Macro photography, a discipline focused on capturing the natural world at extremely close range, has seen a quiet evolution in popularity over the past few years. This growth is attributed to the rise of macro influencers, increasingly affordable lenses, and the coronavirus pandemic, which led many photographers to explore their own back gardens.
Wildlife photographer Dara Ojo, 35, is among those who have turned their lenses to smaller subjects. He describes the challenge of photographing insects, which are often uncooperative and can fly away mid-shoot. Ojo, who developed a love for photography during the pandemic, was fascinated by the intricate designs of insect faces when he began capturing them up close.
Marit van Ekelenburg, who photographs as Macro by Marit, also found herself mesmerised by the details within flowers and the insects inhabiting them. She highlights the ability to see details invisible to the naked eye and the accessibility of subjects, noting they are often "right by you and you walk past them every day."
The demanding nature of macro photography often requires techniques like "focus stacking," which combines multiple images to create a single focused frame. Despite the challenges, macro photography is also becoming a more viable career path, with potential income streams from monetisation, print sales, books, and brand partnerships with camera and lens manufacturers.