While you may think others think it is a bit strange, the truth is that you stop to see what is going on about you in the world, and your photographs prove it. Other people are so busy trying to keep up with the world, they have no idea what they are missing. Keep it up sir, your evenings are a lot calmer than those of others.
The sequel to "Never go Hiking with a Bird Photographer" ....... "Never go Hiking with a Macro Photographer (it's even more painful)" !! Great video, the macro is in my bag!
Don't pay attention to the people walking by. Keep doing what you love and pretend they're not there. Macro introduces you to a new tiny world that they have no clue about. Who knows, ,maybe someone might find it fascinating enough that they might get into macro photography! Awesome photos by the way!
I love bird photography but flowers are my passion! Thank you for sharing your day with flowers. Two tips: clothes pins will keep errant branches out of your shot and not destroy any plants in doing so and carry a bean bag for the "on the ground" shots it helps angle your low lens perfectly. Oh, a bonus tip, a spray bottle with water equals instant dew! Please, a few more of these along with the birds. Add in Katie's landscapes and birds and you have the perfect content! Hooray! You should see this old grandma trying to get up from the ground, that really gets the looks! Hahaha
I took some macro of tiny purple flowers from some low lying weed growing in a nearby empty lot, WOW, it was beautiful and there was a tiny insect living in that 4mm flower. there is a whole different world ... beautiful world. thank you for the video.
I have taken more flower photos in the last 20 years than I can count. Some with my iPhone, most with whatever camera I could afford. There is something magical in seeing beyond the flower itself. To see the details and the true beauty of the flower is where the magic and mystery begin. Everything we see through the camera becomes a part of us. Glad you shared your thoughts with us. You’re not the only “weirdo” out there!!!!
Your videos have become my morning coffee routine! I can relate to this situation very well. I’ve been a weirdo macro floral photographer since 1994 and it never gets old!!!
Marco is great - we take our lens every where we go. Moss is wonderful to shoot along with Mushrooms. Like you said - it opens up a new world. I heard all the birds in the background, i.e. red wing back birds. Those are my favorite to shoot. Thanks again for share the story.
I started macro photography to get over my “uncomfortableness” around insects, and after many captures of insects and flowers the thing I find myself so fascinated by are the mosses that grow on trees! It’s like a whole new world that needs exploring. Specially on a wet day when you can get some of the tiniest sun stars haha
I very much enjoy the presentation and production in your videos. They provide great impetus for me to get out and pursue our shared "hobby"! Thank you!
Thank you so much Josh. I purchased my Z9 a month ago. Now I am flat on my back with Sciatic pain. You are my correspondent to using a Z9 in ways I can only dream of today. Keep up the great videos. One of these days I will join you on a nature walk. We will enjoy getting immersed in our cameras while viewing the world around us.
Josh, the pain is subsiding way too slowly. But I’m almost able to sit and photograph birds in our backyard. The spring migration is well on its way right now here in Western Oregon.
A garden, camera, macro lens, just a quick look. 1 hour later and it was relaxing again. My neighbors always look over the fence. We're lying on the floor. But we enjoy it. We are crazy, bur we have a good time.
I bought a pentax camera a Long time ago (30 yrs) that came with a 35-70 f3.5 - 4.5 which also had a macro feature, and I love it still! Thank you for sharing
More great content Josh, I literally just got the S105 2.8 MC yesterday and began my Macro journey. What an addictive experience it was just in the yard yesterday.
I love Macro photography. I was laughed at, as I laid in the mud photographing toads. I travelled thousands of miles for orchids. I have seen slime molds in a local forest at 5:1. Macro is fun, if you see its beauty. I am hooked for life. Funny enough, I made a trip from Europe to the pacific northwest for native orchids. Well of course that was not the only reason... it is such a nice place. Thanks for the videos!
Ok, got my Josh therapy so I'm good for another week. Thank's for a look at the Macro world. Not my cup of tea but I like to look at the images. See you again next week Dr. Josh..... Missed Katie this week. Wish her well for me.
I’m with you Josh on plant and flower photography. I’m not bothered if I’m using 105mc for 1:1 ratio or just close focussing with my 70-200S or even my 500pf which can be incredible! I get completely lost in what I’m doing when I’m photographing something up close 😀
Hi Josh, it was another wonderful video. I also experience this very often, that people rush by and stare at me stupidly... they race past their own lives in the same way. I spend a lot of time in the Swiss countryside and I really enjoy it. I've been watching your videos pretty much from the beginning and I love watching you both, Katje and you. You two are just sweet. I find your videos just natural, not so pimped. Just be... and enjoy... Keep it up and best regards from Switzerland
I love macro photography and truth be told, nothing wrong with looking like a weirdo if it gets you out amongst nature and produces photos that bring a smile to your (and others) faces. Enjoying the channel. John Pouw NZ
I describe it as you get down, or lean in and overextended, get everything just right pull the trigger and the wind blows. Working words. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. All day long. I love it but it is frustrating too. Make sure to check out your local arboretums too.
My favorite Bird guy is starting to get into my favorite type of photography….I’m both excited and scared that you will show me how bad I am at it. 🤣 Do yourself a favor and grab a tripod and try the focus stacking in the z9. You can get some stunning macro using that technique. You eventually get over the odd looks. Lol. Another great escape, thanks Josh.
@@BayouJosh sounds to me like you need another Z9. 😂. Joking aside, I actually do venture into the woods with a macro lens on a Z7, and the 500pf on something else. I also suffer for attention deficit when it comes to wildlife.
Good work Josh. Love your vlogs. I dress in snow gear and lay in the mud to take photos of birds. Yes I'm weird as well, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 📷
Excellent portraits! I love flower/leaf photography, I always take the approach of taking a portrait when I photograph them. As far as the weird stares, I get a lot because I am usually in an urban park. Please keep the videos coming I find them informative and relaxing.
Man, Josh those water droplets are very cool. Love the Abstract and you're right. It brings a whole new world of photography to our own personal creatiive eye in nature photography. "If it's beautiful to you...you win" Amen. Have a Fantastic weekend brother.
