It's difficult for me to just write a comment on your video to express how much I appreciated it, but I'm going to give it a go.. I took on board everything you said, and it all made such perfect sense! You really know your stuff don't you Alan?! I've only been 'doing photography' for about 18 months. I was a late-comer having been an artist for some 10 years or more, and then having a stroke in 2018. This meant that although I couldn't carry on with that particular art form, I could at least try to point a camera in the right direction and make the 'photo' look pretty! I very quickly discovered that I was fascinated with macro photography. At the moment I'm just using the bridge camera that I've got. It's a very good bridge camera, but as with all bridge cameras, it's a bit of a 'Jack of All Trades'. I think I want to specialise in macro photography so eventually I might need to invest in something a little more 'fit for purpose'. But in the meantime I'm going to stick with what I've got. Apart from anything else, I have no choice at the moment, I can't afford anything else! Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your encouragement and for all your videos. The effort you're putting in making them is not going unnoticed!
Thanks Ashley. Your kind comments are much appreciated! I am so glad you have caught the macro bug! There is nothing quite like it for focusing our energies on something other than the mundane routines of modern life. It amazes me to see how many of us were drawn to macro photography as a refuge, and stayed for the challenge.
Thank you Allan. This is a gem of a video, a rare occurrence in the TH-cam galaxy because it speaks from the heart. You really know how to communicate your passion. I wish I had been one of your trainee brain surgeons; maybe in another life or another realm. The lesson I am getting from watching this video is to take things one at a time, manage you expectations and keep plowing; never give up. Your approach to life and learning reminds me of a famous quote by Mark Twain, one of the most brilliant minds in his ability to think outside the box: “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” Greetings from Switzerland.
Thanks Allan,you share with us a lot of information that we are looking for about macro photography and the life too.we do really appreciate it. Thanks 🙏
I just discovered your You Tube channel. After having watched several of your uploads, I must say that I love your attitude, your approach, and your teaching ability. Your advice here is very well-reasoned and practical. Personally, I’ve been shooting macro a long time and absolutely love it. I am not a professional and never too old to learn new tricks. So I look forward to watching more of your past videos as well as new content that comes along. All the best, Bob.
This advise, is unequivocally spot on! Well said, and your analogy of a good guitar is a perfect example! My respect for you grows more and more, with each video I watch of yours. Thank you, for your work and honesty, in respect to anything that anyone sets their-self out to learn a new subject. Bravo!
I found you your you tube videos while doing a general search, I do enjoy your way of teaching and have watched several of your videos. Thank you for the time and effort. I am just starting out in micro photography. Have dabbled with cameras since the mid 60's, It has only been the last few years that I have started to really try to become a better photographer. Have only really managed to get what I would consider to be really good photographs very few times. But am enjoying the process of learning. What has gotten me interested in micro photography is seeing a photograph of an orchid, not just a picture of an orchid, but the hart of the orchid that could only be taken using micro imaging. Yes I have seen the great images of bugs, but bugs do not do any thing for me. I want to work with flowers as I am also an avid gardener, I will mention that I am retired, am close to the young age of 77 and enjoying life.
Having been subjected to a bit of medical drama as well...........and having rediscovered photography. I found macrophotography challenging and it's what I needed..........something that challenges me at every turn, which strangely enough, makes me want the challenges even more..........
Which just goes to show what I have known from the start, macro photographers are wired differently. We seem to be attracted to the challenge, more than to the results. Thanks Terry!
Hi Allan. I found your channel a couple of weeks ago and I'm enjoying a lot watching your videos. It's far better than a Netflix marathon (far more useful too). Initially I was daunted by their duration but I soon learned that every minute is worth watching. Thanks a lot for giving so much information and explaining it so clearly.
Thank you Juan Carlos! I know the length of my videos is off-putting to many viewers who are looking for quick information. I have tried to shorten them, but always end up re-shooting them to include all the information that was left out of the short versions. I'm glad you find them helpful!
