A bug's-eye view

Sara Jazbar turns minibeasts into beautiful big beasts that are a far cry from creepy-crawlies

- Sara Jazbar

Technically, true macro photography is when you magnify your subject via a ratio of at least 1:1, but people commonly refer to any close-up image as macro photography.

If you’re interested in pursuing this fascinating genre, you need to have the right gear. The most important tool, of course, is a dedicated macro lens, but that’s not the only solution – and it certainly isn’t the cheapest. If you’re on a budget, you may prefer to try extension tubes, close-up filters or the reverse-lens technique. The best time to photograph insects is very early in the morning or late in the evening when they are roosting and therefore relatively inactive. This means you can take your time and work around them, while creating as little disturbance as possible.

Expert Tip

Avoid waking up at 4am for nothing; scout your selected location just before sunset. Crouch in the long grass and look around you. After a short while, you should start to notice various insects. Once you’ve identified a subject, apply a sticky note on a nearby stem of grass, so you can find it in the early hours the following morning.