Love these lessons. Patience is required but I like the attitude of enjoy what's around you too. Even if you don't get as many targets as you're looking for it's still a relaxing time. And you can always photograph something you hadn't scouted for like a flower or a leaf like in your other video lessons. I've learned so much in your videos. I've been a professional photographer for over 40 years and your channel has rejuvenated my love for it. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the video! I especially like your dialogue and comments on your joys, observations, and thoughts on micro photography not only as a artistic and semi challenging activity, but a mindfulness activity too. 🥰
Thank you so much for watching, I'm really glad you enjoyed it! I love seeing photography as a calming, mindful activity and I think macro allows you to immerse yourself in this tiny 'other world' in a really nice way!
Stumbled across your video and I am so glad I did. Really great information! I am a commercial photographer, but Macro is my passion for my personal work. I really appreciate that you accent the true nature of the shot..I shoot in a studio 5 days a week, and I too cherish the times that I am outdoors shooting the smallest of detail and the most amazing little creatures. Very exciting and zen at the same! Thanks for sharing..usually I don't make through and 18 min CZcams video on Photography..I get what I need and Im gone, but I watched yours start to finish..really honest and well done!
Wow thanks so much for such a kind comment! Zen is exactly the right word -- I didn't know how much I'd enjoy it before I really got into it and I found it to be such an amazing experience and an escape from anything else that might be on my mind.
Excellent video Andy. I really enjoyed it. Some really great shots too. I have wanted to try macro for years and never really got around to doing it but your video has really inspired me. I have not got a dedicated macro lens but i do have some extension tubes that i can use. I have also got a ring flash that someone bought me years ago that i have never used so i shall blow the cobwebs off it. I also have one of those softboxes for my flash like yours. I use a Canon 7D Mk2. Thanks again for sharing and i have subscribed.
Thanks so much for watching! I haven't used a ring flash yet for this stuff but I know they can produce some excellent results. Have you tried using your flash off camera to get some different direction to the light? Definitely worth experimenting with if not!
Thanks for sharing very good to toil as usual I love the photograph and hover flies especially like the gold cap on the back beautiful little critters thank you
Yes, I bet your neighbours love the 'wilderness next door! However, don't be intimidated. This is a great video - well presented and very valuable and inspiring. I'm gonna be going on a little critter hunt of my own tomorrow. Thank you for posting the inspiration.
Thanks John! The neighbour gardens didn't look all that tidy to me so I didn't mind top much! Plus, I loved having a bit of a nature haven right outside! I've always preferred wild and untamed patches to neat and orderly. Maybe it's just because I'm lazy and cannot even begin to be bothered doing any gardening!
Fantastic video thanks 😊 I just bought a Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro lens (non art) for my Canon 250d. I'm new to photography but love it and am excited to try Macro. This video was very helpful to a beginner like myself 😊
A nicely put together video Andrew. Explained in simple terms. I also like your editing section, that really helps me. Because of the lockdown i decided to get into macro photography and just ordered a Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro so looking forward to getting that. Will be in my garden and local woods looking for little creatures now. I big thank you for this excellent video!
"I do find with some of those that, they can look a little bit more like a scientific record of a creature rather than an artful, beautiful image." Well said. Liked and subbed.
I already own a Nikon 60mm Macro lens and have used it a few times. I do want to use it more often and this video was very useful, thank you for posting it.
Thanks for sharing. You're like one of the few I've seen on CZcams who uses a technique similar to mine when going to shoot for flowers and insects in the garden. Great video. I usually go to my mother-in-law backyard to look for flowers and insects. There's a whole world in her backyard.
well Andrew that was fantastic not just the images you took but I learnt so much more about lightroom than lots of other sites that are about lightroom they all seem to be so take a long time to say nothing apart from baffling me so thank you so much I am just starting out on the macro road because we have been on lockdown since march 19 so no going out as we are high risk i hope you are all keeping safe and well cheers from old trev in Sussex
Thanks so much for watching, Trevor! I think you'll really enjoy getting into macro right now. I found it so calming just trying to find all the different creatures, even though I was just in my messy garden in London -- it really felt like I could have been out in the middle of the countryside. Capturing the images almost became secondary to just enjoying the process! Take care and good luck!
Very nice. it is possible to handhold and still do a focus stack, Shoot in the high-speed burst mode, focus in manual mode, don't try to refocus with the focus ring, move the camera back and forth to change the focus plane. This technique is the preferred method over using the focus ring even with a single image to get what is the most important part you want in focus over trying to refocus as the subject is moving. Using a reverse ring so you can mount a lens backward is much cheaper and get more magnification then using a Macro Lens something you might want to look into trying. Wider the lens the more magnification will be when you use it in reverse! Also, use a lens that has an aperture ring on the lens. I hope to see a future video of you trying what I recommended.
I have been taking pictures in my backyard exclusively for about two years. I really enjoyed your video. Very helpful, especially since our subjects are very similar. Thanks.