My initial frustration with macro came when I realized that most people don't appreciate the photos you take as much as they do for other genres. A great image of an insect's eye doesn't seem to elicit the same reaction from people as a landscape photo or a shot of an attractive model. Because the audience for macro seems to be so much smaller, it made me question my decision to devote so much time, effort and money to improving my skills. Fortunately, it's so much fun that any thoughts of giving it up were very short lived!
There is no doubt that we have chosen a an area of photography that is the very definition of "niche". But at the end of the day, it really isn't about what others think of our compound eye image, it's about the pleasure we got from achieving that result!
Another excellent video Allan, Thank you...! Call it a nurses' intuition, but I've had my suspicions for a while that you were in the medical profession (perhaps it was your attention to precision and detail...!), and now you revealed all. I was a specialist nurse until February, when I retired. Just before this Covid thing kicked in. Now just enjoying life..... :-)
This is a very important video for someone starting out in ANY photographic endeavor, but especially macro. I wish I had seen something like this when I was first starting up with macro, which is now my main area of interest. I have actually availed myself of all your suggestions. I had ambitions to become a surgeon and showed an early affinity for it, but didn't have the drive to tough out all the non-science curriculum in order to make it to the point of graduate work. Instead I moved to computers, which ended up being my profession for over 40 years. Luckily, I'm still doing at age 65, and don't plan to walk away from any time soon. Like you, I learned after several years that participating in a local camera club was not my cup of tea either, and since stepping away from it have not regretted it, with the exception of getting together with other photographers to work on similar projects. 2 of my closest friends are from that club and I still keep in touch, but miss the comradery of shooting together. My greatest help has been my involvement in online study groups, where people post images and others offer helpful ideas, including demonstrations to take those images to the next level or help at capture time to try different camera settings or approaches to make things better in-camera. Thank you for taking the time to share this important information. d:¬{D
Thank you Tom. I appreciate your thoughtful comments. The feedback from this video has convinced me that there really is something special about macro photographers! Cheers.
Hi Allan, as my desire to indulge in Macro Photograhy has developed, so has my admiration for your knowledge, and your willingness to share this knowledge. My particular interest is in studio macro work, and as a result of this, I have developed, what some (very kind) people consider, quite an advanced macro frame, perhaps some time in the future, if you so desire, you might allow me to send some photos, and explainations of what the thing is capable of. In the mean time, let me express how impressed I am with your advice in this particular segment, you were already my major Mentor, and will continue to be. In amongst the many film clips / presentations, (or whatever they are called these days), you showed a segment, where you glued some material, (?), to a piece of foam, to present your insect in some sort of "more natural" setting, rather than appearing to be suspended in space, I am unable to find that segment, to re-watch it, If this rings a bell, please tell me where I can find it. Until then, All The Best, keep up the good, (great) work. Cheers, Eddie.
Thank you. I found out long ago how important the expression "learn one, teach one." You never learn more about a topic than when you have to teach someone about it.
Hi Lysander. In surgery we called it the "see one, do one, teach one" approach and it really is the best way to learn, especially in such a "hands on" learning environment.
Great advice, Alan. I have been teaching people to fly helicopters for 30 years and it always amazes me the expectations that people put on themselves to perform at such an early stage of learning. I am new to photography in general and love that I have stumbled on your channel. I look forward to watching more of your content.
Thanks Stephen. You reminded me of my own flying lessons. I never thought about mentioning that experience in the video - probably a good thing, as I eventually gave up after an unnerving close call!
Love your channel Allan. I have learnt a great deal about macro from your channel. I use the Tokina 100mm macro lens and have just purchase some extension tubes to get even closer to the subject - an addiction I guess for any aspiring lensman in this field. You're right, its difficult to showcase your work to others because you convince yourself the next image you take will be better than the previous. In most cases this is true as you evolve in your macro work. I look forward to seeing your next vlog. Greg
Greetings Allen , Thank you for those little but powerful tips. Earlier today I had a chance to see another posting where you taked about your table top set up. I would greatly appreciate it if you might consider doing a presentation all about that. With great interest I look forward to your next presentation.
