7 Macro mistakes when starting in insect Macro photography and how to avoid them

[@keithguppy]

Check out this video where I photograph some bugs.....kzbin.info/www/bejne/l52xiZatp7F8eK8

[@ddsdss256]

Good advice, but I shoot primarily with Micro Four Thirds, as in addition to MFT's other advantages, DoF is effectively doubled (so f/11 is more like f/22). Also, minimum focusing distance is greatly reduced, so I can get "quasi-macro" 0.5X mag using my Leica 100-400 (800mm EFL) from as close as 1.3m/4.27', so larger insects fill the frame. My Oly/Zuiko 60mm (120mm EFL) Macro lens is tack-sharp with a min. focusing distance of 18.8mm/7.4". I also have an Olympus TG-5, which has a 12MP, 1/2.3" sensor, yielding up to 7X optical mag and it can focus down to touching the front lens element (if you can get that close)! It also has focus stacking and bracketing, plus an accessory ring light. Outstanding results. Also, I get great results using only natural light, especially with back-lighting (i love the refraction/iridescence of dragonfly wings, for example), so it depends on the situation. I know that artificial light can help, it's just not essential (and it can be a PITA to carry/use)! Another thing you didn't mention is tripod usage. I don't like carrying/using the things and rarely use them, but I got a Manfrotto BeFree GT XPRO for travel and macros, and it can enable shots that would be hard to get otherwise.

[@keithguppy]

Thanks for the comment. It’s fantastic to hear you have a setup that works well for you, sadly I do t have the mirrorless all singing all dancing focus stacking system on my camera, one day I’m sure I will lol, I’ll do a video on it when I do lol. Natural lighting is definitely a good thing, however this video was for starting macro photography, aimed at beginners , as I’m sure you probably know using a flash will definitely help when you first start photography

[@usernamemykel]

It's a mistake to shoot with the right light? Glad you told me - now I know to look for the wrong light, thanks!

[@keithguppy]

I need to reshoot this, I’ll be sure to take this into account when I do, thanks for commenting

[@usernamemykel]

@@keithguppy It would've been wrong for me not to do the right thing. Best2u!

[@keithguppy]

Absolutely, it’s good to learn from mistakes, and people pointing them out helps me grow as a creator 😀

[@acekat7009]

Thank you for the tips Keith!🙏

[@keithguppy]

Your most welcome, thank you for commenting 😁

[@lensmanonline]

Hi Keith hope you're well, as always great tips and photos. I've never done any macro photography, but strangely enough I have a 105mm macro prime lens that I us for portraits, but unfortunately I don't own a flashgun so I would have to use available light, I'll have to give it a try. Best wishes stay safe Jon.

[@keithguppy]

Hi Jon, hope you are both well l, thanks for the kind words. Don’t let the lack of light stop you, you can shoot in sunlight it just comes with a lot of work, like constantly changing settings for changing light conditions, and flashes you can have perfect conditions every time, you never know you may like it and invest in a flash 😀

[@BugBobsWildWorld]

Hi Keith, from sunny coastal Southern California. Good tips. Macro is just the best, isn't it?

[@keithguppy]

Hey Bob, wow Southern California awesome, welcome to the channel, I do love Macro photography, its fascinating to see the world form such a unique prospective.

[@Chris1878e]

What's your thoughts on zebra stripes and focusing peaking settings? Are they needed or not really

[@keithguppy]

Hi Chris, if you have an electronic viewfinder then yeah I think they would be a great aid, only having a DSLR I unfortunately don’t have that. Zebra stripes for insects to get the eyes in focus and focus peeking for mushrooms flowers etc to focus on the edges, you could use it in live view but then you would lose a point of contact for stability (obviously depends on your setup and what your shooting)

[@pragawa]

Thank you very much!!

[@keithguppy]

You are very welcome, thanks for commenting

[@robertfalcon6648]

Thanks for the video Keith very informative, do you use focus stacking or is that impractical with insects

[@keithguppy]

Hi Robert, thanks for the comment, you can most definitely focus stack, it takes a steady hand and a fast shutter and moving through the focus range, unless you have a very patient subject which lets you take your time, of course, Mirrorless cameras would probably be better for this as they can shoot insane amounts of images a second, I might do a video on this at some point.

[@robertfalcon6648]

@@keithguppy Apart from my Nikon DSLR I have an Olympus OMD 1 mk 3 & a macro lens. The Oly has focus stacking so I may give it a try on something staic first (fungi)

[@d.k.1394]

Great

[@keithguppy]

Thanks 😊

[@keith2599]

AWESOME... 😊❤

[@keithguppy]

Thanks 🤗

[@scottthefunk]

enjoyed the video, the poking the spider bit made me laugh almost offended the national spider society there mate.

[@keithguppy]

Thanks for the comment, yes I did think someone would pick up on that 😂 so I changed it quick. 🤣

[@ThepPixel]

Hi mate, you given the Raynox 250 a go? What are your thoughts? :)

[@keithguppy]

Hey, great question, I must do a review video soon, It's actually a great lens extension for the price, well worth the money. Not only can you get closer with the Macro lens with no quality loss, it also converts your standard lens into a macro, pop this little thing in your bag and your good to go without the weight of an extra lens.

[@walkabout16]

The eighth mistake is calling it macro, It's micro 😄

[@keithguppy]

Hey, thanks for your comment. Macro photography is under a 20x magnification, micro is over 20x as in seeing things under the microscope. I wish I did have a larger magnification though extreme macro is anything 2x and over what I shoot I believe, it definitely looks like something I’d like to have a go at.

[@d.k.1394]

It's macro

[@KevinNordstrom]

@walkabout16 the ninth mistake was you posting something without researching LMAO. It is MACRO

[@walkabout16]

@@KevinNordstrom The macrocosm is the world as a whole, with a microcosm being one small part, often mankind, taken as a model of it. Thus the universe may be regarded as a large living organism (see panpsychism). The idea was central to most Greek thought, and especially that of Pythagoras, Plato and subsequent Neoplatonism. In Leibniz the monads are microcosms of the world, since each in itself mirrors the entire universe.