An introduction to extreme macro photography - Kind of!

In this video I'll introduce you to extreme macro photography - Kind of as its not as extreme as other photographers do.
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#macrophotography #review #stewartwood

[@nikkipedro]

Would love to see some more extreme macro please. We particularly want to see the set up und use of the 10x MOL. Thanks Stewart, this is a great channel.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you, I'll get around to sorting out a video.

[@philfyphil]

Excellent video Stewart, thank you! I'm also very glad you appear to have got over your depression issues. Everyone needs a great hobby, and some people just don't realize it until it's too late. Keep up the great work.

[@optunu8132]

Great videos! Keep up the good work! Because of you and a few youtubers (1-2 max)I got into liking the macro photography the most.

[@mickeyfinn439]

Just found your videos, and have subscribed... watched about 3 or 4 already. I like your approach and simple, straightforward setups! I have been interested in Macro for several decades, slowly purchasing equipment and accessories. I'm finally to the point where I have enough stuff and time to "get serious" and do something. I enjoy your content and will use some of your ideas in my hobby. Keep up the great work, and continue with the bloopers at the end! Love it!!!

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you Mickey, I'm sure the bloopers will continue :)

[@techprojm]

The best example and explanation of macro ive watched. I have been looking to get into this to pass time and help with depression, thanks for making this video. Really answered alot of questions I had.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you :)

[@ianw73iw]

Once again a cracking video. Love the fact it’s slow and understandable what you are doing. Same again with the extreme macro would be great. Thanks again, keep it going. Oh, pleased your car is fit again!

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you Ian :)

[@wasfiiwasfi]

This is really amazing !! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@karenmopani3974]

Hi Stewart, love your channel very interesting and intriguing. Thanks for going into such detail about the process and equipment. Love to see the stacking process and the other macro lens mentioned here . Thanks!

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you Karen

[@RobinGlaze]

Would also love to see the microscope objective at work. Great video!

[@GarnettLeary]

Nice video and definitely family first. This was a nice surprise. Love your work. Nice job

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you :)

[@robertwiley7744]

Moar! More extreme macro please, including the post!

[@petetheweet]

Sorry to hear about your depression Stewart, I went through it too. Loving your facebook channel and informative youtube vids mate, you should be proud!

[@NoLMAOnade]

Keep up the great work! Love your videos. 💜

[@chriss5675]

Thanks for taking the time to show us this. I'd like to see more and the microscope lens! Hope your luck improves this week.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I hope so :)

[@davidbee8648]

Really great video Stuart. I'm in to macro, but you have been teaching me so much. Keep up the great work. And yes, I would like to see more extreme macro and would like to see a video on post processing your stacked images. Thanks.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thanks David, I'll see what I can put together.

[@lmrk5705]

Another informative, enjoyable & amusing video Stewart. As a newbie I learn bucketloads from you. Thanks a bunch 👍👍👍

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you :)

[@BruceParmele]

Great video as usual. I'd love to see some 10x macro Stewart!

[@geekinthegarden3927]

Another great video - just binge watching loads of them at the moment. If you are getting the results then you are doing it right. You might not be doing it the same as someone else, or the easist way, or the most efficiant way, of even the"Technically Correct" way - but your results verify your method.

[@ashstubbings2603]

"A weird 70's Porno Vibe!" Have a lot of experience with 70's Porno's do we Stewart? LOL Ok. enough of that. On a lot more serious note, I also suffer from depression and have done, on and off (I tend to suffer bouts of it rather than being permanently depressed, thank goodness) for 20 years or more! Photography is also one of the things that has helped me tremendously!

[@StewartWoodArt]

I used to watch channel 4 here in the UK on a Friday night ;). As for depression I do still suffer from it but i now get over it quickly.

[@scottnoble1076]

Yes want to see micro macro please all your vids are great

[@4dan2]

Awesome!

[@youtzz]

Great vid!

[@ministryoflies1344]

Photography of any kind is a good way to manage depression, so I totally get where you're coming from. Thanks for the vid and ideas.

[@hidhiene7806]

I appreciate a lot the peaceful environment and music in the background

[@oldfilmguy9413]

Add my vote for a video or two with the microscope lens, and love the make-shift diffuser - my kind of shoot!

