Macro Photography, Up Close and Personal

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There is a special kind of quiet that happens when you lean in close. The world shrinks to a petal edge or a tiny antenna, and everything else falls away. Most of these pictures were made on slow walks with my Fujifilm X-T5. I use a Laowa 65 mm 2x when I want extreme detail, and the XF 70–300 mm when I want a lighter, more versatile kit. The telephoto zoom is softer at close focus, yet it helps me bring home more keepers on days when subjects move.

Two lenses, two mindsets

Laowa 65 mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO

When I choose it. Flowers with fine veins, small mushrooms, still insects, and any time I want true macro magnification.
How I run it. Manual focus with focus peaking on the X-T5. I pre set the magnification on the lens, then rock my body a few millimeters to hit focus. I often start around f/8 to f/11 outdoors.
Handling tip. Use the X-T5 focus check magnification for precise placement on an eye, a stamen, or a gill edge. A short burst helps when hands sway.

FUJIFILM XF 70–300 mm f/4–5.6 R LM OIS WR

When I choose it. Caterpillars that will not sit still, skittish bugs, or hikes when I want one lens for birds, landscapes, and close ups.
How I run it. Aperture Priority, small AF point, Continuous AF. I let OIS help at moderate shutter speeds and raise ISO rather than missing a moment. I change my angle until the background is clean and distant.
Image character. Not as razor sharp up close as the Laowa, yet the longer working distance often leads to more varied shots in a single walk.

Field workflow that feels natural

  1. Light first. Overcast or open shade is kind. If the scene is flat, I lift shadows with a small white card just out of frame.

  2. Aperture starting points. Flowers around f/5.6 to f/8. Active insects f/8 to f/11. Adjust after test frames.

  3. Shutter and ISO. On the Laowa I pick a safe shutter and use Auto ISO. On the zoom I set a minimum shutter and let Auto ISO climb as needed.

  4. Focus technique. Laowa: manual focus, rock in and out. Zoom: small AF point on the near eye or leading edge, short bursts.

  5. Body mechanics. Brace elbows, exhale slowly, shoot during the still part of your breath. Shield the subject from wind with your body.

Lens specific mini recipes

Flower veins with glow, Laowa 65 mm
Place the petal between you and a soft contrasting background, then shade the background with your hand or a reflector for a smooth field of color. Focus on the brightest vein edge. Take three frames with tiny fore and aft shifts.

Caterpillar portrait, either lens
Approach from the side, wait for the little one to pause, then snap your shot. Keep the background several feet behind the subject by shifting your stance, or keep some foreground for context.

Mushrooms, XF 70-300
Set the camera low on a mini support or ground pad. Stop to f/8 to f/11, make a short focus stack if the cap edges and gills will not fit in a single plane.

Redbug on dirt clump, Laowa 65 mm
Angle the light so it grazes the texture. A white card just out of frame lifts the shadow side without startling the insect.

When and how to use flash

Keep flash low and soft. A small speedlight with a diffuser or a compact LED helps freeze motion and shapes highlights. Bring the diffuser close, angle it slightly off axis to avoid a bright specular dot on glossy shells, and let the background fall a little darker for separation.

Gentle camera settings for the X-T5

Shutter mode. Electronic Front Curtain reduces micro shake in close ups.
Focus aids. Focus peaking and focus check magnification for the Laowa.
Drive. Short bursts for moving subjects.
White balance. Set by intent. Cooler for airy flowers, warmer after rain in the woods.

Troubleshooting

Everything looks soft. Raise shutter speed, brace, and shoot short bursts.
Harsh flash look. Lower power, bring the diffuser closer, and angle slightly to the side.
Busy background. Change height or rotate around the subject until the background smooths out.
Green or brown color cast. Nudge tint toward magenta or set a custom white balance.
Wind wobble. Wait for the lull, shield with your body or a jacket.

What I used and why

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These Fuji friendly picks and accessories pair well with a two lens approach. Replace the brackets with your links.

Lenses

Get closer with the zoom

Light and diffusion

Stability and control

Small field helpers
Flexible clamp arm to hold a leaf or reflector.
Kneeling pad for comfort.
Soft brush and blower for clearing stray debris.

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A macro photograph of pink flowers demonstrating a shallow depth of field. The petals in the foreground are in sharp focus, revealing intricate veins and tiny water droplets, while the background is a soft, creamy green bokeh.

The magic of macro photography is revealing worlds we'd otherwise miss. Using a shallow depth of field, I was able to isolate these tiny, dew-kissed blossoms from the background, making every single water droplet a point of interest.

A macro photograph showcases a blue and white fuzzy caterpillar crawling across a bed of bright green moss, highlighting the textures of both the insect's hairs and the plant.

A tiny traveler making its way through a green jungle. Macro photography allows us to appreciate the delicate beauty of even the smallest creatures, like this blue and white caterpillar making its way across a vibrant patch of moss.

A low-angle, close-up shot of a cluster of small, yellow-capped mushrooms growing in a vibrant green lawn. The shallow depth of field creates a soft, blurry foreground and background, making the mushrooms stand out.

A tiny city of mushrooms pops up overnight. The recent summer rains here have made the lawn a perfect place for macro exploration. I love how getting low to the ground with a wide aperture can transform something so simple into a magical, miniature world.

An extreme macro photograph of a tiny, bright red mite with a textured, velvety body, perched on a small clump of dark soil. The background is a soft, completely out-of-focus blur of earth and pebbles.

A tiny world of vibrant color. This red mite, almost invisible on the pavement, becomes a fascinating subject under a macro lens. Capturing a subject this small is a fun challenge in patience and focus, but the result is a glimpse into a world we rarely see.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a dedicated macro lens to start
No. Extension tubes on a lens you already own can get you very close. A true macro lens is more convenient and often sharper at high magnification.

What aperture should I use
Start at f/5.6 to f/8 for flowers and f/8 to f/11 for insects, then adjust after a few test frames.

How close can I get without scaring insects
Move slowly, approach from the side rather than straight on, and keep the diffuser close to the flash, not the subject.

Is flash safe for insects
Low power, diffused light is generally tolerated. Avoid repeated high power bursts at close range.

How do I handle wind
Work early or after rain. Shield the subject with your body, then shoot during the still moments.

William Harwellmacro, howto