Into the world of macro photography
One Bangladeshi photographer is finding extraordinary beauty in the world's most overlooked creatures — one frame at a time
We have all heard of street photography, portraits, and cityscapes. But did you know there is a form of photography called macro photography? This genre captures tiny subjects in extraordinary detail. But the biggest question is: how are these seemingly microscopic subjects captured in such extraordinary detail?
In Bangladesh, very few photographers turn their lenses towards the invisible — the tiny, overlooked world of creatures that are difficult to spot with the naked eye and harder still to capture without specialised equipment. Shozib is one of the rare few who do, and the results are quietly extraordinary.
More surprisingly, a Bangladeshi photographer has recently made a remarkable departure from the traditional photography we are accustomed to. Insects, in particular, are disliked by most and ignored by many. Very few people approach them with fascination and admiration. Lens and Lines founder Md Shofiqul Islam Shozib is one such example. To learn more about his exploration and documentation of various insects, I spoke with him.
Starting the journey
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When I asked how he developed an interest in insect photography, he said it all began with curiosity.
He realised there is a hidden universe all around us that most people overlook. "Once I began observing insects closely, I became fascinated by their colours, structures, hunting techniques, and survival instincts." He felt as though he were discovering an entirely new world in familiar places.
To capture these tiny creatures, he uses a Sony A6400 for most of his photography. His primary lenses are the Laowa 65 mm 2x Macro and the Sigma 56 mm f/2.8 Macro, often paired with a Raynox DCR-250 for extreme close-ups. For lighting, he uses a Godox V350 flash, a custom diffuser, portable LED lights, and handheld light sources depending on the situation.
Before heading out, he keeps his setup practical and ready because macro photography in the wild requires quick reactions. He said, "I usually mount my macro lens, attach my flash and diffuser, check battery levels, clean the lens, and make sure memory cards are ready. My camera settings depend on the situation, but I generally prepare for macro conditions — a fast enough shutter speed to freeze movement, an appropriate aperture for depth of field, and flash settings for consistent lighting."
Since subjects move unpredictably, Shozib prefers a setup that allows him to react quickly rather than constantly changing gear in the field. Despite all this, he said macro photography demands precision, patience, and adaptability.
The process of capturing insects
Finding insects is a combination of observation, experience, and understanding their behaviour. When I asked Shozib where and when to find a specific insect, he said, "Over time, I have learned that different insects prefer different habitats. Some stay around flowers for nectar, some hide under leaves, while others prefer wetlands, grasses, tree bark, or humid shaded areas."
Timing is everything in insect photography. Some insects are active only at dawn. "Early morning is often one of the best times because many insects are less active and easier to approach," Shozib stressed, highlighting the importance of timing. Seasonal changes also matter, since some species appear only at certain times of the year. "Sometimes I go looking for a specific habitat rather than a specific insect, because nature often surprises you," he remarked, reflecting on the unpredictability of the process.
As for his own schedule, Shozib pursues photography whenever he can find free time. Since photography is his passion, he tries to remain disciplined with his schedule. Macro photography demands patience, and even short sessions in the right spot can prove productive.
Once Shozib finds a subject, he spends some time watching its behaviour to understand how it moves. He then approaches slowly to avoid scaring it away, adjusts his angle and lighting for the best composition, and focuses on important details such as the eyes or body texture
When I asked where he had travelled to photograph insects, he said most of his work has been done in natural environments across Bangladesh. Gardens, village areas, wetlands, parks, roadside vegetation, and quiet green spaces have all served as hunting grounds for his work.
"One amazing thing about insect photography is that extraordinary subjects can be found almost anywhere if you look closely," he said.
He has also encountered several uncommon and difficult-to-spot species, especially tiny predatory and parasitic insects that most people would never notice. For Shozib, rarity is often defined by the difficulty of finding and documenting these creatures in their natural behaviour rather than by scientific classification alone.
When I asked about the steps he follows while taking macro photographs in the wild, he explained the process in stages. First, he carefully observes the surroundings and looks for signs of insect activity on leaves, flowers, branches, or shaded areas. Once he finds a subject, he spends some time watching its behaviour to understand how it moves.
He then approaches slowly to avoid scaring it away, adjusts his angle and lighting for the best composition, and focuses on important details such as the eyes or body texture. "Since even tiny movements can ruin a shot, I capture multiple frames patiently. Most importantly, I always try to respect the insect and its natural habitat while shooting."
The challenges of macro photography include limited light, insect movement, environmental conditions, and even unexpected wildlife encounters. But those difficulties are part of what makes the journey exciting and rewarding.
When I asked whether he had faced any significant challenges while photographing insects, he said insects are unpredictable, fast, and often active for only a few seconds. Weather conditions, such as wind, can instantly ruin a macro shot. Lighting is another challenge because even the smallest shadows become significant at high magnification. And then there are the mosquitoes.
"There have been shoots where I was constantly being bitten while trying to stay perfectly still for a frame. It is definitely part of the field experience."
Encounters with snakes
One unforgettable experience he shared involved becoming so focused on photographing tiny insects that he unexpectedly came face to face with a snake — not once, but twice, on different occasions. It was a reminder that insect-rich habitats attract the full breadth of wildlife, and that one is never truly alone in the field.
I also asked about his perspective on the current state of Bangladesh's micro-ecosystems.
"The insects in Bangladesh are facing increasing pressure from habitat loss, pesticide use, urbanisation, pollution, and climate change. Many beneficial species, including pollinators and natural predators, are being affected. Since insects are essential to ecosystems, agriculture, and food chains, protecting their habitats is critical for maintaining environmental balance," said Shozib.
The goal of Shozib and his initiative, Lens and Lines, is to help people recognise the beauty and importance of the tiny world around us. Many insects are misunderstood or ignored, yet they play essential roles in ecosystems. Through macro photography, Shozib hopes to inspire appreciation, awareness, and respect for biodiversity.
