Thorben Danke – The insect portraitist

Thorben Danke strives to share his passion for insects with a wide audience by showcasing the beauty and fragility of these creatures, which are so vital to our planet, through his stunning insect photography.

published on: 10/19/2024

written by: Thorben Danke , Kaan Mika

Close-up of the lesser stag beetle, Dorcus parallelipipedus, showing the bristles at the transition from head to thorax. Image © Thorben Danke

The camera as an eye-opener

Thorben Danke, a self-taught photographer from southern Germany, lives surrounded by vineyards, and consequently, many insects. Yet, it wasn't until the 22nd of July 2016 that his passion for insects was ignited. On that day, Thorben captured an image of a green bottle fly using a reverse ring and a regular lens, and it was love at first sight. This single photograph sparked his fascination for the tiny creatures and led him to embark on a macro photography journey that beautifully intertwines his love for nature and photography.

Thorben Danke portrait — A portrait shot of Thorben Danke and one of his favorite lenses. Image © Thorben Danke

From an accident to technical perfection

However, the first photo was pure luck, and replicating it with other insect specimens proved to be a challenge. Determined not to leave his success to chance, Thorben dedicated himself to mastering the techniques of macro photography. His second successful shot was of a dead hornet's head, achieved by stacking 11 meticulously taken photos with different focus points. This was a promising milestone, further convincing Thorben that he was on the right path.

As his skills improved, new challenges emerged. For example, dead insects looked ugly, so Thorben started cleaning and rehydrating them to make them look beautiful on camera. It took many trials and errors, but he had all the patience required for this fun project!

The next hurdle was to create 3D images of insects. Undeterred, Thorben built his own macro slider and programmed it to capture intricate 3D images by using a technique called focus stacking (see highlight box below for information on focus stacking). The results were mind-blowing, pushing the boundaries of his craft even further.

Progress in technique

The common green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata), photographed in 2016, the first ever insect photo of Thorben. Image: © Thorben Danke

The brown-black carpenter ant (Camponotus ligniperda), taken in 2017. In a single year, Thorben had already made remarkable progress and increased the quality of his insect shots. Image: © Thorben Danke

The large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) image, taken in 2018, is composed of multiple stacks, showing the whole head part of the weevil in focus. Image: © Thorben Danke

Calliphora vicina belongs to the Calliphoridae family. Mesmerizing details of each single hair (sensillum) are captured brilliantly. The photo dates back to 2019. Image: © Thorben Danke

A portrait shot of the European paper wasp (Polistes dominula). Thorben took this photo in 2020. Image: © Thorben Danke

Thorax of the hornet mimic hoverfly Volucella zonaria

The smaller, the better! Thorben is now able to achieve very detailed shots with higher magnification. Thorax of the hornet mimic hoverfly (Volucella zonaria), photographed in 2021. Image: © Thorben Danke

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys

The gates to the hidden world of insects are wide open. Thorben starts documenting the microscopic details of the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) (2022). Image: © Thorben Danke

A flawless shot of the lesser stag beetle (Dorcus parallelipipedus), photographed in 2023. Image: © Thorben Danke

A close-up photo of the peppered moth larva (Biston betularia), taken in 2024. Image: © Thorben Danke

What is focus stacking?

Focus stacking has transformed insect photography by tackling the issue of shallow depth of field, a common challenge in macro photography. When photographing small, detailed subjects like insects, only a tiny portion of the image is in focus due to the magnification. This can make it difficult to capture the entire insect clearly in a single shot. To solve this, photographers use focus stacking, where they take multiple photos of the same subject, each with a different focus point– such as the eyes, legs, and wings. These images are then merged using software, combining the sharpest parts of each to create a fully focused final image.

This technique allows photographers to achieve incredible detail and clarity throughout the entire subject, making even the smallest features stand out. For photographers like Thorben Danke, focus stacking is an essential method that enables them to capture the intricate beauty of insects in stunning, lifelike detail. The process not only enhances the visual impact of the images but also opens new possibilities for exploring and showcasing the fascinating world of insects.

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How social media have helped Thorben professionalize his hobby

Thorben uses social media to share his captivating work with the world. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), he connects with scientists who are fascinated by his detailed insect photography. Meanwhile, Facebook and Instagram serve as spaces where he engages with fellow macro photographers, exchanging tips and techniques. Instagram in particular, has become a hub for opportunities, with people reaching out to him for exhibitions, documentaries, and various projects. His work has gained such recognition that it has even been showcased on Netflix, bringing his stunning images to an even wider audience.

Advice for newbie photographers

First and foremost, Thorben emphasizes the importance of ethical photography – do not kill insects for the sake of a shot. While killing a single insect might not impact its population, it's unnecessary and unethical. You'll find plenty of dead insects if you look carefully, so there's no need to harm living ones.

Starting macro photography doesn't require a huge investment. Begin with low-cost options: using extension tubes or a reverse ring with a regular lens can yield excellent results without breaking the bank. If you do have the budget to invest in a macro lens, macro lenses are versatile and can also be used for portrait photography. For those interested in even more magnification, microscope lenses can be adapted to cameras, but that's a more advanced step. Moreover, the type of camera is an important factor, too. For example, SLR cameras will do the work for simple macrophotography, however, Thorben suggests investing in mirrorless cameras for those interested in focus stacking. The main reason is that focus stacking requires thousands of shots, which might be a problem for SLR cameras. Mirrorless cameras with a silent shutter function will have a longer lifespan.

Most importantly, Thorben advises newcomers to take their time and enjoy the process. Connecting with other photographers is also key – the macrophotography community is supportive and always willing to share techniques and equipment tips.

Comparing two photos of the ocellus of the European hornet (Vespa crabro), taken in 2016 and 2018, respectively, proves the astonishing development that Thorben, as a hobby photographer, achieved in his spare time within only 2 years. — Comparing two photos of the ocellus of the European hornet (*Vespa crabro*), taken in 2016 and 2018, respectively, proves the astonishing development that Thorben, as a hobby photographer, achieved in his spare time within only 2 years. Image: © Thorben Danke

How kids see his work

Thorben shares his passion for insects with his three children. Each time they discover a new species, Thorben is just as excited as they are. He finds joy in the fact that his kids already know so much about the insects around them – knowledge he didn’t have at their age.

He also transfers this passion to other children by inviting them to his exhibitions and eagerly answering their burning questions. He’s thrilled to see how these exhibitions change children's perceptions of insects, making them appreciate and love these tiny creatures more.

He strongly believes in the principle: See – Know – Appreciate – Protect. He explains that the first step is to observe and see the beauty of insects around us, which can be achieved through direct observation, documentaries, and the work of macro photographers. Next, we must learn more about them, and this is where scientists and teachers play a crucial role in educating people. With a combination of seeing and understanding, people develop an appreciation for insects. Finally, someone who sees, knows, and respects insects will naturally want to protect them. This principle guides Thorben’s work and his efforts to inspire the next generation to care for the natural world.

As a photographer, his role is to help people see the insects, with all the details!