Hi Jeffrey and thanks for your comment. I certainly will dedicate a video to that setup. I already have a few videos that look at various parts of the setup, but a more focused discussion of the entire setup may be helpful. Thanks for your suggestion!
I build guitars Allan and have taught guitar and normally give the same advice as you got. The advantage I have is that I can make right "some" problems areas on a students guitar, but can't work miracles. A good guitar doesn't have to be expensive. Just needs to sound good and play/keep in tune. If it doesn't play in tune, you are never happy with your sound. This will be true in photography to a degree. But photography is more expensive than music. Used equipment is a good route if you research. Very humble of you to say that people should research what you are stating to make sure its a accurate. The apostle Paul in the greek scriptures commended the Borean listeners for going and doing research to make sure he wasn't a wrong-un. Miles Davis said to Santana "you'll always be learning, because that's the type of guy you are." So, we would be going to the wrong mentor if he/she was a person who had a closed mind, not open to new things. The mentor of course learns from the student, if their mind is open. My wife foes to suggest something to me, the holds back saying, "you'll probably thinks its sill." I say, just say it, because it may make me go down another route I wouldn't have taken. That's a great suggestion of taking breaks too. I don't have space now to do what you do. So, it would have to be a session - but breaks are really important for any type of learning. How true it is, that if its fun, you will learn - and you'll do it more. That's the problem with your shop that you are setting up, it aint fun learning everything. You will get there. I've done it in the oast, but I'm afraid I'd be at the starting stage doing jt now. I've worked in video production and I must say, your videos are well presented and put together. Have you thought of a commercial arm to your videos? Training videos - step by step - patreon? I think maybe already, you have given too much away. But of course, that can have benefits too. Keep well. East Neuk of Fife, Scotland is fairly healthy at present.
Thank you, Steve. There is a lot of food for thought here. I have been playing the guitar since my teens, and the parallel you draw is not lost on me. I have thought about Patreon, and several other commercial options. One day soon I will need to do something to generate income, but I need to find a way to do so that is consistent with my first priority - encouraging photographers to take their passion to the next level. I worry that putting my content behind a pay wall will make it difficult or impossible for some people to benefit from it. I don't feel like I have given too much away - I have barely scratched the surface - but your point is well taken. For now, all I can do is keep putting out quality content and listening to people who know the business stuff better than I do (everyone). Alabama has been largely spared, so far, but I don't expect that to last!
Thanks for this video. As always I'm fully able to recognise when I'm given good advice. And as always - or at least very often - I don't take the advice. At least not all of it - that’s just my nature. But one piece of advice from you I would like to follow: You advise us to read about the science. And I'd really love to do that! But where do I find the right literature? Good suggestions would be much appreciated.
Hi Lau, that is a very difficult question to answer, but if I had to pick just one book that is full of great information but also fun to read, I would have to go with Bill Bryson's book "A Short History of Nearly Everything". This is a great introduction, but if there is some other area of science you want to learn more about, shoot me an email and I'll give you a reading list that will blow your mind!
Great videos, Allan! Keep up the good work. I was thinking the other day and would love to hear your opinion on this. Does the plain film radiography counts as macro? :) Technically it is 1:1. We don’t use light to produce it, but another part of the same spectrum.
Hi Jacob, You can send them as attachments to contact@allanwallsphotography.com Include your email address so that I can respond directly. If you have any problems attaching images, let me know and I will give you an alternate address.
It's difficult for me to just write a comment on your video to express how much I appreciated it, but I'm going to give it a go.. I took on board everything you said, and it all made such perfect sense! You really know your stuff don't you Alan?! I've only been 'doing photography' for about 18 months. I was a late-comer having been an artist for some 10 years or more, and then having a stroke in 2018. This meant that although I couldn't carry on with that particular art form, I could at least try to point a camera in the right direction and make the 'photo' look pretty! I very quickly discovered that I was fascinated with macro photography. At the moment I'm just using the bridge camera that I've got. It's a very good bridge camera, but as with all bridge cameras, it's a bit of a 'Jack of All Trades'. I think I want to specialise in macro photography so eventually I might need to invest in something a little more 'fit for purpose'. But in the meantime I'm going to stick with what I've got. Apart from anything else, I have no choice at the moment, I can't afford anything else! Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your encouragement and for all your videos. The effort you're putting in making them is not going unnoticed!
