Advanced Photography: Macro | Composition and Sharpness

[@DavidTothill]

I have really enjoyed this series. Ross Hoddinott, apart from being an expert in his field has excellent delivery making the experience a pleasure. I hope you can persuade him to do more.

[@WexPhotoVideo]

Thanks for the positive feedback. We're glad you enjoyed it. Plenty more to come in the future!

[@DWEccles]

Excellent series. Ross has a very relaxed style and gets the main points across in a very clear way. Good to see a master at work! David E (UK)

[@TheJimilagro]

There’s a thing called ethics. Do NOT alter the environment in any way. Accept what you are given in nature. If you want to alter something move to the studio and control things there.

Don't get a hair up your ass over clipping a few blades of grass. You're point of view is extremist.

[@thatspiderbyte]

100% agree, especially since stuff like grass can be edited out fairly easily (assuming it's not obscuring the subject)

[@bullseyecg3501]

why not??? i dont see why it would be a problem

[@kristianvrum8979]

Yep, I was ready with the downvote-button from the moment I spotted the pair of scissors in his hand :-D Seriously, stay home if you can't get the shots you want without altering the nature.

[@harrygilliland5675]

An excellent set of videos on macro photography the best I have seen so far straight to the point.

[@francisschweitzer8431]

Hello from the States. I just purchased a Nikon P900. I know it is a point n shoot but it has many options with just one lens which is what I want/ need. This is more of a hobby for me as I have always enjoyed creative photography as a viewer so now I want to try my hand ......errr ... eye in it. So.... I was bumping around here on the “Tube” and found you so I subscribed.... you have a great taste in composition.... it is what I like to see and your presentation is so smooth I’ll be watching this channel for sure .... so Good on Ya and thank you

[@janm2473]

Excellent, Ross. Thank you from Canada.

[@razaksyed2577]

Great tutorial and master of macro photography, thank you so much

[@henrygarciga]

Choosing a time slot when some insects are at rest is key. Most spiders are active at night so I have to be inspired at 3 or 5 am. Good point to bring up.

[@Michael-fw5ef]

This is the best macro tutorial I have ever watched. Bravo!!

[@cillyede]

A very nice and interesting video again! Thanks. Hello from Germany - Hubert

[@sidneyoneill6726]

Hi Ross am from Glasgow and your videos are really amazing thank you mate thanks.

[@timpriestley8997]

Fantastic information, thank you very much for the series

[@pauld7522]

great macro shooting tips.I''m going out in the field today and I'll be using this valuable information to create some memorable images.

[@adamaj74]

I find a tripod too clunky and slow for insect macro photography, usually. I set my lens to closest focus, turn it to manual, and focus by moving the camera back and forth. Takes some practice, but once you master it you get great results. It's also possible to focus stack images using this method along with continuous, fast frame rate by taking a burst of shots while moving forward. The first image below was taken using this method and is a focus stack of five images, shot handheld. That spider is tiny, about the size of my fingernail. I also use a custom bracket/flash setup. Sometimes I use two flashes, one to light the background, or I take separate exposures, one for the insect and another for the background. I'm happy with my results: c1.staticflickr.com/1/412/31337887374_911d5cde8a_h.jpg c1.staticflickr.com/1/436/31337720334_b39c018d85_k.jpg c2.staticflickr.com/6/5529/14451214304_cb2ea0b68f_b.jpg c2.staticflickr.com/6/5544/14452330985_b848fb1dc7_b.jpg

[@-NateTheGreat]

Great work! What lens do you use?

[@adamaj74]

Thanks Nate The Great! I use the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 macro lens.

[@adamaj74]

@@shelleytamara Thank you very much! I take a lot of images, lol. It's a pain sometimes, but when it comes together, it's worth it.

[@chakravarthysayani]

You should make a video yourself and help us get up to speed. I have the same lens on D750, still struggling to get a decent insect picture... I love spiders, they are relatively stable than dragon flies. I don't know how you shoot hand held with 2 lights, that's a lot of gear for a moving subject.