Great video Andrew, glad i found your channel as i have just started doing macro. Will be going through the rest of your videos over the next few weeks. Keep up the great work. 👍🏻
Excellent presentation. Clear, logical, not too technical and very conversational. Looking forward to getting a macro lense, flash and softbox and giving it a go! Subscribed.
Thanks Sam! Check out my most recent video - I talk more about using extension tubes to get up close rather than expensive macro lenses. It might be helpful!
Thanks Andrew. Found you by accident tonight. Great video with easy to follow tutorials. As we are in lockdown garden insects are the way forward for me.
Hi Andrew. I have just today "discovered" you in my hours of searching for some darn good proper information about macro photography. I am a headshot photographer but thought I would challenge myself and make good use of my R5 with my EF 100mm F2.8 macro (that I have not used lol). I scoured the internet in my search for info on macro photography and there is a lot of crap out there and your channel is just top shelf and I'm binge watching your videos lol. What I would like to photograph is insects and plants and I'm thinking of getting the inexpensive Raynox DCR-250 close up lens. Thanks for your brilliant channel and thanks for sharing your knowledge in a clear no BS manner. Cheers!
I have no idea how I missed this one, but I watched it today. I am sooooo looking forward to spring so I can shoot little bugs. I tried last year but did not have any of the necessary items in my kit. This year I am ready!! Thanks Andrew.
Very good video. I like the emphasis on "less is more", when faced with all the lightroom options, where the temptation is to use every feature to its maximum effect. The macro world is sufficiently awe-inspiring without pushing textures, colours and sharpness through the roof!
It's a long time I practice macro photo... anyway, I spent a very good moment watching your tutorial. And some images you show at the end, are gorgeous : Crab spider, jumping spider... A great thank you for that moment !
Thank you so much for the video! It is frustrating to read articles and watch vids about using tripods when these amazing creatures don't sit still. Your editing is awesome and I picked up a tip or 2. Off to the park I head and thanks again!
I have made a DIY twin flash set up both off camera mounted on a rail either side of the lens. The main is on a cable and the second is a wireless slave, but two stops lower to get some contrast and modelling. The diffuser is just a bit of grainy clear plastic cut from an A4 folder, but I have fixed one way mirror film on to it, so the insect sees a reflection of it's environment rather that a great white diffuser that probably looks a bit threatening to a wee beastie. The mirror film means you lose a bit of light, but as I am so close it's more of a benifit than a problem. I have a ring flash , but that makes water droplets look awful.
This sounds like an amazing setup! I love diy kits like this and this one sounds like you've really understood how you want to craft your light, rather than just firing a flash anywhere!
Great informative video :) I do have a different view of stacking though. Like you, I agree that often in macro a tripod is not the best option as things move and by the time you have set the tripod up the jumping spider has gone. But I have found that it's actually quite doable to do handheld stacks out in the field so you almost get that studio quality but outside with living insects. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Oliver! I'm really keen to give it a go as a few people have said it's possible. I'm not holding my breath as I just can't quite see it working super well but I'm excited to see if I can manage it!
Great video, very informative for me as I’m just starting out in the tiny world of macro photography. Have a Nikon D500 and just purchased a Sigma 105mm F2.8 macro lens so excited to get going using your info. … cheers 👍
I usually use CZcams for music only,or watching insights into films. Recently (sept 19) got my first DSLR (Nikon d3400) due to my love of photography of taking sunset pictures on my various mobile phones, but last year/summer I got a cheap clip on lens set from Curry's pc world for £10, specifically for the macro lens, the results where amazing (for the price and for a phone) so that kick-started what's now an obsession for wildlife photography and why I wanted a camera so badly. Thank you for an awesome video that kept me interested all the way through. I only have Snapseed and the default Google photos editing options, but it was really interesting to see how it's done properly in this video. I've always loved insects and seeing them up close, I have a tamron 70-300mm with a macro switch (aswell as my mobile clip on that gets closer results..but not as good quality wise) I find that my tamron isn't brilliant for macro, it's not as close as I'd like although I can get good results and leave friends and family impressed,I always wish it was closer cause I'm my own worst critic and well,it's friends and family isn't it😂. I practice all other types of photography aswell. I saw u recommend an extension, and I'm lookon to that for my next purchase (I don't have alot of money) what do u think of the macro camera rings where u can turn your lens around and attach it that way, would that be better then a extension do u think? The closer the better for me, and I'm so amateur I don't understand the ratios which would give me a closer picture (1:1...1:2, 1:3etc). and again thank you for the video I really enjoyed it and your very clear and easy to listen to👍😁
I have subscribed and will watch your videos in due course (kids being under my feet 80-90% of the day doesn't help with chilling out to watch or do things bless them haha 😁)
Hey Dan, thanks for your comment and thanks for watching! I think Macro is really addictive -- like you've found, once you get into it, you really want to keep on going! Snapseed is actually a really powerful photo editor and I love using it on my phone. There are selective editing tools in there too that let you add in brightness and structure to certain parts of the image so you can get very similar results to what I managed in Lightroom. I did a guide for CNET on how to get great macro shots with a phone, if you're interested: www.cnet.com/how-to/macro-photos-close-up-shots-look-great-even-on-phone-with-these-pro-tricks/ As for reverse lens stuff; I've never actually done this. Macro extension tubes are brilliant and as they're so cheap (about £20) and can turn even a cheap lens into a macro, I've never needed to try other stuff. In case you haven't seen my more recent macro video, I show the difference extension tubes make on a £90 'Nifty fifty' lens and it's amazing: czcams.com/video/kHbMcDMIVfk/video.html. Thanks again!
