Macro
Let’s call this the colourful page
I’ve only recently started to delve into macro photography. Everything is different. The subjects are so tiny, and for tighter portraits, I need to get very, very close. Instead of a focus ring, I now focus with my body, slowly rocking back and forth, relying on focus peaking to ensure the critical areas are sharp. And that’s a challenge I’ve been enjoying.
As you’ll find out very soon, I prefer to shoot the relatively big, colourful bugs: butterflies. They are charming and fairly easy to approach once they start feeding. Plus, they come in all different sizes, colours, and patterns!
Even more recently, I’ve noticed a shift in my macro work. Initially, I aimed to capture the butterflies large in the frame, all their details visible, against a buttery-smooth background. My new approach is more scenic. Locating the small butterflies when they are still cold allows for more freedom to try and get different backgrounds and context. By not pressing my macro against their wings, but rather holding back, I started to notice their place in the environment. Host flowers and morning bokeh backlight are ideal atmospheric additions that I now love to include in my frames.
Vibora!
“Snake in the pool!”
I already had my macro lens mounted when my father shouted. In his Portuguese garden, snakes are regulars. At times, they find themselves in his pool. He carefully lifted the snake out with his rake, letting me take some snapshots to identify the species.
“Definitely a viper…” I remarked.
“Nope. There are no venomous snakes here. Locals told me!” My dad answered.
Turns out, there are venomous snakes in the hilly center of Portugal. And this young animal just took a bite of one of his too-curious dogs, too. The dog’s snout got swollen, and she started whining. We quickly pieced the information together, after which a quick emergency vet trip saved her life.
The snake was released in an undisturbed patch moments after I took its portrait.
Lataste’s viper