MICROSCOPIC MARVELS

LEONID & TONI TRAJKOVSKI

//Leonid and his father Toni are from Skopje, Macedonia, and they are experts in extreme close-up macro photography. They always work together with a technique that enables them to capture and explore the hidden world of insects and plants, revealing details that are invisible to the naked eye. We are delighted to present a collection of their super-detailed insect macros.

“First of all, It was my father – Toni who started this “story” with macro photography many years ago, and as the years passed, that interest in photography appeared in me,” Leonid says. “We started photographing together, we progressed together, with the equipment, with the style of macro photography, which from “basic” macro photography grew into something more extreme. In short, this is how this whole “story” of research and capture of something that is rare and cannot be seen every day began and continues.”

“The painter should paint not only what he has in front of him, but also what he sees inside himself.”

Caspar David Friedrich

What draws you to the arts?

(Leonid) Specifically for this type of photography, it attracts me to realize something new, capturing the world of insects and plants. And generally speaking, the beautiful thing in photography is the inclusion of creativity, to create something new and by way of all that, there is also the improvement of the technique itself and the daily learning of something new.

What do you like best about this project?

(Leonid) The most exciting and interesting part of the steps I mentioned is trying to catch the insect I want to shoot. And of course the anticipation of getting the final result, the photo.

In extreme close-up macro photography, this photographer team captures moments that are often overlooked by the naked eye, revealing intricacies that would otherwise go unnoticed. Achieving such captivating imagery involves a meticulous process.

They skillfully photograph their subjects (maybe a spider, perhaps a fly, etc.), taking multiple shots, which are then stacked into the final composition. Are you curious about the stacking process? During the photo shoot, they sometimes capture at least 150 separate images of the subject. These images are then meticulously layered in post-processing to create a single, detailed photograph.

The choice of a microscopic lens is crucial in defining the final outcome. For less detail, they opt for a x4 microscopic lens. However, when aiming for intricate details, such as the intricacies of an insect’s eye, they employ an x10 microscopic lens.

Through their lens, Leonid and Toni bring these miniature subjects to life, showcasing their intricate beauty and fascinating structures.As a result, each image tells a story of hidden beauty waiting to be revealed.

Click on the photos to see a larger image in original dimensions. Some images may be cropped for layout.