Creative Macro Photography: Learning and Evolving

My Journey in Creative Macro Photography

A few years ago, I embarked on a creative macro photography project called Fungus Enlightening. The idea was simple: illuminate mushrooms and fungi in the forest to photograph them in a different way, using my available tools at the time.

Over time, I started researching macro lenses and discovered that they could take this project to another level. That’s when I decided to try a macro lens, knowing that this change would open up a whole new dimension full of possibilities.

My First Experience with a Macro Lens

Fortunately, the team at Irix Lens lent me their Irix 150mm F2.8 Dragonfly Macro lens, the only one in their catalog dedicated to this discipline. For someone like me, accustomed to landscape photography with wide-angle lenses, the macro world represented a radical shift.

I went from capturing vast landscapes to focusing on tiny details. It was a process full of challenges but also discoveries. During those first months:

• I took my first steps in macro photography.
• I made mistakes, but I learned from every session.
• I discovered the importance of patience and light control.
• I experimented with accessories I had never used before.

Back then, I also wrote a blog post about my first experiences in this field. You can read it here: Macro Adventures.

Continuing to Learn and Evolve

After returning the lens, I continued practicing sporadically, thanks to Laura, my life and photography adventure partner, who got a Canon 100mm Macro IS USM. This lens allowed me to keep progressing, though with certain limitations:

• Not having my own lens meant I had to share it, which sometimes disrupted my workflow.
• Macro photography requires time and patience, and pausing to share equipment occasionally complicated the sessions.

Despite these challenges, those years were essential for improving my technique and developing new ideas. I shifted my focus from pure documentation to a more artistic and creative approach.

Returning to the Irix 150mm F2.8 Dragonfly Macro

In the fall of 2024, the team at Irix Lens sent me another unit of the Irix 150mm F2.8 Dragonfly Macro. This time, the experience was entirely different—I had more knowledge, more practice, and a clearer vision of what I wanted to achieve.

Now, more than ever, creative macro photography has become my space for experimentation and exploration. Lighting, perspectives, and small tricks have turned into my tools for creating unique scenes and pushing the limits of my imagination.

So, Let’s See What I’m Up to Now!

Light: The Secret to Creating Microworlds

Controlling Natural Light

Light is, without a doubt, the most important element in photography, and learning to control it makes the difference between a decent shot and an incredible one. In the world of creative macro photography, where every tiny detail matters, light not only defines the subject but also sets the mood of the image.

In my early attempts at working with natural light, mastering it was a challenge. Imagine having the entire setup ready: the composition in place, the perfect subject, the micrometric rail adjusted, and the camera set up for the shot… and suddenly, a cloud drifts across the sky, or a tree stops casting its shade, completely altering the lighting conditions. This happened more times than I’d like to admit, and during some of my first sessions, it ruined several photos. While I could try to fix the results in post-processing, I was never entirely satisfied.

However, I’ve always believed that failure is one of the best ways to learn. Every mistake gave me the opportunity to refine my technique and pay much closer attention to light conditions before starting. I learned to observe where my subject was positioned, the sun’s direction, and, most importantly, to look for elements that could serve as natural light modifiers—a nearby tree, a rock, or even my own jacket strategically placed to create shade and maintain consistent lighting. These tricks, though improvised, were key in helping me gain better control over outdoor conditions.

It’s worth mentioning that I always conduct my macro photography sessions in nature—never at home or in a studio. For me, a big part of the charm of this type of photography is spending time in the forest. Every visit to a waterfall or woodland is an opportunity to discover new subjects and capture them in their natural environment. And if I can return home with a series of mushroom photos along with a few landscape shots, even better!

Adding Artificial Light

Once I managed to “control” natural lighting—or at least tame it to some extent—I started experimenting by combining it with small flashlights and portable lights. At first, the results were inconsistent, but little by little, I discovered the immense creative potential of working with artificial light in my macro shots.

Being able to direct light sources toward specific areas of the subject opened up a whole new range of possibilities. Illuminating the gills of a mushroom or highlighting the details of its surface, for example, enhanced contrast in those areas and helped emphasize textures, adding greater sharpness and depth to the image.

