My Journey Into Photography:

From Macro to the Stars, A Lifelong Passion Capturing the World

I held my first camera before the age of ten, and almost five decades later, I’m still captivated by the thrill of freezing a fleeting moment, revealing unseen details, and capturing the beauty of the natural world. Photography has been my lifelong companion, shaping how I see life, teaching patience, observation, and appreciation for the small things.

Over the years, I’ve traveled across four continents, explored countless landscapes, and honed my skills in travel, wildlife, and nature photography. A year ago, I finally pursued a long-time dream: macrophotography. And now, I’m learning astrophotography — from tiny details to vast cosmic skies, always learning, always curious.

This post shares my journey, lessons learned, and the creative philosophy that drives my work.

Contact:

josephb.photography1@gmail.com

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Close-up of a red flower with intricate details of petals and yellow pollen on the stamen.

At a Glance: My Photography Journey

Experience:
Almost 50 years capturing moments & nature

Genres:
Travel, Wildlife, Macro, Nature, Winter, Astro

Recent Additions:
Macro (2 years), Astrophotography (ongoing)

Style:
Natural, authentic, detail-oriented

Goal of This Post:
Share my journey & inspire others

How It All Began: My Story Behind the Lens

My journey began with simple curiosity. As a child, I was fascinated by how a camera could hold a fragment of reality — a leaf, a cloud, a passing bird. By the age of ten, I was already experimenting, learning through trial and error, and discovering the joy of slowing down to observe the world.

Over nearly five decades, photography became a lens through which I explore life. Traveling across four continents offered countless lessons: the patience needed to capture wildlife in its natural habitat, the adaptability required to work in different light and weather conditions, and the humility of witnessing landscapes far larger than myself.

Each genre has shaped my eye: travel photography taught me to notice the subtle story behind every scene; wildlife photography demanded patience and respect; winter photography taught me to embrace minimalism and contrast; macro photography opened a universe of details I never noticed; and astrophotography now challenges me to reach beyond the Earth, capturing the night sky in all its grandeur.

Photography, to me, has never been about perfection. It is about curiosity, observation, and expression — capturing fleeting beauty and sharing it in a way that resonates. Launching this website is the next chapter: a space to showcase my work, offer photography services, and connect with others who love images that tell a story.

A man wearing a brown hat, beige vest, and gray shirt looks through a large camouflage-patterned telescope in a dense green forest.

From Travel to Macro: My Photography Evolution

Discovering the World Through Landscapes

Travel photography taught me to see differently: how light, weather, and perspective can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. I learned to anticipate moments — a sunrise behind a mountain, a flock of birds in formation, or a reflection in calm water. Patience and observation became my greatest tools.

Tips for aspiring travel photographers:

  • Wake up early for golden hour light

  • Scout your locations in advance

  • Look for foreground elements to add depth

  • Respect local communities and nature

A sea otter floating on water holding a fish in its paws, looking directly at the camera.

Lessons from Wildlife Photography

Capturing wildlife taught me patience and humility. Animals don’t follow schedules, and every encounter is a gift. Understanding behavior, approaching quietly, and respecting the subject’s space are essential. Wildlife photography is as much about connection as it is about technique.

Quick tips:

  • Use telephoto lenses to maintain distance

  • Study animal behavior before a shoot

  • Be prepared for changing weather and lighting

Exploring the Hidden World: Macro Photography

2 years ago, I finally explored macrophotography — a childhood dream fulfilled. Macro revealed a hidden universe: textures, shapes, and colors invisible to the naked eye. I quickly fell in love with the patience, precision, and creativity it demands.

Key lessons:

  • Tripod + manual focus is essential

  • Patience is key — even tiny movements matter

  • Explore unusual subjects — leaves, insects, textures

Close-up image of the moon's surface showing craters and lunar features with a dark space background.
Night sky filled with stars and the Milky Way galaxy visible above silhouette of trees.

Tips for Aspiring Photographers

Photography is a journey, not a checklist. From my decades of experience:

  • Observe first: The world is full of unnoticed moments

  • Experiment constantly: Every mistake is a lesson

  • Study light: Morning and evening light are magic

  • Embrace simplicity: Often, less is more

  • Keep learning: Macro, astro, or any new genre keeps your passion alive

Remember, photography is about seeing, feeling, and connecting — not just technical perfection.

A seal lying on a floating ice sheet in the Arctic ocean, with small ice chunks in the background.
Close-up of a yellow and green dragonfly, showing detailed facial features, large compound eyes, and part of its body with segmented legs.

Reaching for the Stars: My Astro Journey

Currently, I’m learning astrophotography. Capturing stars, galaxies, and the Milky Way is humbling and magical. It’s a natural extension of macro photography: the small universe and the vast one connected by curiosity and light.

Tips for beginners:

  • Start with wide-angle lenses

  • Use long exposures and a tripod

  • Scout dark sky locations

  • Embrace trial and error — astrophotography rewards patience

The Tools Behind My Work

Over the years, my gear has evolved with my style:

  • Camera Bodies: Reliable DSLRs and mirrorless systems for versatility

  • Lenses: Wide-angle for landscapes, telephoto for wildlife, macro lenses for tiny subjects

  • Tripod: Essential for low-light, macro, and astrophotography

  • Filters: ND filters for long exposures, polarizers for reflections

  • Accessories: Macro Lighting, Remote shutter release, spare batteries, weather protection

I focus on tools that allow me to express creativity and adapt to different environments, rather than chasing every new gadget.

Two flamingos standing and wading in water, one with its head upside down and the other with its head tucked back.
Coastal landscape with a sandy beach, a calm turquoise lagoon, and ocean waves, viewed from a hill with tall dry grass in the foreground.

Camera Bodies:
Canon R6 Mark II / Canon R5 Mark II

Lenses:
200mm f/2.8 + 400mm f/2.8 + 1.4 Extender for wildlife
100mm macro for close-ups
15–35mm for travel and astro
50mm f/1.8 for portraits

Accessories:
Tripods
Remote shutter
ND filters + Lighting for Macro

Close-up of a flamingo's head with a curved neck, yellow eye, and a distinctive beak with a zipper-like ridge along the edge.

Reflections on a Life in Photography

Photography has been part of my life for nearly fifty years, shaping how I see and connect with the world. From the smallest macro detail to the vast expanse of the night sky, each image tells a story — my story — and a story of the world around us.

This website is the next chapter in my journey: a space to share my work, my experiences, and my vision. Whether you are an aspiring photographer, a collector, or simply a lover of visual storytelling, I hope my images inspire you to pause, observe, and connect with the beauty in the world around you.

See More, Connect, and Join My Journey

  • Explore my full galleries to see more of my work

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  • Contact me for prints or photography services

A flamingo standing in water with its head bent back, creating a reflection in the water.