Flower Macro Images

This article features a selection  of uncropped flower macro images which were recently captured handheld at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington Ontario.

As photographers we typically compose our images to avoid any kind of cropping if at all possible. This helps ensure that we can get as many pixels as possible on our subject matter. Some photographic genres are more difficult than others when it comes to capturing full frames, and avoiding any cropping. Handheld in-field macro photography can be tricky at times.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/80, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 325 mm

One of the things that I have always loved about my Olympus M4/3 kit is the small size and maneuverability of the M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro lens. Even when mounted on a larger, double gripped body like the E-M1X, it always amazes me how tight I can get to subjects in cramped quarters.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/160, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 280 mm

Although it may initially seem counterintuitive, using a double gripped body for handheld macro photography is actually a huge benefit. Being able to switch effortlessly between landscape and portrait orientations allows me to focus all of my concentration on my macro compositions… and not worry about my camera being awkward to use. The larger, dual grip design provides more stability for handheld photography.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/60, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 300 mm

Handheld flower macro photography is something that I have become more passionate about over the past year and a half. I find it to be a very rewarding experience to create images that document the intricacies of nature.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/20, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 285 mm

I am often visually drawn to extremely small flower buds as I find the detail in them to be astonishing. Becoming increasingly familiar and confident using in-camera focus stacking handheld, has opened up an interesting stream of photographic potential to explore.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/20, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 265 mm

I have come to rely on my E-M1X’s amazing IBIS performance and I  have no hesitation to shoot handheld flower macro images at shutter speeds like 1/15 or 1/20 when using in-camera focusing stacking.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/60, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 270 mm

When choosing flower macro subjects I look for interesting buds, complimentary backgrounds, and good natural light. If those three factors are present, then the challenge becomes finding the right shooting angle.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/20, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 600 mm

This is where the articulating rear screen on my E-M1X is worth its weight in gold. I shoot all of my macro flower images handheld using the rear screen of my E-M1X.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/1250, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 465 mm

I regularly find myself composing with the rear screen positioned at all kinds of crazy angles… including at right angles to the focal plane of my camera.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/80, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 515 mm

The solid, dual grip design of the E-M1X allows me to capture handheld flower macro images while my physical body may be in various contorted positions. When needed, I can use somewhat faster shutter speeds to capture my macro images one-handed.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/80, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 285 mm

I make it a point to stay very aware of any breezes, however slight, even when shooting in indoor venues. If there is too much of a breeze, I just move on to a different potential subject blossom.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/15, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 285 mm

Over the past number of months I made the decision that 10 focus stacked frames with a focus differential of 4 produces the best results for me… when using in-camera focus stacking for flower macro photographs.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/60, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 290 mm

Choosing where to place a single, auto-focusing point is becoming more intuitive as my experience with this technology has improved. Generally I use a 30/70 ratio of foreground to background away from my focusing point.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/100, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 290 mm

When using the in-camera focusing stacking function in Olympus/OM System cameras there is a slight crop around the outside edges. This is identified by a thin, black line that runs around the edges of the composition. Sometimes this can be difficult to see depending on where darker areas of a composition are positioned.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/4.5, 1/60, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 275 mm

I find it can be very helpful to nudge my auto-focusing point with the joystick on the rear panel of my E-M1X. This causes all of my auto-focusing points to light up. I can then use them to check on the balance of my composition, and to ensure that parts of it won’t be inadvertently cropped off. with the auto trim that happens with in-camera focus stacking.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5, 1/60, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 295 mm

The in-camera focus stacking function has become a feature that I find very effective, quick and easy to use. For example, all of the photographs featured in this article were created in less than an hour at the Royal Botanical Gardens.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro, f/5.6, 1/40, ISO-200, handheld in-camera focusing stacking, full frame capture, subject distance 290 mm

In-camera focus stacking was a feature that I didn’t pay much attention to when I first moved over to the Olympus system. As a result I missed out on a lot of creative opportunities. Lesson learned.

Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from out-of-camera jpegs using my standard process. My standard in-camera focus stacking settings were used, 10 frames with a focus differential of 4.

For those readers who are interested in calculating equivalent field-of-view, multiply focal lengths for Olympus M4/3 cameras by a factor of 2. This is the 1,271 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

How you can help keep this site advertising free

My intent is to keep this photography blog advertising free. If you enjoyed this article and/or my website and would like to support my work, you can purchase an eBook, or make a donation through PayPal. Both are most appreciated.

Our eBooks…

The Finding Visual Expression eBook is designed to provide readers with some photographic inspiration and composition ideas. The Little Camera That Could details our extensive experience using the Nikon 1 system. Our eBooks also include a number of travel photography publications including Images of Ireland, New Zealand Tip-to-Tip, Desert & Mountain Memories, Images of Greece, and Nova Scotia Photography Tour. We also have a business leadership parable… Balancing Eggs.

Donations support this website…

If you click on the Donate button below you will find that there are three donation options: $7.50, $10.00 and $20.00. All are in Canadian funds. Plus, you can choose a different amount if you want. You can also increase your donation amount to help offset our costs associated with accepting your donation through PayPal. An ongoing, monthly contribution to support our work can also be done through the PayPal Donate button below.

You can make your donation through your PayPal account, or by using a number of credit card options.



Word of mouth is the best form of endorsement. If you like our website please let your friends and associates know about our work. Linking to this site or to specific articles is allowed with proper acknowledgement. Reproducing articles, or any of the images contained in them, on another website or in any social media posting is a Copyright infringement.

Article and images are Copyright 2023 Thomas Stirr.  All rights reserved. No use, duplication or adaptation of any kind is allowed without written consent. If you see this article reproduced anywhere else it is an unauthorized and illegal use. Posting comments on offending websites and calling out individuals who steal intellectual property is always appreciated!

12 thoughts on “Flower Macro Images”

    1. Hi Eugene,

      I haven’t used flash with focus stacking… I suppose the main reason for that is that I can shoot handheld at fairly slow shutter speeds like 1/15 or 1/20 when using focus stacking. I tend to use my STF-8 twin macro flash with insects.

      Tom

  1. Really enjoy your posts and all the great information. The photos in your latest ebook are fantastic and helpful also.
    Quick question, I notice you always list distance to subject when shooting macro and was wondering how you measure this so accurately?
    Thanks again

    1. Hi Mark,

      After I process my images through DxO PhotoLab I store them in Explorer. The estimated distances are shown under the Properties/Detail tab in Explorer. These are estimates done by my E-M1X.

      I’m glad you enjoyed the new eBook, and that the images have been helpful for you.

      Tom

  2. Hi,
    To get the stability you seem to appreciate so much with your E-m1X, would it be an alternative to use a battery handle on a E-m1 Mark III (f.i.)???? This way, when lightweight is important (for hiking) one just have to remove it.
    Thanks so much for all your articles and kind regards,
    Denis (Switzerland)

    1. Hi Dominique,

      I always have my camera set to RAW plus jpeg. If I wanted to combine the 10 images in post I would still have the RAW files with which to do so. I dislike spending time in post so the first thing I typically do is save the in-camera focus stacked jpegs, then I delete all of the other 20 files that my E-M1X captures for each finished jpeg in the in-camera focus stacking process.

      Tom

  3. Thank you for providing the details of each photo and especially for how you set up focus stacking, the 30/70 ratio, and the trick for seeing the auto focus grid.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *