My 8 Essential Macro Photography Tips for Nature Photographers
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 มิ.ย. 2024
- #macro #naturephotography #flowerphotography #capturewithconfidence
In this video I illustrate my 8 essential macro tips for nature photographers with the aim of providing a guide to making beautiful macro images to be rightly proud of. In doing so I have brought together some of my favourite macro photographs to provide a source of inspiration and illustrate the 8 tips I am providing. Macro photography needn't be something to be afraid of but something to embrace, because we have so much to photograph at our fingertips. The morning that I made this film was a really beautiful clear crisp spring morning with lots of bird song and it was nice to be able to step away from all the world's troubles, if only for a brief time.
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Hello Simon and may I say thank you so much for this video.
Sorry this may be a bit of a rant, but a very nice one!
I usually watch quite a few TH-cam photographer channels as well as yours and enjoy different things from each but I always find yours so calming and relaxed whilst still being very informative.
Not looking for sympathy or anything now, just want to give you a bit of perspective.
I'm currently in hospital 24 days and counting! Getting over COVID and Pneumonia.
Anyway, I haven't really felt like watching all the usual channels but knowing what you do with your videos I have watched and truly enjoyed every moment of this today and I just wanted you to know that it has helped me through my day, so thank you from the top of my heart.
I really hope one day to be able to do one of your work shops.
Many many thanks and all the best :)
Jeff
Hello Jeff, that is by far one of the nicest, if not the nicest things anyone had ever written and I am completely and utterly warmed by it. I am so sorry to hear about what you have and are still enduring as I can only imagine it must have been and probably still is, a terrifying experience. As a small but non-the less heart felt incentive to keep you on the right track and the road to a full and speedy recovery, when all this is over drop me a line and we will sort something out.
@@SimonBoothPhotography well I would love to. And I'm glad to have told you about it now if it's made you feel nice :)
Jeff Jolly Get well soon Jeff, all the best. No sympathy here, just an order! :-)
Jeff Jolly I hope you heal quickly and completely. Be strong.
Hi Simon. Your videos are really inspiring. Thank you for all the effort you put into making them.
Greetings from India!
Thank you very much. I learnt a lot from this video. I'm 68 and just venturing into macro photography.
Greetings
Thanks Simon your love of nature is so evident; it’s quite heartwarming. I was out early today doing macro photography of wildflowers inspired by your videos
Thanks Andrew. I think I saw your results on IG.
Thank you, Simon. God Bless and take care 🙏
Thoroughly enjoyed learning more about macro from you Simon. It’s a genre that I’m becoming more drawn towards thanks to yourself. Beautiful images and an excellently put together film with a very clear message. Thanks Simon
Ian Smith Fotografi cheers Ian. Sorry for the slow reply. Glad it’s come on handy for you.
Just watched this one again Simon, love your work.
Sage advice and beautiful work all wrapped up together. Thanks for sharing Simon. Stay safe, or alert, or whatever.
Thanks Steve for dropping by and commenting again so favourably. It's always good to see you here. Freedom is back for now!
Outstanding workSimon, so much to learn from your films.I can't wait to be able to get out again when this is all over.Many thanks for sharing.
Good to hear from you again Colin. Enjoy the freedom!
Hi Dear Simon, thank you so much for your nice and relaxing, and informative video. It gives me tranquility and peace .💗🙏
It is a nice video that one. The formula was just right, thank you.
As always a wonderfully calm and relaxing experience watching your video. At the same time you mage to impart really sound advice as well as delight us with your overall knowledge of nature. Great stuff Simon.
That's so nice Martin, thank you. I enjoyed making this one.
Thankyou Simon so much for sharing your tips. I'm just starting out in the macro world and totally loving it.
Fantastic John. Macro has so many opportunities for us.
Thank you, Simon. Your encouraging advice and amazing images mean so much, and especially now when I hope to get started in this wonderful field of photography! 🙂
You're in for some great times ahead Mark. I have no idea what I would do without photography.
Really helpful and informative. Thanks again for taking the time to share.
