When we seek the unknown, we gaze at the stars, imagining all of the wonders they're hiding. But there's a whole universe at our feet, just waiting for explorers. Don Komarechka, from Barrie, Ontario, Canada, is one of them. His macro photographic adventures reveal a deeper understanding of how everything works down, even the ones we cannot see with our own eyes.

"I had always loved science but never had a mind for the theory," Komarechka told Bored Panda. "Photography became my way of exploring the world in ways I couldn't see with my own eyes, combining science and art. I was inspired early on by my father who had a lifelong love of photography from a young age but could never pursue it professionally. When a long-term illness was close to claiming his life, he gave me an envelope with money inside, asking me to spend it on something that he could see me enjoy. I went out and bought my first camera, and we bonded over the sharing of photographic knowledge before the end."

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Also, check out Don Komarechka's upcoming book.

#1 Water Droplets

Image credits: Don Komarechka

"There is so much to explore in the 'universe at our feet' as I call it. Endless stories to be told around us every day that we ignore, endless puzzles to solve and so much that can appear otherworldly. It's all real, and right under our noses. The fascination comes from discovery of amazing things, and sometimes from constructing certain water droplet 'sculptures' that are then worthy of photographing, using the laws of physics and art woven together to create magic in front of the camera."

#2 Water Droplets

Image credits: Don Komarechka

The photographer said that many people can frame up a good macro subject but pay little to no attention to the background. "A good landscape photographer should endeavour to find a good foreground for their scene, but a good macro photographer should try to find a stunning backdrop for their subject; it's the opposite approach. In so many cases, the background - often out of focus - is the element that makes a macro photograph from merely "good" to 'exceptional.'"

#3 Jewels Of Summer

Image credits: Don Komarechka

"Part of the joy of macro photography is the challenge," he added. "The closer you get to your subject the more difficult creating the image becomes, and I love problem solving. Moreover, I love sharing the entire process with others. Not only does it show people how to approach the same subject and hit the ground running in terms of problem solving, it also adds value to the images I create. There is no Photoshop trickery - the magic is done in camera!"