My World Through the Lens | by Adelina Sulima
Hi! I’m Adelina, from a small town in the beautiful Mazovia region of Poland. Some of you might recognize me from Instagram (@adelinasmacro), where I use my camera lens to share my love for the natural world around us. I also occasionally share my thoughts on life and nature. Today, I’d like to tell you a bit about my photography journey.
A Creative Soul and the Beginnings of Nature Photography
I have always had a creative soul. As a young girl, I wrote my own stories and short poems, and when the Internet and its possibilities emerged, I began looking for my own place online. I ran a website dedicated to my favorite celebrity, a graphic design site with a friend, and several other online portals. When Instagram launched, I decided to create a space for myself there, too. I have long loved reading, so I chose to start a "bookstagram" account. I incorporated my budding love for flowers into the mix, using them in my book-themed shots.
While running the book account, I became captivated by flower photography and macro shots, and I started following several nature-focused accounts. I began dreaming of owning a camera and macro lenses. First, I bought a camera (Canon EOS 250d) and an initial 50mm lens. For Christmas 2023, my family gave me a Sigma 105mm lens—a true macro lens. I eagerly awaited the end of winter so I could try out the new lens. With the arrival of spring, I headed out to my garden with my gear and took my first photos of daffodils. Armed with tips and Lightroom presets purchased from a close friend, I began learning how to edit photos.
Want to learn more about Macro Photography? Check out “A Closer Look: Macro & Nature Photography”
Pursuing My Passion and My Everyday Photography Life
With each passing year, my passion for nature photography grew, claiming an ever-larger place in my heart. I took more and more photos, bought new lenses, set myself challenges, and remained deeply committed to achieving them. I also began editing my images more intentionally, highlighting the specific subjects I wanted to emphasize. My Instagram account is growing, gaining more and more followers. I am truly grateful to everyone who engages with my little corner of Instagram.
Photography is now a important part of my life—my therapy and my passion.
My camera has become a natural extension of my hand, and the lens, my third eye. When I go too long without taking photos, my hands miss the weight and feel of the camera. I love showing people the beauty of the world around us—beauty we often overlook amidst the rush of daily life. I can be moved to tears describing the beauty and diversity of flowers, the wondrous way light falls on everything around us, or the fascinating lives of bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. When I’m not buried in a book, you’ll find me lying in the grass with my camera, chasing after butterflies or bumblebees, or visiting local botanical gardens.
Learn more about Mindful Nature Photography with “The Mindful Lens”
I don’t go in with preconceived images in mind; instead, I let nature show me what to capture. And nature creates beautiful images, provided you learn to wait patiently. When I look at the camera screen, everything around me falls silent and still; it’s just me and my subject. It brings me incredible calm and allows me to truly relax. I love it with all my heart and am happy that I found it.
5 Things Nature Photography Taught Me
Nature photography is a wonderful life lesson. It has taught me:
patience, because you often have to wait a while for the perfect shot (e.g., for a butterfly or bumblebee to finally land on a flower, for the wind to die down, or for the light to hit just the right spot);
attentiveness, because even the tiniest flower or snowflake holds beauty worth revealing—though you have to find it first;
to find joy in small things, as even a single ray of sunlight or a tiny insect can spark happiness;
to follow my own photographic path; we’ve all heard the "rules"—don’t shoot against the light, or follow specific composition guidelines—but what truly matters is what you feel in the moment, what delights and inspires you; so experiment, seek your own way, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—that is the only way to grow;
to be persistent, because with the changing seasons I set myself challenges (like capturing a sharp image of a bumblebee in flight) and doggedly pursue them, which helps me grow.
I hope the future brings more great photography challenges and beautiful places to visit with my camera. If you’d like to join me on this journey, head over to my Instagram, grab a seat, and let’s go! There is still so much beauty to discover.
