3 Tips to take Your Macro Photography to the Next Level

After over 5 years of doing Macro Photography, these are some of the best tips I've gathered that will help you improve your Macro Photos.
-------------------------------------------
My Macro Gear:
📷 Fujifilm X-H2
🔎 Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO
🔎 Laowa 25mm F/2.8 2.5-5x ultra macro
🔦 Nikon SB-900 Flash with Cygnustech Diffuser
Filmed on:
📷 Lumix DC-G91
🔎 Olympus 12-60mm f/2.8 pro
Music by Tobias Tinker, used with permission.

[@carlosdavid1444]

This is one of the best macrophotography channels on KZbin. Keep up the good work!

[@RedRover22]

Dude, your techniques and editing style are so on point. I’ve been shooting macro with pro equipment for about 15 years and I’m really inspired by your stuff.

[@s.j.stuart]

Well, you've earned my sub for sure. Sound advice, delivered concisely, eloquently, and - something which so many presenters miss these days - including the WHY instead of just the WHAT and the HOW. You've got a very promising future, buddy. Would be great to see your shots in National Geographic someday.

[@bittertruth6175]

Amazing. So young (I am 73), bright and extremely valuable tips. Thanks

[@garnieross9958]

A lot of knowledge from such a young mind.

[@ukaszbanaszkiewicz8328]

The second tip is great. Instagram is flooded with profiles that publish only portraits with ultra magnification. These photos are boring, they are terribly boring. Often only the head is shown and you really don't know what the whole spider/insect looks like. You can, after all, show the spider on its a web, an insect on a leaf/flower. These photos then become much more interesting

[@3DThrills]

That 3rd tip is a gem.

[@theblueblazebeyond4766]

Would it be possible for you to do a video where you specifically discuss your equipment choices? The set up works extremely well for you without a lot of fuss or struggle. Thanks for considering.

[@joryblock7129]

new video from naturefold = good day

[@paulm8157]

Helpful and clear tips, well presented and illustrated. Sometimes black backgrounds lend dramatic contrast to a subject, forcing viewers attention, but I take your point about the subject environment. Good point about stacking - was wondering if you incorporate that high number of images. Suggestion: to increase channel exposure, views and potential subs, in the description include one or more subject related hashtags (like “#macrophotography” “#naturephotography” etc.). Cheers!

[@naturemha]

Great video Alexis!

[@michael-mvtd]

Another well done video. Though slower shutter speed will open up the ambient light, it may cause a moving subject to blur in which case, you can increase ISO to also increase the ambient but then dual down the flash intensity (unless using TTL).

[@naturefold]

Of course that's also a possibility, I generally prefer using shutter speed to keep image quality as good as possible, since I usually focus stack and stacking increases noise strongly, but in certain situation raising the iso will definitely give better results.

[@sumorichis]

Wow..... absolutely stunning.

[@lynnecliffe3056]

Thank you for your well articulated demonstration of macro photography. You used your "intentional" "tool box" helping the viewer in "building awareness".

[@puddingmovies1]

Really, really great video again. I've been following you from the beginning and I'm really looking forward to experiencing your photography journey!

[@pilchcaor]

Great tips - nice to get away from the more technical aspects of macro which though they important do not necessarily make for great photos.

[@tobiaswellnitz4316]

Thanks for good explaining, so i can now understand more the backgrounds of Macrophotography. Greetings from Germany. ❤

[@s.j.stuart]

Hi Alexis... just wanted to follow up from my previous comment. Put an order in for Brendan's diffuser system ultimately because of your work and your videos here. Pointed out to him that you were the reason for my decision, looks like he already knows you (awesome). Really love how the macro photography community is so much more... communal... than a lot of the other niche photography groups out there. Thanks again, look forward to your next video.

[@DaemonC]

Wow your photos actually make me realize how beautiful insects really are!

[@natureliker-ww4jo]

Hello naturefold, I really want to thank you for you great work and for sharing your experience with us!!! It will help to have joy and satisfaction when photografing. I am glad that I found you here. All the best for you from Hamburg, Germany

[@davidf9494]

A Well thought-out video with excellent tips regardless of one's skill in macrophotography! I'm very impressed by your images. Time to think about a Laowa lens!

[@timothylee5824]

Very nice tips. Being intentional with focus bracketing is so simple but a great tip

[@Petersteren]

THX for the advice ! Very helpfull !!

