How to Photograph Butterflies and Insects | Macro Photography Tips

[@fish3010]

I appreciate when I see people shooting macro live subjects, in wild, without affecting them in any negative way. Props for covering ethics!

[@Kiwicruiser355]

Lovely to watch a video that doesn't turn macro photography into a ' rocket science' art form. Thank you.

[@EnidAgnusDei]

As an old fart photographer, I thought here we go, a young un who will bang on about autofocus and not have a clue what he was on about, However, I was wrong. Your video impressed me on many levels esp the ethics, so fair play to you and if photography has a future, then I hope you are the face of it. 10/10.

[@eight7sixjoe]

I really enjoyed this tutorial. It was detailed yet not drawn out. Thank you very much. I am now subscribed.

[@jacquilloyd627]

Very inspiring, thank you. Your shots are very beautiful.

[@ChristianL93]

Great video 👍🏻 please make more about macro photography 😁 and a video where you show us your gear 😀 love that you use Nikon 😍

[@lachlanscanlan5621]

Wow that was an excellent piece of work, well done mate

[@rajivsingha22]

Thank you. This video was really helpful. And great shots!

[@lizardltd]

Beautiful photos and a great video!

[@CamperVanTango]

Very helpful video, I will try to experiment 👌

[@sabyasachibanerjee124]

Very useful and practical advice. Shots to die for...

[@catherinetremerryn]

Wonderful video and ideas, thank you

[@syst5253]

Thank you for this video. Simple and well-presented. Has helped immensely 😊

[@Noealz]

Looks like you've mastered this pretty well

[@markmcmullan3351]

Your getting tips from a true master here .

[@AakashBanodhe]

I love photographing insects, but mostly with a mobile camera and this video answered many of my questions. thank you. also not many point out the topic of ethics in this field. great video.

[@wildcreatures468]

really great video...well presented, thoughtful and some lovely images.

[@jbairdexp]

Nice work again from the NatureTTL team and Ross Hoddinott. Kudos for talking about the importance of ethics when shooting insects as well. Great video, full of good tips. 👍😀

[@tom_the_arun_cat]

Beautifully done! Ethics part was the best I liked, and a very important one. And nice sample shots as well!

[@PhilJonesIII]

Excellent video. I photograph plants mostly and, like most other addicts, spend a lot of time up close and personal with the ground where there are bugs you probably won't see or feel until their job is done. We don't have to worry about malaria in temperate climates but we certainly have Lyme disease and others to contend with. They can do a lot more than just spoil your day. In tropical climes, it not so much a case of 'will you catch something?' but, 'which ones will I catch?' Keep your skin covered, especially the legs. Good boots and long socks at the very least. I'm all for good ethics but bugs have none when taking lumps out of you and giving something nasty in return.

[@johnpouw3352]

Great stuff, just bought a Macro lens this evening and looking forward to exploring another genre :)

[@linaionta7590]

Thank you for the tips, as always :) I like to photograph in natural light also because I find it more natural and spontaneous. Less time spent trying to approximate flash settings and comparing/reviewing image in playback...I am toying with the idea of learning to use reflectors and LED lights though. Any tips or recommendations. Thank you 🙏

[@jichaelmorgan3796]

Morning and evening light is the bast! But don't be afraid to play around and experiment during the day. The harsh lights can be great for black and white, and it can also create interesting and unuasual low key effects when you expose for the highlights and allow the rest of the scene to be very dark. It's hard to explain, but it can be very unique.

[@SaiPixels]

Fabulous 😮📸❤️

[@zaugitude]

I use what I call the “human macro rail” method that you explain around 5:30, regularly; definitely the best method for hand held macro. It is just about impossible that the camera would pick the perfect depth to auto focus to, when you are dealing with fractions of a millimeter and very three dimensional subjects. CheerZ!

[@astanisystems]

That Nikkor AF Micro 200mm F4 is an exotic piece of glass. Most of them can be bought from Japan, but boy are they expensive if you want a minty example. I guess a Tokina AT-X Pro 100mm F2.8 Macro or Nikkor 105mm version are the only choice for most of us on a budget. Having that said I own both Tokina and D850, but I never heard about that lens until I saw your video.

[@touchedbynature5445]

Brilliant, very helpful and informative. Many thanks for sharing.

[@OrigamiCalm]

Thank you so much for this - very helpful. I appreciated the section on ethics too.

[@byram101]

woah.. I watched this on a 32" FHD monitor and was completely mesmerized by how beautiful your shots were.. well done.

[@ChristianL93]

Hey NatureTTL ☺️ Great video 👍🏻 I see you use the old 200 mm lens from the 80's, if I'm not mistaken 🤔 can that still compete against the newer macro lenses from Nikon? And is there a reason why you don't use a lens hood?

