Spring is in full bloom in New York City, and I’m immersing myself in the beauty of the 13,000 tulips planted for our Upper West Side neighborhood festival.

Enter West Side Community Garden through the wrought iron gate at 123 W 89th Street into this little oasis from city life, open from early morning until dusk—a true gem of the Upper West Side. The variety is incredible—it’s like entering a kaleidoscope of color with birdsong all around. You can see the love poured into it everywhere you look. I enjoyed stopping by to photograph with my macro lens (more on that later) and witnessing fellow neighbors experience the beautifully curated garden.

How the Garden Took Root in the Community

During the Upper West Side’s revitalization in the 1970s, this vacant lot  where the garden now lives was used for illegal activities and garbage dumping. Thankfully, in 1976 the neighbors, including parents of the schools nearby, worked to clean the land and transform it into a safe neighborhood sanctuary.

They teamed up with the Trust For Public Land to get the garden incorporated as a non-profit and make a deal with the land owner, a developer. Luckily part of the deal was a requirement that the garden be free of charge and accessible to the public every day.

Garden maintenance is run entirely by volunteers, and WSCG has brought together Upper West Siders from all walks of life since its beginning. In addition to the tulip festival, the garden also hosts movie nights, Shakespeare performances, an arts and crafts festival, and a variety of concerts.

Macro Lens Results

I took the opportunity to test out my new NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S lens with my Nikon Z8 camera, and I was thrilled with the results!

There’s a lot of debate as to whether a macro lens is a worthwhile purchase due to its price and apparently limited use. As a professional photographer, I highly recommend a macro lens. I use it for more than just closeups. Its ability to sharply capture detail makes it the perfect companion for portrait, product, food, and even landscape photography. It is my absolute favorite light-weight lens to use for nature, and my shots at this tulip festival did not disappoint.

The exquisite detail and depth of color of the beautiful blooms made it hard to select which shots to share in this post. I hope you enjoy!

Why Choose a Macro Lens?

A macro lens allows you to capture subjects at life-size (1:1) magnification, meaning the subject appears as large on the camera sensor as it is in real life. Unlike standard lenses, macro lenses are specifically designed to focus at extremely close distances while maintaining sharpness and detail. There’s something magical about capturing the world up close—where tiny details become the stars of the frame. Macro photography opens up an entirely new perspective, revealing the intricate textures of flowers, the mesmerizing eyes of insects, or the delicate patterns on everyday objects. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer looking to refine your skills, this guide will help you make the most of your macro lens and take stunning close-up shots.

Essential Tips for Stunning Macro Shots

Mastering depth of field

Since macro photography often involves getting very close to your subject, the depth of field becomes incredibly shallow. Use a smaller aperture (higher f-stop, like f/8 to f/16) to keep more of your subject in focus. Be mindful that smaller apertures require more light, so adjust your ISO and shutter speed accordingly.

Lighting is key

Lighting can make or break a macro shot. Natural light works well, but for better control, consider using a ring light or macro flash to evenly illuminate your subject, reflectors or diffusers to soften harsh shadows, or LED light panels for continuous lighting when shooting indoors.

Keep it steady

Even the tiniest movements can blur your shot. Use a tripod to keep your camera stable. If handheld, try a faster shutter speed (1/200s or faster) to counteract any movement. Utilize focus stacking (capturing multiple shots at different focus points) to increase sharpness across the subject.

Focus like a pro

Manual focus is often better than autofocus in macro photography, as it allows for precise control over the focus point. Try focus peaking (if your camera has it) to highlight the sharpest areas in your frame.

Subjects to Explore

🌸 Flowers & plants – Capture textures, veins, and water droplets.
🐞 Insects – Highlight the mesmerizing details of their eyes and wings.
🪵 Textures & patterns – Wood grain, fabrics, and even food can be stunning.
💧 Water droplets – Experiment with reflections and refractions inside tiny drops.