Wow....I started with Makro photography and I'm totally obsessed with details. I love insects and spiders of all kind and try to capture their amazing unique looks and personalities! And you're totally right about the fact, tgat there is no need of fancy or expensive gear! Love your Videos. Best wishes from Austria, Michael
Discovered macro about 15 years ago after buying my first digital bridge camera and taking a shot of a Dragonfly in the macro mode - just blew me away been hooked ever since. Still have my basic setup for bird / mammal photography but have to admit if there's any spare cash floating about it goes into trying to improve my macro work. Nice to see you putting a macro vid. out there Josh. 👍
I recently received my 105mm Nikon f2.8 macro for my Z8 and have been having a blast focus stacking mushrooms with it. I agree with you about people probably thinking I am a nerd! Who cares? The images are worth it!
With macro you get so many photo option within a limited space. I mostly use it to document flowers, fungi, lichens, insects etc for our National Species Observation System. I use a superzoom camera that I can carry in my backpack every day. It has very good macro for a compact camera. It is interesting (and sometimes frustrating) to open the images in the computer. Quite often there are details you didn’t notice when taking the photos, like a small spider on a flower. If one had been more observant one might not have missed that spider … The drawback for me with macro is the sore back and knees. If you use a flash when photographing macro you are not dependent on natural light. Try going out in the dark at night with a head torch. It is interesting to photograph the insects that show up in the dark. Keep up the good work!
I love that idea about the night time macro photography. I need to try that out. Speaking of seeing stuff you didn’t expect, one of the last flower shots in this video has a little spider on one of the petals.
Hi Josh, when covid and lockdown happened we where told to take up daily walks. This was when I discovered bird wildlife photography and macro, getting up close to plants I put extension tubes on my 14/42mm lens shooting at 42mm I became engrossed in the world of macro. Colours patterns textures my wife and sons could not believe it since most of my life it took a lot of nagging to get me out to mow the lawn..? Now I do it no problem and constantly look out for some photos so getting the lawn cut takes a while .lol. camera over my shoulder and pushing a lawn mower, now that gets looks from the neighbour's . Take care my friend and keep up the good work.
Hey Josh. Another great video. I love shooting macro and can’t wait for the bugs to come out. That pink flower may be Vicia bithynica - a type of vetch;but I’m no flowerologist.
It is not the destination but the journey. At this rate, you will never make it to the other end of the trail, so what? Do what pleases you, if it pleases others, good, if not, who cares, I don't. I always look forward to your next video. I describe my photographic style as opportunitisc. If it gets in front of your lens and you find it interesting, have at it. We should practice photography to please ourselves, otherwise, it is just a job. Thank you for another fantastic video.
Great video and some killer shots! Macro Photography is my 2nd love (1st is bird photography of course). I use to rent a macro lens every time I wanted to do some, but always find myself stumbling across things that I wanted to photograph when I didnt have the macro lens. So I decided to finally purchase one for my Z9, it should be here sometime this week and I look forward to having it in my bag whenever I am out.
Thank you so much Christopher. You know the saying...It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Except we're just a bunch of grown ups playing out in the woods. 😉
Last summer when out in the woods photographing birds I used my 200-500 mm to shoot macro. I was able to shoot some very interesting and intimate detailed filled flowers and flora. You don need a special Macro lens. Like they say use what you got. This included detailed insect shots too.
Enjoyed the video which was a lot different than your bird photography videos. It is refreshing to take a break from bird photography. I use a macro lens not on flowers alone, but on butterflies. Imagine the weird looks of a grown man taking photos of butterflies! I do recommend you try butterflies and moths. Like birds there are many kinds of butterflies that vary is size and color. Just like a bird's feather, a butterflies wings show a lot of detail in patterns and colors. It is embarrassing to say that I take photos of butterflies, but I enjoy the challenge and like you said about using a macro lens, it does bring you closer to nature and slow you down. Thanks
I was really hoping to see some butterflies when I was out there. It’s a little early for that here. We have The city botanical garden within walking distance from our house. Will be spending a lot of time there this summer.
Awesome video Josh. I honestly wasn't quite aware with the background tip you mentioned. I'll definitely keep that tip in mind.👍🏾I also agree with you when you said, "the more you discover nature, the more things you will see that you didn't get to see". I get compliments as well when I go out and shoot with my camera. 😄
If you're not getting weird looks, you're living a boring life. Well done! 😎 I picked up the 105 MC and it amazes me every time I use it. I'm also playing around with focus stacking and that is a macro game changer. Lastly, Gavin Hoey just posted a vid about how he uses flash to light his macro shots - great results! Thanks for the vid Josh!
Craig is spot on with this comment. I focus stack a lot of macro shots. It produces amazing details and is really satisfying for me. On the flip side stopping down to get that deep DOF and adding a flash or an LED light also works wonders. Josh I have a challenge for you. Practice shooting bees. If you can shoot bees in the wild, almost everything else is easy.
happen to get up this Saturday morning and do some macro for a contest i want to go in, then saw your vid :-). I like to photo insects. Its the end of spring here. heat waves coming in, Plants starting to yellow. Still lots of flowers left though. And yes, i got some looks as well. But who cares?
In my own experiemce, everything you’ve said is 100% true, without exaggeration 😄 As for the 100 feet in two hours, absolutely. I don’t travel anywhere because that’s about as far out my back door as I ever need to go!
I may not be able to go on a safari in Africa or in the tropics, but I can go on a Safari in my area parks and backyard and shoot insects and bugs. It’s great fun and again engenders all sorts of comments and discussion. Add a flash unit and it really looks weird, but man is it fun.
Fantastic shots! It really makes you see nature in a different way. For me when I'm out there, I find its the best way to meet people, but true enough you do get the odd stare. 😁
I use to do alot of macro photography. I went of wildlife more and more but I think I will get back to macro this spring. Thanks for the reminder. see you later today.
Another gem! I have loved Macro for a while. Some of my favorite shots I’ve taken are macros. I often use a flash to freeze the subject if it’s a bug. Whether it’s a bumblebee drinking some nectar or a spider riding his web. I have found if you truly want to “see” a flower you need to take a macro shot of it since so much is too small for my naked eye.