[@astanisystems]

I just read that that lens never came with a hood. Other than that, it's an exotic lens, super sharp, but also super expensive if you want a minty unit and most of the units come from Japan. If you live in EU like me, you also have to pay massive taxes for it. Sucks. A minty unit is well over €1000, and adding taxes and shipping to it, you're looking at around €1500 tops. He's lucky to have it.

[@harshabhat1240]

Excellent Tutorial. We saw some nice pictures too.

[@andrewyeates7717]

Great video. Ross's work is incredible

[@Naturettl]

He's a real master of his craft, that's for sure.

[@SteveHedgesPhotography]

Excellent video and I totally agree about the ethics, subject always comes first.

[@KGsPhotography]

Great video and well explained. It is one of the subjects I find really hard and as a result my 100mm macro is very under used. This has inspired me to go out and try harder. Cheers Keith

[@d.k.1394]

Yes macro insect shots are very hard

[@michael-gs6kh]

Superb photography!

[@klackon1]

Good video. I always use flash for macro images, as it means I don't have to rely on good natural lighting in order to capture images at low ISO. I use a Meike 320S mini speedlite and bounce attachment with my A7III + 90mm macro and a Neewer 880 with a GN of 60 on my A9 + 100 - 400mm (+ or - a TC) for those further away close up's. I set my cameras to 1/250th, f13 and ISO 100 with my speedlites set to manual (normally half power) and then alter the angle of the head accordingly. Flash really brings out the colours on dull days and early mornings.

[@mcddetectrespect.7467]

Thanks, loved it.

[@emilemontiere6128]

Great video as Butterflies are one of my favourite subjects. Your ethical part was so important, I cant imagine doing anything to a creature to enhance my photography. I am going to Sri Lanka soon to photograph wildlife so your tutorials are well timed. Thank you.

[@Naturettl]

Great - glad you liked it! We agree: ethics are so important. Have a great time in Sri Lanka!

[@emilemontiere6128]

@@Naturettl Many thanks for your kind reply.

[@NeilBurnellPhotography]

Nicely done Ross

[@aokuruoglu]

I liked your way to approach ethicall photography. Respecting the creatures' natural immunity. If I feel that the insect or other creature are frightened then I stop chasing it.I believe that If photographer really love them they feel you are harmless.

[@timseward19]

First time viewer of your channel, excellent. Now I'm a subscriber.

[@Naturettl]

Tim Seward welcome! Great to have you.

[@richardharvey1732]

Hi TTL, well done, but I noticed that at the start you said that high magnification causes shallow depth of field, actually it is the combination of large aperture and close-up position, the proximity being the cause of the high magnification. To mitigate this you can opt for a smaller aperture which might cause slower shutter speed and or higher Iso. A long telephoto lens can help in allowing greater distance from your subject. recently I have been using a 50 to 140 F2.8 telephoto lens with a two times tele-converter at a minimum distance of about half a metre, much easier than right up close with the 80 mm macro lens, although not quite so sharp. Both lenses have four or five stops of OIS, but the the 80mm macro is so sharp at about five inches that I just can't keep it still enough even at a shutter speed over 100th sec.!. I am now using a monopod for stability!. The other lens is not quite so good or close but will get a large butterfly pretty much filling the frame, hand held as slow as 40th sec. I am finding that even with the care in lining up on the subject of which you rightly speak, I am having to use F8 to F11to get enough of the animal in focus. For those who might wish to know I am using Fujifilm cameras and lenses. The focusing tips are good, moving yourself in and out is a good practice, its a bit like martial arts, you have to get your entire body in the right balance, I'm using one foot back and square, one foot forward and pointing to the subject, knees slightly bent, I can sort of feel when its stable, of course I'm always forgetting to set myself up properly in my haste to get the shot!. The tips on supplementary lighting are food for thought, I need to get another little LED like yours. Cheers Richard.

[@d.k.1394]

Top long didn't read this

[@philipswan1016]

Well done on reminding people about ethics, great photos btw

[@skakdosmer]

Thanks. Very inspiring.

[@Sam-ch9mn]

Inspiring and educational. Loved it. You taught me on a Dartmoor course a few years ago and your style helped me learn some important landscape techniques. Great to have some of your macro tuition too.

[@URBANITO13]

Thanks for the video. It's strange in the first picture at 2:34 the air stopped ... what happened ... hahaha did you see it?

[@stevestinnett6777]

Very good video. Thank you.

[@WildPortraitArtist]

These tips are absolutely invaluable!

[@Naturettl]

We're glad you think so! Thanks!

[@vybhavavenkatesh7703]

Thank you!

[@ChaoMkulima]

Wow I looove it

[@MrTabakos]

Thanks, it was very useful!

[@aquhoil]

super images

[@saxon1177]

When you use a tripod are you using the 2 sec timer to help eliminate shutter shake?

[@phryxe]

If you are not entirely looking for pretty images, you could use a flash and the lighting conditions doesn’t matter as much. I find it exiting to go out at night with a head torch to see what lurches in the dark. You’ll find moths, beetles, spiders etc moving about. With flash photography the lack of natural light isn’t a big issue.

