Macro photography is fun and it opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities. Naturally, the same goes for macro photos of wildlife such as snakes, frogs, spiders, and other tiny creatures roaming the earth.
If you’d like to start photographing the wildlife up close, especially in remote locations, there are a few things to keep in mind. And in this video from B&H, photographer Colby Brown shares with you five tips to help you get started.
1. Use a macro lens – this might sound obvious, but using a dedicated macro lens will give you the best result. However, when you’re working with venomous or poisonous species, a 70-200mm or a 100-400mm lens would be a much better idea. This way you can stay at a safe distance while still taking the photos of the animal as if you were close to it.
2. Use off camera flash as much as possible – use a flash commander on your camera to control one or two flashes when shooting. You’ll get much more freedom and flexibility to control the amount of light that you need for the macro shots, especially when working in darker environments like a jungle.
3. Use a naturalist guide or a herpologist, especially if you’re in a new location where you don’t know the species. This way you won’t only learn more about the local fauna, but also do your photo shoot as safely as possible.
4. Respect the animals – leave any species you photograph in the same place where you found it. Needless to say, don’t do anything to hurt or kill an animal for the sake of a photo.
5. Don’t forget your bug spray – wherever there are bugs, you’ll find the amphibians or reptiles that you want to photograph. So, don’t let the bugs kill the party. Equip yourself with a bug spray and enjoy the shoot instead of frantically running back to your car and closing all the windows. Ask me how I know.
What I’d like to add is that you don’t need to visit remote locations to take some great macro shots. You can start with your own backyard or a local park or forest. Enjoy the process and enjoy the learning, and you’ll be ready if you ever decide to travel to a more exotic location. And wherever you decide to shoot, seriously, don’t forget the bug spray. :)
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