I was into macro photography much sooner than I was into bird photography. At this time of the year the blossoms are starting to come out. So are the bees. You can combine birds-in-flight and flower photography by doing bees-in-flight photography, which can be great fun. I often use a telephoto zoom lens at a longer focal length set to near minimum distance to do this. Your macro with Z9 in crop mode would be good for this. Try it. You’ll like it.
Last night, I figured out something quite amazing while practicing my macro photography. If you use the Starlight option on your Z9 in low-light conditions, it brightens the display, making it easier to see and continue shooting later in the evening. However, it's most useful when using a flash.
Nice to see you doing a bit of macro flowers. It seems almost most of the TH-cam photographers who talk "macro" are talking "insects". Well, there is much more to macro (and I don't do bugs). I have both Z mount macro lenses; 105 amd 50. I also have a manual focus Irix 150mm macro (f mount), so I guess you could say I too like macro. Unlike you, I do use a tripod most of the time, there are some geared heads that you can get for those fine adjustments. I do macro with the Nikon Z7.
Thanks. Reminds me how much I enjoy macro-photography but don't do enough of it. I really must dust my macro-lens off and shove it on the front of my Z9. Really enjoying the Z9 for birds in flight photography, though. Just uploaded my latest TH-cam with loads of birds in flight photos taken at the Arundel Wetland reserve near the south coast of the UK.
Great video Josh - I love flowers/macro. I don't have the Z 105 - but do have the G f-mount, and it's one of my favorite lenses because I really enjoy this genre of photography (spider webs are fun too). Here in SW Pennsylvania we had an early warm spell, followed by cold .. which really killed off a lot of the spring stuff we usually have. As we get into May, I think there will be some great stuff to shoot. Anyway - thanks for posting this, I really enjoyed it. (oh, BTW - I don't know the names of most flowers either).
I am happy to see you are enjoying macro photography these days! I use my D850 and the F version of the lens you used in the video. I have also backed up and used my 500PF to see what I could see up close and personal. Quite surprised with my results. Nothing will beat the macro lens but a few shots with the 500PF might get you some interesting things to revisit with the macro lens and still be able to get that elusive warbler! It is great fun to think outside the box when it comes doing dual duty with the lens that is on the camera in that moment of opportunity. Happy shooting my friend!
Good tips. Image review is essential in this type of shooting. I assign image review to the 105mm function button, so I can review the image without moving my hand from the lens or my eye from the viewfinder. I've got the original Z7, but the "preview" function works quite well too, giving you a better idea of your dof, and I assign that to one of the front buttons. And if you like to focus stack when shooting macro, you can assign that function to the record button. I find these tweeks make things easier when shooting close up.
For my grad school entomology degree I am doing an independent study on insect macro photography. I will turn the methods I use into a paper for the class.
Welcome to the dark side Josh. Macro photography is addictive. I've told Leslie if I could be limited to only one lens, it would be my 105 Macro. Leslie and I were out yesterday, we walked a little over 5 miles but it took us about 6 hours. Yes, I had my macro lens on. From sprig thaw until early summer, I spend a lot of time on my belly in the wet grass, mud and wet leaves. Just part of being a nature photographer. Oh, that first flower, the one growing low to the ground I think is a "Woolypod Milkvetch". (who names flowers???)
It’s such a fun way to move around with the camera. The subjects are all around you you just have to look a lot harder. And it’s fun to take your time with composition. With birds you’re kind of reactive and that’s fine too.
@@BayouJosh Agree on all counts. A friend asked me once if I had to give up all my lenses and could only keep one what would it be? After considerable thought, the macro would be it. From snowflakes to raindrops to flowers to insects and spiders to portraits to intimate landscapes, I can keep busy with a macro all year around. I hope I never have to give up my telephotos or the 24-70 though. :). thanks for sharing your videos.
Love your work, Josh, and the calm way you present it. I just got my Z9 a couple weeks ago, (Hurrah!) and have been out doing macro too. Depth of field preview on Z cameras... The viewfinder will only show you the depth of field up to f/5.6. After that, you have to actually press a button dedicated to the "Preview" function to see the effect in the viewfinder.)
With Macro, if you really enjoy the water dew drops, just carry a small misting bottle with you and you can make any scene have it included. You also get to decide how wet you want it to look, from glistening to dripping. I use a small glass lense cleaner bottle, just bigger than a Chapstick.
I enjoy taking Macros from time to time, especially in spring: the flowers, opening buds or the ice on moss, leaves or branches on a freezing cold morning. Regarding the check of the depth of field, you can assign a button to this function an it gives you a pretty good preview on the depth of field. Have you tried focus stacking with a macro? It‘s requires a tripod and more planning but you can get stunning results. Enjoy your photos!
That's like a person asking does my a** make my a** look fat? No, being a weirdo makes one look like a weirdo. And no you're not a weirdo... however, you are committed... or should be! Haha Katie will like that dig! Josh, you're a great photographer but an even better narrator of your work and experience out shooting nature. It's like watching a national geographic special each time. You have a great style and a warm soothing voice as a documentarian of your experience passing through space time. And I never suspected you were an "a**-man"... guess you never know people?
The pink/purple flowers at 830, a type of deadnettle, henbit or red/purple, 2 different types, henbit blooms crazy in my yard every late Winter into Spring. I love macro. Water drops, especially when the reflection inside is in focus. I just wonder how many people came back after you left and got down to see what you were focusing on. :) Great vid as always!
The passers by are saying to themselves “isn’t that the guy that lays in the ground taking pictures of birds”? Those conversations with people I find to be the best. I rented the 50mm F2 while in the Redwoods, I just couldn’t keep the lens on camera with everything else to shoot. Keep after it
That’s a great point Chuck. It takes a lot of discipline to stay focused on macro photography. It took everything I had not to walk back to the truck and put the long lens back on.
@@BayouJosh - now I wait for my Z9 although I did have to bump myself down the list a bit at my camera dealer due to real life interfering with my plans.
