About Nick Radcliffe Photography

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Macro photography came into my life in 2018 when I picked up a set of extension tubes for my Sony a6500. It was a cheap way to try something new with my photography journey. After seeing what I could produce, I fell in love. 

My equipment started out very basic with the aforementioned a6500, kit lens, and extension tubes and quickly grew from there. I have stuck with Sony bodies and upgraded to the a7rIII and most recently to the a7rV. The lens collection is more extensive, with my two go-to lenses being the Sony 90 mm 1:1 Macro and Laowa 100 mm 2:1 Macro. Both lenses are represented heavily on this site. 

Lighting is key to shooting good macro. This area has also seen a progression over time. I have tried lens mounted flashes, cheap light boxes, off camera flashes, etc. You name it, I have probably tried it. My current set up is an on camera speed light (Godox v860ii) and Cygnestech diffuser. Both pieces of equipment allow me to light my subjects properly. A lot of my work is done at night after the kids go to sleep. Pre-lighting a subject to allow for proper focusing is another struggle I have faced over the years. The solution I have found most recently is a Smallrig camera cage with Aputure light mounted and pointed a few inches in front of the lens. It allows me to light for proper manual and even auto focus of the subject I am shooting.

Six years into this hobby and I am fully hooked.