[@karlburchill2704]

I agree with you I've never used a tripod And get more photos handheld using manual focus.

[@yujinlandscapephotography.7787]

fantastic series, well done, Thank!

[@ttrons2]

Very inspirational. Thank you.

[@pastore0506]

I have never seen a butterfly sit so still for any length of time!

[@lclaudio46]

Excuse me, are that's butterflies trained before you take the picture? I never see another insect so patient..

[@1unisol1]

Luiz Soares Sunrise

[@cil7ea]

This is why he said to get up in the morning. Insects are largely inactive when it's cold. Some macro photographers that shoot insects in the studio, put their insects in the freezer to simulate the cold of the night - and thus make them more "patient"

[@ComradeMorlac]

they were possibly killed.... :/

[@boozewan]

I guess that early birds get the worm and butterflies.

[@tigersunruss]

Fantastic video! Thank you so much, I'm new and this was awesome information!

[@TomGrubbe]

Great advice and your photography is excellent!

[@koolkutz7]

Nice macro work Ross. I will get out with my tripod and go for it, thanks for the tips :-)

[@kennyrodgers9859]

Great video Ross. Very nicely done.

[@orcaspest]

Great video. Thank you for the tips!

[@chasingwaves11]

Excellent video !

[@online-tabletop]

Good stuff. Most video's give the same basic information. But this was really usefull.

[@cheg753]

Very useful video. Thank you

[@scottabergermd]

Absolutely terrific video!! You make me want to get up early and go shoot insects!! Can I ask if you would do a video on your macro lens? It appears to be a Nikon 200mm f/4? I am considering getting one, and would love to see your thoughts on it. Thanks and keep making these...they are excellent!

[@Brock_in_the_North]

Amazing images, so inspiring cant wait for my macro lens to arrive so i can get out and shoot. Macro opens up so many oportunities

[@praveshhingmang8142]

Awesome..very informative

[@fabioronchi2922]

fantastic series !!

[@MikeyColon]

This was great. Awesome job!

[@prime8inatlanta627]

One thing not mentioned is the lens size he is using. Can't say for sure, but due to the distance he is shooting from I suspect it must be ~ 180mm lens. I would have to be much closer for shots like that using my 100mm Canon lens. Jut something to consider if you want to get these types of close up macro shots without disturbing the insects!

[@jfphotography69]

I shoot hand held, no tripod, you just need to be extremely patient with insects and no sudden movements. And don't chase them around.

[@anthonyhazlewood5788]

Great photo's to aim for... Beautiful..

[@brigittegathercole-day9708]

Great video! I was just wondering what was the make of the LED light that Ross was using? Are they easily obtainable at all? Cheers Brigitte

[@TexKat45]

I did an Amazon (US) search and best I can come up with is Lume Cube and Lumimuse. Neither are inexpensive by my measure, but as photography equipment goes, I suppose they’re reasonable.

[@isbestlizard]

I love my M50 just tap the screen and it focuses! ;D

[@ebaytrader5983]

Good video.Insects don't have own body temperature regulation and at morning, especially at cool early morning they very slow.Anyway I use own method of macro,but still this is great video.

[@artofjcw8488]

Great video but all my shots are handheld . I never take a tripod on any macro shoots especially because it's so windy out where I live that I will have a stable camera and flowers blowing around too much to get focus . That and by the time I set the tripod up I would probably scare my subject away lol glad this works for you but I will be sticking to handheld shots 😎📸🐝

[@LiveDieTrolling]

NIce video man, awesome tips!

[@sarahmitchell4729]

Such an excellent series of videos I have learnt a lot.

[@andrespuiggros]

Great video, clearly done!

[@thanasisantonakoudis7353]

So much respect for nature!! Especially when you cut the grass leaves

[@mikeman20001]

What glue do you use ? As in my experience insect never seam to stay that still for very long.

[@bodkinsbestphotography]

And you clearly didn't get the joke...

[@KarinaGlamorous]

hahahaha mike xD

[@Jim1971a]

I think it was an early, cool morning , so the insects were not moving much.

