Macro photography in your back garden: TOP TIPS AND TRICKS!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this week's video tutorial, I explore the joys of macro photography, finding a world of amazing subject matter right beneath my feet in my own back garden.
I show the lenses, the lighting and the post production of how to get great macro results without having to travel to the farthest corners of the Earth.
As well as my own back garden, I visited the Woodcroft Wildspace in North London for this video. Check out their good work here: www.woodcroft.org.uk/
Follow me on Instagram: / batteryhq
#Photography #Tutorial #Macro
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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!
I totally agree ! Macro photography is great therapy! Great lesson !!
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!
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.
So true... Macro helps me too with anxiety and also to appreciate the small world :)
Love it Andrew. Pls keep them coming
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 TH-cam 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!
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!
this is the second video of yours that I've watched today. You are truly gifted, you explain everything so clearly. well done
I love the photos! Favorite video so far!
Thank you!!
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!
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!
The bug has long since "Buggered Off" gotta love it.
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!
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
Thanks so much for doing this clip. I have learned a lot!
Thanks. Love the processing technique with the brush.
Thank you, Rose!
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.
Thank you! I learned a lot from the different examples
Great vlog. Really enjoyed watching this.
Wow, superb macro shots, thanks for sharing your ideas and amazing images.
Great macro video, and some amazing shots!
Enjoyed watching and learnt new things. Thanks.
Great stuff! I love your philosophy of photography.
Thank you very much!
This will inspire me to go out in the back garden tomorrow .. Thanks … Subbed
Very nice macro shots!
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!
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.
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!
Im new to macro photography. I was doing bird photography all the while. Thanks for sharing the ideas 💡❤️
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.
Loved it!
Thanks Jeremy!
Enjoyed this video. Learned some key techniques from your postprocessing. Thank you!
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. You're like one of the few I've seen on TH-cam 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.
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!
Beautiful! 😍
Thanks cherry!
Thanks for this, loved it
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this wonderful video! Looking forward to learning more from you. 💚🐝
Thank you so much!!! Will try to putting in practice on my garden in Birmingham
Good luck, Manuel!
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!
I liked your video a lot because many of my questions were answered. Keep it up
"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 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, great complete video.
Thanks Paul, really glad you liked it!
Enjoyed this .... nice work; good tips!!!
Thanks for this beautiful video.
Thanks for watching!!
Love your style Andrew. You have a major network appeal. Very engaging and I learned about extension tubes.
Thank you for watching!
Great video , many thanks 👍
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!
Thank You!
A great learning curve,thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching, Dave!
Really enjoyed Your editing style. Tanks.
Really a fabulous video! Thanks for the great recommendations for editing and use of Lightroom.
Excellent video. I learned a lot about lightroom there!
thanks so much!
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 😄.
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!
Thank you for the video I thoroughly enjoyed it
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you very much for the informative video.
Thanks for putting this together. I really liked the editing bit. Cheers
Thanks Adli!
Lovely photos, really explained well thank you
Thanks Debbie!
loved the retouching!
Thank you!
Excellent video very relevant today thank you.
Thank you for this video. I struggle so much with macro photography. I definitely need to get a flash diffuser
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!
Awesome video..Thank you!!
Thanks!!
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
Just so you are aware, using extension tubes reduces depth of field. THat is why at f/7.1 you are getting such a shallow DOF.
--"Because extension tubes do not have optics, they don't affect the optical quality of a lens. Because of their function, there are other effects: decrease of light; shallower depth of field; and loss of ability to focus at infinity. The longer the extension tube, the closer the lens can focus."--
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!
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 :)
Great video Thank you Andrew
Thanks for watching!
Really enjoyed that video, nice pacing, nice commentary and very informative. Top stuff!
Thanks so much, Jonathan!
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!
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
Im novice but i understood every of your techniques, that made me subscribe and like!
Thanks! Glad to have you on board!
Great video 👍🏼
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!
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!
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!
Great video thank you 😊
Thanks for watching!
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!
Thank you for this video; very clear and helpful. I was wondering whether there are solutions for increasing your field op depth when taking free-hand macro photos, without stacking. I'm a bit more after those 'scientific record' kinds of photos than an 'artful beautiful image'.
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.
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!
Thank you
I focus stack insects outside all the time I use burst and works wonderful
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!
great tips mate
Thanks mate, really appreciate you taking the time to watch!
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!
Hover fly great video thank you
Thanks for watching, Phillip!
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
Usefull video
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: th-cam.com/video/kHbMcDMIVfk/w-d-xo.html Have a look before you spend too much!
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!
I had no idea Woodcroft existed, it’s only a mile from where I live! See you there sometime perhaps 😊