Thanks Ashley. Your kind comments are much appreciated! I am so glad you have caught the macro bug! There is nothing quite like it for focusing our energies on something other than the mundane routines of modern life. It amazes me to see how many of us were drawn to macro photography as a refuge, and stayed for the challenge.
Thank you I have this saved for these exact moments. You're a wonderful teacher please don't stop doing this.
Thank you Allan.
This is a gem of a video, a rare occurrence in the TH-cam galaxy because it speaks from the heart. You really know how to communicate your passion. I wish I had been one of your trainee brain surgeons; maybe in another life or another realm. The lesson I am getting from watching this video is to take things one at a time, manage you expectations and keep plowing; never give up. Your approach to life and learning reminds me of a famous quote by Mark Twain, one of the most brilliant minds in his ability to think outside the box: “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” Greetings from Switzerland.
Thank you Philippe, for the kind words and the continued support!
Thanks Allan,you share with us a lot of information that we are looking for about macro photography and the life too.we do really appreciate it. Thanks 🙏
Thank you for all of the work you put into sharing your knowledge and skills.
Cheers David! I love every minute of it!
I just discovered your You Tube channel. After having watched several of your uploads, I must say that I love your attitude, your approach, and your teaching ability. Your advice here is very well-reasoned and practical. Personally, I’ve been shooting macro a long time and absolutely love it. I am not a professional and never too old to learn new tricks. So I look forward to watching more of your past videos as well as new content that comes along. All the best, Bob.
Thanks Bob! I appreciate the kind words!
This advise, is unequivocally spot on! Well said, and your analogy of a good guitar is a perfect example! My respect for you grows more and more, with each video I watch of yours. Thank you, for your work and honesty, in respect to anything that anyone sets their-self out to learn a new subject. Bravo!
I found you your you tube videos while doing a general search, I do enjoy your way of teaching and have watched several of your videos. Thank you for the time and effort. I am just starting out in micro photography. Have dabbled with cameras since the mid 60's, It has only been the last few years that I have started to really try to become a better photographer. Have only really managed to get what I would consider to be really good photographs very few times. But am enjoying the process of learning. What has gotten me interested in micro photography is seeing a photograph of an orchid, not just a picture of an orchid, but the hart of the orchid that could only be taken using micro imaging. Yes I have seen the great images of bugs, but bugs do not do any thing for me. I want to work with flowers as I am also an avid gardener, I will mention that I am retired, am close to the young age of 77 and enjoying life.
Having been subjected to a bit of medical drama as well...........and having rediscovered photography. I found macrophotography challenging and it's what I needed..........something that challenges me at every turn, which strangely enough, makes me want the challenges even more..........
Which just goes to show what I have known from the start, macro photographers are wired differently. We seem to be attracted to the challenge, more than to the results. Thanks Terry!
Great post Allan. I must say I actually share a lot of your attitude and philosophy on the subject (and life in general I think).
Thanks Ian. It's heartening to see how many of us still see the value in discipline and perseverance!
Hi Allan. I found your channel a couple of weeks ago and I'm enjoying a lot watching your videos. It's far better than a Netflix marathon (far more useful too). Initially I was daunted by their duration but I soon learned that every minute is worth watching. Thanks a lot for giving so much information and explaining it so clearly.
Thank you Juan Carlos! I know the length of my videos is off-putting to many viewers who are looking for quick information. I have tried to shorten them, but always end up re-shooting them to include all the information that was left out of the short versions. I'm glad you find them helpful!
Excellent video. Thank you for your time.
My initial frustration with macro came when I realized that most people don't appreciate the photos you take as much as they do for other genres. A great image of an insect's eye doesn't seem to elicit the same reaction from people as a landscape photo or a shot of an attractive model. Because the audience for macro seems to be so much smaller, it made me question my decision to devote so much time, effort and money to improving my skills. Fortunately, it's so much fun that any thoughts of giving it up were very short lived!
