Some photographers travel to remote corners of the world in search of extraordinary subjects. For Finnish photographer Taru Rantala, inspiration is often waiting just beyond her doorstep. Armed with a macro lens and an open mind, she wanders through nearby forests, discovering hidden worlds in flowers, leaves, spider webs, and tiny insects that most of us would never notice.
Taru, how did your photography journey begin?
Photography came into my life when I was a little child.
My aunt was a photographer, and she inspired me with the beautiful photographs she took of me and my siblings.
I admired her camera and the wonderful sound of its shutter. Quite early on, I realised that photography has its own language for expressing stories, moods, and emotions.
Our childhood home was in the countryside, and nature was always close by. It played an important role in our lives. My siblings and I spent a lot of time in forests, by lakes, and outdoors, observing the world around us and enjoying everything we saw and felt.
As a child, I played at being a photographer with an old broken camera and dreamed of having my own one day. That dream eventually came true. I was 20 years old when I bought my first film camera.
My husband and I started our family when we were quite young, so for the next 15 years I mainly photographed everyday life and our children growing up.
Later, when I had more time for myself, I bought a macro lens and began exploring nature through it. I am still on that journey today.
What first drew you to macro photography?
With a macro lens, I can discover countless interesting details in nature. It’s easy to find subjects because all these small wonders are right near my home. I simply take my camera and walk into the forest. Everything I need is there. I don’t have to travel far to make photographs, which saves time, money, and energy.
Macro photography allows me to see nature in a completely different way. It helps me understand how important the smallest details are within the larger picture. There is a hidden beauty and mystery in the macro world, especially in plants. That fascinates me endlessly.
