From tweezers and nail scissors to rings, rails and lenses, the market for macro accessories is vast and varied, says Tracy Hallett. Thankfully, you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve frame-filling pictures. There is something wonderfully childlike about the pursuit of macro photography. Lying on the grass, surrounded by flowers and insects, you become immersed in a miniature world, suddenly aware of the individual elements that make up a rich and varied habitat. You notice the curve of a blade of grass, or the droop of a flower as a bee lands in search of pollen. These mini dramas usually go unnoticed, but the macro photographer is alert to such nuances, using them to inform his/her approach. If the grass starts blowing in the wind, he/she must choose between waiting for a lull in the weather, or recording the movement as a soft, artistic blur. One of the joys of such photography is the size of the stage on which you perform. While landscape artists sweat over bland skies, macro fans have the advantage of working on a much smaller scale. Most of the distracting elements can be played down or removed altogether to improve a composition.
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