There is no doubt that we have chosen a an area of photography that is the very definition of "niche". But at the end of the day, it really isn't about what others think of our compound eye image, it's about the pleasure we got from achieving that result!
Thanks Allen for this great video❗️
Another excellent video Allan, Thank you...! Call it a nurses' intuition, but I've had my suspicions for a while that you were in the medical profession (perhaps it was your attention to precision and detail...!), and now you revealed all. I was a specialist nurse until February, when I retired. Just before this Covid thing kicked in. Now just enjoying life..... :-)
This is a very important video for someone starting out in ANY photographic endeavor, but especially macro. I wish I had seen something like this when I was first starting up with macro, which is now my main area of interest. I have actually availed myself of all your suggestions.
I had ambitions to become a surgeon and showed an early affinity for it, but didn't have the drive to tough out all the non-science curriculum in order to make it to the point of graduate work. Instead I moved to computers, which ended up being my profession for over 40 years. Luckily, I'm still doing at age 65, and don't plan to walk away from any time soon.
Like you, I learned after several years that participating in a local camera club was not my cup of tea either, and since stepping away from it have not regretted it, with the exception of getting together with other photographers to work on similar projects. 2 of my closest friends are from that club and I still keep in touch, but miss the comradery of shooting together.
My greatest help has been my involvement in online study groups, where people post images and others offer helpful ideas, including demonstrations to take those images to the next level or help at capture time to try different camera settings or approaches to make things better in-camera.
Thank you for taking the time to share this important information. d:¬{D
Thank you Tom. I appreciate your thoughtful comments. The feedback from this video has convinced me that there really is something special about macro photographers! Cheers.
Hi Allan, as my desire to indulge in Macro Photograhy has developed, so has my admiration for your knowledge, and your willingness to share this knowledge. My particular interest is in studio macro work, and as a result of this, I have developed, what some (very kind) people consider, quite an advanced macro frame, perhaps some time in the future, if you so desire, you might allow me to send some photos, and explainations of what the thing is capable of. In the mean time, let me express how impressed I am with your advice in this particular segment, you were already my major Mentor, and will continue to be. In amongst the many film clips / presentations, (or whatever they are called these days), you showed a segment, where you glued some material, (?), to a piece of foam, to present your insect in some sort of "more natural" setting, rather than appearing to be suspended in space, I am unable to find that segment, to re-watch it, If this rings a bell, please tell me where I can find it. Until then, All The Best, keep up the good, (great) work. Cheers, Eddie.
Thank you. I found out long ago how important the expression "learn one, teach one." You never learn more about a topic than when you have to teach someone about it.
Hi Lysander. In surgery we called it the "see one, do one, teach one" approach and it really is the best way to learn, especially in such a "hands on" learning environment.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Exactly. Until you can teach some one a topic that you believe you know, you do not know it.
Excellent information. Love your videos I learn from each and every one of them thank you thank you thank you please keep them coming.
Great advice, Alan. I have been teaching people to fly helicopters for 30 years and it always amazes me the expectations that people put on themselves to perform at such an early stage of learning. I am new to photography in general and love that I have stumbled on your channel. I look forward to watching more of your content.
Thanks Stephen. You reminded me of my own flying lessons. I never thought about mentioning that experience in the video - probably a good thing, as I eventually gave up after an unnerving close call!
Love your channel Allan. I have learnt a great deal about macro from your channel. I use the Tokina 100mm macro lens and have just purchase some extension tubes to get even closer to the subject - an addiction I guess for any aspiring lensman in this field. You're right, its difficult to showcase your work to others because you convince yourself the next image you take will be better than the previous. In most cases this is true as you evolve in your macro work. I look forward to seeing your next vlog. Greg
Thans Greg! I appreciate the feedback. I love that Tokina. I used to have one - very sharp and very reliable. Good choice. Cheers!
Thanks for all the videos, you're a very inspiring person.
Thanks Kevin - I really appreciate your kind comment!
Greetings Allen
, Thank you for those little but powerful tips. Earlier today I had a chance to see another posting where you taked about your table top set up. I would greatly appreciate it if you might consider doing a presentation all about that.
