Mail: simon@natural-photographer.co.uk

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Flora and Fauna

One of the most rewarding subjects to photograph is flora and fauna. Generally, it is a major challenge to take photographs of the variety of species that fit this subject. The size of the subjects, being quite small, along with being located in awkward to reach places, such as the ground, be it in a garden or forest, means setting up the camera is sometimes quite difficult along with the other general technical issues this sort of subject brings. However, getting in close means that photographs of these subjects, from bright flowers to thistles, reveals the most stunning details, meaning the effort in getting the shot is well worth it and can be quite rewarding.

For these photographs, I generally use a macro lens, which is a specialist optic for close-up photography. The particular lens I currently use, that I got new in 1999, is the Leica Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, which even today is regarded as being one of the finest macro lenses ever made. In addition, at that time that I started taking photography seriously, I was taking photographs on photographic film, and having digitised these photographs I am absolutely delighted at the overall quality, in particular the colours, which are fantastic with a subject like this.

1 January 2000, Leica R6.2, Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1sec @ f/16, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

This is one of the first photographs I ever took with the Leica macro lens. It is not difficult why I fell in love with this particular piece of equipment, which I still use widely today.

14 May 2001, Leica R6.2, Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 4sec @ f/16, Kodachrome ISO 25.

My favourite slide film around this time was Kodachrome, with the ISO 25 version being recognised as the highest quality slide film at the time. Sadly, it was discontinued as digital photography started to become more popular, however as the photograph above shows, it is not surprising to see why it gained huge popularity at the time.


30 July 2000, Leica R6.2, Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8 + Elpro 1:1-1:2, 1/15sec @ f/22, Kodachrome ISO 25.

A nice effect of water droplets after rain.

19 February 2000, Leica R6.2, Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 8sec @ f/8, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

Lets do some daffodils, an ever-popular flower. And we start with this one. As I don’t have any ‘artificial’ aids in my photographs, such as studio lights and some sort of black background added behind this subjects, such images as the one above are quite difficult to get. Instead, I rely on the completely natural environment. However, the results make the effort worthwhile I think.


22 March 1998, Minolta 9000, Vivtar 100mm f/3.5, 1/2sec @ f/16, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.


6 April 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/4, ISO 250.


6 April 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/9.5, ISO 160.

I think this specimen is the one above, taking a photo from this angle gives an image that is not often seen, of the rear of the flower.


12 April 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/640sec @ f/5.6, ISO 125.

1 September 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/160sec @ f/14, ISO 1250.

This photo probably brings back memories to anyone who picked these and blew the pappus off; however looking at this closely reveals how utterly beautiful it is.

30 July 2000, Leica R6.2, Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1sec @ f/22, Kodachrome ISO 25.


31 March 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/22, ISO 2000.

The humble dandelion, here revealed in stunning detail.

7 September 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/2.8, ISO 320.

This photo was taken from a walled nursery in Ulverston, at the base of Hoad Hill. Here, the plant is again set against a natural background to make it stand out.

7 September 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/19, ISO 400.

In the walled garden, there was constant activity with bees; getting a photo of a flower with a bee not on it was quite a challenge. Here. I have managed to do just that, however there is one about to land, so I call this photo ‘The Arrival’!

7 September 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/19, ISO 50.

7 September 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/9.5, ISO 100.

Not a perfect specimen by any means, however I think this makes for an interesting photograph.

7 September 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/8, ISO 160.

7 September 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/16, ISO 200.

I like this photograph as it shows the Hoad Monument in the background, and that the flower almost looks like it is handmade out of felt!

12 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/160sec @ f/16, ISO 320.

11 July 2000, Leica R6.2, Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 4sec @ f/22, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

17 March 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/100sec @ f/14, ISO 2500.

27 July 2000, Leica R6.2, Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 32sec @ f/22, Kodachrome ISO 25.

20 August 2000, Leica R6.2, Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8 + Elpro 1:1-1:2, 1/4sec @ f/22, Kodachrome ISO 25.

Backlighting really shows the intricate details.

30 July 2000, Leica R6.2, Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8 + Elpro 1:1-1:2, 1/4sec @ f/22, Kodachrome ISO 25.

Once again, the combination of the magnificent Leica macro lens with Kodachrome 25 delivers absolutely stunning photographic quality, where the reds really pop out. For this one, I added the ‘Elpro’ lens attachment which enables a higher magnification than is possible with the lens on its own.


20 May 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/8, ISO 160.

7 May 2001, Leica R6.2, Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/125sec @ f/5.6, Kodachrome ISO 25.

11 September 2005, Leica R6.2, Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/30sec @ f/11, Kodachrome ISO 64.

Attempting to make the flowers in the foreground the main point of interest in this landscape.

23 March 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 2.5sec @ f/22, ISO 50.

Photograph details unknown - film Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

I must have taken this after a rain shower; note the water droplets which give a nice effect.

24 May 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/5.6, ISO 640.

15 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/22, ISO 4000.

I saw these interesting flowers in Domburg, Zeeland, while on holiday in The Netherlands.

28 July 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/320sec @ f/14, ISO 8000.

29 May 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/320sec @ f/6.8, ISO 400.

29 May 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/22, ISO 5000.

Going in close to the flowers in the above photograph. The patterns look like a group of islands!

29 May 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/9.5, ISO 400.

Similar specimen to the above.

24 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/11, ISO 125.

Back in The Netherlands again, near to where I stayed, the rather striking and beautiful passion fruit flower.

24 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/22, ISO 640.

Getting in closer to reveal this amazing flower in more intricate detail.

28 July 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/5.6, ISO 320.

28 July 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/5.6, ISO 320.

12 July 2000, Leica R6.2, Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/2sec @ f/22, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

7 June 2008, Leica R6.2, Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/250sec @ f/5.6, Kodachrome ISO 64.

Another very striking plant, the red hot poker.

19 June 2005, Leica R6.2, Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/4 Kodachrome ISO 64.

7 June 2008, Leica R6.2, Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/250sec @ f/5.6, Kodachrome ISO 64.

12 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/320sec @ f/8, ISO 125.

21 August 2000, Leica R6.2,  Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/2sec @ f/22, Kodachrome ISO 25.

Not just beautiful flowers - thistles are included in this subject. The spikes just look incredible, it screams ‘do not touch’!

26 October 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/160sec @ f/5.6, exposure compensation +0.3 stop, ISO 800.

20 August 2000, Leica R6.2,  Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 4sec @ f/22, Kodachrome ISO 25.

12 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/3.4, ISO 800.

2 August 1998, Minolta 9000, lens unknown, 1/125sec @ f/8, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

I like the striking contrast of the red flower with the red of the cartwheel hub.

6 April 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/4, exposure compensation -0.6 stop, ISO 800.

Photograph details unknown - around May 1995, film Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

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