[@armstrn]

Great information mate.. Awesome

[@andrzejwegrzyn5524]

Great tips, thanks! 👍

[@DeltaLimaActual-t2o]

Just looking at Macro photography and your channel is right up there with Stewart Wood, who by the way, said he is done with Macro and moving on though he'll keep his channel up. Subscribed.

[@EricEpstein-c2n]

that texture on the beetle at 8:08 is so nice

[@BuildingCenter]

Great video. I already use these techniques/thought patterns, but it’s great to see a video exploring macro beyond basic beginner tips.

[@BruceMcCammon]

Your channel content is inspiring. Thank you. An idea for future video might be a tutorial on the actual technique of moving through a stack. How do you pace your movement at different magnifications? Do you ever use an autofocus lens and move through the scene with the focus ring rather than physically moving the entire lens? Do you moce forward and backward while stacking? I’m just starting out and find that I tend to move to fast and too far. Thanks for your valuable tips and encouragement.

[@criko3d]

Great advices! I specially agree with the over stacking… it tends to make everything so flat, I feel that using stacking for certain type of shots works really nice like, front. Or side views, when shooting 3/4 always tends to flatten out the whole subject in an unflattering way. This channel is amazing great work!

[@kremensky]

My first experience in macro photography was with Zenit TTL and macro rings on Helios 44. I photographed flies and dragonflies :) It's amazing what technology has come to

[@klburt73]

Excellent content! Three great tips not everyone thinks of or utilizes enough. Glad to find your channel, have already shared it with a number of friends who are also into macro photography of flowers and insects in the field. Thanks!

[@philippegille6566]

Thank you for your bright explanations and demonstration on how to make macro-photography not only look demonstrative but look artistics. This is great.

[@loopsevents]

Tu es vraiment bon et dans le partage. Une qualité essentielle pour faire de la formation👍 bravo!

[@AccessiblePhotography]

Great tips and well presented.

[@peterslagmolen]

you are so good ad this!! I don't know a better macro photographer!

[@TdWPhoto]

Aweson. Very helpful tips.Will definitely try them out next time.

[@ZhaoYiming-b9i]

You are my first and the best macrophotography tutor ever😊 Please keep up! I really need your skills❤

[@SIMpleSIM6]

Yet another brilliant video. Thank you!

[@Treydmusicmedia]

Fantastic! I can't wait to try your three tips in the field! My creations that emphasize depth of field frankly are more accidental than deliberate. I look forward to being more intentional in my approach to macro photography. Cheers!

[@saborwolf]

6:26 is a sick shot

[@ryans_frogs]

That first tip was awesome I was wondering why my backgrounds were coming out dark I thought it was maybe because of my new flash being more powerful but shutter speed was 100 percent the reason

[@cryptowill1611]

I was travelling those past weeks and I missed your videos soooooo muuuuuuch ! Wonderful pictures as always and great tips. Everything seems to be easy when you talk and show things. I just love your attitude and knowledge. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. To be honest, most of your pictures (if not all) could get some award winning distinctions. No doubt about it ! Do you participate in some or do you have the intention to in the future ?

[@naturefold]

Thanks so much! I do enter some competitions although there aren't that many focused on macro photography.

[@kremensky]

great video, good tips keep going! thank you

[@LouisaLee63]

Awesome photos! And wonderful tips!!

[@catherinetremerryn]

A terrific video - a different way of thinking and doing things. Thx

[@usernamemykel]

SUPERB, as always!

[@valeriehoffman8180]

Great info, and your images are always fantastic. You are an amazing young man. Enjoying your channel

[@micter59]

I've just discovered you're channel, and it seems to me you're doing a great job. Your macro photos are really nice. Keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing here some tips.

[@dhwardphoto]

Fantastic video, very useful, especially tip No.1!

[@bobmorse5896]

Thank you for your thoughts. Tons of good advice.

[@RodneyGracia]

Beautiful work!

[@catherinegrimes2308]

You make it look so easy.

[@Jeffswildlifeadventures]

Wow! Great information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@andrewlamberson539]

Super video, I admit it never dawned on me to adjust the shutter speed!

[@tonyenticknap2670]

Most people don't when they're using flash, they just stick at the 'standard' settings of max sync speed and lowest ISO, but reducing the shutter speed and/or increasing the ISO in certain situations can transform an image. I only comment as increasing ISO wasn't mentioned in the video, but it has much the same effect as reducing the shutter speed and gives you another option.

