TAKE TEN: Cathy Birkett
Sometimes you just need to stop and smell the roses, then grab your macro lens and snap the insect you just spotted on the leaf. Sedgefield-based Cathy Birkett will know all about this, with her work in the realm of macro photography drawing a lot of attention.
Cathy Birkett
How did you get started with macro photography?
I have always loved photography but started taking it more seriously when I moved to the Western Cape and joined a photography club about 15 years ago. I was more into travel and landscape photography but I got myself a Fujinon XF80mm F2.8 macro lens just before lockdown in early 2020. At the time I had no idea what we were in for and that I would be stuck at home for months. It was an ideal opportunity for me to learn more and slowly get into the challenges of macro photography.
There are plenty of technical challenges – balancing the focus, depth of field and limited light when up close to your subject and I enjoyed these. In the early days at home in a more controlled environment I got to practice the technical stuff plus tried focus stacking for the first time.
When life returned to normal and I could go out and start travelling again, I was still hooked on macro photography. Now I enjoy the additional challenges brought by capturing moving insects in their own environment. Nature has always been my inspiration; macro photography gets me to slow down and just look and observe and discover how beautiful and intricate nature is up close. It takes a lot of patience and practice but when you get the shot you are after it is very rewarding.
When did you switch to Fujifilm? What do you like about the gear
I got my first Fujifilm camera in 2015 – the X-T1. At the time I needed to upgrade my camera and as I was doing a lot of travel photography, I was looking at the smaller camera options. I fell in love with the X-T1 the moment I had it in my hands at the camera shop – it just felt so right for me.
Do you have a favourite body and lens?
I have had the X-T1, X-T3 and have now upgraded to the X-T5. I kept my X-T1 as a second body when I upgraded to the X-T3 and it was always my favourite. The X-T5 is now my favourite camera with the upgrades that came with it.
When it comes to lenses, I had the versatile XF18-135mm F3.5-5.6 as my favourite for a long while as it was ideal for travel. Now my two favourite lenses are the XF80mm F2.8 macro and then the XF70-300mm F4-5.6.
What’s on your photography bucket list?
Namibia and Costa Rica.
Any tips and tricks for those looking to explore macro photography?
You don’t need to start with a macro lens as smartphones today can take great close-up photos. You just need to slow down and focus in on the little things in life, and then a little patience and lots of practice. It’s a great way to see and capture the world a little differently.
Find more of Cathy Birkett’s work here:
Instagram: @cathybirkett
