I first fell in love with macro photography back in 1997, I think it was. I had joined a photography club where some people showed macro photos of flowers; it was instant love.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a macro lens back then. It didn’t mean I stopped longing for one.
Even during my arts degree much of my work was still life and up-close work. It continued really until it got to a point where I knew I needed to get a macro lens. The problem is that they were, or are, very expensive.
I had to find other ways of doing it. I tried and used extension tubes, and then close-up filters. They were fine for a while, but in a way they just made me crave a macro lens even more.
In 2014 I was given an opportunity from Nikon to try out a 40mm macro lens.
It was good and also really bad. I told you in a recent post how much trouble I had with the lens. I found the first photos I took with it.
They weren’t great, but I loved doing them.
From this moment on I became obsessed with getting a macro lens.
I was loaned a Tamron 90mm for a while from a company in Sydney that has since closed. Here are some photos taken with it.
Since I only had a loan of the lens I did have to send it back.
It is amazing what can happen when you desperately want something. Sometimes you find a way.
I hate to say it but my photography business was always a bit of a joke and made very little money. Yes, I was a failure when it came to trying to make money from my photography. I tried for years and when I gave that up three years ago I have to admit I have been so much happier. Maybe I can do a post about that one day if you want to hear about it.
Anyway, so I wanted this macro lens. I ended up applying for a grant.
My local council was doing grants and I applied for one. In the grant, I said I would do a book and that I needed a macro lens for it. It was approved and I finally got the lens. I purchased a Nikon 105mm lens. It did mean I had to do a book as well. That was another experience I wouldn’t repeat. It was a massive flop. I hardly sold any copies of it.
I could have purchased a Tamron macro, but I figured if I was being given the money to buy it, why not get the Nikon one. I think if I hadn’t got the grant I would have ended up with the Tamron macro and been very happy with it.
Here are some of my first photos with the Nikon Macro lens.
The Nikon and I have had a wonderful time over the years, but I fear now that I have the Fujifilm 80mm macro I might have to retire it.
So I’ve been doing macro photography since 2014 and I have loved it. Along the way, I have picked up more gear, especially Lensbaby stuff.
I do have to say though, that macro photography did take a back seat for most of those years. I concentrated on the business and doing landscape and city photography.
Then the pandemic hit.
It was just before the pandemic that I made the agreement with my husband that I would stop the business side of photography and concentrate more on home. However, even with the pandemic I still wanted to take photos.
The best way to take photos was to look at doing things like food photography and macro.
I don’t do a lot of food now, almost none. I am, however, doing a lot of macro photography. Over the last three years I have taken more photos of flowers than anything else.
One thing about doing so much photography in the garden also meant I had to have flowers to photograph. It had always been a dream to have a good macro garden, meaning a garden for macro photography, so I have spent a lot of time and money on that.
Here are a couple of photos.
It isn’t there yet, but it is a great start. I am still trying to work out how to get things to grow, but again, I will get there. I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting flowers that I want to take photos of. I am also putting paving stones through it so I don’t have to step on plants when I’m taking photos.
I have started looking at new gear and what else I can do to get even better flower photos, but you will have to wait to hear more about that.
So this post has all been leading to me saying that I think I want to concentrate more on macro photography. Maybe do it more than the other stuff. Let’s face it, the other stuff never led anywhere, so why not do what I love doing as well?
That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy going out, and I still want to do that, but I think you are going to see far more macro here and I hope you will join me as I get up close and personal.
So to end this very long post, here are some macro images, taken today with my new Fujifilm macro lens.
Leanne, you are so skilled. There isn’t much you do that I don’t like. The macro work is beautiful.
That is really nice of you to say Tim, thank you so much.
I think your close-up pictures are stunning and captivating. It’s hard to say which approach is better for you, but the one you’re using now is fantastic. Continue creating excellent art and sharing it with others!
Thank you Felicia. I guess I am at a point now that I can just do whatever I fancy doing these days. Thankfully.
I love macro photography. I long for a macro lens but I can’t bring myself to spend a large chunk of money on myself. Beautiful photography
That is a problem, the macro lenses are expensive. I love mine, though there are other options if you want to try out getting close Nick.
I love macro. Thank you.
Your work is stunning, I also love the close ups, it shows so much more especially with flowers. I wish I could have finished my photography course. I’m still learning on my own though, and still take photos.
Thank you so much. I love that about getting close as well. I don’t think you have to do a photography course, many of us have learned on our own. Just reading and experimenting. Good Luck.
I know, I have learned so much from experimenting and books. Thanks.
That is great to hear. It is a good way to learn.
Beautiful!
Thank you.
i love hearing the photographer’s stories behind their shots. I have admired macro photography from a distance and these shots are no exception. i’m glad you had a great time with the nikkor and of course, that you have these shots to share.
Thank you, I’m glad you liked hearing it. It is a wonderful type of photography. I was very lucky with how my journey for macro went.
Your macro photos are always wonderful to see!
