Spring. The start of the macro photographers year

Nikon D850, Laowa 15mm 1:1 wideangle macro lens, @ f/11, ISO200, tripod.

Now that spring has well and truly arrived its time to dust the camera down and get out there and engage with the most colourful of the four seasons. Spring is the season of regeneration. Trees are coming into leaf, and the floral diversity is at its best at this time. One of my favourite locations is only a short drive from my home, and I love each year just spending a little time there reacquainting myself with the animal and plant life that inhabits this remarkable little woodland. The river glen supports a good population of Early Purple Orchids, Wood Anemones, Bluebells which carpet the woodland floor for a short time before the emerging leaves seal off the light. Butterflies and moths are also a common sight throughout the woodland. Some of my favourite images have been photographed at this location.

 

Nikon D850, 300mm  f/4 telephoto lens, @ f/11, ISO100, tripod.

 

Nikon D850, 200mm  f/4 micro nikkor lens, @ f/11, ISO100, tripod.

 

Nikon D850, Laowa 15mm 1:1 wideangle macro lens, @ f/11, ISO200, tripod.

I frequently use long lenses when photographing flowers. I like the compressed perspective and the narrow-angle of view which helps with background control. One of my favourite combinations for flower photography is a 300mm prime lens coupled with various extension tubes; the latter being used to decrease the lens-to-subject distance while increasing the magnification. I also like to illustrate subjects using ultra wide angle lens setting them within the context of their environment.

 

Nikon D850, 300mm  f/4 telephoto lens, @ f/11, ISO200, tripod.

 

Nikon D850, 300mm  f/4 telephoto lens, @ f/11, ISO200, tripod.

 

Nikon D850, 300mm  f/4 telephoto lens, @ f/11, ISO200, tripod.

Photographing from a tripod is essential for me; I rarely work without one? It provides precise framing, focus while at the same time allowing me to analyse my framing critically; something that is not easily achieved when handholding a camera. Below are a few examples from the wood.