Professional Macro Photographer Shares Tips and Inspiration

Courtney Victoria is a professional macro photographer who has gained a large following on YouTube. With over 82,000 subscribers, she has become known for her stunning images and inspiring videos. According to Courtney, the key to success on YouTube is to be genuine and have fun with it. She advises would-be filmmakers to relax and talk to the camera as though they were talking to a friend.

## Dealing with Criticism and Staying Focused Courtney has learned to deal with criticism and negative comments on her videos. She believes that not everyone will resonate with her style or personality, and that's okay. When faced with criticism, she reminds herself that her content is not for everyone, and she focuses on creating content that resonates with her target audience. Courtney's approach to photography is centered around her passion for the natural world and her desire to capture its beauty.

## Developing Skills and Staying Flexible Courtney's journey as a photographer began when she was living in South Korea and teaching English as a second language. She started making videos and taking pictures of the surrounding landscape, which helped her to ground herself in a new environment. As she developed her skills, she learned the importance of staying flexible and adapting to changing circumstances. According to Courtney, anything can happen when shooting outdoors, and being able to think on your feet is essential.

## Capturing Macro Images Courtney has developed a passion for macro photography, particularly when it comes to capturing images of fungi and slime mould. She recommends playing hide and seek with your subject, doing research to identify species, and making it automatic by practicing your technique until it becomes second nature. Courtney also emphasizes the importance of adding one light at a time and observing how it changes the scene. She uses a modular light system from Adaptalux Studio and a SmallRig Cube Light to achieve the desired effect.

## Equipment and Inspiration Courtney uses a range of equipment for her photography, including a Nikon D850 and an OM System OM-1 Mark II. She also works with a Nikon Z30 for filming. According to Courtney, the key to capturing great macro images is to think outside of photography and look for inspiration in other areas, such as fantasy books and films. She believes that finding the extraordinary in the ordinary is essential for creating unique and captivating images.

| Camera | Description | | --- | --- | | Nikon D850 | Great all-round camera | | OM System OM-1 Mark II | Feels like a miniature DSLR, relatively lightweight | | Nikon Z30 | Dinky camera, ideal for filming |

Courtney's approach to photography is centered around her passion for the natural world and her desire to capture its beauty. By following her tips and inspiration, photographers can improve their skills and capture stunning macro images.