Not earth-shaking in magnitude, but this simple tip can save you some frustration…
When scrolling through Lightroom library folders, I find that the lead images for many of my macro sessions is the tip of my (often grimy) index finger. Part of my standard procedure after assembling the macro rig is to snap a shot of my finger tip and 1x magnification.
Why the finger? It’s small, convenient and easier to photograph than your elbow… 
I don’t know how this looks to nearby observers, but it gives me immediate feedback to ensure readiness to meet the wary inhabitants of Bugworld: I know that the flash alignment is good, that the flash is actually working and that the exposure is set correctly if the finger is evenly lit, sharp and well exposed¹.
So go ahead. Before you venture forth to flash those bugs, give your lens the finger. There are few things more exasperating than missing that once-in-a-life-time shot because your camera set-up was wrong.
¹ technically speaking, if my Caucasian finger looks normally exposed, I am actually underexposing by about 2/3 of a stop, because my skin is lighter than neutral grey. However, I always shoot in RAW, so, if necessary, I will have no problem correcting for this in Lightroom.
2 Comments
Great tip. I’ve been doing something similar, shooting blank vegetation, but this gives a more consistent baseline for judging things.
Thanks Ted. I find I am getting more and more absent minded, so this is one habit I have developed that means less lost shots.