[@steveg8322]

Absolutely lovely

[@v-tube2265]

Beautiful work

[@rafiqart]

Beauty 👍👍👍

[@agentx972]

A monopod would be a better option. In day time bugs won't stay like that, they will be very active and you should be able to move the camera very quickly.

[@guilhermelucas6937]

Great photos Ross! Can you talk about the lens you use for macro and the importance of them? If I can shoot with lens like 50mm or no..

[@billzidis2656]

You cannot shoot macro with 50mm because you will have to crop a lot and lose alot of quality.He is using 200mm macro lens,I'm using 100mm macro.In general macro lens is good to be more than 100mm so you don't get too close to the subject!

[@saradinduadhikary9903]

Excellent ,you which lens used for macro ?

[@mark1hancock]

Interesting how you mention the use of LED lights. Most people say stick with a flash the LED lights are not bright enough although you I guess are only adding a small amount of light and not relying upon it solely

[@dennisr.d.mascarenas3886]

What about using a monopod.. Just asking.. Greetings from Colorado USA. 🇺🇸😎

[@hansmclain6749]

Hi Ross, what are your thoughts on the Nikkor 60mm 2.8D macro?

[@williamcharlesworth4617]

What is the make of the tripod you are using. Any particulars would help. Low level is a start, anything else (make) would help.

[@YAHDIBINRUS24]

great video. subscribed

[@felini9]

Very interesting Tutorial

[@danielnestorio]

her a challange question. Great video by the way. Im trying to take pictures to all my fish, over 3000, I have a fish box where i can control background and light. fish are 1-4inches. fish move quiete a bit. what settings do you recommend... any tips?

[@Bussmicke2305]

Interesting, what led-lamp/light are you using? And the tripod, whitch one is it and the head (?) where you put the camera

[@elverdaderoevangeliodejesu8070]

awesome! how do you setup your camera to get all subject in focus. thanks

[@naeemalmalek3925]

What is this Lens ??

[@christineperronnet3661]

hi,very interesting video. can you tell me which led you need for butterfly: 3 or 6 or 9?

[@jadepicardo8523]

Loved your video, subscribed to your channel! Would you mind saying what focal length the lens was? And also where I can buy such a handy led light like the one you used?!

[@pingarana]

Jade Picardo looks to me like a 200mm f/4 micro nikkor

[@sanketnegi1]

How is your working distance so big. What lens is that..

[@21HowseR]

What kit did you use for these shots, in particular the tripod?

[@CraigMansfield]

wonderful

[@coldeb8911]

What is the the little hand held LED light device ?, do you sell those at WEX ?

[@MMS0686]

How do you magnify in with sony 90mm

[@lised.4975]

Would you be kind enough to let me know where you purchase the small LED light that you were using. thanks

[@chrismp2k7]

www.manfrotto.co.uk/led-light-lumimuse-3-led-black-multipurpose-function

[@igogee]

Very Nice video

[@ludwigvanosselaer4179]

do you use also led light when it's dark?

[@youngwolf0]

what kind of lens is that? When I try this my macro lens have a very narrow depth of field so I can only get really sharp images with focus stacking (which is difficult to do outside with insects...)

[@DHANUSHANKA]

great...but ehat isthe lens your using??? please.................let me know

[@ozerostrike]

its a 200mm f4 micro nikkor

[@lothara.wallenstein3299]

Hello, what kind of lenses do you use?

[@leicoconecocone3594]

what is the model of your tripod ? and the Head of it ? Thank you

[@GUTOMOFFICIAL]

What if you don't like insects?

[@PraveenKumar-fs6of]

Which lens you are using Bro ?

[@Jay-if9dr]

What tripod and head are you using?

[@Mrmodo-rc1is]

30/5000 what is the name of the lens you wear

[@608Joseph]

insects are too lazy. in here india butterflies dont stay in anywere more than 5 sec.

[@saikatbasu8098]

😂

[@unnikrishnanp9725]

True

[@unoengborg]

BTW, it's not grass you are removing clean up your pictures. It's some kind of Juncaceae

[@finsnapper]

Newgale?