But the most fascinating part of this process was realizing that by independently controlling the lighting of the subject and the background, I could create effects entirely different from those achieved with natural light. This approach allowed me to “isolate” the main element of the image, generating a sense of separation that made it stand out more clearly.

Additionally, playing with light and foreground blur added a more artistic and dreamlike touch to my photos. As I mentioned, I moved beyond simple documentation and stepped into a far more narrative and creative space, where images began to tell small stories rather than merely capturing details.

Focus and Blur: The Duality of Creative Macro Photography

One of the most interesting aspects I’ve been working on lately is the creative use of blur to create dreamy atmospheres and give my images a touch of fantasy. In this process, the only limit is imagination. Playing with blur and letting creativity flow allows for the construction of magical and ethereal scenes, where the subject seems to emerge from nowhere.

Using foreground blur is a key technique to draw even more attention to the main subject. At the same time, the background becomes a soft and diffused canvas that subtly frames it. To enhance this effect, lighting plays a crucial role. Strategically illuminating both the subject and the background creates contrasts that enhance the sense of depth and drama.

For example, keeping the background in shadow while the subject is illuminated makes the latter stand out more strongly. This technique not only highlights key details but also adds an air of mystery and delicacy to the composition.

Focus Stacking: Expanding the Depth of Field

Playing with blur contrasts directly with the technical process of focus stacking, a fundamental technique in macro photography to achieve sharp and detailed images. Macro lenses behave quite differently compared to conventional lenses, even at similar apertures. This is because they allow us to get much closer to our subject, and this shorter minimum focusing distance causes a narrower depth of field than a standard lens at the same aperture.

For this reason, once I have selected the subject, set up the lighting, and adjusted the composition elements, it’s time to calibrate the micrometric rail. This tool is essential for capturing the multiple images required for stacking. I start by focusing on one end of the subject and, through small adjustments of the rail, I take several photos that will later be stacked in post-processing to create an image that is completely sharp from front to back. Currently, I am using the Irix Macro Rail 180.

Regarding software, a few years ago, I used Helicon Focus, a very popular tool among macro photographers. However, with the latest updates to Adobe Photoshop and the integration of the Tony Kuyper Panel, I have started to lean toward this option sometimes. The workflow has improved, allowing me to integrate focus stacking directly into my usual editing process, making everything much smoother.

The Perfect Balance: Merging Natural and Artificial Light

As I mentioned earlier, once a subject is found, it is crucial to analyze the surroundings and all the elements within them. Every small detail can influence our shots: the direction of natural light, the shadows cast by nearby branches, or even the texture of the ground. This initial observation is key to controlling ambient light and creating a solid foundation to work from.

Once natural elements are under control (at least as much as nature allows), it’s time to define the lighting setup that will highlight the most interesting aspects of the subject.

In the image (Ethereal Duet), natural light softly illuminated the background, creating a diffused atmosphere that helped separate the subject from its surroundings. Taking advantage of that base, I decided to selectively add artificial lighting—a soft light on the gills and a slight touch on the cap, following the direction of the natural light.

This lighting setup generated an interesting contrast between the subject and the background, creating a sense of depth and volume. Additionally, the naturally lit background helped visually isolate the subject, while the shadows cast on the moss added texture and drama to the scene.

I also used the moss in the foreground to create a soft blur, giving the composition a dreamy feel.

Additionally, I opted for warm tones, which provide a cozy sensation and complemented the composition. The combination of natural and artificial light allowed me to highlight details that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Creativity in the Field: New Techniques

This is where the real magic starts, and creativity becomes the driving force behind every shot. It’s time to move beyond simple documentation and begin playing with light, colors, and small details that can transform an image into something almost surreal.

One of the techniques that has fascinated me most during this process is incorporating elements that create controlled flares or reflections. These unexpected bursts of light can add a subtle yet impactful touch, creating highlights and halos that enrich the composition and reinforce the ethereal atmosphere I aim to convey.

