (3203 VIEWS)


It's going to be a late summer this year but many photographers across the UK will already be reaching for their cameras and heading off to the woods... Yep, it's macro season! At this time of year, when spring is making way for summer, you'll find the odd sunny day to take advantage of the crisp light. And what better way to enjoy the light than to discover some creepy crawlies, funny fungi or frilly flowers to test your macro photography skills on.

I've been hunting the internet for some top quality macro photography to share with you and help whet your appetite. I think I've found just the ticket with this set from Sarah Smith. Sarah is a self taught, rock solid commercial photographer with some awesome macro skills to boot. Now, there's a part of me that thinks that you can't truly capture any subject unless you really love that thing. Sarah clearly got her love of wildlife growing up on a farm and spending time outside with her parents cameras. The pictures below are taken with Canon 60mm and 100mm macro lenses. Sarah shares her top tip with us ... "A lot of the time I find that the best way to take macro pictures is using a tripod. But there are times when I just don’t want to have to carry one around along with a selection of lenses, at which point you can either find something to lean on, or trust that you can hold your camera steady enough if there is enough light to have a high shutter speed and a shallow depth of field."

Sarah's images are available to buy from her website here: www.sarahsphotos4u.com

To get you really fired up, how about entering a macro competition? Some of these are offering prize money, but as my parents used to tell me, it's not about the winning, it's the taking part that counts. Here's a quick list to get you started:

© Sarah Smith

© Sarah Smith

© Sarah Smith

© Sarah Smith

© Sarah Smith


 
 


INDEX TO ARTICLES

Shoot Products Like A Pro >
2020-07-15 By Phil Sills

Finding the right photo book for your pictures >
2019-10-31 By Flavio Longato

Cambridge by camera >
2019-02-08 By Peter Levenspiel

Hooray for the V&A >
2018-10-30 By Peter Levenspiel

Nitecore All Weather Adventure Backpack review >
2018-07-06 By James MacDonald

100 years of camera history >
2018-06-25 By Leonardo Stone

Form & Function by Chloe Rosser >
2018-06-08 By Peter Levenspiel

Check this amazing footage from the Wiral Lite >
2018-05-31 By Leonardo Stone

Interview: Clare Hewitt, Portrait of Britain Winner >
2018-04-23 By Peter Levenspiel

Make your own cyanotype photogram >
2018-04-12 By Peter Levenspiel

Video review: Starter ND filter kit >
2018-03-12 By Peter Levenspiel

Getting started: DIY product photography >
2018-02-04 By Peter Levenspiel

Photographers heaven? >
2018-02-03 By Leonardo Stone

The Zkin Kampe, a bag for life? >
2018-02-02 By Liz Taylor

Into the Woods: Trees in photography at the V&A >
2018-01-30 By Peter Levenspiel

Running, gunning and shooting from the hip! >
2017-10-31 By James Macdonald

Getting the most out of your Interfit reflector >
2017-10-17 By Paul Stillman

Video review: Lens Rims form easyCover >
2017-09-27 By Peter Levenspiel

Destination: Lens Lab visits Lewes >
2017-08-23 By Peter Levenspiel

Peak Design slide strap - This one’s from the hip! >
2017-07-18 By James Macdonald

What to shoot in Madrid >
2017-06-06 By Peter Levenspiel

The basics of manual camera controls explained >
2017-03-30 By Peter Levenspiel

Wobble free Wimberley Head Mark II >
2017-03-22 By Paul Stillman

The joy of wildlife photography >
2017-03-21 By Paul Stillman

Grow your garden photography skills >
2017-02-22 By Peter Levenspiel

Portsmouth: A photo friendly getaway destination >
2017-02-19 By Peter Levenspiel

Slow down time with ND filters >
2017-02-16 By James McDonald

The 600mm Sigma with pulling power >
2017-02-05 By Paul Stillman

The beast that does it all - well almost! >
2017-02-01 By James McDonald

Photographing birds of prey >
2017-01-14 By Peter Levenspiel

What the F? >
2017-01-04 By Peter Levenspiel

The best light in Europe! >
2016-11-01 By Peter Levenspiel

PART 1: Smartphone's V DSLR's >
2016-11-01 By Peter Levenspiel

Review: Nikon Nikkor Micro AF 105mm f2.8 lens >
2016-10-09 By Paul Stillman

2016 Woodland Trust tree of the year shortlist >
2016-09-24 By Liz Taylor

Surprisingly, kids can be pretty good at photography... with a little guidance! >
2016-09-09 By Peter Levenspiel

Want to improve your garden photography? >
2016-09-07 By Paul Stillman

Plane boring... What's your thing? >
2016-08-10 By Peter Levenspiel

Learn from the masters! >
2016-08-08 By Peter Levenspiel

Plan for success... Wedding photography >
2016-07-15 By Peter Levenspiel

What does Brexit mean if you're a photographer? >
2016-06-25 By Peter Levenspiel

Woodland bird photography at its very best! >
2016-06-18 By Paul Stillman

Top 3 equine photography tips from a pro… >
2016-06-17 By Peter Levenspiel

Wide angle lenses: The estate agents magic trick >
2016-06-10 By Peter Levenspiel

Head for the woods... macro season is here! >
2016-06-03 By Peter Levenspiel

The eeirie work of Christian Richter >
2016-05-20 By Peter Levenspiel

Doggy doggy on the wall... >
2016-04-04 By Peter Levenspiel

6 merits of renting photographic gear over buying >
2016-04-01 By Matt Golowczynski

Photographic exhibition at the V&A: Paul Strand >
2016-03-25 By Liz Taylor

Create a family best-seller >
2016-03-23 By Peter Levenspiel

Droning on about it... >
2016-02-09 By Peter Levenspiel

Top 10 Things to consider before stepping into photography >
By Racho Stano



WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED:

Nikon Macro Maniac

3 day hire
£58.80

(Inc. Vat)

Nikon 105mm Micro Lens

3 day hire
£33.18

(Inc. Vat)

Canon 60mm Macro Lens

3 day hire
£12.81

(Inc. Vat)

Canon f2.8 100mm Macro

3 day hire
£37.80

(Inc. Vat)

Photo competition

Welcome to our inaugural (free-to-enter) Photo Competition open to photographers of all ages with no entry fees. Enter 3 of your best photographs on the theme of CYCLING CULTURE.

FIND OUT MORE

Sensor Cleaning

Clash of the Cameras

Here at Lens Lab, we offer a quick, professional sensor-cleaning service providing the safest and most effective way to remove dust from the entire mirror box area and restore clarity to your images.

SENSOR CLEANING

10% Off Insurance

photoGuard Insurance Logo

Lens Lab have teamed up with photoGuard to offer customers a 10% discount on photography insurance. Don’t leave it to chance; protect your photography equipment today. T's & C's apply.

FIND OUT MORE