Thank you Simon for a wonderful video - I have also been exercising my Fuji macro lens across the pond here in Toronto. Love the backlighting technique it can produce some beautiful results. Enjoy your Sunday !
Hello Lisa, hope you got some good ones. I've always wanted to visit Torronto
Thank you for great tips and beautiful pictures! I have tried all spring to take shots of marsh horsetail. I am looking forward spring to apply what I have learned from you!
Did you see this video of mine th-cam.com/video/Qizng8ZNqjo/w-d-xo.html. I am shooting the very similar water horsetail.
Really enjoyed this video. Although I have heard and used most of the tips, it never hurts to have a reminder every now and then. Have a wonderful day.
Well Simon, you have shown that you are both an excellent landscape and macro photographer. I find it rewarding that you seem to get the balance right between the two and am always appreciative of the advice you give. Your knowledge is immeasurable and your passion for photography is truly inspirational. I just wish that an opportunity would present itself where I could go out with you for a trip and learn from you firsthand. Who knows this might happen one day and if not I will always be here to watch your vlogs, they sometimes bring tears of joy to my eyes. All the best and stay safe. See you out there!
Hi Euge, sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you . I generally comment when a new film come out and I got a bit delayed with the new one. Thanks again for such nice words, it really means the world to hear that the films bring such satisfaction to your screen.
Great video Simon relaxing and a pleasure to watch.
Just started Macro and enjoying it. Some great tips here i for one will be trying these ideas out, Cheers.
That's a very generous comment Ian. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
I will always be looking for videos from "Simon Booth". Without hesitation, I jump in because they are so so original, refreshing and you are in control of the time and everything gel so well.
Thanks Krishna for dropping by and commenting again so favourably. It's always good to see you here.
Thank you Simon. Such a beautiful, informative and inspirational video. Your images are gorgeous and when (yes I've ordered some extension tubes which are due for delivery in 8 weeks!!) I get started I would be very happy to get one half decent shot that I can compare to yours! Your video was so relaxing and enjoyable I didn't want it to end. Thank you for taking the time to explain your tips and show us what can be achieved with practice.
Thank you Jill for such nice complimentary words. I'm sure you will get some great shots with practice. The more you try, the more you find.
Wonderful images that cause me to pause and look at them for a few minutes.
Your easy going,conversational manner makes it to absorb what you are saying,thank you so much for art with a great lesson.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. Glad to hear you like the way the channel feels.
Thanks Simon, you open my eyes with every video to a better way to be creative.
Cheers again Andrew. Glad as always that the films help to motivate.
Thank you so much for the great video, Simon. You've inspired me to get out and do more macro captures.
Great to hear Dale, thank you.
IN THE EARLY MORNING LIGHT and what a fine light do take macro photos. Very well done. Unseasonable weather in this part of the wold is not keeping me from finding magic in macro photography. Keep up the good work.
Absolutely Nick, I couldn't agree more!
Great set of tips. Would love to see a macro video on the sea shore.
Top Tips there Simon - very well presented as usual in your calm and collected manner - shot of the day for me was undoubtedly the crocus - just sublime :)
Thanks Kev, that shot must be 10 years old now. Taken in a holiday cottage garden in Cumbria!
Fascinating take on Macro Photography! Beautiful peaceful images 👌
Thank you so much 😀
The films on this channel have helped me to rediscover my photography, now seeing with different eyes and having watched this super helpful episode I am now inspired to try macro and see even more of the 'unseen'. Many thanks Simon
That's good to hear Simon. Inspiration is important and I too draw on many sources.
Such a beautiful video full of wisdom! Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it! It's my pleasure.
Thank you for this very informative video, Simon. Very well done and looking forward to trying these out next time i'm out in the field. Thanks for sharing!
Glad it was helpful Marco
I am so glad I found your videos. I love the calm atmosphere and your no fuss style. Already learnt many things from the three videos I have watched. Thanks!
Welcome aboard Anna, lots of older stuff to watch too.
Great video Simon, as usually. From all YT photography channels Yours is absolutely on top. Your love for nature, Your respect for nature and, most of all, Your photographs of this all is second to none for me. Keep going, please. Great respect...