[@sabyasachibanerjee124]

Nice set of tips and well explained use case for each one. Thoroughly enjoying and learning from your videos. Keep them coming

[@adamjclaus]

Your work is fantastic! Thanks for passing on the education

[@TheMickebostrom]

Thanks for the supertips!

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Wonderful as ever Alexis, great tips and the most amazing images. Thanks for uploading.

[@DominikMarczuk]

Tip number 1 is eye-opening. Thanks for that.

[@hermanmunster4949]

Great advice!

[@MikaLuo787]

Thanks! I have learned so much from your videos! Keep up the good work!!

[@erhier]

Very good tips, thanks a lot. I will try it in my upcoming shootings.

[@seamediaorg]

I think you did a great job of calling attention to different techniques one can use to give a subject different looks. But your motivation for that seemed to be "to get the nicest image", "a cool scene", "nice composition", "draw the eye into the subject", etc. What about the educational value? These techniques can also be used very powerfully to create more informative "context", to show not just one thing, but how different creatures have relationships with each other, and that the subjects are not just pieces of art, but elements of an interrelated ecosystem. I hope that in your future videos you can put emphasis not just on artistic merit but also on educational value of photographs.

[@naturefold]

That educational value showing behavior and ecology is absolutely an important aspect of macro photography, and most of my favorite photos I've taken are ones that are not only aesthetic and technically good but also tell stories and can educate like you said. For this video I wanted to stay focused on the aesthetic side of things showing the techniques, and tried to keep focused toward that, but I will keep that in mind to include the more educational side of macro in future videos too.

[@Диванныйвоин-ф1з]

Liked, subscribed and now - commented. Thank you.

[@franckjalouneix4607]

Merci pour vos tutos très enrichissants.🙏🏻

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

great advice 🙂 I've been trying to get my macro images to be more "story-telling" and have found using a wider angle macro lens (a Fujifilm 30mm in my case) has really helped. It's added a layer of complexity to my shooting but I think I'm getting better images in some (not all) scenarios.

[@naturefold]

I would love to try the Fuji 30mm sometime too, seems like a wider angle would give a cool perspective

[@ThomasSchwarzFotografie]

Thanks for sharing your photos and tips, I will leave a subscription and a like 😉👍

[@kleinpoe]

Great video

[@ValeriyT.]

Спасибо, третий совет для меня открытие🤝👍👍👍

[@ymannmisa9290]

great tips, now Im a subscriber, thank you

[@clausgiloi6036]

Great tips, thanks! I especially was interested in the last part where you talk about being selective in which images to stack. I would love to see the details of your process. Do you sometimes combine images from more than one "rocking" stack? Do you have a way of sorting images by depth or scale? Thanks!

[@naturefold]

I definitely want to do a video on my stacking process and would include how I select images. I rarely include images from multiple "push stacks" in one image, since the angle usually changes ever so slightly and that's enough to mess up a stack

[@clausgiloi6036]

@@naturefold Thanks, I hope you do make such a video, I will be sure to watch.

[@floen]

I am very interested in your focus stacking process. You seem to have perfected it.

[@LisaSaffell]

Excellent Tips!

[@TonyVeinberg]

Another great video.

[@scottwedell5072]

Great video. Love all your videos. Looking to get into macro photography more. I have a z9 with a 105mm macro but its only 1:1. Im thinking of buying a dedicated higher macro lens. Do you have a suggestion?

[@naturefold]

The laowa lenses are always good to get to 2x, for nikon z mount either the 90mm f/2.8 or the 85mm f/5.6 would probably be your best options, unless you want to go to really extreme magnifications with the 25mm 2.5-5x. Alternately you could use a close up filter like the raynox dcr-250 or one of the ones from nisi to get higher magnification while keeping autofocus with the 105mm

[@hans6304]

How are you going with the Z9 and macro?

[@tomaszszojer7164]

Hi Alexis! Yours is the best channel I've ever seen for macro photography. Congratulations and many thanks for it! But in all other respects (presentation style, comprehensible phrasing, crystal clear articulation, lighting, video cuts) it is also the best. Many people could take lessons from you on such topics, not just macro photography. I wish you good luck and perseverance to continue and look forward to new content! And I would like to ask you a question right away, if you allow me. It's great that you use Laowa 25mm, but I find that with Fujifilm mount it doesn't exist. Yes in everything else (Canon, Sony, Nikon, even Pentax), but I couldn't find it with X bayonet. Do you use it with an adapter, or does Fujifilm's Laowa 25 really exist? Thanks for the answer! Good luck!