[@darrylsmith3102]

Yup? Kids, it actually really works, and very well. That's EXACTLY what i did to shoot / film The House Fly for AMC's BREAKING BAD. HERE'S The Edited Raw footage that will show you just how close you can get to an object. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp_QmYx6arqUmqc

[@thomasmacgillavry701]

What tripod is that? :)

[@Vipuljadav-ql4vb]

Macro photography is very difficult

[@ricksameisen1945]

cutting grass to make a picture? no! If the situation isnt perfect u cant make it perfect!

[@fannofall2772]

Wish I had fields like that around me , all these farmers and there potatoe fields

Stop making excuses.

[@samanimeguy23]

Probably hard to find a quality and cheap tripod...

[@helbrassen4576]

Did you rub Vaseline on the lens before recording yourself walking around? i mean the photos are good and all but the video itself seem very... vaselinie...

[@GroinsNZ]

Lol - what!? Funny random comment about possible use of Vaseline 3 years ago... awesome :-)

[@johnnyswatts]

Please do not go into nature reserves and start "gardening". Have respect for your subject and its environment.

[@kirkuleetz]

I agree!

[@cicilovesdrones2974]

He cut a few blades of grass. Wow.

[@Veritatis.Cupitor]

Hahahahahhaha aahahahahah. Born in a city and never been outside before?

[@johnnyswatts]

Not really - I grew up in Florida and spent PLENTY of time in the outdoors. I'm just saying, don't go to a nature reserve and start destroying what you're there to document.

[@johnnyswatts]

And yet I've watched macro photographers in national parks tearing up the ground and undergrowth to get a photo. In my book, as a nature photographer if you're destroying the environment (even the microenvironment) for the sake of a photo, you're doing it wrong. Difference of degree, but not of kind.

[@neilgroves3592]

Why is he whispering?

[@neilgroves3592]

destroying a habitat just to get your photo's isn't a good thing...

[@Krupnoklipac]

Destroying or killing environment just to take a photo which u will later sell is disgusting !

[@mw0ellie]

I agree! Came here to learn, but need to click away because right from the start he is waving with scissors.

[@stevestinnett6777]

Get a life Kukuruz, clipping a couple of blades of grass is not going to destroy the Earth.

[@fcurcic]

oh no! he cut a few blades of grass!

[@doctorstrange9540]

@@SimonHaas are you vegan?

[@robinmaryon7868]

@@SimonHaas do you have a garden? do you cut your grass? do you weed it? do you prune your flower beds? do you cut your trees and bushes in your garden?

[@RoGameReview]

once I want to see a tutorial video when someone uses a decently afordable camera, all this guys have 3K $ CAMERAS!! -_-

[@jamespeirce2582]

Baciul Alex Follow the same techniques with a more affordable camera and you can still take excellent photographs. Used older model camera; used, adapted, or more basic macro lens, whatever. It’s all about developing the technique and older gear can still produce amazing content. Newer gear just incrementally improves on quality (e.g. sharper images and higher resolution) and convenience (features like a high-resolution live view).

@@jamespeirce2582 : SPOT ON!

[@Jesse0000]

this is a lazy photographer

Lets see your video on macro photography.

[@mcddetectrespect.7467]

A big no no in nature photography bringing a scissors to destroy part of a plant no matter how small just to get a photo. Having a scissors is not part of a photographers equipment.

[@garydietz8807]

Would you cut down a tree to get a better picture of a bird? Why cut the plants to get a better view of an insect? Take only pictures and leave no trace of you being there!

[@curvytalia]

shup up geez crazy tree hugger

[@KarinaGlamorous]

I don't like this video for 1 reason. What about the people that have older DSLR cameras that don't have the live view option. This video doesn't help them and also I think everything it's too slow not many people have the time to get up that early in the morning to take insect pictures. I want to see something more realistic that most people are going to realistically do.

[@muhammedibrahimpk6350]

Hi, which is the tripod you are using ?

[@shutterartphotography]

may i know that which lens do you using?

[@ozerostrike]

its a 200mm f4 micro nikkor