That's very kind of you Marcin. I'm really pleased you enjoy the content.
What a lovely video! I have always been a lover of macro photography, I love to get out in the garden or the countryside and do just what you are doing. I find the macro lenses usually don't get close enough, so I use them with tubes. I also like to stick a reversed 50mm lens, or a reversed enlarger lens onto a de-glassed zoom, this gives full aperture control on the zoom and allows you to vary the working distance. I also use Pentax gear, my de-glassed zoom is a FA 28-80, which I usually set at about 65mm for best results. With this setup I can get some pretty extreme magnification. I've also made a variety of flash diffusers from cardboard tubes and various other bits of junk, some of them use twin flash heads to fire the light from two directions at the same time. I fully endorse all of the 8 methods you've mentioned, except perhaps for the tripod one, as I find tripods far too restrictive and always shoot hand-held. Another method I use is to take a 300mm lens (many have pseudo macro modes) to keep distance between me and the subject, this is especially good for butterflies. My DA*300 is the weapon of choice for this type of shot, with or without the 1.4x teleconverter. I've subscribed to your channel and will watch your videos with a lot of interest! Thanks for posting this great content.
That sound quite a set up you have going on there David. I keep it simple so my brain doesn't hurt. Thanks so much for the sub too, I'm very grateful.
Thank you for your video. You make absolutely stunning macro photo's.
Thank you!
Beautiful presentation supplemented with such lovely images and a ver soothing music in the background. Loved it!!
Glad you enjoyed it Sarajit. Music choice is something I pour over for many a while when making these films. Thanks for your observation.
Thank you for some great tips
A deceptively simple presentation that taught me a lot. Thanks Simon.
Glad it was helpful!
Great tips Simon. Just getting into macro during these strange times and shall certainly be using these to help. Thanks
Thanks for watching Ivan. Some form of normality will hopefully get you dome good results at last.
Glad I found this Simon, great information for the beginner with Macro. Thank You
Nice one Ross
Great tips, great pictures. Thanks, Simon.
Glad you enjoyed it
The shot with the frog is simply amazing!!! Thanks again for another very informative video, Simon! Cheers from Germany.
Really appreciate your comment, thank you. It's great to see views from other countries.
Straight to the point, layed back, informative, and a pleasure to watch. 10 outta 10 for me.
That's very kind of you Alan.
Thank you so much...I am going to replay this video and write it all down. Very helpful.
Thank you for watching 🙏
Stunning shots fella, and some fantastic tips. Such a good tip to get close and create little abstracts
Cheers Tom. Lot's of people really do seem to appreciate the value of macro once they realise there's more to it than just insects.
Very nice. Nailed the sound too! Love your gentle nature, the background of birds singing and the music, this all came together nicely!
Thanks for that. I do put a lot of effort into music selection so it's nice when it's appreciated.
Thank you - I have found the video such an inspiration. I can’t wait to get going!
Glad to help and hope you get some good ones Karen.
Wonderful video!
Many thanks Simon❤️
Thank you too!
I have been playing around with macro during the lockdown and your excellent video with superb examples has given me some techniques to try out. Many thanks.
Glad to help and hope you get some good ones Greg.
Hi Simon! Awesome video! I've just started taking macro pictures, and this video comes in handy! Congratulations!
Marcelo Ontivero really glad it helps Marcelo
Really useful tips, thanks! Crisp and direct presentation too.
Glad you enjoyed it Peter.
Thank you 🙏🏻. Very informative and pictures are wow!!
Some of my best from the archive of over 30 years there. Thank you.
Another great video Simon. The more video’s I watch the more I am learning. I just need to get out more often and practice, practice, practice.
Absolutely Harold. It's fun to practice!
A wonderful vid and excellent tips. Thank you for sharing!
Many many thanks for watching
Lovely images and great tips. My top tip is to scrap composition rules for macro. Play about with space by including or removing background-fill the image, focus on just one part of the subject so that you get an abstract feel.
You’re right to do this as you gain experience. Rules can hold you back once you outgrow them.
