To capture great macro shots, you don’t just need good camera handling skills; you also need to know where to find subjects, and how to get them within range of your camera. This fieldcraft involves preparation, knowledge, technique, and patience, and is an essential skill if you wish to get close to timid insects.
An understanding of your subject’s behaviour and favoured habitats will significantly increase your chances of capturing standout close-ups. Start by researching potential subjects, for example, the time of year when different butterflies emerge, their favoured plants, and the range of environments they inhabit – even a little knowledge will help you to look in the right place at the right time. Gardens, heaths, wetlands, woods and meadows are all great habitats for invertebrates, each attracting different…