Heya and your welcome. And yeah I have watched that, since watching that I brought my own extension tube. Wow it's good, and your video gave it a like and great helpful tips on there too dude. The little things I pick up really help, can't thank u enough. The tube has given me so much more to play with. Thank u for such great advice again 🙏☺️
I'm a bit late to the game at 61, but I managed to trade a guitar for a Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens and dug out my flash to experiment. I'm having a blast and enjoy every second of pottering around my garden looking for bugs and small wild flowers :)
I very much appreciated your instructional technique Andrew. Taking us through your thought process, both during the shoot and in post, helps build the concepts. I'd love to hear more about your settings and approach to lighting techniques as well as 'tricks of the trade' when not using a tripod (short of spending 20 hours a day in the gym :-) ) thank you
A really outstanding video. I very much enjoyed the completeness of if - from mindset, to shot, to processing, to image. I also appreciated that you took the time to add the personal touches of noting how much you, yourself, actually enjoyed the experience. I'm torn between finding another one of your videos to watch or grabbing my camera... there's still some light, here, so camera it is. Thanks very much.
Nice video. I appreciate your approach as well. Nice that you don’t recommend gassing or freezing insects. That’s the secret all too many use for the amazing insect shots.
Super video. Good to see someone not bothered about front to back sharpness for these kind of shots. I think camera club judges should be made to try this kind of photography before judging it haha
I LOVE This video There is so much Ilearned about lightroom I need more instruction on it Now Iam going to see if Ican use these tools to bring but my beephotos
Awesome video mate and I love your promotion of nature and ethics. I live in Sydney where there are so many parks and bush land where small animals abound. I just purchased the amazing Sigma 180mm f/2.8 lens and am trying to nut out how I’m going to add light to my images… lens diameter is 86mm so rules out all ring flashes!
Great video, your presentation style was very pleasant to see and listen to. Loved the easy going music interspersed around your voice and occasional sounds of nature. One comment on using a tripod. I have found it necessary if I am shooting a stationary insect such as a butterfly hatching from it's chrysalis. In a case like that I use an intervalometer to continuously take images since one can't guarantee that one will be there at the right time; also is necessary if your are converting images into a time lapse in the butterfly example. I also really enjoyed your post production editing suggestions! I hit the like button and am subscribing!
Thanks Chris and a great point! For something like a time lapse as you've described then you'd ABSOLUTELY need a tripod, but for single-frame images I never use one. I've sadly never found a subject (like the chrysalis you described) that warranted a time lapse, but it'd be great fun to try!
I really liked your video. I am actually more into portrait photography, but due to the current (Corona) circumstances it's not easy to get hold of subjects. You've certainly sparked my interest in the macro world, so maybe I should just grab a macro lens and wander off into the bush...
Thanks Niel! I defintiely recomend giving it a go! I'd suggest trying some extension tubes on your existing lenses before investing fully in a pricey macro lens. You can get great results using tubes on many types of lens -- I talk about this in my more recent macro video: czcams.com/video/kHbMcDMIVfk/video.html Have a look before you spend too much!
Thanks Andrew, this is a very good video. I do a lot of underwater macro photography, and I was interested to see your Lightroom technique for processing, which are very useful to me. I was interested to see you using an extension tube on the Canon 100mm macro lens. What length and what make is the tube please? I use this lens underwater all the time, and it delivers very sharp images, focussing very close up, giving up to 1:1 magnification. I'm doing some garden macro now as well, so just wondered what difference it might make, and how much more difficult it is to focus with the tube attached. Many thanks
Hey Richard, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! The extension tubes I used in this video were these: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00UBT19D2/ Hopefully that link works for you. Only £30, but do a cracking job and are cheap enough to buy and have a play with to see what you think. Focusing is trickier as there's a much narrower plane of focus when using tubes -- I talk about it more in one of my other macro vids, which I hope will be helpful: czcams.com/video/kHbMcDMIVfk/video.html
I’m considering a lockdown treat in the form of a macro lens. I think I might have been persuaded by your vlog which I found very helpful. Your yellow flowers which proved popular with the insects look like ragwort to me. Nasty stuff which you don’t want to let go to seed and spread if you decide to keep it. Wear gloves if you touch it as it is highly toxic to most domestic animals and humans. Showing your post processing is really helpful too. Thanks
Thanks Anne! In my most recent posted video I talk about using extension tubes which are a much cheaper way of getting macro results without buying a macro lens. Take a look and maybe it'll save you some money!