[@naturefold]

Thanks a lot! I have the laowa 25mm in canon EF mount with a Canon EF -> Fuji X mount adapter.

[@tomaszszojer7164]

@@naturefold Thank you very much for your quick reply! You have already helped me a lot. Can I ask one more question? The Laowa 25 is a manual lens (as far as I know). Focus stacking requires an AF lens (of course, I'm not sure about that either). And if so, how can focus stacking work with a manual lens? Grateful thanks!

[@naturefold]

Yeah the laowa 25mm is a manual focus lens, like all laowa macro lenses currently. Autofocus is required for *automated* focus stacking or focus bracketing, so having the camera change focus between shots automatically. but it's entirely possible to take a series of photos for a focus stack manually and change focus manually, which is what I do.

[@billieb0]

Amazing video and amazing photos, definitely one of the best channels out there. I just got my AK diffuser and while trying it out I found that most of my backgrounds are very dark to black. How do you get nice , well lit backgrounds using a flash+diffuser?

[@naturefold]

Thanks! The entire first tip in this video is all about avoiding those black backgrounds

[@ShrimpMania]

You really need to start shrimp keeping hobby. You can make an awesome pictures of the shrimp.

[@usernamemykel]

Please maintain your awesomeness, master.

[@peterc2248]

Great vid as usual. Can you link to a 'basics' vid - kit, setup etc - if you have one please?

[@christophermason7735]

Another very nice video. Ive been taking macro about a year and want to increase magnification fir some phoptos. Im using a canon R7 with sigma 105 macro lens, so with the 105mm and apsc already have a good magnification. Ive tried extension tubes on the macro lens to get closer but it softens the image and the lens does not perform well. I have seen people adding a Raynox 250 to the sigma 105mm. In your opinion is thgis a good option to get closer or am I best to just crop and loose megapixles?

[@holovrcadebeholohavefunbev2930]

hmm, i must be a natural. I see how you explained the lighting, with the shutter speed, but I seem to get the color without even thinking about it. I feel that if you over think a shot, you miss out on a good photo. All good tips though, I never learned the technical side, and I am trying to learn them, but I feel the natural eye, usually gets the shot I always want, and comes out better than expected. Focus stacking sounds interesting, but I don't have that feature on my a330 sony camera. Seems focus stacking is kind of a cheat code, rather than getting the one or two natural shots.. Your presentation was educational and you explained things very well.

[@ddespair]

Can I ask an honest question? Is macro photography profitable? I’m just asking because I never see it outside of a macro photographer’s Instagram. I’ve never seen it on any wall in a house or restaurant. I’ve maybe seen it once in a museum and a science exhibit. But I can’t think of anywhere else. Where/how are you making money with macro photography?

[@naturefold]

Honestly it isn't really, there are some ways but I don't know anyone that really has a business selling macro prints. The best way of making money with macro is probably youtube, I'm not at the point that I can make a lot with this yet but there are some quite successful channels. There are other was too but no matter what it's very difficult, you kind of just need to find your own way

[@ddespair]

@@naturefold I appreciate your honesty! Thank you!!

[@WayneIrish]

Thankyou very much.

[@marilynzanca7712]

I watched your video so interesting

[@kstotlani]

Thanks for the video. Do you have any opinion on lens choice. I am a canon shooter so should I save up for Canon RF 100mm or get Laowa 90mm 2x for half the price. Canon has 1.4x magnification and Laowa has 2x but it has manual focus. I don’t know how much auto focus is important in the macro world? And canon lens also has 2 stops of stabilization.

[@samithaster]

Great tips , just a Q mate what is the lens you are using ?

[@naturefold]

I always put my equipment in the caption of my videos, or for each specific image on instagram

[@marilynzanca7712]

How can you hold the coloured card. If your holding the camera?

[@lulux6023]

Good morning, thank you very much for the video. It reminds us of some things that we, as photographers, often forget about in moments of photographic excitement. If you could please record something about insect hunting techniques, I would be very grateful, best regards.

[@DavidWilson_mfx]

Beautiful macro photography. And your videos are informative, concise, and quite pleasant! One question about your gear, what is the black upper accessory that is attached to your SB 900, above the white diffuser?

[@KoenKooi]

The round thing on the left side is most likely a Raynox close-up lens.

[@naturefold]

If you mean just the clip it's a Raynox dcr-250 close up lens to get more than 2x magnification

[@JudithStewartPhotography]

with focus stacking do you set the movement between each image? If so, how much?