I've had people ask me if I was okay when laying on the ground taking flower shots. When I say yes they always ask just what am I doing. Since I'm 69++ I use a tripod more often than not. It helps me get back up as much as it steadies my shots. If I want a smaller lighter tripod I'll use a Joby Flexible tripod
Another great video, I as well look forward to macro especially in the spring. You would love it here on Vancouver Island, each year I try to get to a world famous garden here on Vancouver Island. It is called Butchart Gardens ( check it out on line) anyone who loves macro could spend endless amounts of time there. Not that it matters what brand of camera one uses but I am also partial to Nikon, I have been using them since the late 70's.
@@BayouJosh You would most likely also love the temperate rain forests here with an abundance of moss on the trees one of many areas is Cathedral Grove which can also be found on line. It is about 30 minutes from where I live.
I have shot macro for so many years, I cant remember if I ever felt weird doing it in public. These days I just do it. Good tips bud. It is a reward to get a trophy insect or maybe a pistil or stamen. with the fine little hairs. Sharp I mean. I carry a water spray bottle in my yard to doctor up my roses or bird of paradise with water droplets. Sweet. I can hear your blackbirds behind you :) Once in a while, people will stop to learn what I am doing. Some just know. When the birds are not around, what else is there. Happy shooting.
@@BayouJosh Try to spray enough to get a droplet dripping. Kind of like dropping a rock in a pool or bucket of water trying to get the water pieces splashing up. Wow, I must have had lots of dead days to come up with these ideas lol
Hey Josh, I don't need to do macro photography to look weird! Kidding aside you always remind us of things we should do or try again. Since I use my Z6ll much more my older 105mm D lens needs to manually focus. But I need to get on my D500 or D850 and give it go again! Fun stuff for sure! Greg
Hi Josh: Just finished watching your video sitting in my accommodation in Waterton National Park this morning and enjoyed every minute of it! Unfortunately, I didn't bring my macro lenses (Fuji or Nikon), so, I am going to try the Fuji 16mm and see if I could get some environmental macro. It's nice to see the change of subject though in this latest video. Thanks always! Mrinal Das
![[Live สด] การออกรางวัลสลากกินแบ่งรัฐบาล งวดวันที่ 16 พฤศจิกายน 2567](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wPd7VFfWHIA/mqdefault.jpg)
While you may think others think it is a bit strange, the truth is that you stop to see what is going on about you in the world, and your photographs prove it. Other people are so busy trying to keep up with the world, they have no idea what they are missing. Keep it up sir, your evenings are a lot calmer than those of others.
Very True John. it is a peaceful existence as well.
The sequel to "Never go Hiking with a Bird Photographer" ....... "Never go Hiking with a Macro Photographer (it's even more painful)" !! Great video, the macro is in my bag!
Yeah! Exactly Jim. Thanks brother. I appreciate it.
Macro photography is Very addictive. I love it.
Totally agree!
Don't pay attention to the people walking by. Keep doing what you love and pretend they're not there. Macro introduces you to a new tiny world that they have no clue about. Who knows, ,maybe someone might find it fascinating enough that they might get into macro photography! Awesome photos by the way!
Thank you Josh. I really appreciate your variety.
Thank you Spence. 😊
I love bird photography but flowers are my passion! Thank you for sharing your day with flowers. Two tips: clothes pins will keep errant branches out of your shot and not destroy any plants in doing so and carry a bean bag for the "on the ground" shots it helps angle your low lens perfectly. Oh, a bonus tip, a spray bottle with water equals instant dew! Please, a few more of these along with the birds. Add in Katie's landscapes and birds and you have the perfect content! Hooray! You should see this old grandma trying to get up from the ground, that really gets the looks! Hahaha
That spray bottle is a great recommendation. thank you so much for tagging along. I bet you still get up and down like a champ! 😃
@@BayouJosh lol, not really, it is what it is. 🤷
I took some macro of tiny purple flowers from some low lying weed growing in a nearby empty lot, WOW, it was beautiful and there was a tiny insect living in that 4mm flower. there is a whole different world ... beautiful world. thank you for the video.
So cool right? It’s a fun hobby.
I have taken more flower photos in the last 20 years than I can count. Some with my iPhone, most with whatever camera I could afford. There is something magical in seeing beyond the flower itself. To see the details and the true beauty of the flower is where the magic and mystery begin. Everything we see through the camera becomes a part of us. Glad you shared your thoughts with us. You’re not the only “weirdo” out there!!!!
So true my friend. Thanks for reassuring me that I’m not a weirdo. 😁
Your videos have become my morning coffee routine! I can relate to this situation very well. I’ve been a weirdo macro floral photographer since 1994 and it never gets old!!!
It’s so fun right? Thanks for making us a part of your day.
Great video Josh. Love the dew drops photo.
thank you Rob. I might need to ask a favor of you this week. I'll give you a call.
I love all your videos, I really enjoy listening to the red winged-black birds, thanks for sharing 👍🙏
Thanks for watching Miguel. We appreciate it.
Really enjoyed that. Macro photography is for the truly curious.
Indeed! You can really get lost in the genre.
Marco is great - we take our lens every where we go. Moss is wonderful to shoot along with Mushrooms. Like you said - it opens up a new world. I heard all the birds in the background, i.e. red wing back birds. Those are my favorite to shoot. Thanks again for share the story.
the birds were so active that day. It was very tempting to go back to the truck and grab the other lens. 😃
I started macro photography to get over my “uncomfortableness” around insects, and after many captures of insects and flowers the thing I find myself so fascinated by are the mosses that grow on trees! It’s like a whole new world that needs exploring. Specially on a wet day when you can get some of the tiniest sun stars haha
The moss on trees! Yes! So interesting.
Any Photography that I under take is for my passion and mine alone… what other think etc has no baring what so ever…
Yep. Moss is BossI
@@johnkanzler6646 And doesn't always grow on the North side of a tree.
Great video. Thanks for the inspiration. I will try my best to go out with my macro lens and take some pictures. Be safe.
Have fun! Thank you my friend.
Love them little Humming Birds something we don't have free in the uk Josh, great video as always..... Stay safe..
Thank you Tel. You too my friend
I very much enjoy the presentation and production in your videos. They provide great impetus for me to get out and pursue our shared "hobby"! Thank you!
