Insect Photographers Share Macro Photography Ideas and Secrets

Are you interested in learning macro photography in Penang?

For a group of insect photographers, it’s a bug’s life.  Literally.

A chat with macro photographer Richard Ong about those nasty small green insects that give a nasty sting led me to ask for a mug shot.

“I want to see the face of that nasty little critter,” I said to Richard’s amusement.

“Sure, not? You’ll find a different world out there,” he challenged me.

That led to viewing a macro photography exhibition at Soul Café, which is a Photography Café.

These men are a different breed altogether.

An Interview with Penang’s Macro Photographers

Macro photographers Richard Ong, Husni Che Ngah, and Nik Peter Liew with host Ah Aun of Soul Café in the feature photo.

The photographers come from various walks of life. Their common interest led to the founding of Xpression.

This tight-knit group of macro photographers loves nothing more than getting their knees dirty in parks.

That’s where they capture the perfect insect portraiture in Penang’s park.

The macro photographers. Photo: Doris Lim

Armed with regular cameras fitted with a macro lens and other modified equipment, they spend mornings happily scouring the fields.

Looking under leaves and even up in trees.

The Rewards of Macro Photography

Unflinching compound eyes of flies. All four pairs of a spider’s eyes are worn on top of their heads like crowns.

Most of these insects and bugs are between 2.5 to 4 mm, which is minuscule in the larger picture of our lives to our naked jaded eyes.

But I know the ‘geli’ feeling best ascribed to my big, strong, powerful soul singer friend.

Most folks can’t look at the photograph without feeling creeped out.

After joining the boys and having my FB bombarded with these exotic creatures’ images, I am awed beyond words.

Insect Bug Eyes stare back through a macro lens.

I am humbled by their passion and patience when describing how each picture is made.

Bugs and insects aren’t the most likely subject to pose and say cheese, mind you.

As many men will attest to this. The challenge is in the chase.

So you have it. A big shout-out to the dudes!

Eight different macro photographers shot eight species of different bug photos.
Enjoy!

Bottle-brush iridescent jumper (Siler semi glaucus) – Husni Che Ngah

Common mime caterpillar (Chilasa clytia clytia ) – Nik Peter Liew

Crab spider (Thomisus sp.) – Richard Ong

Hunchback bee-fly (Lepidophora lutea) – Tan T C

Jumping spider (Hyllus keratodes) – C F Kam

Jumping spider (Menemerus sp.) – Foley Hits

Paper wasp (Ropalidia revolutionalize) – Carrot Lim

St Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope sp.) – shot by Darren Lee

*Macro photographs compiled by Richard Ong