THE MINIATURE MARVELS

Macro photography, an art form that unveils the details of the natural world, has provided solace and inspiration for Ben Salb, a dedicated macro photographer. As the pandemic confined him to his own backyard, Ben turned his lens towards the miniature wonders hidden in plain sight. Equipped with extension tubes and an insatiable curiosity, he embarked on a captivating journey to capture the smallest of details. In an exclusive interview, Ben recounts his experiences, imparts valuable insights, and extends an invitation to budding macro photographers to embark on this enchanting voyage of discovery alongside him.

- SANCHIT MISHRA

What initially drew you to macro photography, and what keeps you inspired in this specific genre?

I started playing around with macro photography when looking for a creative outlet during the beginning of the pandemic. I couldn’t go anywhere (nobody could go anywhere), so I started looking at things to photograph in my backyard. I had a previous interest in macro photography and had some gear on hand to mess around with. I put a set of extension tubes on a 70-200mm lens, which looked and felt ridiculous, but got me closer to subjects than ever before. Eventually, I bought a dedicated macro lens and obnoxiously started to photograph everything small. I’ve changed gear a few times since then (I’ve recently become an OM SYSTEM Ambassador), but my fascination with capturing tiny details is the same as it was that very first day with my extension tube bazooka.

Macro photography often offers a glimpse into the world beyond what the naked eye can see. Is there a particular macro image you’ve captured that made you feel a deep connection with nature or brought a sense of wonder and awe?

I’m still amazed by what can be seen with cutting-edge macro gear. I’ve recently upgraded to the OM SYSTEM OM-1 and M.Zuiko 90mm Macro IS PRO, which is a 2x magnification lens on a micro four-thirds body. It gets really close.