I hadn't thought much about macro photography until a few months ago. Truth be told, I need another lens like I need a hole in the head but in my personal quest to explore different aspects of photography, I decided to invest in a NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S lens and see what happens.

Before I dive into the topic at hand, I need to first provide you with some background information. For as long as I can remember, I have been an inquisitive guy and still am. Today, as a gray-haired nature photographer, I use a new technique to discover new photographic compositions and that is a simple observation technique. I walk up to a tree or a bush or whatever is near me and I stop and I observe for at least one minute and often more. The more I look the more details I can observe. When doing so, I look not just for objects but for lines, shapes, shadows and different perspectives. Beauty is always there but patience and determination are required to locate it.

Take the photo above for example. Once I managed to locate this raindrop, I walked around the plant to see it from all possible angles before I decided on this composition. Importantly, I don't just take a boatload of images and go home to open them on my computer and hope for the best. When shooting macro, I need to examine nearly every image to make sure that I'm getting what I want.

What exactly does "getting what I want" mean? When using macro lenses, the depth of field is extremely shallow, the focal plane is smaller than usual and it helps to use a tripod to obtain the clearest possible image. This all means that you need to know how to use your camera and all of its functionality extremely well.

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Now that you have some background information, let's begin with the image below that I captured in Valencia at the Botanical Gardens. There are literally hundreds of thousands of leaves here but I took my time and chose this one carefully because it was so colorful and well lit. But once I captured this image, I was really inspired and fascinated by it. The detailed structure, textures and colors of the leaves, the cupping at the end of the leaf that holds water, the reflections in the mini-puddle that distort palm trees and other things, the colorful blurriness of the background just to name a few. Lastly, I found this because I chose to carefully observe, having the patience and determination to find something incredible.

Next, observe the image below. Don't expect me to tell you what it really is because I love science and biology but I studied that over 45 years ago. I can tell you that I was walking very slowly and cautiously in order to observe a special composition when I stumbled upon a raindrop suspended in mid-air. Upon closer examination, it appeared to be attached to a spider's web likely caused by surface tension.

After further observation, I saw a small stick suspended from the drop like a trapeze swing. How did this happen? My guess is that occured naturally from the rain and breeze but I can't say for sure. Next, look at the refractions inside the raindrop. Amazingly, if you zoom in on a laptop or desktop, you will be able to discern the tree along with the branches and leaves. Once again, most people will never see this and simply walk on by.

Lastly, observe the image below. When I saw this in Lightroom on my laptop, I was immediately taken by it. My first thought was that Nature is art. Incredible! Some unknowing insect ate part of the leaf and created a magnificent, naturally occuring work of art. The structure and colors of the leaf highlight and frame the space eaten by the insect, shown in a dark background. Once again, most people will never see this and simply walk past. Not me because I am always observing, looking for the details hidden in plain sight.

Since humans began to walk the earth, our brains have been programmed to see just enough detail in order to avoid being eaten by a predator. In short, we observe only what we need to in order to survive. Surely, more of our world can be observed but this can only can be accomplished with conscious effort and determination. Fortunately or unfortunately, most of us humans don't care about seeing the details they deem unimportant to them.

For me, macro photography unveils an entirely new dimension, offering a deeper look into the intricate details of our world—details that most people overlook or never pause to notice. It’s like stepping into a hidden universe, one filled with endless fascination and discovery. This is why macro photography inspires me: it transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

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