With great interest I look forward to your next presentation.
Hi Jeffrey and thanks for your comment. I certainly will dedicate a video to that setup. I already have a few videos that look at various parts of the setup, but a more focused discussion of the entire setup may be helpful. Thanks for your suggestion!
I’m going to let my wife know that you said I was interesting and or charming and she is wrong LOL another great video my friend
I build guitars Allan and have taught guitar and normally give the same advice as you got. The advantage I have is that I can make right "some" problems areas on a students guitar, but can't work miracles. A good guitar doesn't have to be expensive. Just needs to sound good and play/keep in tune. If it doesn't play in tune, you are never happy with your sound. This will be true in photography to a degree. But photography is more expensive than music. Used equipment is a good route if you research. Very humble of you to say that people should research what you are stating to make sure its a accurate. The apostle Paul in the greek scriptures commended the Borean listeners for going and doing research to make sure he wasn't a wrong-un. Miles Davis said to Santana "you'll always be learning, because that's the type of guy you are." So, we would be going to the wrong mentor if he/she was a person who had a closed mind, not open to new things. The mentor of course learns from the student, if their mind is open. My wife foes to suggest something to me, the holds back saying, "you'll probably thinks its sill." I say, just say it, because it may make me go down another route I wouldn't have taken. That's a great suggestion of taking breaks too. I don't have space now to do what you do. So, it would have to be a session - but breaks are really important for any type of learning. How true it is, that if its fun, you will learn - and you'll do it more. That's the problem with your shop that you are setting up, it aint fun learning everything. You will get there. I've done it in the oast, but I'm afraid I'd be at the starting stage doing jt now. I've worked in video production and I must say, your videos are well presented and put together. Have you thought of a commercial arm to your videos? Training videos - step by step - patreon? I think maybe already, you have given too much away. But of course, that can have benefits too. Keep well. East Neuk of Fife, Scotland is fairly healthy at present.
Thank you, Steve. There is a lot of food for thought here. I have been playing the guitar since my teens, and the parallel you draw is not lost on me. I have thought about Patreon, and several other commercial options. One day soon I will need to do something to generate income, but I need to find a way to do so that is consistent with my first priority - encouraging photographers to take their passion to the next level. I worry that putting my content behind a pay wall will make it difficult or impossible for some people to benefit from it. I don't feel like I have given too much away - I have barely scratched the surface - but your point is well taken. For now, all I can do is keep putting out quality content and listening to people who know the business stuff better than I do (everyone). Alabama has been largely spared, so far, but I don't expect that to last!
Couldn't have come at a better time. Cheers Allan ;-)
Thanks for this video. As always I'm fully able to recognise when I'm given good advice. And as always - or at least very often - I don't take the advice. At least not all of it - that’s just my nature. But one piece of advice from you I would like to follow: You advise us to read about the science. And I'd really love to do that! But where do I find the right literature? Good suggestions would be much appreciated.
Hi Lau, that is a very difficult question to answer, but if I had to pick just one book that is full of great information but also fun to read, I would have to go with Bill Bryson's book "A Short History of Nearly Everything". This is a great introduction, but if there is some other area of science you want to learn more about, shoot me an email and I'll give you a reading list that will blow your mind!
Greetings 🙏
Please share the links of the some good online blogs which you are part of... 🙏🙏
Well said. At best a good camera body can not make a descent photo by a bad lens.
Thak you MR Teacher xxx
Great videos, Allan! Keep up the good work. I was thinking the other day and would love to hear your opinion on this. Does the plain film radiography counts as macro? :) Technically it is 1:1. We don’t use light to produce it, but another part of the same spectrum.
Haha! Good point. You might get away with that for the distal phalanges, but I doubt an ap/lat chest would fool anyone!
Dr, how do I get to send my images...for critque plz?
Hi Jacob, You can send them as attachments to contact@allanwallsphotography.com Include your email address so that I can respond directly. If you have any problems attaching images, let me know and I will give you an alternate address.
Okay sir..