How to Overcome Fear of Bugs in Macro Photography (Snake And Reptile Photography)

According to me, macro photography is among the simplest genres of photography. Because bugs are everywhere and you can find them very easily, at any nearby park or garden. Today I would like to give you a few tips on how you can overcome your fear of insects and be a better macro photographer.

1. Go with a Professional Guide

It is always better to go with a professional macro photographer or naturalist, who has good knowledge about the species and the location. It does not make sense for you to go alone searching for snakes. If you have someone who has good knowledge about where you can find the creatures, how close you can go to them, how to approach them etc., it will be good. Don’t go alone in the forest when you have just bought your camera. Also you must carefully follow the instructions of the guide while photographing.

2. Gear

Take whatever gear you are comfortable with. A macro lens is obviously recommended for best results. You may also use extension tubes. I use my Raynox DCR 250 for macro photography, which requires me to go close to the subject while photographing. So I do not use my Raynox for snakes or scorpions which are venomous. Harmless subjects like ants, catepillars, spiders are great, yes spiders are harmless.

3. Knowledge of Location, Species, and Gear

You are going with a guide, great. But it does no harm to have a little bit knowledge about the subjects and the location yourself. You can study online or ask any friends or fellow photographers who may have been to that place before.

4. Protection

If you are going in the macro season, that is the monsoon, obviously take an umbrella, poncho, rain cover for your bag; you can wrap your camera in a plastic or use a shower cap. Make sure you have comfortable footwear with good grip. If the area you are going to has leeches, buy gumboots and leech socks. And in leech infested zones, it is better to avoid ponchos as the leeches may get into your poncho, so umbrellas are better.

5. Give it a Try

I remember when I went to Amboli. There was a Boulenger’s Indian Gecko on a rock. And the skipper for the tour, Kane Lew, he is a master photographer. He asked me to click a picture. I was scared but I clicked anyway. And that photo got exhibited. Just give it a try sometimes, it just works.

6. Love Nature

My mind has just been programmed to be afraid of bugs. But when I saw them so closely and photographed them I started to really appreciate the beauty of the macro world. The colours and fine detail in a small spider is amazing! And even it is venomous subject like a snake, they don’t harm you, they don’t bite you; if you maintain a safe distance and mind your own business, they don’t mind.

7. Practice

It may not make sense for you to go looking for snakes and scorpions alone. But for practice you may go to any nearby park to photograph harmless subjects like ants, spiders, bees, etc. So that when you go on a proper tour with a guide or experienced photographer, you are bound to have a basic understanding about macro subjects and your gear.

There are many things that can come in the way of your photography – bad weather, complicated gear, lack of knowledge, what not. But with this blog, I just hope that fear is not something that holds you back.

I hope you liked my blog. Do let me know your suggestions and thoughts in the comments section. Thank you!

Also Read – Macro Photography at Amboli