Incredible Macro Photos Highlight Colorful Details of Peacock Feathers

macro photography peacock feathers can tuncer

Turkish photographer Can Tunçer has been practicing macro photography for about 7 years, and recently turned his lenses onto a new subject—peacock feathers. Using three different lenses at 10x, 5x, and 3.7x magnification, he explores the colorful beauty of these incredible feathers, which have inspired artists and designers for centuries.

Over a two-week period, Tunçer took over 1,500 images, which were combined into the final images using a focus stacking technique. Each individual image uses about 40 different macro photographs. The rich color and texture of the photographs are delightful in their abstraction, as the feathers appear as metallic threads woven into different patterns.

As we explore the photographs taken at different magnifications, it's interesting to notice how the shapes and hues change, with the closest images—taken with a Nikon CF Plan 10x 0.30 WD 16.5—picking out the fine details and the pulled out photos giving more value to the intricate interlocking pattern of the feathers.

Tunçer was inspired to embark on his “peacock project” by a macro photograph he'd seen years earlier. “I was very impressed with that photo and immediately started looking for peacock feathers,” Tunçer shared with us via email. “When I found them years later, these fantastic photos came out. There are really great details hidden in the peacock feather. Especially the metallic structure is really worthy of close examination.”

Can Tunçer took over 1,500 macro photos of peacock feathers at different magnifications for an abstract look at these colorfully metallic plumes.

10x magnification (Nikon CF Plan 10x 0.30 WD 16)
peacock feather macro photos can tuncer

peacock feather macro photos can tuncer

peacock feather macro photos can tuncer

peacock feather macro photography can tuncer

peacock feather macro photography can tuncer

peacock feather macro photography can tuncer

peacock feather macro photography can tuncer

macro photography peacock feathers can tuncer

5x magnification (Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 5x)

macro photography peacock feathers can tuncer

macro photography peacock feathers can tuncer

macro photography peacock feathers can tuncer

macro photography peacock feathers can tuncer

macro photography peacock feathers can tuncer

Macro Photos of Peacock Feathers by Can Tunçer

Macro Photos of Peacock Feathers by Can Tunçer
3.7x magnification (Lomo 3.7x)

Macro Photos of Peacock Feathers by Can Tunçer

Macro Photos of Peacock Feathers by Can Tunçer

Macro Photos of Peacock Feathers by Can Tunçer

Can Tunçer: 500px | Instagram | Flickr | National Geographic

My Modern Met granted to use photos by Can Tunçer.

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Macro Photos Reveal Magnificent Details of Peacock Feathers

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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