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Ross Hoddinott
Ross is one of the UK’s leading landscape and close-up
photographers. He is a multi-award winning artist and the author
of several books. Ross is an Ambassador for Manfrotto, a Nikon
Alumni, a LEE Filters Master and a Global Icon for F-stop Gear. He
co-runs Dawn 2 Dusk Photography and also offers bespoke one-to-one
tuition and workshops. Visit http://www.rosshoddinott.co.uk.ALL PICTURES © ROSS HODDINOTTTechnique MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY
1 Colour impact
Most gardens are full of colour at this time of year – vibrant blooms and colourful blossom –
so make it an integral part of your insect close-ups. Look for ladybirds, shield bugs or beetles
settled on petals or stamens, and fi ll the frame with subjects for maximum colour impact.
Bees and hoverfl ies love lavender and other nectar rich blooms. Rather than chase insects
about, it is often better to wait for them to come to you. For example, identify a fl ower in
pristine condition, in a nicely lit position with an attractive backdrop. Set-up your tripod,
compose your shot, adjust your settings, and pre-focus. Now, get comfortable and wait.
Butterfl ies, bumblebees and honeybees will come back and forth. Select continuous shooting
and take a burst of shots as your subject enters and exits the frame.
It’s a bug ’s l i fe
Embrace the wide array of subjects found in your own
back garden and put your close-up skills to the test
with Ross Hoddinott’s top tips
A
t the time of writing this, social
distancing means little opportunity
to travel far with our camera.
But, in reality, our backyards are
home to a wealth of subjects, which should be
treated as a valuable habitat and a productive
resource for your photography.
Fortunately gardens come alive at this time
of year and buzz with insect activity. Fruit
trees blossom and fl owerbeds bloom,
attracting busy bees, hoverfl ies and colourful
butterfl ies. If you have a small pond, expect
dragonfl ies and damselfl ies to patrol the skies.
Amongst grasses, stems and foliage, you will
fi nd moths, caterpillars, shield bugs,
lacewings, grasshoppers and brightly
coloured ladybirds, while spiders decorate
fl owers and buildings with wonderful webs.
Under rocks and fl owerpots you will discover
woodlice and other wonderful mini beasts.
Look closely and you’ll discover your back
garden is home to a wealth of miniature
subjects. Extraordinary little creatures are
hugely photogenic, particularly in frame-
fi lling close-ups, when you can reveal their
design, colour, shape and form. Yet these
creatures are often overlooked because we are
too busy photographing other, more obvious
subjects. But there will never be a better time
to get to know your little co-inhabitants than
now. Even if you are not normally a big fan of
creepy-crawlies, you cannot deny that insects
are hugely photogenic.
Taking photos in your own garden has so
many advantages. You won’t be disturbed and
you can take photos at any time. You will
quickly learn what to look for and where, due
to your intimate knowledge of your own
backyard. You will have more time and
opportunity to ‘play’, be creative and
innovative. Not only are rural and urban
gardens an important and rich gateway for
invertebrates, they provide us with an
abundance of photo opportunities. You don’t
need to be in lockdown to unlock the great
potential of your garden.Thick-legged flower
beetle on corn
marigold
Nikon D300, 150mm,
1/40sec at f/14, ISO 200