7. Fine-tune Macro Pattern Compositions

Although we can crop things using software later, it is best to fine-tune composition in-camera at the time of shooting as much as possible. With close-up pattern details, ensure they either fill the frame completely so that there are no gaps around the edges, or show the entire pattern with space all around it. These two shots of the same fungus illustrate how these opposite approaches look in practice.

 Fungi. Nikon D2X Nikon 105mm macro lens. 1/15sec @ f/11, ISO 100.