What is Macro Photography? A Beginner’s Guide
Macro photography opens a door to a world we rarely notice — the shimmering details in an insect’s wings, the textures of a flower petal, tiny patterns carved by nature. It transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, revealing beauty at a scale our eyes can’t normally see.
But what actually is macro photography? In this beginner-friendly guide, I’ll break down the essentials so you can start exploring the miniature landscapes around you.
What Does “Macro” Really Mean?
The word macro refers to photographing something at life-size magnification — meaning the subject appears on the camera’s sensor as large as it is in real life.
This is usually described as:
1:1 magnification ratio
(also called “true macro”)
Example:
If an ant is 5 mm long, it will take up 5 mm on your camera sensor. We can also have 1:2 or half life and even 2:1 magnification, essentially doubling the actual size of your subject.
So while many cameras and lenses advertise a “macro mode,” not all of them are capable of true macro. Macro photography is specifically about capturing small subjects with life-sized detail — not just being close to them.
Close-Up vs. Macro — What’s the Difference?
At first glance, a close-up photo may look similar to macro… but technically, it’s not the same. Most of what I have done so far is more like close-up photography rather than true macro. I do feel like most people calls it macro even when it is technically close-up photography, it is just easier.
| Feature | Close-Up | True Macro |
|---|---|---|
| Magnification | < 1:1 | 1:1 or more |
| Detail | Good | Extreme |
| Examples | Flowers with phone | Insect eyes |
Close-ups are great — and many people start there! Macro just takes it a step deeper — into the tiny universe most of us miss.
Why Depth of Field is So Shallow
As seen here on this macro photography shot of a fly, only a tiny bit of it is actually in focus. We would need to combine multiple images for a completely in-focus fly.
If you’ve ever tried macro photography, you probably noticed something right away:
Only a tiny sliver of your subject is in sharp focus.
Even when you use a narrow aperture like f/11 or f/16, the depth of field is extremely shallow at such close distances. That’s why macro photographers often:
✔ Use manual focus
✔ Take many photos to get the perfect sharpness
✔ Shoot early when insects are still and sleepy
✔ Experiment with focus stacking (multiple images combined)
Learning to control focus is one of the most rewarding challenges in macro photography.
Essential Gear for Macro Photography
You don’t need a huge setup to get started — but the right tools help you capture crisp detail.
Macro Lens
The most common option. A true macro lens is marked with:
1:1 magnification
Popular focal lengths:
60mm — great for flowers & handheld shots
90–105mm — ideal for insects and more working distance
150–200mm — specialized for very small or shy subjects
Extension Tubes
A budget-friendly way to make your current lens focus closer by increasing the distance between lens and sensor.
Tripod
Useful for stability when shooting still subjects like flowers or textures. A tip here is that you don’t need to break the bank when purchasing your tripod. However it is a good idea to look for one that has a reversible centre column, this will let you get closer to the ground.
Lighting
Natural light can be beautiful, but macro subjects often hide in shadows. Many photographers use:
On-camera flash with a diffuser - Best for photographing insects
Small LED lights - This is a good way to learn how light affects our subject. For example you can experiment with different light positions, to see how they change the look and feel of a mushroom in the forest.
Soft reflectors
Light = detail, especially when photographing insects.
Editing software
To combine our images we will need to use a software. I have only tried two different ones, there might be more out there!
The first one I tried were Photoshop and the results were hit and miss. Sometimes fine but more often not so great. I then switched to Helicon Focus and I noticed that a bigger percentage of my focus stacking images had a good result. So that is what I will continue to use and try to learn more going forward. I do wish photoshop could produce better results, as it is included in the adobe subscription, but that is life I guess..
Popular Macro Photography Subjects
One of the best parts of macro photography is that inspiration is everywhere. You don’t have to travel far — even your backyard is full of tiny wonders.
Here are some favorites:
🌼 Flowers — colors and patterns look magical up close
🐜 Insects & spiders — expressive faces and alien beauty
🍂 Textures — wood, rust, ice, feathers
💍 Small objects — jewelry, coins, watch mechanisms
All you need is curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Tips for Your First Macro Shots
Here are a few practical starting tips:
1️⃣ Use manual focus — small shifts make a big difference
2️⃣ Shoot early in the morning — insects move slowly in cool light
3️⃣ Keep your shutter speed fast to freeze movement
4️⃣ Practice breathing techniques for stability
5️⃣ Try to shoot at eye level with your subject — it creates immersion
6️⃣ Don’t be afraid of wind — embrace imperfect beauty!
Most importantly: experiment. Macro photography is full of trial and error — and discovery.
Why Macro Photography Is So Rewarding
Macro photography changes how you see the world. It teaches patience and attention. It challenges your skills — but gives you magical results.
Every leaf becomes a forest.
Every drop of water becomes a jewel.
Every tiny creature becomes a character with a story.
Taking macro photos has already opened my eyes to countless details I never noticed before. And I’m just getting started.
Follow the Adventure
If you’re curious about the world at a close-up or 1:1 perspective, you’re in the right place. I’ll be sharing more:
✨ Tips, tutorials & gear discussions
📸 Behind the scenes from Sweden
🦋 My ongoing growth as a macro photographer
Stay safe and take care of each other out there!