Juuli Salo
Still Life & Macro | Last Updated: September 30, 2024
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Hello there!
I’m Juuli Salo, a close-up/macro photographer living in southern Finland.
My mission is to create images that showcase my connection with nature and encourage people to appreciate the beauty in detail.
Each photograph is an invitation to pause, look closer, and dream!
What draws me to macro photography is the easiness. I don’t have to travel far to find exciting subjects.
I can go to the nearest forest, and in Finland, we have plenty of forests, even in the city, and the world of wonders unfolds before my eyes!
Every season offers something unique: from the first spring flowers to the delicate snowflakes hanging from a strand of a spider’s web, there’s always something new to discover.
I believe nature has an incredible power to heal, and when we connect with it – even in the most minor ways – we find joy, peace, and inspiration.
I consider photography as my therapy.
Canon EOS R – I have been shooting with this body for a few years. I prefer a full-frame camera as it performs better in low-light conditions. FF-sensors also allow a shallower depth of field, which makes better bokeh. The flip screen is a must for any ground-level subjects!
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro – my go-to lens. I used to shoot with the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro but prefer the longer focal length. This lens lets me capture minor details and offers a beautiful, dreamy blur.
I have an extensive collection of vintage lenses, but I’ll mention just a few here.
The ones I use the most are Helios 44-2 58mm f/2, Pentacon 50mm f/1.8, Helios 40-2 85mm f/1.5 and Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f/1.8.
I would recommend vintage lenses to anyone who loves imperfection and originality. Each lens creates a unique, painterly bokeh that makes the photos stand out.
I edit all my images with Adobe, Lightroom Classic & Photoshop. If I had to describe my editing style with one word, it would be moody.
For me, editing is a significant part of the process when it comes to creating an image. I’m not trying to capture the world exactly as it is, but rather add something to it – a bit of magic and wonder.
I just launched my first preset pack called “Moody Flowers”, available at my shop.
Photography is not about having the latest and the greatest gear; it’s about your vision.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and try new things. Every photo you take is a step in discovering your style.
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Juuli, your post reads like pure poetry — just like your photos. While reading about your connection with nature, I felt like I was being transported to a Finnish forest, where every drop of dew and every snowflake tells a story.
Your approach to macro photography as a form of therapy resonates deeply with me. In a world that moves too fast, you remind us that the most beautiful wonders are literally at our feet — we just need to pause, lean in, and look with our hearts. 💚
I’m truly impressed by how intentionally you choose your tools — not to have the newest or most expensive gear, but to paint the world of emotion and detail exactly as you feel it. That balance between technique and soul is something truly special.
Your shots taken with Helios and Zeiss lenses feel like paintings — full of nostalgia, softness, and depth. I love imperfection in photography because it makes the image feel… human, real, magical. And “moody” is the perfect word to describe your editing style — filled with quiet, light, and a touch of mystery.
Thank you for sharing not only your photos, but also your heart, your philosophy, and your inspiration.
I can’t wait to check out your presets — I have a feeling it will be a beautiful journey!
Warm greetings from Poland,
Marzena (a photographer too, in a completely different genre — but with the same love for light and emotion 🌿📸)
Huge thanks for the feature!