Glad you like them. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much Josh. I purchased my Z9 a month ago. Now I am flat on my back with Sciatic pain. You are my correspondent to using a Z9 in ways I can only dream of today. Keep up the great videos. One of these days I will join you on a nature walk. We will enjoy getting immersed in our cameras while viewing the world around us.
Will get better Tim. Back problems suck.
Josh, the pain is subsiding way too slowly. But I’m almost able to sit and photograph birds in our backyard. The spring migration is well on its way right now here in Western Oregon.
I absolutely love macro photography. It really allows one to appreciate the little things in life.
Yes indeed! So true.
I really enjoy mixing bird, mammal and macro photography, especially dragonflies. Great video, always enjoy my weekly hit of Idaho
I can’t wait for those dragonflies! Thanks John
Definitely. I love it when people come up and ask what I'm doing
and I get to introduce them to the fantastic world of small things.
it is nice isn't it?
A garden, camera, macro lens, just a quick look. 1 hour later and it was relaxing again. My neighbors always look over the fence. We're lying on the floor. But we enjoy it. We are crazy, bur we have a good time.
All that matters is you’re having a good time! 😊
I bought a pentax camera a Long time ago (30 yrs) that came with a 35-70 f3.5 - 4.5 which also had a macro feature, and I love it still! Thank you for sharing
More great content Josh, I literally just got the S105 2.8 MC yesterday and began my Macro journey. What an addictive experience it was just in the yard yesterday.
Isn't it a wonderful hobby!
@@BayouJosh I was blown away by how interesting and diverse that miniature world is. It is sooooo much fun.
I love Macro photography. I was laughed at, as I laid in the mud photographing toads. I travelled thousands of miles for orchids. I have seen slime molds in a local forest at 5:1.
Macro is fun, if you see its beauty. I am hooked for life.
Funny enough, I made a trip from Europe to the pacific northwest for native orchids. Well of course that was not the only reason... it is such a nice place.
Thanks for the videos!
You must really be into macro! I love it.
5:55 wonderful shot. I too shoot flowers but with my "macro" EF 100-400 II.
That is a great lens for macro. Very versatile!
Ok, got my Josh therapy so I'm good for another week. Thank's for a look at the Macro world. Not my cup of tea but I like to look at the images. See you again next week Dr. Josh..... Missed Katie this week. Wish her well for me.
Thank you Chuck. Katie is always in School! she had a big project due this week so I just went out on my own.
I’m with you Josh on plant and flower photography. I’m not bothered if I’m using 105mc for 1:1 ratio or just close focussing with my 70-200S or even my 500pf which can be incredible! I get completely lost in what I’m doing when I’m photographing something up close 😀
Isn't it fun though?
Photographing flowers is really relaxing and pleasant, and it doesn't matter what others think as long as you're having fun with your camera.
Hi Josh, it was another wonderful video. I also experience this very often, that people rush by and stare at me stupidly... they race past their own lives in the same way. I spend a lot of time in the Swiss countryside and I really enjoy it. I've been watching your videos pretty much from the beginning and I love watching you both, Katje and you. You two are just sweet. I find your videos just natural, not so pimped. Just be... and enjoy... Keep it up and best regards from Switzerland
Thank you so much Andre. We try to keep it pretty laid back.
Well done 🙌🏻 I consider you a documentary philosophy photographer... so people’s guesses wouldn’t be too far off 😉
Oh goodness! I'm just having fun! Thank you Jeremy!
I love macro photography and truth be told, nothing wrong with looking like a weirdo if it gets you out amongst nature and produces photos that bring a smile to your (and others) faces. Enjoying the channel. John Pouw NZ
Thank you John. I am pretty used to looking like a weirdo!
I describe it as you get down, or lean in and overextended, get everything just right pull the trigger and the wind blows. Working words. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. All day long. I love it but it is frustrating too. Make sure to check out your local arboretums too.
That pretty much sums it up!
My favorite Bird guy is starting to get into my favorite type of photography….I’m both excited and scared that you will show me how bad I am at it. 🤣
Do yourself a favor and grab a tripod and try the focus stacking in the z9. You can get some stunning macro using that technique.
You eventually get over the odd looks. Lol.
Another great escape, thanks Josh.
I can definitely go down the rabbit hole with focus stacking. My problem is I get distracted by the birds. Hard to not chase those guys around.
@@BayouJosh sounds to me like you need another Z9. 😂. Joking aside, I actually do venture into the woods with a macro lens on a Z7, and the 500pf on something else. I also suffer for attention deficit when it comes to wildlife.
Good work Josh. Love your vlogs. I dress in snow gear and lay in the mud to take photos of birds. Yes I'm weird as well, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 📷
😃
I find the smaller the flower, the more intriguing they are. Laying in the grass,and getting close, seeing what you can't see just walking by.
Totally agree
Love your videos ., so peaceful!!! I love getting lost in the macro world …. ❤️❤️
Thank you so much Bernie
From one weirdo to another, great video!
Thank you Robert. Glad to know I’m not alone.
Lovely video! So nice to see what the Z9 can do with macro outside. Really appreciated seeing how you made your compositions with it.
Thank you so much. I’m certainly no macro professional. Just figuring it out as I go.
Excellent portraits! I love flower/leaf photography, I always take the approach of taking a portrait when I photograph them. As far as the weird stares, I get a lot because I am usually in an urban park. Please keep the videos coming I find them informative and relaxing.
Thank you so much Kay!!! Thanks for tagging along.
Man, Josh those water droplets are very cool. Love the Abstract and you're right. It brings a whole new world of photography to our own personal creatiive eye in nature photography. "If it's beautiful to you...you win"
Amen.
Have a Fantastic weekend brother.
Thanks Kevin! Have a great weekend my friend. Love those water drops.
Amazing nature! amazing vid. I have 60 mm & 105 mm.I need to get out and take some pics. Inspired now.
Thank you so much Anne! Get out there and get some pictures.
It is really inspiring. Just received my 105 MC. Going to shoot this weekend.
You’re going to love that lens.