Thanks Andrew, I’ll give extension tubes a go, a much better idea than spending a lot of money on a macro lens. I haven’t done any macro for years so it will be a good way of honing my skills!
Thanks for a great tutorial. Interesting the comments regarding hand holding as it is not something I am used to with Macro. Having said that I am no macro expert. The editing also was a major help. Cheers Keith.
Thanks for watching! I tried hand holding and with tripod and just found it easier to hand hold in the end. Everything moves around so quickly that I just lost shots by trying to get me tripod in position
Great video :) Yeah u don't need a tripod unless you're focus stacking or are dealing with non-living creatures. The flash is enough to allow you a fast shot.
Thanks for watching! Unfortunately the shirt was a gift and I'm yet to get to Morocco -- it's VERY high on my list of places I want to visit as soon as travel is safe again!
I'm really glad you don't really agree with using a tripod! I can't stand using a tripod and rarely use mine unless I really have to. However, what I've recently found very useful is to actually keep my mini Manfrotto tripod connected to my camera should I need that extra bit of stability. I also agree with you with regard to focus stacking. I've subscribed to your channel by the way.
Thanks Ash! Glad to hear your thoughts here - I tried with and without and I just couldn't get the shots I wanted with a tripod. Handheld is the future!!
@@AndrewLanxonPhotography As a kid, I used to laugh at the notion of using a monopod, but [if you can still get hold of them], it might be useful for a bit of added stability and better than having to splay three legs and adjust each of their heights to get where you want to be. [subscibed to your channel, btw.]
great video bro, learned few things with your tips. I also doing some macro photography on my channel. I'm glad to discover your channel. new member here.
Do you find that you like backgrounds darker most of the time? If so, why not underexpose for your ambient light and then correctly expose for your subject using the flash. This way you get the same look, but without having to over use the shadow slider. Excellent video and great tips.
@@AndrewLanxonPhotography you're welcome. you've got a great presence on-camera and i really like your aesthetic reasoning and your artistic choices, esp. in the videos centered around post-processing. it's technical and detail-oriented but always sort of grounded in an overall aesthetic idea which makes it really easy to understand what you're doing, and why. i'm not professional but you've really energized and inspired me over the last week or so. much appreciated, i will stay tuned going forward.
Love these lessons. Patience is required but I like the attitude of enjoy what's around you too. Even if you don't get as many targets as you're looking for it's still a relaxing time. And you can always photograph something you hadn't scouted for like a flower or a leaf like in your other video lessons. I've learned so much in your videos. I've been a professional photographer for over 40 years and your channel has rejuvenated my love for it. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Mark, that's so nice to hear and thank you for taking the time to watch and comment here!
Thank you so much for the video! I especially like your dialogue and comments on your joys, observations, and thoughts on micro photography not only as a artistic and semi challenging activity, but a mindfulness activity too. 🥰
Thank you so much for watching, I'm really glad you enjoyed it! I love seeing photography as a calming, mindful activity and I think macro allows you to immerse yourself in this tiny 'other world' in a really nice way!
Small things are beautiful.. macro photography makes us appreciate nature's small but wonderful details. I loved your video!
Stumbled across your video and I am so glad I did. Really great information! I am a commercial photographer, but Macro is my passion for my personal work. I really appreciate that you accent the true nature of the shot..I shoot in a studio 5 days a week, and I too cherish the times that I am outdoors shooting the smallest of detail and the most amazing little creatures. Very exciting and zen at the same! Thanks for sharing..usually I don't make through and 18 min CZcams video on Photography..I get what I need and Im gone, but I watched yours start to finish..really honest and well done!
Wow thanks so much for such a kind comment! Zen is exactly the right word -- I didn't know how much I'd enjoy it before I really got into it and I found it to be such an amazing experience and an escape from anything else that might be on my mind.
Really enjoyed this tutorial; from the back yard through to the final product and your final photographs were excellent. Thank you,
Mike in Oz
Thanks so much for watching, Mike!
Excellent video Andy. I really enjoyed it. Some really great shots too. I have wanted to try macro for years and never really got around to doing it but your video has really inspired me. I have not got a dedicated macro lens but i do have some extension tubes that i can use. I have also got a ring flash that someone bought me years ago that i have never used so i shall blow the cobwebs off it. I also have one of those softboxes for my flash like yours. I use a Canon 7D Mk2. Thanks again for sharing and i have subscribed.
Thanks so much for watching! I haven't used a ring flash yet for this stuff but I know they can produce some excellent results. Have you tried using your flash off camera to get some different direction to the light? Definitely worth experimenting with if not!
Thanks for sharing very good to toil as usual I love the photograph and hover flies especially like the gold cap on the back beautiful little critters thank you
Yes, I bet your neighbours love the 'wilderness next door! However, don't be intimidated. This is a great video - well presented and very valuable and inspiring. I'm gonna be going on a little critter hunt of my own tomorrow. Thank you for posting the inspiration.
Thanks John! The neighbour gardens didn't look all that tidy to me so I didn't mind top much! Plus, I loved having a bit of a nature haven right outside! I've always preferred wild and untamed patches to neat and orderly. Maybe it's just because I'm lazy and cannot even begin to be bothered doing any gardening!