[@tibor123]

thank u! ❤

[@mikeoltmans9401]

So just curious can you do a video on taking macro with a phone? Do you know of any software other than open camera that does focus bracketing on the phone. Also how quickly does your camera take the shots it takes?

[@naturefold]

I'd definitely like to try a video on mobile macro, sadly I don't know a photne app that does bracketing but I will see what I can find. I usually shoot bursts for stacking at 10fps but my camera can do up to 15fps

[@mikeoltmans9401]

@@naturefold do you know of a sub 1500 dollar cost setup used or otherwise that will do 10 fps?

[@naturefold]

I would say a used older Olympus camera like the Olympus EM1 mkii with the Olympus 60mm macro is the best option, as that combo can do 10fps focus bracketing. Many people use the Godox v350o with that setup, along with a diffuser like the Cygnustech or AK diffuser. A few others have talked about that setup on KZbin, Micael Widell has a good video describing that setup and Stewart Wood uses exactly that setup as his main macro setup.

[@joao.monteiro]

Hey man, love your videos and photos! I've recently discovered your channel and I'm enjoying it so much. I already have a lot of experience when it comes to photography, however macro is something I always wanted to start with. What do you recommend about macro lens? Thank you!

[@naturefold]

Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying my videos! What camera system do you have? Generally the laowa macro lenses are great, they have great build quality and optics, go to 2:1 magnification which is good for insects, and are available at a very good price

[@joao.monteiro]

​@@naturefold Really appreciate it! I'm definitely going to take a look into that, thanks!

[@BIGplanetLife]

@joao.monteiro I second the Laowa 2X macro lens (I have the Laowa 100mm) and get a Raynox 250. I suggest a good diffuser such as the AK Diffuser, Cygnustech Diffuser, or Beetle Diffuser. Take your time, be patient when "bug hunting" and enjoy nature. I've been doing macro since 2009 and it still amazes me and excites me more than any other genre of photography I have been involved in since 1994. Good tidings on your macro journey!!

[@joao.monteiro]

@@BIGplanetLife well, thank you for your recommendation! I had time to check on the prices of those diffusers, and I have to admit, I thought they were cheaper. I'm on a budget so, do you think its a big deal to buy the most expensive ones, or can I use a simpler diffuser and be just fine?

[@BIGplanetLife]

@@joao.monteiro I used DIY diffusers for many years and got some awesome images. I have a free diffuser material video on my channel with sample images and you can find templates for the diffuser construction online .

[@magoit]

Hi Alexis, first of: great videos! What is the reason for NOT using Olympus systems? It seems like 95% are using it. Are there any disadvantages or advantages with Fuji?

[@naturefold]

I went with the fuji X-H2 for a few reasons, partly the 40mp sensor which is more than any micro 4/3 camera, as well as the fact that it has a CFexpress card slot which allows much larger bursts without running into the buffer. One of the main reasons the Olympus/OM System is so popular is because of the great implementation of focus bracketing (and since last year the excelent 90mm macro lens), but since I have focus stacked manually for several years bracketing wouldn't have made much of a difference for me.

[@weisskm]

Thanks - nice video. I have been using an OM1and just got a Fuji X-H2. I see you list the Nikon SB-900 flash; do Nikon flashes work on Fuji?

[@naturefold]

The Nikon flash works but I only use it since that's what I have from before, if you're getting a dedicated one for macro I'd recommend the Godox v860iii or the smaller, but less powerful, Godox v350

[@weisskm]

@@naturefold Thanks - I had just ordered the Godox TT350.

[@ThePandaPhotographer]

Or if you one of those portrait photographers/macro (me) I’d like to exposure for both sometimes. 2:00

[@ChesoLari]

Bravissimo

[@wojtkowiakbsm]

How do you keep the lamp on all the time? 4:44

[@naturefold]

I have a small headlamp that I attach to the flash with an elastic, which helps get more light for focusing

[@marilynzanca7712]

Hi , I have a canon 100mm f2.8. Even though I open the aperture to 2.8 there's no creamy background like yours even though my background is far away. Tried aperture priority shutter priority and program and auto . And still the background is to extent still in focus. I bought because I wanted bokeh.dont get me get me wrong it does blur but not like yours for some reason.with I could send a picture to you.but I know that's not possible.do you have any ideas?thanks

[@naturefold]

The amount of background blur also depends on the magnification, so if you're shooting from further away that might be an aspect?