Thank you Nora, that is wonderful to hear.
Beautiful photography. I’m never disappointed when I come for a visit. Oh how I love flowers. I needed flower therapy today! Thank you!
Thank you Nancy. I am glad I was able to add some flowers for you. I think you can expect to see more over the next few months.
I bought a Samsung galaxy with macro lens option. Didn’t try it yet.
That is a good option, especially if you are just starting out.
Thank you
😀
This massive image was so photogenic. Anita
Thank you Anita.
Looking forward to more macro photos. 😊
That’s great Pepper, thank you. 😀
Thanks for sharing your journey through macro lens and macro garden. Looking very close and very far are both fascinating. I’d love to have excellent equipment to take such photos too. It is so interesting to see and learn how yours evolved. 🤩😍
You’re welcome, I’m glad you found it interesting. I love looking close, and can’t wait to try some new things as well. It has been a long journey and I’m glad I finally got all the gear to do it Thank you.
I love seeing your macro photos of flowers, especially when it’s your summer and our winter and there are few flowers to look at outside. Doing things you enjoy less to try and make money is reasonable but otherwise, life is short, so you should do what makes your happy. Then you can share that happiness on here.
Thank you RJ, that is good to hear. We have lots of flowers now, though we get a few through winter here as well. I love that, I am so much happier now that I just do it for fun and to show you guys here. It is so much more enjoyable.
I love macro as well and it sounds like we’ve had similar experiences where marketing is concerned. When I went to large b&ws, I did sell a few pieces but not many. I was also doing portrait photos when covid hit and that was the end of that…onto children’s books…maybe I’ll pick up the camera again sometime. Good luck! Your photos are lovely!
Macro is so good. Trying to get a business off the ground is so hard. I tried so many things, nothing ever worked. I should do a post on it, might help others I suppose. I hope you do pick up your camera again, even if just for fun. Thank you Pennross.
Love your journey and images Leanne. I also had a 105 macro for my Nikon. I sold it when I got my Fuji and the 80 mm macro lens. I love photographing flowers too.
Thank you Anne, it has been a long one. The Nikon one was good, but with the camera it was just getting too heavy. Flowers are so beautiful and so detailed when you get into them.
you might consider leaving room for volunteers (weeds). They tend to look after themselves and many have beautiful flowers. The Tamron 90 272E is my lens of choice.
If I find any that have nice flowers, I will, but so far, all I have are ones that spread and want to take over the whole garden, sadly. The Tamron macro is a good lens. I loved it when I had a lend of it. I even recommended it to people. Thanks Brian.
it seems that the fujifilm macro is an ideal choice…yet, it does cost a pretty penny.
It has been Brenda, though I did get a good deal, if you look out you can find them. Thanks Brenda.
I LOVE my Fuji 80mm macro lens. Have fun with it! I’ve used mine for flowers, food, pets, pet details (like kitty whiskers) etc.
Haha, I love mine too Ceci. I am certainly doing that. I love flowers, but I wouldn’t mind getting back into food, that just means I have to bake and cook stuff as well. Thank you Ceci.
Many beautiful flower shots! Personally, never owned a macro lens, but sounds interesting. Would love to hear about your attempts on photography business. I’m also a big failure here. 😅
Thank you Joey. I get macro isn’t for everyone, I just love it. I will see what I can do about the business stuff. 😀
Looking forward to it! I’ve also got a number of failed “business” attempts, but all online-based, like trying to sell stock photos, prints, then most recently, eBooks. 😅 I guess yours includes “offline” attempts like a real business?
I’ve done some of that too, but yes, offline too. I tried so many things. I think the biggest mistake I made was that I thought having a following here meant that people would want to support me, apparently they don’t.
Interesting! But, with your huge following, you’re definitely a successful photo blogger. 😃 What you mentioned is quite relatable to me, too. I collected 650 email addresses by offering a free eBook (so-called “opt-in freebie”). Took me over 5 years to get there. Then, after finally releasing a paid eBook ($9.90), only 6 people bought it. 😅 Now I’m tired of trying, so everything I do nowadays is for self-satisfaction. 😅
Yeah, you would think so, but like you experienced at the end of the day it doesn’t really mean a lot, not if you want to make money. How freeing is it to just do it for self satisfaction?
It’s freeing to some extent. At the end of the day, I’m the only person who cares so much about my photography and website. 😅 That said, not easy to get rid of feeling gutted about all the failed attempts and the fact that my website still remains unnoticed. I guess I’ll come to terms with it when I get older. 😅
That is right, I know what you mean about feeling gutted, I get like that too, especially when I see people who really well and their work doesn’t seem that great.
I can’t tell you which direction to go; but I can say I wouldn’t mind seeing more of your macro work.
That is fantastic Matt, you certainly will be seeing more. I’ve got lots more plants to plant. Thank you.
The macros you show from your Nikon lens are wonderful. And after seeing them I can see why you were happy with some of the first set too.
Thank you, there was a lot to learn and I’ve had a great time with it.