Approaching Insects without Scaring Them Away (Macro Photography)

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[@MicaelWidell]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe for weekly videos! More regular content from me in these places: 💌 newsletter: mwroll.com 🎞 instagram: instagram.com/mwroll 🪙 patreon: patreon.com/micaelwidell 🐦 twitter: twitter.com/micaelwidell 📸 my favorite macro lens: bit.ly/mwlaowa60 (best price + free shipping worldwide at that link :)

[@drakebilly7756]

Instablaster.

[@femanvate]

Two years ago I'd never ever imagine watching how to be less scary to bugs. Today, its the best thing I've watched.

[@cheebawobanu]

I love dragonflies as they are curious and will keep coming back!

[@Anarki2U]

Yes, you have to approuch slowly, but you also have to be aware of your own shadow, do not let your shadow "catch" the insect when you approach :)

[@joaovtaveira]

Yes, that's crucial and another reason why it is preferable to shoot macro with not so small working distances.

[@susanb2140]

Another trick I discovered last year is that if you're out on a windy day (not ideal!), you can use the distraction of the wind to your advantage. I was photographing Halloween Pennant dragonflies, which like to perch on tall grass stems, but they were very sensitive and took off whenever I approached. However, I noticed that every time the wind blew, the dragonfly was so focused on keeping its grip that I was able to take a few steps closer without it noticing. It didn't seem to mind my BEING close; it was just the act of moving closer that bothered it. After a few good gusts of wind, I was able to get close enough for some great macro shots.

[@MicaelWidell]

Yes this is a great tactic! The insects are so focused at holding on in the wind that they don't notice you photographing them :)

[@susanb2140]

These are some great tips! I have found for butterflies and dragonflies (and maybe other flying insects), if you watch them land and then wait a little bit, they're more likely to let you approach--if you try when they've just landed, they'll be off instantly. Also, each species has different behavior--the swallowtails I've seen are very flighty and rarely land for more than a second even when nectaring, while hairstreaks and some of the other small butterflies will take their time at a flower or on a perch and can be very patient with photographers! Dragonflies can be difficult to approach since their vision is so excellent, but the good news is that they return to a perch. If you accidentally scare one away, back off a bit and wait, and it will often come right back to the same perch.

[@tadamcochran]

These are great suggestions! An approach I take is going out at night to look for insects. I wear a headlamp and use a Lume Cube on a bracket attached to the bottom plate and flash in the hot shoe. The Lume Cube provides plenty of light to focus by. At night so many normally skittish insects are extremely cooperative.

[@MicaelWidell]

That would be interesting to try!

[@powpronto]

Beginner practice on slug with tiny minimum working distance. Now cleaning slime from lens.

[@cloudydays9968]

Great video. Always something new to learn. Also insects, bugs, animals can sense the fear and stress. You might ended up by attacking them. So best is to stay calm, no fear, no stressful environment around them and they feel comfortable being around you.

[@walterpierluissi1379]

Micael, hello from Indianapolis IN USA. I have been doing fontography as a hobby since I was pretty young because my grandfather has a Leica M1 with all the gears and he actually took me under his wing and show me how to do photography. I had some cheap cameras but since he gave my first pro camera a Nikon F4, I was captivated by Nikon. Since my first DSLR the D70 to my latest D500, I have been a fan for wildlife, but also have done some real estate, food and products. I am still consider myself at 63 a student that really love photography.... but you have introduce me to a world I never dream about.... I do still have my D300, a D600 and the love of my life a D500 - all in perfect working conditions. And now I am doing some macro's following your tips and interesting videos. What an amazing experience is macro, it have just burst my enthusiasm to "the point of no return!!!!". Thank you, thank you and more thank you....

[@MicaelWidell]

Happy to hear that! And I agree, discovering the joy of macro photography is one of the most amazing things that happened in my life 🙂

[@joannaz68]

Oh yes! They always run/fly away when you are about to press the shutter button :-)) Big thanks Micael!