Your videos are magnificent. So peaceful and inspiriting.
That's very kind of you Jack
Hi Simon, thank you for sharing your tips for macro photography in nature. Well done.
Glad it was helpful Kersten
Your video really spoke to me this evening. I'm retired and this summer I've been giving time and energy to a number of home projects I've been neglecting for several years. I live on the edge of Denver and the allure of the Rocky Mountains is a constant temptation. I've been frustrated about foregoing photo escapes because I'm committed to getting the chores and to-do lists finished. All that said, I do have a nice yard with a variety of foliage, and a natural greenway works through the neighborhood four blocks away, so I'm going to plan some creative quiet time for myself the next few weeks -- all near home. If I keep my focus I should feel free to give myself some long days in the high country when the aspens start turning in four weeks. Last, I only found you a week ago (T. Heaton mentioned you) and I have enjoyed and appreciated what I've seen. Cheers.
Your place sounds lovely Larry
Thanks for this video. I love to watch your channel. Great tips and tricks and very easy to watch relaxing video. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for watching Edwin and taking the time to leave a comment.
Enjoyed this as always! That first photo with the tripod was cool to see in operation!
Thanks Vaun Yes, I've spent many a happy outing with that tripod over the years.
What a marvellous relaxed video. I’m going out this afternoon with camera and tripod!
First out of the blocks eh Phil... Thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment.
Absolutely wonderful video...so full of interesting information. Like one of the previous viewers I find your videos so calming and influential. Thank you
Thank you Mike. I find it very intriguing that people say how calming the films are...it's not something I set out to do so it's nice to know.
Nice, I liked especially the mushroom shot being all variations of white. Very nicely conceived.
Thanks Dimitris for dropping by and commenting again so favourably. It's always good to see you here.
Another great video Simon, Your macro images are outstanding 👍
Thanks Chris, I do love a good close up!
Awesome video thank you Simon.
Glad you enjoyed it
Excellent video Simon, recently subscribed and enjoying all you submit. Thank you for your time and effort in providing us with such an informative channel .. looking forward to watching many more .. all the very best Ian
Thanks so much for the sub Ian
You are also very talented composing your videos. Nice job.
Thank you very much!
Great video, I took your advice last year & got a macro lens, its rarely off the camera, i love it. I never get bored of just taking shots in the garden
Even if I don't intend on using the macro on the day, I always fall back on mine.
New to your channel as of this morning. I am subscribed to many photography channels and yours is unique. Love it very much. I have seen about 5 of your videos already this morning while at work. Thank you
Ooops, don’t get sacked 👍 cheers
Wonderful video, fantastic images! I always enjoy watching your videos and learn from them all 😃
Many many thanks for watching Allison
Thank you Simon. Nice work
Thank you too!
Another enjoyable video with some useful and thoughtful tips
Many many thanks for watching
Awesome video👍👍👍. Straight to the point and great examples leading to the good path of inspiration. Thank you.
Thanks Keith, glad you enjoyed it!
Precious information. Thank you for your video. Your photos are the reflexion of your love, respect and admiration for nature. Very happy that I click to this video.
Wow, thank you. That's very kind
great video again Simon , and great tips an info ,thanks ,take care and stay safe, great images
Thanks for your continued support and you to Mick.
Thanks Simon, that was very informative and interesting. I particularly liked the Crocus image, but they were all beautiful.
Glad you enjoyed it Patty
Thank you Simon, your video is awesome and very useful! Best regards.
Glad it was helpful Julio
Great findings of nature's symmetry❤
I think so too!
A wonderful, inspiring video, many thanks
Glad you enjoyed it Dave.
Thank you for a lovely video... very inspiring...lots of ideas to work with...
Thank you
Simon: Wonderful images and some great ideas I intend to apply to my own macro shots as well. Thanks for the video
Glad it was helpful Hugh
Stunning Simon, just stunning. fantastic video and the images are top notch, thanks for sharing your techniques, I used to shoot a lot of flowers before I tried landscape, and I must say I am better at flowers than landscapes and I will be using some of your advice. Thanks again.
