Macro or micro photography refers to pictures taken at a 1:1 ratio or higher magnification. Extreme closeups also fit into the macro realm. Focusing is critical with this style and there are a few well proven techniques to master. By far the most difficult technique is hand held macro, because the depth of field tends to be razor thin at close range, even when using narrow apertures. Tripod stabilization opens many more doors, which include focus stacking, video and multiple exposure. Focus stacking involves taking several photos at varying focus depths, then software is used to combine only the parts of each image that are perfectly focused into one composition. The techniques and equipment used to produce each image are mentioned in every Macro Gallery composition.
Nakedstem Sunray & Busy Bee Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (hand held composition at ƒ/13) 6040 x 4032 20.6 megabytes
Nakedstem Sunray Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (tripod composition at ƒ/36) 6040 x 4032 21.0 megabytes
Shinyleaf Sandpaperplant Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (hand held @ƒ/29) 5645 x 4032 18.1 megabytes
Shinyleaf Sandpaperplant Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (hand held @ƒ/29 + 5x7 crop) 6040 x 4032 17.6 megabytes
Nevada Buck Moth Caterpillar Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (hand held @ ƒ/29) 6016 x 4016 12.9 megabytes
Joshua Tree Flower Gold Butte National Monument Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (110 photo focus stack @ ƒ/32) 6014 x 4014 27.6 megabytes
Joshua Tree Flower Portrait Gold Butte National Monument *Portrait style because these flowers are the size of a human head! Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (tripod composition @ ƒ/22) 6040 x 4032 19.7 megabytes
Red Barrel Cactus Gold Butte National Monument Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (150 photo focus stack @ ƒ/22) 6014 x 4014 31.6 megabytes
Devils Spineflower Gold Butte National Monument These tiny plants are rarely taller than two inches! Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (hand held @ ƒ/14) 6040 x 4032 17.7 megabytes
Drought Stricken Beavertail Cactus Gold Butte National Monument Nikon Z5 & MC 105 2.8S (hand held @ ƒ/22) 6040 x 4032 21.8 megabytes
Odd Calcite Utah BLM-Caineville Wash Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (tripod composition @ ƒ/32) 6040 x 4062 21.5 megabytes
Pigmy Cedar Flowers (Desert Fir) Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (tripod composition @ ƒ/22 - slight crop for framing) 5922 x 3953 16.6 megabytes
Brittlebush Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (hand held @ ƒ/18) 6040 x 4032 20.0 megabytes
Creosote Flower Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nikon Z5 & MC 105mm 2.8S (Tripod Rail composition @ ƒ/22 - camera generated jpeg) 6016 x 4016 11.3 megabytes