[@whatsthatguydoing]

Another good suggestion: Moths In 2 days I went from a worm to a honey bee. I've learned to slowly creep up on them on flowers, mainly when they are on the opposite side. Hornets have amazing reaction time to you creeping up on them, and I don't want to get stung. Those jumbo fury bees is what I am currently after.

[@thrashmetalss6669]

Thank you Micael ✌✌

[@SinaFarhat]

Tack för dom superfina tipsen! Vi har ju den fina och varma säsongen framför oss så jag ser fram emot dina vandra i naturen och finna bra insekter att fota stunder! Ha en fin helg!

[@ragewise6377]

heheheh, i always like your ways of explanation, with light laugh and smiles. that make me also laugh everytime. i can see you are a very friendly and polite person, which is entertaining and good to watch after working all day.

[@aslater4385]

Wise words Michael. I wish you had made this video a year ago as it would have saved me so much time in coming to the same conclusions as you have!

[@hirokicruz47]

HI Micael, great video. The reason why bugs move when a shadow goes on them is that it simulates a bird or other predator going for them.

[@Mari1011]

AWESOMEEEE! Thanks for those tips

[@pascalschindlerphotography8725]

I totally agree with you here. I made the same experiences. Ultimately it comes down to exactly that: Personal experience with different species. One thing to add here: There are some species, that retreat not fast, but slowly. From an ethical point of view, I decided, that if I recognize such a behavior, I will leave it in peace. For me, this is an obvious sign, that the insect does not want to cooperate anymore.

[@MicaelWidell]

Agree 100%. If the insect walks away I do not chase it.

[@andersandersen6295]

The very first thing i noticed when i started macro in the field, was that windy days made me get closest without scaring the insects, I think its due to them having to hold more firmly on to whatever they sit on, and everything around them moves with the wind, so they get used to the shift in light and shadow that naturally occours when plants move around, they simply ignore you and think you are part of the moving brush, on calm days they can sit in a bright spot and they will get spooked by the sudden change in light/shadow. When i find a insect on a windy day, naturally whatever they sit on will move with the wind, so one hand will be used to steady the plant while shooting, a monopod is a great addition to help holding the camera and keep it steady in that case. One of the better tips i got for shooting flying insects, is to mount 3 or 4 chopsticks on your lense, and let them point the lenght of your focal point, that way you can frame the insect in the focal distance without using the screen/wievfinder , you can simply look directly at the insect and follow its movements with the camera by keeping the insect inside the tips of the chop sticks.

[@MicaelWidell]

Easier than a monopod is to simply hold the leaf or plant that the insect is sitting on, and rest the lens on the same hand - unbeatable stability

[@paulknight7789]

I took your advice and approached the thumbs up button slowly and steadily, before clicking it at the last minute and it worked. Great video and thanks for the helpful tips.

[@Nicohusss]

These photos are insane! super cool and unique look

[@iamdcraze]

Same here re building up empathy for insects as I get deeper into macro photography.

[@thebeardedphotographer1595]

I agree with you %100 on the subject of not killing insects anymore now that I am in to macro photography. I look at them with a new perspective now.

[@mb-hb1fr]

Not only the content but I love your philosophy too.

[@andream..]

Hi Micael, great video. I 💯 agree with all your macro tips. I have my favorite spots in my garden where I know I’ll find my bugs, then just sit and wait. My favorite at the moment is jumping spiders and lynx spiders, and while both are pretty skittish, I’m starting to think they know me so will hang around for photos. They are pretty still when they’re eating making for some great shots. Andrea 😊

[@j.andrie9057]

I have learn a lot from you thank you so much ❤️

[@gerardklauner902]

I like to take pictures of very small fish (from a few millimeters to 2 or 3 cm), and the working distance is important, because obviously, you can't get into the aquarium. So, a 105 mm macro lens is often better than -say- a 60 mm.