[@SwetAndrew11111]

Крутые фото! Спасибо!

[@d.k.1394]

Grrrreat vid

[@JustSamOfficial]

Great tips thanks. I love your photos.

[@ChrisMosner]

Excellent tutorial and inspiring images! You are a master photographer we can learn a lot from. Happy to have discovered this channel - more content, please. 😉

[@Naturettl]

More to come!

[@famistudio]

What a great channel.

[@aerena]

Speaking of ethics, I've always wonder if flashes harm vision of insects. Do you know the answer? Nice tips by the way.

[@rachelmcnulty5619]

Great video Ross, thank you.

[@charlenenagel7962]

Wonderful video! And very inspiring! So many subject just outside my back door!

[@805atnorafertsera6]

Nice, big plus for the ethics keep it up.

[@MrHawkshadow]

Great video! Thanks

[@ronpardue]

Great work, great video, and was very helpful....

[@martincregg]

Excellent!

[@marilynzanca7712]

I have a canon 100mm macro, but I see in your description you use a 200mm macro is that right?

[@Brock_in_the_North]

With dragonfly and Butterfly i use auto focus regularly but anything smaller than that I use manual focus. Auto focus has come a long way but I don't care how good your auto focus is, Macro is a different ball game so the quicker you adapt to manual focus the better 🙂 your images will be the reward.

[@Roby0593]

are there 200mm macro cheap lens ?

[@goldenfrog6EsCoSes]

Nice video Ross! Thank you. I've been trying out some macro photography with extension tubes (and a 50 mm prime) , but want invest in a macro lens. You recommended any lens over 100 mm, but I´m eyeing up the Tamron 90 mm (F017 model) to be used on a crop sensor camera. What do you think? I shoot Canon, and their 100 mm L macro lens is pretty expensive. I'd consider a second hand one though.

[@astanisystems]

Over 100mm only 105mm Nikkor, but Tokina AT-X Pro 100mm F2.8 is sharper and cheaper ( around 300 USD or 350 EUR). I myself own a Tokina and a D850. However Tokina is the latest lens in my collection, so I still have to extensively test it out this spring, but in my tests, it's really sharp.

[@marilynzanca7712]

I seen the 3rd dragon fly, it shallow deep of field. did you use any software to blur the background?

[@allinallalaguraja7691]

lovley photos

[@DiviPhotos]

Great video nice

[@jollyroger5646]

Any filters used?

[@Pat-1000]

Thanks very much.

[@marilynzanca7712]

can you get the same blurry backgrounds as you have in this video with my lens?

[@informationsense4621]

Sir, where we can sell insect photos

[@Brock_in_the_North]

Very enjoyable video :)

[@BrettHondow]

Very nice shots. Now try taking those same images on an entry level DSLR crop sensor like most of us have, with iso pushed past 800. Nothing will be in sharp focus. That's why I have to use flash with my macro, unless it's a big insect and I'm using a tripod, cable release, mirror lock up etc in a controlled environment, then I can get some sharp images with my D5300.

[@missismiggins7329]

Would it not be easier top take a can of insecticide and give them a quick spray then when they die you could collect them all up and arrange them in carious poses with the aid of some Superglue?

[@Naturettl]

I hope this is sarcasm...

[@averymcdaniel423]

What settings are you using?

[@k.g.wuensch9998]

Thanks for the very good video - especially regarding the ethics and the statement that the magnification determines DOF and not the focal length. The incorrect statement that the focal length reduces depth of field is a common occurrence among the other videos about macro photography, possibly because of the simplifications in common DOF calculators (which are incorrect in closeup distances) or errors in testing (not adjusting to get the same magnification when switching lenses). Do kudos to you for getting that one spot on!

[@SetiawanAgus]

Tks

[@newtuber4freedom43]

Just found you and love the video. Subscribing!! 🦋🦋

[@fofdeejay]

Tnx for sharing 👌

[@roseckansas3871]

Love the video. New subscriber here.

[@theeclecticphotographerajr5372]

Not my thing but very informative and great images...

[@nilotpal_dey]

Should I buy TTL flash or manual flash for macro photography ?

[@pandoraanimagus]

Old recipe for macro insect's photo- one insect, one fridge, many shoot ;-)

[@Nivenization]

Thank you.

[@IliasVanHende]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@wassim2364]

☕️👍

[@LarsKiel]

👍

[@chrismass9761]

If you shake bushes or trees in the immediate area you agitate the mosquitos that end up flying out...you will soon see the dragonflies come in for lunch...

[@Zainphotography]

Lol i bought a Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro lens.

[@jeffreyhurst7231]

Why the hell are you whispering?

[@albertussmit4090]

Butterflies & insects... Butterflies ARE insects! It’s like saying chickens and birds.

[@simmo303]

forgot to put 'and other'.

[@bodohubinger7864]

dificult to understand. Speech too fast.