The key is to use them intentionally—a small beam of light entering from a corner or a soft reflection on elements placed in the background can become the detail that elevates the image to another level. For example, I can go even further by isolating the subject from the background using a combination of warm tones in the main area and deeper shadows behind it. This contrast not only enhances the subject but also creates an immersive environment that invites the viewer to dream.

Here are some examples where I have experimented with these effects, combining different types of lighting and exploring color palettes that enhance the sense of fantasy. In each image, I strive to make the subject the absolute protagonist, emerging from a world that seems otherworldly.

Creative Post-Processing: Enhancing the Magic with Software

Post-Processing in Macro Photography

Post-processing is, without a doubt, one of the most crucial phases in creative macro photography, especially when the goal is to convey emotions beyond simple documentation. At this stage, all the creativity deployed in the field takes on a new dimension. Every tiny detail can be refined until the desired result is achieved.

Spending time editing each image allows me to enhance the atmosphere and the vision I built during the session. The goal is not to fix mistakes, but to amplify what is already there — enhancing lighting, emphasizing textures, or even giving it a more artistic and dreamlike approach.

My Post-Processing Workflow

To maintain a balance between technique and creativity, I follow a structured process that helps me achieve consistent and personal results:

1. Basic Image Development

Before diving into advanced edits, I make initial adjustments to:

• Exposure & contrast: To balance the light.
• White balance: To define the appropriate color temperature.
• Basic corrections: To remove small imperfections.

2. Focus Stacking

Since macro lenses have a shallow depth of field, I combine multiple images with different focus points to create a final image that is completely sharp.

3. Processing the Stacked Image

This is where the final artistic style of the photo is defined:

• Light directionality: I reinforce natural lighting to enhance the atmosphere.
• Dodge & Burn: I selectively lighten and darken areas to add volume and depth.
• Nik Collection Color Efex: I apply my own presets for a personalized touch.
• Orton Effect: I soften certain areas to create a dreamy glow and a magical ambiance.
• Final adjustments: Levels, curves, and additional refinements to polish the composition.

El Post-Procesado Como Extensión de la Fotografía

This process is completely personal and depends both on the photographer’s style and the image itself. Not all photos require the same level of editing—some call for subtle adjustments, while others benefit from a more intense approach to unlock their full potential.

Ultimately, post-processing should enhance the photograph, not save it. A well-thought-out shot in the field makes editing a means of elevating the image rather than correcting mistakes.

Spring is Here: New Subjects

Although mushrooms have undoubtedly been the main subjects of my journey in creative macro photography, this spring, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try something different. The arrival of the season’s first blooms and colors inspired me to experiment with new subjects that I had previously overlooked: flowers.

I started testing with flowers at home, even though I usually prefer shooting in nature. In fact, I think this is the first time I’m sharing a photograph taken in my own home, a space I had never considered suitable for this type of photography. One of the most interesting results of this experiment was an image of a carnivorous plant, whose structure and texture provided an unexpected and fascinating challenge. You can even see the insect trapped inside, which it was feeding on.

Additionally, I wanted to take this experimentation into the field, capturing the essence of wildflowers in their natural environment. Although this series is still in progress, and there is much left to explore, I wanted to include these early images here as a small preview of what could become a new creative direction for future macro adventures.

Conclusion: Macro Photography as a Creative Space

Creative macro photography is much more than capturing tiny details; it’s a way to experiment, to play with light, blur, and composition to create images with a personal touch. Each session is an opportunity to discover new perspectives and transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Beyond technique, what truly matters is the creative vision we bring to each shot. It’s not just about documenting—it’s about telling stories, conveying emotions, and immersing the viewer in tiny yet magical worlds.

In the end, what makes each image unique is not the gear or technical perfection, but the ability to see beyond the obvious and push imagination to its limits. And along the way, post-processing becomes the final tool to bring the envisioned scene to life.

That’s why macro photography is not just a discipline; it’s a journey. A journey that invites us to pause, to see the world with fresh eyes, and to discover hidden beauty in the most unexpected places. Each tiny subject is a universe waiting to be explored, and each image, an opportunity to create something truly unique.