[@glennhunt2375]

Used to shoot with 200mm + ( macro ) not to scare insects away but since investing in a sigma 105mm dedicated macro prime am forced to get closer in but what a difference in the detail you do miss some of the skittish ones but you can't have everything ! Some good advice there Micael. 👍

[@wolfamri]

Great tips, thank you. I really appreciate your approach of thinking more about killing animals. One thing I'd add is: if you have a garden a balcony, plant some flowers that attract local insects. Peppermint and lavender will help big time (at least here in central Europe). Then you can sit there and they will come and go without even caring about you at all. Particularly peppermint grows like weed. Plant it somewhere even in the wild where nobody would care and after 1 or two years, you'll have so much that it will attract at least 20-30 insects at once. At best different species of peppermint because some flower earlier than others and that will extend the shooting period. Ours flower since more than 2 months now.

[@MicaelWidell]

I live in Sweden. We have winters. Insects do not land on lavender when it is -10 celsius. Hence the need to sometimes shoot dead insects to demonstrate certain things. But in the summer sure sounds like a nice idea :)

[@ZappaZappaDooo]

Thank you very much. Your macro videos are very informative.

[@eduardoc.jimenez3388]

Just purchased a 28mm macro lens so this video is exactly what I needed.. great tutorial! :)

[@benjaminvleugels5609]

An animal I also found easy tho photograph and is a very nice subject is jumping spider they often times just looks straight into the camera but they do jump on the camera as well so you are going to have to put them back a few times

[@im2p]

I forgot one thing. If needed, you can have another bracket for the STF-8. It is called Olympus FL-BKM03.

[@pdw7165]

Hi Matthias. Is it worth it? It's quite expensive piece of kit so what's your experience with it?

[@im2p]

@@pdw7165 Hello Piotr, thank you for your Question. The bracket can be used with any flash. In my oppinion it is very interesting, if you are working with very high scales, because then you are very close to your subject and the flashes are at the side. This is not so frightening for the insects. They tolerate it better.

[@pdw7165]

@@im2p thank you

[@claudinchenchen]

Good tips! You need especially a lot of patience and also luck for good shots or footage.

[@touchedbynature5445]

Very helpful and informative. Many thanks for sharing.

[@mikeavison5383]

Great advice. I would add one thing. As far as getting the next shot is concerned. The shutter sound is not helpful. If you have an SLR maybe nothing you can do about that. If you have compact just make sure the artificial shutter sound is turned off. If you have mirrorless system camera (like Sony A or Fuji X) you can sometimes choose between physical shutter (noise!) and electronic shutter (quiet). If you're crazy and buying antique film camera , get a quiet one.

[@goldenfrog6EsCoSes]

To be honest, I haven't found that the shutter noise (or the flash) scares them away. I shoot with a DSLR. It's my approach that can sometimes freak the insects out, but if I manage to get close enough, they tend to let me snap away with no problem.

[@NOT_NativeEN_Speaker]

Amazing tips, gentleman, thx a lot! (Gone to try it right now... :)

[@lassebirkhenriksen]

Thank you Micael

[@BobButcherAK]

Excellent advice.

[@richardlewis9868]

Hi Micael, great video, massive tips that can help the macro photographer, if I may be bold i will give my experience of field insect macro work, first of all if your going out to photograph a particular insect....research it first, where it may be when it roosts what the diet is and what are its predictors, a typical example is the dragonfly....they have a favorite hunting place, a stick or leaf overlooking a pond, they will come back to this time and again, just watch and look from a distance, when the dragonfly has left to hunt make your way the to to hunting perch, they will ignore you, if you looking to get a dragonfly/damselfly in the air approach slowly but constantly, if you use jerky movements you will mimic the insects biggest threat...birds, you can see this in the way a heron hunts, don't be a heron be fluid in your motions and the insect will not be scared, just sit and the dragonfly will come back, sorry for the very long post, i've been taking macro shots of nature for many many years and some times you get a chance to share what you have learnt, apologies again for the many words, keep up the great work Micael

[@Rafaga777]

Thanks a lot for these useful tips...

[@johnlee1103]

That's true. I like it.

[@MckayGeoff]

Excellent tips!