Wow....I started with Makro photography and I'm totally obsessed with details. I love insects and spiders of all kind and try to capture their amazing unique looks and personalities! And you're totally right about the fact, tgat there is no need of fancy or expensive gear! Love your Videos. Best wishes from Austria, Michael
That is awesome! So Fun Right?
@@BayouJosh indeed! you can check some of my pictures on Instagram if you like! Best wishes Michael!
Discovered macro about 15 years ago after buying my first digital bridge camera and taking a shot of a Dragonfly in the macro mode - just blew me away been hooked ever since. Still have my basic setup for bird / mammal photography but have to admit if there's any spare cash floating about it goes into trying to improve my macro work. Nice to see you putting a macro vid. out there Josh. 👍
It is incredibly fun and satisfying.
I recently received my 105mm Nikon f2.8 macro for my Z8 and have been having a blast focus stacking mushrooms with it. I agree with you about people probably thinking I am a nerd! Who cares? The images are worth it!
With macro you get so many photo option within a limited space. I mostly use it to document flowers, fungi, lichens, insects etc for our National Species Observation System. I use a superzoom camera that I can carry in my backpack every day. It has very good macro for a compact camera. It is interesting (and sometimes frustrating) to open the images in the computer. Quite often there are details you didn’t notice when taking the photos, like a small spider on a flower. If one had been more observant one might not have missed that spider …
The drawback for me with macro is the sore back and knees.
If you use a flash when photographing macro you are not dependent on natural light. Try going out in the dark at night with a head torch. It is interesting to photograph the insects that show up in the dark.
Keep up the good work!
I love that idea about the night time macro photography. I need to try that out. Speaking of seeing stuff you didn’t expect, one of the last flower shots in this video has a little spider on one of the petals.
If you combined your last 2 videos it would be "Don't go hiking with a macro photographer". Great stuff as always!
Right?! Thank you my Kyle.
Love your voice over and so detailed explanation and how you immerse yourself in the moment…thank you!
Hi Josh, when covid and lockdown happened we where told to take up daily walks. This was when I discovered bird wildlife photography and macro, getting up close to plants I put extension tubes on my 14/42mm lens shooting at 42mm I became engrossed in the world of macro. Colours patterns textures my wife and sons could not believe it since most of my life it took a lot of nagging to get me out to mow the lawn..?
Now I do it no problem and constantly look out for some photos so getting the lawn cut takes a while .lol. camera over my shoulder and pushing a lawn mower, now that gets looks from the neighbour's . Take care my friend and keep up the good work.
Cutting your lawn with your camera on your shoulder! Yeah! That probably does draw some strange looks. You’re the best Peter. Thank you my friend.
Hey Josh. Another great video. I love shooting macro and can’t wait for the bugs to come out. That pink flower may be Vicia bithynica - a type of vetch;but I’m no flowerologist.
I don’t know what any of those flowers are! But they sure are pretty. Thank you Leigh.
Adding macro photography to your channel content is great! I challenge you to do a focus stack on your next outing.
I’ll try that out! Thank you 🙏
It is not the destination but the journey. At this rate, you will never make it to the other end of the trail, so what? Do what pleases you, if it pleases others, good, if not, who cares, I don't. I always look forward to your next video. I describe my photographic style as opportunitisc. If it gets in front of your lens and you find it interesting, have at it. We should practice photography to please ourselves, otherwise, it is just a job.
Thank you for another fantastic video.
😄 Right? I just keep getting slower and slower. I like that! Opportunistic!
Great video and some killer shots!
Macro Photography is my 2nd love (1st is bird photography of course). I use to rent a macro lens every time I wanted to do some, but always find myself stumbling across things that I wanted to photograph when I didnt have the macro lens. So I decided to finally purchase one for my Z9, it should be here sometime this week and I look forward to having it in my bag whenever I am out.
Thank you so much Christopher. You know the saying...It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Except we're just a bunch of grown ups playing out in the woods. 😉
Last summer when out in the woods photographing birds I used my 200-500 mm to shoot macro. I was able to shoot some very interesting and intimate detailed filled flowers and flora. You don need a special Macro lens. Like they say use what you got. This included detailed insect shots too.
So true.
Good video
Thank you.
Enjoyed the video which was a lot different than your bird photography videos. It is refreshing to take a break from bird photography. I use a macro lens not on flowers alone, but on butterflies. Imagine the weird looks of a grown man taking photos of butterflies! I do recommend you try butterflies and moths. Like birds there are many kinds of butterflies that vary is size and color. Just like a bird's feather, a butterflies wings show a lot of detail in patterns and colors. It is embarrassing to say that I take photos of butterflies, but I enjoy the challenge and like you said about using a macro lens, it does bring you closer to nature and slow you down. Thanks
I was really hoping to see some butterflies when I was out there. It’s a little early for that here. We have The city botanical garden within walking distance from our house. Will be spending a lot of time there this summer.
My favorite subject in photography
Nice video and good tips
Have a nice weekend
Ronny
Thank you Ronnie. You have a great weekend as well.
I love your conten .. especially your voice it's soooo soothing ❤️😂
Thank you my friend. I appreciate it
His voice is my favorite. 😊❤️🌈
Awesome video Josh. I honestly wasn't quite aware with the background tip you mentioned. I'll definitely keep that tip in mind.👍🏾I also agree with you when you said, "the more you discover nature, the more things you will see that you didn't get to see". I get compliments as well when I go out and shoot with my camera. 😄
Thank you my friend. Glad to hear it was helpful!
Great video Josh, I have always been fascinated with macro. The 105mm MC has to be one of the best Z lenses ever. Look into a flash and diffuser!
Thank you James. I will look into it.
If you're not getting weird looks, you're living a boring life. Well done! 😎
I picked up the 105 MC and it amazes me every time I use it. I'm also playing around with focus stacking and that is a macro game changer. Lastly, Gavin Hoey just posted a vid about how he uses flash to light his macro shots - great results! Thanks for the vid Josh!
cool. I never used Flash for macro. Mostly because I'm a lazy photographer. 😄
Craig is spot on with this comment. I focus stack a lot of macro shots. It produces amazing details and is really satisfying for me.