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you, I'm now looking at other materials to use for diffusion.

[@lkaufman719]

I can hardly wait for your physical backgrounds!

[@StewartWoodArt]

😀

[@Zeppy007]

Just downloaded your Backgrounds and love them all Stewart :-)

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you for your support :)

[@1solorainforest]

Fantastic video!!! i wish I could do that in the wild.. thanks for the share!

[@outanout]

Great video Stewart .. Good luck must be around the corner well done 👍

[@StewartWoodArt]

I have no idea, but things just keep getting worse :(

[@MarkAngelTrueman]

For once, KZbin has suggested a channel that i'm really interested in. Great video. I've done a lot of "standard" macro work but looking into doing some more extreme stuff and this has some good pointers. Looking forward to looking at the rest of your historical videos. I was looking at doing some stuff with microscope objectives so would be interested to see a video on that but for now i might stick to my sigma macro with some extension tubes and look into the wemacro rail and lighting set up you used here.

[@StewartWoodArt]

My god, KZbin worked for once :) welcome :)

[@paulm8157]

Great post, Stewart! Didn’t know they even made stepper motorized macro rails. Would love to see more vids of this ilk. My hunch is that this type of macro work would be much easier to do with the camera tethered (wireless or wired) to a PC so you could (say) enlarge the live view on the PC monitor, and control exposure values from the PC. Agree? Must be easier to apply makeup to dead specimens 😁. Would also like to see how you use the microscope lens - I recall my old analog Pentax had a microscope lens coupling adapter - hardly used it.

[@StewartWoodArt]

It is a bit easier to work tethered but its better for me to work like this when presenting to the camera.

[@erichpoole1396]

hi Stewart, sorry for your loss of Doris and Fidget. This was a really good piece of beginners instruction in extreme macro, more please. And yes, please do a video on processing these images together and definitely one on using of the 10x MOL. I am learning so much via your videos, i only wish i had more equipment and time to do more - keep them coming, cheers

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you Erich :)

[@Monique.1709]

Great video as always Steward. I can hardly wait for your physical backgrounds, I only have a black/white printer so I would love to buy them :)

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you, I'll try to get them finished lol

[@stevevickers2844]

Great video as usual Stewart. With Nikon cameras you can control the camera using auto focus with "Control my Nikon" software. I found this to be much easier and precise for focus stacking than using a focus rail. Also the distance of the camera from the subject does not change. Also I'd certainly buy the physical backgrounds...!

[@graham68ktm24]

Is that done on your PC and has Canon got something similar , it sounds like a great idea !

[@jefffiles9209]

5000 images! The look on your face was a picture, how many shots did you take/ need to stack? Love your work Stuart and so pleased it got you in a better place mentally. Yes always put family first, it's time you can't get back. Cheers matey.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thanks Jeff, the most I took was 162 images

[@jefffiles9209]

@@StewartWoodArt ha ha that kept you (well the computer) busy for a while then. Good luck with the next camera choice ££££

[@StewartWoodArt]

Oh it did lol

[@RainyClub90]

ഗുഡ് വീഡിയോ, നിങ്ങൾ മഹാനായ ഫോട്ടോഗ്രാഫർ ആണ്😍😍😍

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you.

[@WayneIrish]

There is always something to take away from your videos Stewart, I find. I feel i have learned a lot from watching your videos. I certainly know a lot more now since subscribing too your channel a few months ago.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you :)

[@jacktaylor6190]

Nice shoot Stewart! Life has a tendency of screwing things up! Would like to see how your process these images.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you Jack

[@uptown3636]

I know I’m about 3 years late to the video, but this was perfect timing for me. I just purchased the Laowa 2.5x-5x macro lens, which is my first lens which gets closer than 1:1. Thank you for making this demonstration video with gear that is practical and accessible. I may even need some nice background cards to accompany my new set-up.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you, I do think this video needs an update.

[@uptown3636]

@@StewartWoodArt I would very much enjoy that! I should have mentioned earlier that I spent all day shooting wild jumping spiders, and I’m editing best ones right now. It’s only 1:1, but it was my first day photographing them. They are so beautiful and they have personalities, I was shocked to observe.

[@StewartWoodArt]

They are great subjects and can get additive!