[@paoloraffaelli232]

Agree on the shadow scaring the insect away, it happens in my opinion almost 100% of times, I guess that is associated to a bird coming, like rabbits don't like to be lifted, what a prey bird would do... I am sure sooner or later we'll meet at Bergianska Trädgård (I love the place)!

[@RadBudaspectrum-photography]

You're so right about snails, they are rockets. Subject that always puzzled me how some photographers managed to take a shoot of dragonfly mid air? How?

[@the_linguist_ll]

Same with dragonflies, closest I’ve gotten is a frame of a video which is clearly less than ideal (and still wasn’t great, just okay)

[@grumblewoof4721]

Personally I try taking to them and reasoning with them but I always have a SWAT team in a nearby van on standby.

[@Inpreesme]

Thank you

[@joaovtaveira]

Spiders are also great to photograph, they don't get that scared and, of course, they don't fly.

[@joaovtaveira]

Don't you photograph spiders?

[@MicaelWidell]

I do. Check my other videos, for example this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4nCdYF4itZqrqs

[@jakubkarolewicz3678]

I've noticed if you managed to hide yourself behind a camera it's pretty easy to catch a fly. My work distance is a few centimeters. Yesterday I was able to take like 20 pictures of albino fly🙂

[@subramanyam6985]

Working distance very much matters.. Esp for shooting Dragonfly/Damselfly I would prefer my sigma 180mm macro over my Tokina 100mm..

[@stephenjones5160]

To each their own this is what works for him and his photos speak for themselves

[@subramanyam6985]

@@stephenjones5160 I know and I follow Micael and really like his work... But I was pointing to the statement about "working distance doesn't matter".. if you photograph skittish subjects in the field, then you will understand what i am saying.. I have been doing this since many years with my 60mm, 100mm and 180mm macro lenses..

[@Jbobonline]

Hi Micael. I try not to cast shadows on insects and that keeps them feeling safe.

[@franciscocalvo1980]

Thanks for those advices. That involves previous aperture/speed setup. Which are yours? About focusing, I guess you have a prefocused distance in manual mode and the you approaches to the subject until is perfect focused on the visor.

[@MicaelWidell]

Regarding settings, please see my video about macro photography settings. Regarding focusing - yes that is exactly how I do it :)

[@morsing]

6:33 wonder if the diffuser actually hides the photographer and camera from the insect and is less scary to them.

[@wergraphy4220]

For Macro Photography you have to be really patient. Its like only 10% are even in focus and from these 10% which are in focus are maybe 10% a good composition.

[@joernsbilderwelt]

I had not noticed the grid pattern on your shirt unless you mentioned it B-)

[@macrogiants]

Wow , big surprise , coincidently my first subject of microphotography was snail too ☻

[@kornasteniker3939]

Haha, great thumbnail title 😁 Sounds like the title of a horror movie

[@tariqueanwer9900]

I wana be also a macrophotographer like you , but I don't have camera . What should I do.

[@MicaelWidell]

I guess you have to save up for a camera. Look in my budget macro playlist for cheap solutions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/goPGnnitZZJmZqs

[@Ari_Madrid]

I would suggest to use what you have for now until you can upgrade. i use an iphone se from 2016 and while it leaves me wanting more details in the pictures, it'll have to nip my craving for macrophotography until i can learn more about advanced cameras so i can make a sound investment in a good quality camera. It also makes me that more impressed when I get great pictures that you wouldnt think are from a cellphone camera, no filters or accessories, just very close up pictures of insects or plants. My cousin use to use his mom's cheap camera to feed his passion until he made the investment to upgrade.

[@cartercooperpa]

Thanks for the useful info! What diffuser are you using?

[@WetaMantis]

What about dragonflies ?

[@enemix4]

Good tutorial as all of yours video on the channel . Q. I have 30mm macro panasonic f 2.8 when I was training macro photography starting macro photography /viodegraphy I didn't mind that lens how ever now I wanna get closer and closer to the subject and sometimes lens throwing a shadow over it also my flash have harder to get to the front of my lens. Long story short Im looking to upgrade to olympus 60mm lens to have more flexibility do you think is a good upgrade would you upgrade it ?

