Tiny world, big impact: How to get the most out of macro photography.

Glance at a butterfly’s wing and you may notice its beautiful stained-glass design. Look more closely, and you’ll see light shimmering across its surface, a network of veins forming a delicate framework, and maybe even the dust-like scales that create its vivid colors. That’s the beauty of macro photography.

You can make images of these otherworldly structures with Macro Focus on your Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9. Macro photography features are also available on Pixel 9a, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel 7 Pro. 

You probably already know how to use your Pixel Camera, but you also have to know where to look – and how to see. To start, just get up close. On Pixel 9 Pro, Macro Focus turns on automatically when your lens is about 3 to 4 centimeters from your focus point.  

Levon Biss, a photographer known for his astonishingly detailed Microsculpture images of insects, calls macro photography “seeing with the eyes of a child.” But it’s not just about getting close, he says – it’s about noticing the tiny world within the ordinary. 

Nicky Bay, whose work showcases the tiniest creatures from forests around the world, agrees: “It’s an alien world right under our noses. Once you start looking,” he says, “you’ll never stop seeing it.”

A striking macro photo starts with how you see, not the camera you use.

“Beginners often look from too far away,” says Bay. “You have to stick your head in, get close, and really observe.” If your backyard isn’t an exotic rainforest, don’t worry. Biss and Bay both note that you can train your eye to see the small stuff anywhere:

• Look at natural hiding places. Textured bark, leaf litter, under logs and rocks – where small details and insects often blend in and hide. “A spider can look like any other insect or mimic tree bark,” Bay says.

• Notice how light changes details. Morning shadows or afternoon glare can transform the same surface.

• Practice finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. An everyday object, seen up close, can feel completely new.

Here are some more tips from experienced macro photographers on how to use a macro lens.

“You have to physically move your body to get yourself into the right position,” Biss says. “Get deep and dirty, go down and move around, be physical, and don’t just stand there and take a picture. Even with normal photography, my advice to any amateur is to move your feet.”

While you’re getting into position, be aware of potentially disturbing your subject. Nicky Bay, who photographs in the natural environment, preaches treating flora and fauna with care and respect. For example, don’t force subjects into unnatural positions or place two together artificially.

Training your eye for macro isn’t just about proximity – it’s about patience. Take a few moments to watch an insect you’d like to photograph. “A jumping spider will anchor itself before it leaps,” Bay says. “Many beetles will only fly after they walk to the tip of a branch or a leaf; that’s their takeoff point.” Once you take the time to understand your subject’s behavior, the perfect moment – antennae cleaning or preparing to jump – might reveal itself, and you can time your photo perfectly.

Light is the medium of photography. “The most important thing is light,” Bay says. Understanding and using it is key to great photographs. With tiny subjects, you need strong – but not harsh – light. Overcast days are better than direct sun. Bay notes that you can block your own light when taking a photo with a smartphone. Make sure to have light coming in from other angles, or use an accessory light or a reflector, even just a white sheet of paper, to illuminate your subject. 

Subjects with different textures are good for macro photos, according to Bay. “Look for different textures that you can sculpt light around and different structural elements,” he says. “Something that you can leave a creative imprint on.”

The magic of using Macro Focus on Pixel isn’t just about creating images. It also changes your perception. “Once you start looking for small details, you never stop,” Bay says. “Even in my own home, I find insects I never noticed before.”

That phenomenon is real. Psychologists call it the frequency illusion. When you learn to recognize something new, you suddenly start seeing it everywhere. Learning how to use macro photography isn’t just about capturing tiny subjects, it’s about rewiring your brain to notice what you may have previously overlooked.

If you’re wondering how to use macro photography to create images, the good news is that you probably already have the equipment you need. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL have a 48-megapixel ultrawide sensor and lens for ultra-sharp images. The real challenge in getting the perfect image is learning to see what’s possible before even taking out your phone.

What makes a great subject? “Everything,” says Bay. A beautiful macro photo doesn’t have to be something rare or exotic. A droplet of water on a blade of grass can hold as much mystery as an intricate insect.

Take a moment today to get into the macro photography mindset. 

Now that you know what to look for with macro photography, here are some examples of where to test out your Macro Focus feature:

• A natural texture (leaf, flower petal, wood grain)

• A manufactured texture (fabric, screen, water on glass)

• A living subject (an insect, a pet’s fur, even your own skin)

Once you start looking for macro shot photography opportunities, the world will never look the same again.