On the flip side stopping down to get that deep DOF and adding a flash or an LED light also works wonders.
Josh I have a challenge for you. Practice shooting bees. If you can shoot bees in the wild, almost everything else is easy.
happen to get up this Saturday morning and do some macro for a contest i want to go in, then saw your vid :-).
I like to photo insects. Its the end of spring here.
heat waves coming in, Plants starting to yellow. Still lots of flowers left though. And yes, i got some looks as well. But who cares?
Good luck in your contest. Macro is so fun.
I do not have a macro lens "yet". I think I am going to have to start looking for one. Nice video Josh!
It’s a fun hobby! I much prefer bird photography though.
Hi. You have to try to do landscape photography after sunset. You will go love it.
Landscape photography is incredibly fun. I love it. I really do need to do more of it.
In my own experiemce, everything you’ve said is 100% true, without exaggeration 😄 As for the 100 feet in two hours, absolutely. I don’t travel anywhere because that’s about as far out my back door as I ever need to go!
Thanks for the great video Josh. I don't like birds or macro really but as always I enjoy your story. ✨
Thanks for watching Sean. I really appreciate.
I may not be able to go on a safari in Africa or in the tropics, but I can go on a Safari in my area parks and backyard and shoot insects and bugs. It’s great fun and again engenders all sorts of comments and discussion. Add a flash unit and it really looks weird, but man is it fun.
So true! Still contemplating the flash thing though. All I need is more gear! Too much as it is. 🤣
WOW what a great video! Thanks for posting.
Fantastic shots! It really makes you see nature in a different way. For me when I'm out there, I find its the best way to meet people, but true enough you do get the odd stare. 😁
It really is!
The water droplets are astonishing!
I use to do alot of macro photography. I went of wildlife more and more but I think I will get back to macro this spring. Thanks for the reminder. see you later today.
It's a fun lens to pull out when things are slow. that's my thinking.
Love macro photography. Look into photo stacking to get more depth of field.
I’ll probably stick to birds. It’s just a fun thing to pass the time when I don’t see enough birds to photograph.
I have one laid close to some pile of faeces - human or animal I don’t know. All in order to take a butterfly photo. I feel you.
I love it!!!
Another gem! I have loved Macro for a while. Some of my favorite shots I’ve taken are macros. I often use a flash to freeze the subject if it’s a bug. Whether it’s a bumblebee drinking some nectar or a spider riding his web. I have found if you truly want to “see” a flower you need to take a macro shot of it since so much is too small for my naked eye.
And flash takes it to another level. I really need to explore that.
I was into macro photography much sooner than I was into bird photography. At this time of the year the blossoms are starting to come out. So are the bees. You can combine birds-in-flight and flower photography by doing bees-in-flight photography, which can be great fun. I often use a telephoto zoom lens at a longer focal length set to near minimum distance to do this. Your macro with Z9 in crop mode would be good for this. Try it. You’ll like it.
Great suggestion.
Last night, I figured out something quite amazing while practicing my macro photography. If you use the Starlight option on your Z9 in low-light conditions, it brightens the display, making it easier to see and continue shooting later in the evening. However, it's most useful when using a flash.
Nice to see you doing a bit of macro flowers. It seems almost most of the TH-cam photographers who talk "macro" are talking "insects". Well, there is much more to macro (and I don't do bugs). I have both Z mount macro lenses; 105 amd 50. I also have a manual focus Irix 150mm macro (f mount), so I guess you could say I too like macro. Unlike you, I do use a tripod most of the time, there are some geared heads that you can get for those fine adjustments. I do macro with the Nikon Z7.
Bugs are fun sometimes but I, Like you, Prefer the flowers. If I ever get more serious with macro, I may invest in a gear head for Macro.
Thanks. Reminds me how much I enjoy macro-photography but don't do enough of it. I really must dust my macro-lens off and shove it on the front of my Z9. Really enjoying the Z9 for birds in flight photography, though. Just uploaded my latest TH-cam with loads of birds in flight photos taken at the Arundel Wetland reserve near the south coast of the UK.
Awesome. I am going to check it out.
@@BayouJosh Suggest waiting a couple of hours for the 4k version to come on line.
Great video Josh - I love flowers/macro. I don't have the Z 105 - but do have the G f-mount, and it's one of my favorite lenses because I really enjoy this genre of photography (spider webs are fun too). Here in SW Pennsylvania we had an early warm spell, followed by cold .. which really killed off a lot of the spring stuff we usually have. As we get into May, I think there will be some great stuff to shoot. Anyway - thanks for posting this, I really enjoyed it. (oh, BTW - I don't know the names of most flowers either).
Thank you Charlie. Those spider webs are fun! I like photographing them when they are covered in Dew!
@@BayouJosh - I prefer "Ched" .. Charles is the formal - but I've never really been a "Charlie" ... but yes spider webs with dew are awesome.
I am happy to see you are enjoying macro photography these days! I use my D850 and the F version of the lens you used in the video. I have also backed up and used my 500PF to see what I could see up close and personal. Quite surprised with my results. Nothing will beat the macro lens but a few shots with the 500PF might get you some interesting things to revisit with the macro lens and still be able to get that elusive warbler! It is great fun to think outside the box when it comes doing dual duty with the lens that is on the camera in that moment of opportunity. Happy shooting my friend!
That is a great combo
Good tips. Image review is essential in this type of shooting. I assign image review to the 105mm function button, so I can review the image without moving my hand from the lens or my eye from the viewfinder. I've got the original Z7, but the "preview" function works quite well too, giving you a better idea of your dof, and I assign that to one of the front buttons. And if you like to focus stack when shooting macro, you can assign that function to the record button. I find these tweeks make things easier when shooting close up.
For my grad school entomology degree I am doing an independent study on insect macro photography. I will turn the methods I use into a paper for the class.
Exciting stuff! Macro photography is a great way to study those specimens. Lifelong hobby!
Welcome to the dark side Josh. Macro photography is addictive. I've told Leslie if I could be limited to only one lens, it would be my 105 Macro. Leslie and I were out yesterday, we walked a little over 5 miles but it took us about 6 hours. Yes, I had my macro lens on. From sprig thaw until early summer, I spend a lot of time on my belly in the wet grass, mud and wet leaves. Just part of being a nature photographer. Oh, that first flower, the one growing low to the ground I think is a "Woolypod Milkvetch". (who names flowers???)