[@MicaelWidell]

Yes I think it is a good upgrade! The Olympus 60mm is legendary and one of the absolute best macro lenses for MFT. I would also consider the Laowa 50mm which has 2x magnification.

[@enemix4]

@@MicaelWidell Yes I was looking in to Laowa 50mm also seen review on your channel love possibility of this lens to go x2 magnification the only thing is Im doing some v8deo stock footage and having AF is a big factor for me . I think to get olympus 60mm and with time buy raynox dcr-250 for bigger magnification if I want to shoot some really small insect. If only laowa 50mm had AF I wouldn't even think about Olympus.

[@MicaelWidell]

@@enemix4 yep if you need AF then the Olympus 60mm is the best lens out there

[@enemix4]

@@MicaelWidell Thanks for your reply and your professional opinion Best of luck 👍

[@BaronVonBiffo]

I love the pic of the ladybird in the curled up leaf at 1:42

[@JBRYT15]

How do you take pictures of bees when there 5 of them everywhere? Do you wait when it is on a flower then take a picture How do you take pictures close up on iPhone

[@MicaelWidell]

I spot a bee on a flower, I shoot it - as simple as that :) Sometimes I wait for it to land on a flower. Search my name and iphone macro photography to find tips for that.

[@travellingeurope8770]

Hi Michael. I have a question to you: how do you manage to take pictures of insects so close? Why don't they fly away? Thanks for your answer😊

[@vintage_lenses9878]

That's what this video told you 🤔

[@AleccSaar]

Any tips for mobile Photograpers❤️🔥

[@gerardoelizondo6845]

When would you return to the field and record a video of how do yo take macro photos ?

[@MicaelWidell]

My previous video from 3 days ago was exactly that.

[@rufussamuel924]

what s the diffuser name that u used? I want to buy one.

[@MicaelWidell]

It is of the german brand DÖRR

[@rufussamuel924]

Thanks for ur reply. Is it called as macro diffuser?

[@Wesz808]

So following your advice I got really close and than smashed the fly with my Laowa 60mm. Oh well... better watch the rest of the youtube movie next time.

[@MicaelWidell]

😅

[@ilickcatnip]

Loved this video a lot, thanks Micael! 2:50 0.5 cm??

[@MicaelWidell]

Yes with that lens you have to push it against the subject to get good magnification

[@ilickcatnip]

@@MicaelWidell omg!

[@JASONALBUTT]

No subtitles 😥

[@papichulo1691]

Agregale sutitulos en español 🐴

[@joaovtaveira]

Wasps?! Do you have the b..., I mean, the guts to shoot them? Haven't you have ever been bitten?

[@MicaelWidell]

I have never been bitten when photographing them. I am careful, but they are usually not aggressive.

[@syntom1]

Not being tall would help too...

[@poeticpursuits1332]

With my lens I have to almost touch the insect to get a photo.

[@ejones0310]

I wonder how often you've been stung by a wasp when you've stuck a lens in its face?

[@MicaelWidell]

I got stung by a lot of wasps when playing as a kid, but never once as a grownup despite doing macro photography for years now. I guess I’m just careful and maybe lucky :) if a bee looks aggressive I immediately step away a bit.

[@ejones0310]

@@MicaelWidell bees generally have to feel endangered before they sting since a sting for them is a life ending event. Wasps on the other hand are just mean and nasty. They sting with very little provocation. I’m glad to hear you’ve not been stung recently. Watch out for murder hornets.

[@goldenfrog6EsCoSes]

Where I live there are many leaf-cutter ants. These tiny creatures operate tirelessly in columns and are not really disturbed by the occasional passing macro photographer (as long as you don't step on them). They march quickly and determinedly to and fro in a straight line, and I've found that you can get a good shot of them by panning the camera. www.flickr.com/photos/157809326@N05/50529653793/in/dateposted-public/