Challenges of Macro Photography

Beetle Mania

Most of us have encountered beetles at some point—not the legendary band, but the tiny, often overlooked insects that make up the largest group of animals on Earth. I came across this specimen in the Nevada desert. Based on its appearance, I suspect it might be a cigarette beetle, though with over 400,000 described species—and possibly up to 2 million in total—accurate identification can be tricky. Many beetles look remarkably similar, and countless species have yet to be formally documented.

While most people instinctively squash these little critters, often without a second glance, I saw an opportunity. Instead of destroying it, I decided to feature this beetle in my macro videography series. Capturing such a small and delicate subject—just 10mm in length—posed some unique challenges but also offered a chance to explore the intricate beauty of a creature most people never truly see.

Challenges of Macro #1 | The Composition

The first challenge was figuring out how to position the beetle to capture a macro view with proper lighting. Simply placing him on a flat surface would have complicated the lighting setup—everything would need to be lit from above, creating harsh shadows and distracting background elements. I wanted a cleaner, more controlled environment that allowed lighting from multiple angles.

Solution: post-production editing

Pinning the beetle was out of the question; I didn’t want to risk damaging its delicate structure. Instead, I turned to an old trick from product photography: jeweler’s wax or holding wax. This material is both sticky and strong, making it ideal for gently securing small objects. A tiny dab on the end of a toothpick was enough to hold the beetle in place without leaving any residue or causing harm.

Thanks to modern AI tools, I was able to remove the toothpick and wax in post-production, preserving the natural appearance of the subject without compromising the integrity of the final image.

Challenges of Macro #2 | Getting close enough

To capture the intricate details of such a tiny subject, I used a 36MP Nikon D800 paired with a 55mm macro lens and a bellows extension rail, all mounted on a sturdy Gitzo tripod. This setup allows for extreme close-up shots, producing magnifications well beyond the standard 1:1 macro ratio.

Solution: Mount the Subject

The use of jeweler’s wax and a toothpick not only secured the beetle gently but also eliminated the need for a flat surface, which would have restricted my working space. Instead, I mounted the toothpick on a C-stand with a 4-foot arm and clamp. This gave me complete freedom to position the beetle in midair, allowing my lens and lighting to get as close as needed from any angle. This suspended setup also made the process more ergonomic. I could adjust the height and orientation of the subject easily, reducing strain and giving me more control over composition and lighting.

Challenge of Macro #3 | Focus

When working at extreme magnifications, depth of field becomes a major challenge. At this scale, the area that remains in sharp focus is incredibly narrow, sometimes just a fraction of a millimeter.

Solution:

Achieving the right focus requires precise, incremental adjustments to both the lens and camera to ensure that the most important features of the subject are captured in sharp detail. Patience and precision are essential. Even the slightest movement can shift the focal plane and ruin the shot. Once I locked in the composition and focus, I faced the next hurdle: exposure.

Pro Tip: Use of Extension Tubes and Bellows

Extension tubes and bellows increase the distance between your lens and the sensor, allowing for closer focusing and greater magnification. Bellows offer more flexibility but require a stable setup and careful handling.

Challenges of Macro #4 | Exposure

Using a bellows extension significantly reduces the amount of light reaching the sensor, and the shallow depth of field demands a small aperture (high f-stop) to maximize sharpness across the subject. The bellows increases the magnification of the close-up lens by increasing the focal length of the lens. The challenge is that the f-stop is no longer accurate. An f32 is now more like an f-64 and beyond. This dramatically decreases the amount of light hitting the sensor, requiring much longer exposures. It also requires bringing the subject extremely close to the primary lens, the outermost edge of the glass. Working in these very tight constraints requires tools that allow precise positioning. Lighting becomes a major challenge as well. Bringing the subject close to the lens can block frontal key lighting.  

Solution: Brighter is Better

For this shoot, I used continuous LED lighting, which meant I needed a longer exposure time to compensate for the reduced light. Since I was shooting with a DSLR, it was crucial to enable the mirror lock-up function. Without it, the movement of the reflex mirror during exposure could introduce motion blur, especially at slower shutter speeds.

To further minimize any chance of camera shake, I used a timer remote cord to trigger the shutter. This allowed me to operate the camera completely hands-free, ensuring the sharpest possible image.

Pro Tip: Diffused Flash Lighting

Continuous lighting is great, but for ultra-sharp images, consider using a diffused flash. A ring flash or twin flash with softboxes can freeze motion and provide even illumination. DIY diffusers made from foam, paper, or translucent plastic can also work wonders.Why it matters: Flash allows for faster shutter speeds and lower ISO, reducing noise and motion blur.

Final Shots

With the support elements removed in post-production, the final images reveal the beetle in all its intricate detail—suspended in space, fully illuminated, and undisturbed. The combination of careful setup, precise focus, and controlled exposure allowed me to capture the subject in a way that highlights its delicate structure and natural beauty.

I’d love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions about the process. Comment below or email us your questions. And if you happen to be an entomologist—or just a beetle enthusiast—I’d appreciate any help identifying this particular species.