It’s such a fun way to move around with the camera. The subjects are all around you you just have to look a lot harder. And it’s fun to take your time with composition. With birds you’re kind of reactive and that’s fine too.
@@BayouJosh Agree on all counts. A friend asked me once if I had to give up all my lenses and could only keep one what would it be? After considerable thought, the macro would be it. From snowflakes to raindrops to flowers to insects and spiders to portraits to intimate landscapes, I can keep busy with a macro all year around. I hope I never have to give up my telephotos or the 24-70 though. :). thanks for sharing your videos.
Love your work, Josh, and the calm way you present it. I just got my Z9 a couple weeks ago, (Hurrah!) and have been out doing macro too. Depth of field preview on Z cameras... The viewfinder will only show you the depth of field up to f/5.6. After that, you have to actually press a button dedicated to the "Preview" function to see the effect in the viewfinder.)
Yep. It’s a great feature though. Thank you so much for watching 🙂
lovely little video ✌😀
hi, nice video. the advantage of a tripod when doing macro is you can use a lower shutter speed and keep the iso down.
Indeed.
With Macro, if you really enjoy the water dew drops, just carry a small misting bottle with you and you can make any scene have it included. You also get to decide how wet you want it to look, from glistening to dripping. I use a small glass lense cleaner bottle, just bigger than a Chapstick.
You’re the second or third person to mention that. I need to try it out.
I enjoy taking Macros from time to time, especially in spring: the flowers, opening buds or the ice on moss, leaves or branches on a freezing cold morning. Regarding the check of the depth of field, you can assign a button to this function an it gives you a pretty good preview on the depth of field. Have you tried focus stacking with a macro? It‘s requires a tripod and more planning but you can get stunning results. Enjoy your photos!
Never tried focus stacking. I’m really passively interested in macro. I enjoy it in spring and usually only do it a few outings a year. 😀
Beautiful & Nice Video..
Thank you my friend
That's like a person asking does my a** make my a** look fat? No, being a weirdo makes one look like a weirdo. And no you're not a weirdo... however, you are committed... or should be! Haha Katie will like that dig! Josh, you're a great photographer but an even better narrator of your work and experience out shooting nature. It's like watching a national geographic special each time. You have a great style and a warm soothing voice as a documentarian of your experience passing through space time. And I never suspected you were an "a**-man"... guess you never know people?
Awe, come on!!! you are making me blush. I really appreciate it.
The pink/purple flowers at 830, a type of deadnettle, henbit or red/purple, 2 different types, henbit blooms crazy in my yard every late Winter into Spring. I love macro. Water drops, especially when the reflection inside is in focus. I just wonder how many people came back after you left and got down to see what you were focusing on. :) Great vid as always!
I looked around, I think I was the only knucklehead down on the ground. Fun stuff though.
Hi, nice video👍 you should try Google Lens, it’s awesome to identify flowers with on the fly😁
That’s awesome. I will try it out.
The passers by are saying to themselves “isn’t that the guy that lays in the ground taking pictures of birds”?
Those conversations with people I find to be the best.
I rented the 50mm F2 while in the Redwoods, I just couldn’t keep the lens on camera with everything else to shoot.
Keep after it
That’s a great point Chuck. It takes a lot of discipline to stay focused on macro photography. It took everything I had not to walk back to the truck and put the long lens back on.
I just picked up the same lens for my Z5 this past Friday (4/29/22) and I love it so far!
It’s a fantastic lens.
@@BayouJosh - now I wait for my Z9 although I did have to bump myself down the list a bit at my camera dealer due to real life interfering with my plans.
I've had people ask me if I was okay when laying on the ground taking flower shots. When I say yes they always ask just what am I doing. Since I'm 69++ I use a tripod more often than not. It helps me get back up as much as it steadies my shots. If I want a smaller lighter tripod I'll use a Joby Flexible tripod
😄 that’s fantastic. I hope I can say the same when I’m 69+++
Another great video, I as well look forward to macro especially in the spring. You would love it here on Vancouver Island, each year I try to get to a world famous garden here on Vancouver Island. It is called Butchart Gardens ( check it out on line) anyone who loves macro could spend endless amounts of time there. Not that it matters what brand of camera one uses but I am also partial to Nikon, I have been using them since the late 70's.
I will check that out. Thank you so much Glenn.
@@BayouJosh You would most likely also love the temperate rain forests here with an abundance of moss on the trees one of many areas is Cathedral Grove which can also be found on line. It is about 30 minutes from where I live.
I have shot macro for so many years, I cant remember if I ever felt weird doing it in public. These days I just do it. Good tips bud. It is a reward to get a trophy insect or maybe a pistil or stamen. with the fine little hairs. Sharp I mean. I carry a water spray bottle in my yard to doctor up my roses or bird of paradise with water droplets. Sweet. I can hear your blackbirds behind you :) Once in a while, people will stop to learn what I am doing. Some just know. When the birds are not around, what else is there. Happy shooting.
That water bottle is a great Idea.
@@BayouJosh Try to spray enough to get a droplet dripping. Kind of like dropping a rock in a pool or bucket of water trying to get the water pieces splashing up. Wow, I must have had lots of dead days to come up with these ideas lol
Hey Josh, I don't need to do macro photography to look weird! Kidding aside you always remind us of things we should do or try again. Since I use my Z6ll much more my older 105mm D lens needs to manually focus. But I need to get on my D500 or D850 and give it go again! Fun stuff for sure! Greg
It really is a fun time! Thanks as always Greg
Hi Josh: Just finished watching your video sitting in my accommodation in Waterton National Park this morning and enjoyed every minute of it! Unfortunately, I didn't bring my macro lenses (Fuji or Nikon), so, I am going to try the Fuji 16mm and see if I could get some environmental macro. It's nice to see the change of subject though in this latest video. Thanks always! Mrinal Das
Have fun in Waterton. It's fun to try new stuff occasionally. 😃