[@randylowden1902]

Hi Stewart! I always enjoy your videos. I bought the WeMacro rail a few months ago and I am loving it. I am able to use it with my Canon 5d4. You just have to order the proper shutter release cable with the rail (3C in that case). They actually sent me 2 cables! Please do more videos with the WeMarcro focus rail.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thanks Randy, I'm sure to do more.

[@erik6789]

I know I'm late...but I'm still sorry for your losses. I still ache for a mantis who passed away despite all my efforts, so I think I understand better than many people might. My DH didn't want me to keep pursuing tiny friends after that, because of how much it hurt me to lose her, but I told him, "They're worth it." And I mean that.

[@mdturnerinoz]

Extreme Macro is new to me, so I'd be interested in any videos on it you might upload.

[@moezkerrou6517]

this was cool !! thank you man

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thanks.

[@DadBodDrumming]

All good stuff as usual. I shoot tons of macro. All handheld and in the field. I never heard of that machine before but it would be a dream to use it. Outside with live bugs however it would be impossible.

[@leninchumbe2393]

Excelent video

[@DiscoverRajivVlogs]

22:50 hahahah like this part so much😂🤣😂.

[@StewartWoodArt]

lmao, it was funny but not at the time :)

[@tiagodemeneck2043]

Very nice!

[@StewartWoodArt]

Cheers :)

[@eevagirl]

Awwww I'm sorry about your spiders ❤️

[@fatbackpeanut]

Damn good job

[@nataliesmith8503]

Yes, please add some more extreme macro videos - am particularly interested in the microscope lens - looking to buy a set up but not 100% sure what would be the best value for money.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I've wasted a lot of money on extreme macro so I know where you are coming from. I'll see what I can out together.

[@nataliesmith8503]

@@StewartWoodArt That would be fantastic - I've emailed to WeMacro but haven't had any response which is a bit disappointing. I live in NZ so the cost of freight on the StackShot makes in too cost prohibitive. Was looking at a set up from WeMacro, but don't want to make a purchase and then find I've missed some part out and can't start without it. Frustrating. I don't know anyone who does this kind of photography so your channel is invaluable.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Everything I needed came in one package.

[@robertsoneil83]

Get yourself an eos r. Its a great camera an so are the rf lenses. Great video, thanks

[@StewartWoodArt]

Just got one thanks to my best friend :)

[@brianwangenheim]

Great video 👍🏼

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thanks

[@bethanyblakecaiden]

😍😍

[@josec.3088]

Would love to see the procedure including softwares, amazing video !!

[@StewartWoodArt]

I'm working on that one.

[@vincentspratling365]

I would like some physical backgrounds like you have, and also on the a ring .

[@ricomx29]

great video ;) , your LED system (13:13) looks really good, just curious, what brand it is? thanks

[@alnwill]

Well done, love your vlogs. I upgraded to the EOS R and just love it for landscape and macro. I only get down to normal 1:1 handheld macro (Sigma 105 2.8) of flowers & bees and get some stunning results, and the colour is fantastic.

[@mikelesley8510]

Enjoyed the video. Would love to see the 10x if you make it.

[@philiegolf48]

Full Fame all day !! defo

[@Brenda-xc7sq]

Well done again. I have seen some 10X images done by a member of the Macro Section in Ugly Hedgehogs Photographic Forum (American based) who places his subject in a ping pong ball for good diffusion. He lights it with 2 Ikea lamps with bendy arms and sometimes lines the back of the ping pong ball with black velvet or other materials for the background or he uses coloured paper behind the ball as you do. He cuts a hole for the lens and a slit underneath for the pin. He finds this works well, he previously used plastic cups before which also worked well but he prefers the ball. I thought you maybe interested. I look forward to your next video, you are very impressive in your careful explanations. All this is above my skill level but I am still interested to see the work of others.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you, I'll try the ball next time :)

[@Brenda-xc7sq]

@@StewartWoodArt I think he put the pin through the back of the ball not beneath as I said earlier.

[@drpriyam]

would be interesting to see 10x stuff.... please go for it

[@sanja812]

10x macro please! you ever did snowflake tutorial? winter is comming :)

[@StewartWoodArt]

It’s never snowed good enough for snowflake photography since.

[@LyleMead]

Would love to see a demo of an Objective lens and what adapter/options can be used to connect to an DSLR. What would be the minimum items needed to accomplish this and where can they be bought from?

