What I find so fascinating about macro photography
Alexander Eichenlaub prefers to be out in nature with his camera. In spring, he sets out early in the morning, stalking the glittering wonderland of insects. His tool of choice: the 90mm F/2.8 Di III MACRO VXD lens.
I feel like Alice in Wonderland as I lie flat on the ground, gazing at the flowering meadows through the 90mm F/2.8 Di III MACRO VXD. Especially in the early morning, when the air is still crisp and cool, time seems to stand still in this enchanting world called nature. The usually agile insects, clinging to blades of grass and delicate blossoms, remain motionless in the low temperatures. Depending on the weather, they may be covered in countless tiny dewdrops, sparkling like miniature diamonds in the first rays of the sun.
It’s these magical moments that I strive to capture on my camera’s sensor—but doing so requires careful preparation. First and foremost, I need to find the perfect spot to track down these glistening insects. I take a highly targeted approach to planning, aiming to eliminate as much randomness as possible.
Where can I find insects?
Anyone who studies insects knows that each species has specific habitat requirements. In most cases, they rely on certain plants for survival. This means that wherever these plants grow, there’s a high likelihood of finding the corresponding insect populations.
Take the Aurora butterfly, for example—it thrives in areas where meadowfoam blooms in spring. If you find a meadow filled with meadowfoam, chances are, you’ll also spot these delicate butterflies fluttering nearby. Interestingly, locations with nutrient-poor soil often harbor a greater variety of insect species—such as heathlands or dry grasslands.
Once I’ve identified a promising location, I visit during the insects’ active flight periods to check if they are actually present. During the day, they are too restless to photograph, so patience is key. As evening approaches, they begin to settle down for the night. If I can memorize or mark their resting spots, I have a good chance of finding the same insects again the next morning. The best time to photograph them is just before and during sunrise, when they are still motionless due to the cool temperatures.
Of course, nature is unpredictable. Sometimes, an insect I had marked the night before doesn’t make it until morning—having fallen prey to a nocturnal hunter. I once watched a predatory fly settle on a flower in the evening, only to discover the next day that a crab spider had ambushed and devoured it during the night. In such cases, I have to start my search again.
Once the location is set, I make sure to prepare everything the evening before, packing my camera with the 90mm F/2.8 Macro Lens along with a folding reflector for shading, a cable release, a bean bag and a tripod to help me capture the best shots. After a short night’s sleep, I set off about an hour before sunrise, depending on the distance. My goal? To take my first photo with the very first rays of sunlight.
One major advantage is that there is no wind at all. Even the slightest movement of my subject would result in blurring, and that’s the last thing I want. For me, macro photography is all about capturing the fine details that are invisible to the naked eye. That’s what makes it so fascinating.
Before getting into position, I turn off the autofocus and carefully set up my camera. Whether on a tripod or a bean bag, I make sure that the subject is perfectly parallel to the sensor—an essential step for achieving sharpness throughout the image. In fact, I spend most of my time in macro photography adjusting the camera’s alignment with precision.
Once the perspective is right, I fix the reflector to cast a shadow over the butterfly. This prevents the subject from being overly illuminated and keeps the contrasts from becoming too harsh. The gentle shading ensures that every delicate detail remains visible in the final image.
Focusing requires full concentration. I set the focus so that the animal’s eye is always razor-sharp. Thanks to careful lens alignment in advance, I can now capture the entire subject in focus without having to stop down too much. The open aperture creates a beautiful bokeh effect, making the background appear soft and luminous—allowing my subject to stand out to its best advantage.
I also try to make the insect’s perch—whether a blade of grass or a flower stem—gently fade out of the picture. To achieve this, I use “artificial fogging”, for example, by holding a broad blade of grass or a leaf between the subject and the lens. Using live view, I can adjust the intensity of this effect at different distances until it’s just right—then capture the moment at the perfect level of softness.
Before releasing the shutter, I instinctively check that there is no wind at all. Even the slightest breeze could ruin the shot. I use a cable release, ensuring that it triggers without any noticeable delay, allowing me to capture the perfect moment with precision.
With the image finally captured, it’s time to leave this glittering wonderland—out of my dewy clothes and straight to bed. By the time I get home, it’s usually before 7 a.m., and exhaustion from the morning’s tour has set in. So for now, breakfast coffee and photo editing will have to wait.