Fantastic video thanks 😊 I just bought a Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro lens (non art) for my Canon 250d. I'm new to photography but love it and am excited to try Macro. This video was very helpful to a beginner like myself 😊
Thanks so much for watching and best of luck with your great new lens!
Wow, superb macro shots, thanks for sharing your ideas and amazing images.
Love your style Andrew. You have a major network appeal. Very engaging and I learned about extension tubes.
Thank you for watching!
A nicely put together video Andrew. Explained in simple terms. I also like your editing section, that really helps me.
Because of the lockdown i decided to get into macro photography and just ordered a Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro so looking forward to getting that. Will be in my garden and local woods looking for little creatures now.
I big thank you for this excellent video!
Thanks Tony! Good luck with the new lens, I'm sure you'll love it!
Love your macro video footage. I’d love to see a video on the challenges to effective video shooting in macro.
Thanks John, I'd love to do one around shooting macro video, so I'll definitely keep that in mind!
"I do find with some of those that, they can look a little bit more like a scientific record of a creature rather than an artful, beautiful image." Well said. Liked and subbed.
Thanks, Tom! A pleasure to have you on board!
Excellent video. I learned a lot about lightroom there!
I already own a Nikon 60mm Macro lens and have used it a few times. I do want to use it more often and this video was very useful, thank you for posting it.
Thanks Andrew! Definitely a good time to get out and put it to more use!
Thanks for sharing. You're like one of the few I've seen on CZcams who uses a technique similar to mine when going to shoot for flowers and insects in the garden. Great video.
I usually go to my mother-in-law backyard to look for flowers and insects. There's a whole world in her backyard.
An interesting tutorial, I like your relaxed style of teaching. I love looking for insects in wild gardens too.
Thanks. Love the processing technique with the brush.
Thank you, Rose!
this is the second video of yours that I've watched today. You are truly gifted, you explain everything so clearly. well done
well Andrew that was fantastic not just the images you took but I learnt so much more about lightroom than lots of other sites that are about lightroom they all seem to be so take a long time to say nothing apart from baffling me so thank you so much I am just starting out on the macro road because we have been on lockdown since march 19 so no going out as we are high risk i hope you are all keeping safe and well cheers from old trev in Sussex
Thanks so much for watching, Trevor! I think you'll really enjoy getting into macro right now. I found it so calming just trying to find all the different creatures, even though I was just in my messy garden in London -- it really felt like I could have been out in the middle of the countryside. Capturing the images almost became secondary to just enjoying the process! Take care and good luck!
Thanks so much for doing this clip. I have learned a lot!
Very nice.
it is possible to handhold and still do a focus stack, Shoot in the high-speed burst mode, focus in manual mode, don't try to refocus with the focus ring, move the camera back and forth to change the focus plane. This technique is the preferred method over using the focus ring even with a single image to get what is the most important part you want in focus over trying to refocus as the subject is moving.
Using a reverse ring so you can mount a lens backward is much cheaper and get more magnification then using a Macro Lens something you might want to look into trying. Wider the lens the more magnification will be when you use it in reverse! Also, use a lens that has an aperture ring on the lens.
I hope to see a future video of you trying what I recommended.
Funnily enough, I just left a very similar comment! Also in a positive way as I also thought it was a good informative video.
Im new to macro photography. I was doing bird photography all the while. Thanks for sharing the ideas 💡❤️
So true... Macro helps me too with anxiety and also to appreciate the small world :)
I have been taking pictures in my backyard exclusively for about two years. I really enjoyed your video. Very helpful, especially since our subjects are very similar. Thanks.
Great video Andrew, glad i found your channel as i have just started doing macro. Will be going through the rest of your videos over the next few weeks. Keep up the great work. 👍🏻
Thank you so much! A pleasure to have you on board!
I had no idea Woodcroft existed, it’s only a mile from where I live! See you there sometime perhaps 😊
Enjoyed this video. Learned some key techniques from your postprocessing. Thank you!
I totally agree ! Macro photography is great therapy! Great lesson !!
I'm so happy to have found your channel. Very interesting content and neat explanations. You've won a new suscriber. I'll check all of your videos!!
Thanks Juan! Great to have you on board!
Excellent presentation. Clear, logical, not too technical and very conversational. Looking forward to getting a macro lense, flash and softbox and giving it a go! Subscribed.
Thanks Sam! Check out my most recent video - I talk more about using extension tubes to get up close rather than expensive macro lenses. It might be helpful!
Thanks Andrew. Found you by accident tonight. Great video with easy to follow tutorials. As we are in lockdown garden insects are the way forward for me.
Thanks Kevin! Good luck! There's so much to find in gardens!
