Mastering Macro

Brook Peterson · Issue 137, Mar/Apr 2024 · pp. 55–57

Products mentioned: OM TG-6, Nauticam SMC diopter, Nauticam CMC diopter, Nikon D850, Nauticam housing, Retra Pro Strobes, 105mm micro Nikkor

Macro photography is a favorite pastime of many underwater photographers. For some, it is the underwater macro world that captured their imagination in the first place. There are so many tiny aquatic critters that can be unbelievably beautiful, amazing, interesting, or just plain weird. Sometimes the strangeness defies reason, and we are compelled to show this through our photos to our friends, the land dwellers. I am a firm believer that “Good Things Come in Small Packages.” But how do you create an image with monster impact from a subject with such tiny proportions? First Things First: Equipment Without proper equipment we are at a disadvantage to show what we really see. This includes our ability to see the critters in the first place. I recommend a good mask with magnifying lenses. Much of the most beautiful detail may not be visible to us without the use of magnifying lenses. This l…