Thanks John. I always feel plants really satisfy my creative urges. Probably more so than a standard landscape.
Hi Simon, a fantastic video with great tips about macro photography! A great Sunday an stay safe, mate!
Thanks, you too Christian for watching. Look after yourself.
Brilliant and practicall video. Just bought a nifty 50 and looking forward to trying out the techniques. Thank you.
Lots of opportunities with very little travel needed.
Thanks. I stumbled across your channel thanks to Tom Heaton. Thanks forshowing how you can capture such great beauty with simple wild flowers. I’m going to keep my eyes a bit more open now. Truly inspiring.
Glad you enjoyed the video David and thank you.
Brilliant vlog Simon some great tips here even better that you shoot pentax aswell there isnt many of us around.
Enjoyable watch 👍🏻
Glad you enjoyed it
Again another superb informative video Simon, well done. If you want to learn many subjects on photography, watch this guy.
Really appreciate your comment Dave, thank you.
What a great morning's work Simon. Four images that really have a beautiful meditative, pastoral link, you are indeed my favourite bagpipe wrestler!
Good morning young fella. Thanks again for that. I'm a bit slow out of the starting blocks with my replies with this one. I think i'm a bit slow on all fronts when it comes to writing...but then you knew that anyway! :-)
Simon Booth Ahh you can call it slow out of the block if you like, I see it more as a civilised pace. Take care Mr.
Hello Simon
Very interessting video.
Thank you for your tips.
Enjoy every mornig you can go out :-). I did it yesterday with my boat.
Really appreciate your comment, thank you.
Lovely video. Your voice combined with the music is very soothing. Great tips have forwarded to our club members to view. Next year’s set subject is “Close ups including macro”. We have a year to practice. Will send you next year’s entries.
Glad it was helpful Laura and thank you for passing the information on. That was very kind. I never thought my Lancashire drone would one day be described as soothing...I'm amazed!
Really nice video. I learnt some tips today. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful Lenie.
This was so very helpful. I am just learning micro photography. I come from the sports photography genre but need to expand my body of work. Thanks for the tips.
Glad to be of help Chase. Good luck with your images.
Wow your pictures are just fantastic. I'm a student photographer and I'm making a portfolio I want to show how interesting insects, spiders and other arthropods can be. It's always the big animals who get the attention and I think they deserve a little bit more love. I think I'm definitely going to try to incorporate some of your tips this is just great!
Thanks for watching Benjamin. Glad you found it useful
Love this video! I have been trying to do more marco shots. Getting down on the ground though...don't think I could get up!! I'll work it out. Thanks so much for all the great videos. I have learned so much from you.
Don't worry about not getting up quickly Sharon. Have a nap and grab another opportunity.
@@SimonBoothPhotography Thank you Simon.
Love the video, awesome images and great tips. 👌
Many many thanks for watching
Good tips Simon, thanks for sharing.
Any time!
Nice video you have a really lovely place to walk and some great photos .
Really appreciate your comment, thank you.
Great video, I've only just got into macro photography and I'm sure they will come in handy. Subscribed!
Thank you so much for the subscription and for watching. The growth of the channel depends on you and every little helps, Simon
Hello Simon.
I am still busy catching up on your videos after discovering your channel. I found it very interesting that you were using your old Benbo, which incidentally is short for Bent Bolt, which the whole tripod hinges upon. It is based vaguely on a WW1 machine gun tripod design. Benbo did a Mk2 tripod which is actually the biggest one they manufactured, this extends to around 6ft without using the centre column. I have both the Mk1 and the Mk2 which I have owned for many decades and they are both still in use and nothing has ever gone wrong with them.
It's not often you see anyone on a TH-cam channel using one of these very versatile tripods so this was great to see
Hi Steve. How interesting, I had no idea that's where the name came from and it makes complete sense now! I knew about the Mk2 and the Trekker, which I also have along with a couple of Uniloc versions. These were all my go to tripods back in the day, often with flash guns and cameras mounted on them as a full high speed flash rig in the days before digital. I have to confess however, they've now gone back in the shed!