Raindrops on tulips

Raindrops upon a flower or leaf just scream for my macro lens! When these elements of nature converge, the result can be extraordinary. After a storm, the challenge is to see the subtle gifts left by Mother Nature — and to capture them in a way that visually transforms the ordinary into something altogether new. Nothing achieves that better than a macro lens!

Foxglove droplets

After the long winter we’ve had here in New England, I welcome our current April showers with open arms, for they are setting the stage for some well-deserved warmer months and many magnificent photo ops. Through the lens, rain can very much be a photographer’s friend, for it greatly contributes to the very reasons why I love to photograph flowers.

Solitary droplet

Besides their vibrant color and enormous variety, it is the intricate details within a flower’s design that enable me to create a magical wonderland through my lens. Rain can make the ordinary appear as something visually extraordinary. Sometimes all it takes is a single raindrop. My challenge is to decide how to best showcase its magic.

Suspended raindrop

All rain is not the same. Seriously. Every storm leaves its own calling card. A torrential downpour can damage flower petals and stems, while a gentle rain can add a wonderful accent to petals and leaves. Sometimes the most interesting perspective lies in what’s right in front of you — like a puddle. There just may be something of interest reflected in it. Never overlook the obvious. Simply put, what you discover after the rain ends is where visual creativity begins.

Raindrops on petals

I’m often asked what equipment I use for my macro photography. I shoot with a Nikon D300 armed with a Nikkor 105mm macro lens. Occasionally I also strategically use my trusted Nikkor 18-200mm telephoto lens to create a “faux macro” shot. I greatly encourage all new photographers to really learn about aperture and depth of field. When you understand their relationship, you can take flower photography to an entirely new level. It’s the difference between taking a picture and creating a photograph.

~ Liz Mackney

My NEPG Gallery
Liz Mackney Photography