Flash setup for macros

Nikon D7500 , Tamron 105 mm 2.8 Micro, full frame
f/16, 1/125 sec, ISO 100, manual mode, freehand

A photo studio in the middle of the jungle of Madagascar, where you can position and align all light perfectly: It’s something wildlife photographers sometimes dream about. In the dense rainforest, it is mostly gloomy. If a ray of light falls through the canopy of leaves, the contrasts are often so harsh that a beautiful photo is almost impossible. How to solve this problem is shown in this photo of a Stumpff’s leaf chameleon (Brookesia stumpffi). It was taken in the paradisiacal Ankify on the northwest coast of Madagascar and we would like to explain the light situation that was necessary for it in more detail today.

The magic word is unleashed lightning – in this photo tip, we explain the basics. Several flashes literally bring light into the dark in the rainforest! Well, of course, it doesn’t work with every animal. But with this little chameleon, which doesn’t measure 10 cm from nose to tail tip, it was actually no problem. It probably thought “If I don’t move, the guy won’t see me anyway!” and patiently modeled. The following scheme shows the flash setup for this photo:

The aim of the photo was to have only a little light on the background, here the yellow-brown foliage. The animal itself as the main motive should be illuminated optimally. The first flash provided an accent light from the left side. A medium softbox was used for this flash. The second flash was equipped with a snoot (narrow, tubular light shaper) and used from the side, slightly offset to the rear. The tip of the snoot pointed to the head of the animal to create a light seam from behind. To do this, the second flash must have slightly more power than the rest of the light – if the power is the same, there is no light seam. The third flash was directed at the subject from the front-top. This flash has the lowest power in the set, but it has a large softbox and only brightens the foliage in the background.

The result of the setting was surprisingly good! However, it’s not easy to use this flash setup in the jungle and set the right settings right away. We are happy to help you with our photo support during our photo trips to take such pictures yourself!