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Hey friends, welcome back to The Wild Photographer! Today, we’re diving into one of my favorite rabbit holes in photography—macro. And not just any macro… I’m talking about a quick and dirty (but oh-so-aesthetic) technique that lets you capture stunning macro shots without even bringing a macro lens. Yep, you heard that right.

As a biologist and entomologist turned travel photographer, I’ve always had a deep love for the miniature world—those textures, patterns, and critters that usually go unnoticed. But let’s be real: when you're packing for a trip, you can't always justify hauling a full macro setup. That’s why I’ve dialed in a portable, practical method using your everyday lenses—think 24–105mm or a basic kit lens—and I’m breaking it all down for you in this episode.

Whether it’s a dew-drenched wildflower or the intricate veins of a rainforest leaf, I’ll walk you through the physical setup, manual focus tricks, camera settings with and without flash, and the creative flair that turns good shots into great ones. I even cover editing tips to make those textures pop and that drama sing.

So if you’ve ever wanted to make small things look big (and beautiful), grab your gear—or even just your backyard—and let’s explore how to bring the tiny into focus in a bold new way.

Let’s get wild. Let’s get macro.

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• Check out Court’s photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com
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• View Court's personal and recommended camera gear

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