Hi Andrew. I have just today "discovered" you in my hours of searching for some darn good proper information about macro photography. I am a headshot photographer but thought I would challenge myself and make good use of my R5 with my EF 100mm F2.8 macro (that I have not used lol). I scoured the internet in my search for info on macro photography and there is a lot of crap out there and your channel is just top shelf and I'm binge watching your videos lol. What I would like to photograph is insects and plants and I'm thinking of getting the inexpensive Raynox DCR-250 close up lens. Thanks for your brilliant channel and thanks for sharing your knowledge in a clear no BS manner. Cheers!
I have no idea how I missed this one, but I watched it today. I am sooooo looking forward to spring so I can shoot little bugs. I tried last year but did not have any of the necessary items in my kit. This year I am ready!! Thanks Andrew.
Very good video. I like the emphasis on "less is more", when faced with all the lightroom options, where the temptation is to use every feature to its maximum effect. The macro world is sufficiently awe-inspiring without pushing textures, colours and sharpness through the roof!
Agreed, I don't like overdoing things too much. I think if you've got a great capture in camera then it should speak for itself. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this wonderful video! Looking forward to learning more from you. 💚🐝
Really a fabulous video! Thanks for the great recommendations for editing and use of Lightroom.
Thank you so much!!! Will try to putting in practice on my garden in Birmingham
Good luck, Manuel!
Really enjoyed Your editing style. Tanks.
Thank you for this video. I struggle so much with macro photography. I definitely need to get a flash diffuser
It's a long time I practice macro photo... anyway, I spent a very good moment watching your tutorial. And some images you show at the end, are gorgeous : Crab spider, jumping spider... A great thank you for that moment !
Thanks so much for watching!
I focus stack insects outside all the time I use burst and works wonderful
thanks, great complete video.
Thanks Paul, really glad you liked it!
Thank you! I learned a lot from the different examples
Great video Andrew! Thanks for sharing. Just got my extension tubes this week!
Good luck with them! Definitely an awesome way of getting into macro without splashing out on dedicated lenses
This was a great video, I am just starting out in the wonderful world of Macro and this vid has really helped and inspired me. Subscribed.
Thanks Phil, great to have you on board!
This was my first time watching one of your videos and I loved it!!! I subscribed and, I'm looking forward to seeing more keep up the wonderful work.
Hey Evangeline! Thanks so much for watching and for subscribing -- I hope you also love what I have coming up!
This will inspire me to go out in the back garden tomorrow .. Thanks … Subbed
I love the photos! Favorite video so far!
Thank you!!
Really enjoyed that video, nice pacing, nice commentary and very informative. Top stuff!
Thanks so much, Jonathan!
Thank you so much for the video! It is frustrating to read articles and watch vids about using tripods when these amazing creatures don't sit still. Your editing is awesome and I picked up a tip or 2. Off to the park I head and thanks again!
Thanks so much for watching, Chad! I'm a big supporter of no tripods for macro!
A great learning curve,thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching, Dave!
I have made a DIY twin flash set up both off camera mounted on a rail either side of the lens. The main is on a cable and the second is a wireless slave, but two stops lower to get some contrast and modelling. The diffuser is just a bit of grainy clear plastic cut from an A4 folder, but I have fixed one way mirror film on to it, so the insect sees a reflection of it's environment rather that a great white diffuser that probably looks a bit threatening to a wee beastie. The mirror film means you lose a bit of light, but as I am so close it's more of a benifit than a problem. I have a ring flash , but that makes water droplets look awful.
This sounds like an amazing setup! I love diy kits like this and this one sounds like you've really understood how you want to craft your light, rather than just firing a flash anywhere!
Love it Andrew. Pls keep them coming
Great informative video :) I do have a different view of stacking though. Like you, I agree that often in macro a tripod is not the best option as things move and by the time you have set the tripod up the jumping spider has gone. But I have found that it's actually quite doable to do handheld stacks out in the field so you almost get that studio quality but outside with living insects. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Oliver! I'm really keen to give it a go as a few people have said it's possible. I'm not holding my breath as I just can't quite see it working super well but I'm excited to see if I can manage it!
Great video, very informative for me as I’m just starting out in the tiny world of macro photography. Have a Nikon D500 and just purchased a Sigma 105mm F2.8 macro lens so excited to get going using your info. … cheers 👍
Thanks so much for watching and good look with your new 105mm lens, you'll get some great shots with that!
