summer macro photography ideas

Here are the 7 ideas for macro photography in the summer.

ideas for summertime close-up photos

Here's the list of summer macro photography ideas.

1. Photograph the veggies.
2. Try a sunny background.
3. Shoot the fruit.
4. Visit the conservatory.
5. Get close to the critters.
6. Chase the storm.
7. Go macro with baby toes.

1. slice the veggies

One of my personal favorite things about summer is growing and eating fresh tomatoes.  These cherry tomatoes were grown in a pair of vegetable tubs on a deck in my backyard.

In the Northeast U.S.A., hot weather brings opportunities for  macro photography of bugs and flowers, but I wanted to photograph some other summertime visual treats as well.  

A search for ideas for close-up photography in summertime is different than wintertime searches because of the extreme differences in climate in this part of the country.

2. sunny silhouettes

Summer means sunshine, but rather than use it to shine on your subject, think outside the box.

Just after sunrise, just before sunset, or when it's a hazy sunshine low in the sky, compose your macro shot as a silhouette.

Dandelions and other weeds make for interesting photographic subjects.

Try a few different angles as it will make a big difference in your composition.

3. shoot the fruit

There's nothing better than being able to enjoy your subject's delicious taste after you get to photograph its beauty.

Summer produces lots of scrumptious looking fruits in a wide variety of colors to tickle your tastebuds and please your eyes.

Pay attention to the background. Compose your photo so that the background is either really simple or so that it makes sense as a background suitable with your subject. 

4. Conservatory close-up

Summer can get really hot. Visit a climate controlled conservatory and photograph the vegetation you don't see in your own backyard.

Conservatories will have many unique species that you won't find walking around outside in the summertime. This summer reminded me of the summer sun.

The original image, straight out of the camera, was a little dull. This is a photo of the lily needed to be jazzed up a little.  

I used a filter in PhotoShop, called Nik Color Efex Pro 4 Detail Extractor, to bring out the textures in the darker petals on the outside.

5. Get close-ups of critters

Sometime simplicity is the name of the game.  I labeled this image"critter nose."  The image is quite simple and so is the name.

Dogs, cats, bunnies, and other animals can be captured photographically outside when they're more active and better lit in the summertime.

I like the photo because it enough visual clues to identify it as the nose of an animal, but not enough information to be exactly sure what kind of critter it is. Can you guess?

6. chase the storm

This summer macro photography idea is one of my favorites, although I admit I don't follow through as much as I'd like to.

Try shooting some close-ups immediately after a storm has ended. Both foliage and flowers have a freshened up look to them after a thirst-quenching drink of summertime rain.

Lighting is often soft and diffused right after a storm has ended. Look for the water droplets that form on leaves and flower petals

7. Baby toes macro

Nothing goes with summer like bare feet. Nobody wants to see macro photos of your feet, but a baby-well that may be a different story.

I know what you're thinking. That's an odd idea for shooting close-ups in the summer. You're right, but this post is hopefully going to get you to think outside the box.

This adorable example macro photo can be done anytime of year. Bare feet just remind me of kicking of the shoes in the hot weather of summer.