[@StewartWoodArt]

Check out wemacro.com, they have everything you need.

[@GAZMAN3510]

Hi mate I’d definitely be interested in physical backgrounds as I don’t have a printer

[@RobJorg]

im actually going to do macro flower photography, im using a D850 that has auto focus shift.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Awesome :) let me know how you get on.

[@COMA69BAND]

10x would be very interesting, and even better if you hand hold 😂

[@StewartWoodArt]

Now was that a challenge?

[@COMA69BAND]

Maybe it was 🤔😁

[@TonyNeat]

Superb Stewart. I’m curious though, how many images did you actually take? I’m guessing it wasn’t the 5000 that you laughed at 🙂

[@StewartWoodArt]

One set was 58, another set was 102 and figets image was made from 162 images.

[@IanWilkinson]

As for your next camera, you wouldn't have a mirror lockup delay with mirrorless kit, so the EOS R might do - or perhaps a Sony (either full frame or APS-C) with a Metabones (or Sigma MC-11) adapter for your Canon EF lenses. Personally I use a Sony α7R + Metabones + Canon MP-E65 for all my greater than 1:1 insect macro work. By the way, if you are stacking it pays to use a larger aperture than f16 (because of the softening effect of diffraction, especially with a crop sensor) - f5.6 is a good compromise for sharper images with higher shutter speeds and/or lower ISO. Of course you would need a shorter step for stacking, because of the reduced depth of field, and therefore have to take more images but it's worth the extra effort.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thanks for the info Ian, I'll try that next time :)

[@Bassmunchkin1]

Hi Stewart, I'm literally just starting with macro and have a canon R6 MKII with an RF 24 to 105 L IS UCM and I have extension tubes coming tomorrow, but if I'm not happy I'll purchase the RF 100 f/2.8 macro lens. This is the first video I have watched on macro and have immediately subscribed and hit the like button, because your way of teaching is brilliant and I thank you millions for your time. I would also love to see more extreme macro, but appreciate everything that you do to help all of us. Just one question Stewart, we have a macro setting on our cameras. If we are using manual setup, I assume we don't use the macro mode or am I getting confused and if so, when do we use the macro mode, Many thanks

[@StewartWoodArt]

I always issue full manual on my camera.

[@frankfavale3872]

waiting for physical copies of the backgrounds. When will they be available?

[@garrybourke8813]

A quick question where do you get the small tripod that you're using to hold the Background Card , I've been searching the internet , and can't find any. Plus hi from Australia 🇦🇺, and PLEASE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. Cheers.🇦🇺

[@StewartWoodArt]

It's called a specimen holder, do a google search your bound to find it. The other ones I use are memo clip holders.

[@josephmanuelpachecopaco1971]

Hi, i have a powershot sx70hs could i adapt my camera for macro extreme fotography?

[@randalla.941]

I am very interested in buying the background cards as a physical product. I would definitely buy both sets that you offer .

[@StewartWoodArt]

Will have to wait a see if I can find a way to produce them cheap.

[@sergiovila727]

Me too

[@LongNguyen-uj9sl]

Thank you for video, how you get the spider?

[@user-rs4hp1yb2u]

You should try laowa 25mm 2.5-5x extream macro lens.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I will eventually.

[@DoronTshuva770]

are mirrorless better since then got less moving parts?

[@NigelPullen]

Hi Stewart. Do you have the physical background products for sale. I can still only see the digital download - cheers

[@jimshanks8352]

Did you get your rail from WeMacro and if so, where did it ship from and did you have to pay any duty/taxes? And how much was shipping?

[@StewartWoodArt]

I honestly cant remember about the tax but I did get it from wemacro.

[@alij0n3s]

What Macro Tubes do you recommend?

[@jimshanks8352]

I also believe you could get a shutter release cable here: www.ultramacro.co.uk/remote-controls--shutter-releases-8-c.asp

[@davidhefner5668]

Seriously....and I never gave it that much thought that...one canbecome attached to a spider when you get down to a 1:1 arachno-relationship. I always respect all life no matter how ugly. Not ugly...but rather freightenly. In the house...they go back outside to live where they belong.