I usually use CZcams for music only,or watching insights into films. Recently (sept 19) got my first DSLR (Nikon d3400) due to my love of photography of taking sunset pictures on my various mobile phones, but last year/summer I got a cheap clip on lens set from Curry's pc world for £10, specifically for the macro lens, the results where amazing (for the price and for a phone) so that kick-started what's now an obsession for wildlife photography and why I wanted a camera so badly. Thank you for an awesome video that kept me interested all the way through. I only have Snapseed and the default Google photos editing options, but it was really interesting to see how it's done properly in this video. I've always loved insects and seeing them up close, I have a tamron 70-300mm with a macro switch (aswell as my mobile clip on that gets closer results..but not as good quality wise) I find that my tamron isn't brilliant for macro, it's not as close as I'd like although I can get good results and leave friends and family impressed,I always wish it was closer cause I'm my own worst critic and well,it's friends and family isn't it😂. I practice all other types of photography aswell. I saw u recommend an extension, and I'm lookon to that for my next purchase (I don't have alot of money) what do u think of the macro camera rings where u can turn your lens around and attach it that way, would that be better then a extension do u think? The closer the better for me, and I'm so amateur I don't understand the ratios which would give me a closer picture (1:1...1:2, 1:3etc). and again thank you for the video I really enjoyed it and your very clear and easy to listen to👍😁
I have subscribed and will watch your videos in due course (kids being under my feet 80-90% of the day doesn't help with chilling out to watch or do things bless them haha 😁)
Hey Dan, thanks for your comment and thanks for watching! I think Macro is really addictive -- like you've found, once you get into it, you really want to keep on going! Snapseed is actually a really powerful photo editor and I love using it on my phone. There are selective editing tools in there too that let you add in brightness and structure to certain parts of the image so you can get very similar results to what I managed in Lightroom. I did a guide for CNET on how to get great macro shots with a phone, if you're interested: www.cnet.com/how-to/macro-photos-close-up-shots-look-great-even-on-phone-with-these-pro-tricks/
As for reverse lens stuff; I've never actually done this. Macro extension tubes are brilliant and as they're so cheap (about £20) and can turn even a cheap lens into a macro, I've never needed to try other stuff. In case you haven't seen my more recent macro video, I show the difference extension tubes make on a £90 'Nifty fifty' lens and it's amazing: czcams.com/video/kHbMcDMIVfk/video.html.
Thanks again!
Heya and your welcome. And yeah I have watched that, since watching that I brought my own extension tube. Wow it's good, and your video gave it a like and great helpful tips on there too dude. The little things I pick up really help, can't thank u enough. The tube has given me so much more to play with. Thank u for such great advice again 🙏☺️
I'm a bit late to the game at 61, but I managed to trade a guitar for a Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens and dug out my flash to experiment. I'm having a blast and enjoy every second of pottering around my garden looking for bugs and small wild flowers :)
I very much appreciated your instructional technique Andrew. Taking us through your thought process, both during the shoot and in post, helps build the concepts. I'd love to hear more about your settings and approach to lighting techniques as well as 'tricks of the trade' when not using a tripod (short of spending 20 hours a day in the gym :-) ) thank you
Thanks for watching! I'll definitely keep that in mind fory future videos and I'll try to make sure I give deeper info in settings etc.
Thank you very much for the informative video.
I liked your video a lot because many of my questions were answered. Keep it up
Nice macro work and editing Andrew. It proves you don't have to go far to get some fascinating images.
Thanks Steve! Yup, I was amazed at the things I can find when I actually took the time to look around!
Thank you for this video. I'm just learning macrophotography. You're very sympathetic and I love your wild garden. It looks a little bit like mine 😄.
A really outstanding video. I very much enjoyed the completeness of if - from mindset, to shot, to processing, to image. I also appreciated that you took the time to add the personal touches of noting how much you, yourself, actually enjoyed the experience. I'm torn between finding another one of your videos to watch or grabbing my camera... there's still some light, here, so camera it is. Thanks very much.
Lovely photos, really explained well thank you
Thanks Debbie!
Excellent video very relevant today thank you.
Nice video. I appreciate your approach as well. Nice that you don’t recommend gassing or freezing insects. That’s the secret all too many use for the amazing insect shots.
Thanks! I definitely don't do that -- I much prefer being out in the wild with them!
Super video. Good to see someone not bothered about front to back sharpness for these kind of shots. I think camera club judges should be made to try this kind of photography before judging it haha
I LOVE This video There is so much Ilearned about lightroom I need more instruction on it Now Iam going to see if Ican use these tools to bring but my beephotos
Great stuff! I love your philosophy of photography.
Awesome video mate and I love your promotion of nature and ethics. I live in Sydney where there are so many parks and bush land where small animals abound. I just purchased the amazing Sigma 180mm f/2.8 lens and am trying to nut out how I’m going to add light to my images… lens diameter is 86mm so rules out all ring flashes!
Very nice macro shots!
Great video , many thanks 👍
loved the retouching!
Thank you!
Great video, your presentation style was very pleasant to see and listen to. Loved the easy going music interspersed around your voice and occasional sounds of nature. One comment on using a tripod. I have found it necessary if I am shooting a stationary insect such as a butterfly hatching from it's chrysalis. In a case like that I use an intervalometer to continuously take images since one can't guarantee that one will be there at the right time; also is necessary if your are converting images into a time lapse in the butterfly example. I also really enjoyed your post production editing suggestions! I hit the like button and am subscribing!
Thanks Chris and a great point! For something like a time lapse as you've described then you'd ABSOLUTELY need a tripod, but for single-frame images I never use one. I've sadly never found a subject (like the chrysalis you described) that warranted a time lapse, but it'd be great fun to try!
Beautiful! 😍
Thanks cherry!
Enjoyed watching and learnt new things. Thanks.
Great vlog. Really enjoyed watching this.