[@welshman2081]

Hi Stewart A very interesting video, as you mentiond there is quite a lot of setting up, nice guide rail, I will stick to my Novoflex Castle-L focusing Rail, Best Quality very smooth gearing, As I am not into the moden world of smart phones, I will stick to what I own, Sorry to hear you have lost your Insects, like any animal etc you are very said when you loose one. Regards welshman2081

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you mate, hope all is well with you.

[@scottmurphy650]

I saw that the rail is about $300 on the Wemacro website. Does this also include the controller and all that is also required is to download the software?

[@StewartWoodArt]

Yes it does.

[@scottmurphy650]

@@StewartWoodArt Ok great, thanks!

[@TeresaTrimm]

That '70s porno vibe' comment made me grin!

[@TeresaTrimm]

Made me bust out laughing!!!

[@onQQuincy]

I remember hearing that Jumping Spiders don't have webs

[@CrowleysArt]

Hello, I have a question I was hoping you might be able to answer. I am looking into getting into Macro Photography, and I have had my eye on the Sony A7R4 with the 61 mega pixels and was wondering if this would be a good camera to use for macro work, because of the ability to crop in and retain really good details.

[@StewartWoodArt]

From what I have seen its a very good camera. Remember that with higher megapixels comes the need for a higher shutter speed to compensate for camera shake. Cropping in on that camera would be great!

[@CrowleysArt]

@@StewartWoodArt Thank you for your wisdom! I think I have decided that I will indeed pick up the R4 and put it threw the paces, and eventually get the A9 2 at a later date for faster subjects.

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Sorry about the spids buddy, the jumpers always make me sad when they go as they have such a character, keep your chin up after all that chaos 😔 .... great vid however 😉👍 5D Mk4 is my macro shooter now it’s superb 👌.... and you do it how you want buddy, depression is hideous and nature is my medication when I suffer and what better way than capturing with a camera ...

[@StewartWoodArt]

So true about depression and I'll march on as always.

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Top man 😎😉👍

[@janmartin4864]

Would love to see 10x lens

[@davidfullerton1822]

Hi Stewart were could I purchase a flash defuser for my MEke Macro flash set MK-MT2411,kind regards Davy.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I’m not sure to be honest, I’ve not used that flash.

[@davidfullerton1822]

@@StewartWoodArt Cheers Stewart.

[@paulwood6729]

For how long did your wife quiz you on your knowledge of 70's films??? Good vid, very curious to see how you mount the microscope lens.

[@StewartWoodArt]

No need to quiz me, grew up with channel 4 on a Friday night :)

[@jefffiles9209]

@@StewartWoodArt haha heard about the Red Shoe Diaries from a friend!

[@malmedia]

Have you considered the RP? If so, why not have that as one of your options?

[@StewartWoodArt]

It's not a choice as you loose dual-pixel auto-focus in 4K :(

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

Have you ever used the canon macro 5-1 lens?

[@StewartWoodArt]

I have at trade shows, very nice lens.

[@PratapO7O1]

can u show us how to color grade macro shots thank you

[@StewartWoodArt]

Will do :)

[@drtnrao57]

Add a drop of oil on the eyes ,it gives natural live look.

[@JC-XL]

Yeah, yeah, impale that spider! Steward the Impaler, exterminator of spiders 😂 Just kidding

[@ipadize]

i dont know how you can lay a spider on your desk and just look away for 5 minutes straight.

[@ipadize]

ooh i get it, they are dead already

[@SupremeDior]

ManMadeDesaster wow really 🙄

[@goddammitboi]

yes 10x or 20x if you can

[@janosnemeth917]

The subject was a dead/preparated spider?

[@Darth.Nihilist]

Although I love extreme macro, I hate the whole unnatural setting thing with dead animals and fake backgrounds, to me, you can just tell straight away it's all fake unfortunately, like my eyes just recognise straight away. I prefer taking pictures of live subjects and living backgrounds. Makes all the difference, even though its harder and takes more time and perseverance

[@StewartWoodArt]

You will properly like my macro adventures play list where I go outside to take macro shots of insects I find.

[@anthonysmith1616]

Hi what lens are you using on this canon

[@StewartWoodArt]

In this video I used the Irix 150mm f/2.8

[@anthonysmith1616]

@@StewartWoodArt thank you