I really liked your video. I am actually more into portrait photography, but due to the current (Corona) circumstances it's not easy to get hold of subjects. You've certainly sparked my interest in the macro world, so maybe I should just grab a macro lens and wander off into the bush...
Thanks Niel! I defintiely recomend giving it a go! I'd suggest trying some extension tubes on your existing lenses before investing fully in a pricey macro lens. You can get great results using tubes on many types of lens -- I talk about this in my more recent macro video: czcams.com/video/kHbMcDMIVfk/video.html Have a look before you spend too much!
Thanks Andrew, this is a very good video. I do a lot of underwater macro photography, and I was interested to see your Lightroom technique for processing, which are very useful to me. I was interested to see you using an extension tube on the Canon 100mm macro lens. What length and what make is the tube please? I use this lens underwater all the time, and it delivers very sharp images, focussing very close up, giving up to 1:1 magnification. I'm doing some garden macro now as well, so just wondered what difference it might make, and how much more difficult it is to focus with the tube attached. Many thanks
Hey Richard, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! The extension tubes I used in this video were these: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00UBT19D2/ Hopefully that link works for you. Only £30, but do a cracking job and are cheap enough to buy and have a play with to see what you think. Focusing is trickier as there's a much narrower plane of focus when using tubes -- I talk about it more in one of my other macro vids, which I hope will be helpful: czcams.com/video/kHbMcDMIVfk/video.html
Im novice but i understood every of your techniques, that made me subscribe and like!
Thanks! Glad to have you on board!
Great macro video, and some amazing shots!
Thank you for the video I thoroughly enjoyed it
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for putting this together. I really liked the editing bit. Cheers
Thanks Adli!
I’m considering a lockdown treat in the form of a macro lens. I think I might have been persuaded
by your vlog which I found very helpful. Your yellow flowers which proved popular with the insects
look like ragwort to me. Nasty stuff which you don’t want to let go to seed and spread if you decide
to keep it. Wear gloves if you touch it as it is highly toxic to most domestic animals and humans.
Showing your post processing is really helpful too. Thanks
Thanks Anne! In my most recent posted video I talk about using extension tubes which are a much cheaper way of getting macro results without buying a macro lens. Take a look and maybe it'll save you some money!
Thanks Andrew,
I’ll give extension tubes a go, a much better idea than spending a lot of
money on a macro lens. I haven’t done any macro for years so it will be a good way of
honing my skills!
Thanks for a great tutorial. Interesting the comments regarding hand holding as it is not something I am used to with Macro. Having said that I am no macro expert. The editing also was a major help. Cheers Keith.
Thanks for watching! I tried hand holding and with tripod and just found it easier to hand hold in the end. Everything moves around so quickly that I just lost shots by trying to get me tripod in position
Thanks for this beautiful video.
Thanks for watching!!
Thank you very much!
Great video :) Yeah u don't need a tripod unless you're focus stacking or are dealing with non-living creatures. The flash is enough to allow you a fast shot.
Great video Thank you Andrew
Thanks for watching!
love the video and love your shirt...did you enjoy your travel to Morocco ( Agadir ) ?? hope you did...thanks for the video again
Thanks for watching! Unfortunately the shirt was a gift and I'm yet to get to Morocco -- it's VERY high on my list of places I want to visit as soon as travel is safe again!
Please try to find pond. I'd love to see your results. Very inspiring vid. Thank you.
I'm really glad you don't really agree with using a tripod! I can't stand using a tripod and rarely use mine unless I really have to. However, what I've recently found very useful is to actually keep my mini Manfrotto tripod connected to my camera should I need that extra bit of stability. I also agree with you with regard to focus stacking. I've subscribed to your channel by the way.
Thanks Ash! Glad to hear your thoughts here - I tried with and without and I just couldn't get the shots I wanted with a tripod. Handheld is the future!!
@@AndrewLanxonPhotography As a kid, I used to laugh at the notion of using a monopod, but [if you can still get hold of them], it might be useful for a bit of added stability and better than having to splay three legs and adjust each of their heights to get where you want to be. [subscibed to your channel, btw.]
thanks so much!
Great video 👍🏼
great video bro, learned few things with your tips. I also doing some macro photography on my channel. I'm glad to discover your channel. new member here.
Thanks so much for watching!
Love to see your editing skills. Where do you find the brush for painting in LR? I haven’t discovered it yet. Many thanks!
Do you find that you like backgrounds darker most of the time? If so, why not underexpose for your ambient light and then correctly expose for your subject using the flash. This way you get the same look, but without having to over use the shadow slider. Excellent video and great tips.
Thank You!
great video mate
Thanks Henrik!
@@AndrewLanxonPhotography you're welcome. you've got a great presence on-camera and i really like your aesthetic reasoning and your artistic choices, esp. in the videos centered around post-processing. it's technical and detail-oriented but always sort of grounded in an overall aesthetic idea which makes it really easy to understand what you're doing, and why. i'm not professional but you've really energized and inspired me over the last week or so. much appreciated, i will stay tuned going forward.