Using off-camera flash for woodland macro photography (macro lighting tutorial)

In this week's macro photography tutorial I show how I use off-camera flash lighting to create dramatic, beautiful light in my macro images. I show the settings I use to control the ambient light as well as why it's important to have the flash off camera to create direction in your lighting.
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#macrophotography #lighting #tutorial

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Who else noticed that I didn't resize my lower thirds titles? Guess I'm not yet used to working in 4K!

[@susans527]

I appreciated seeing all the photos showing the differences between the different sources of light and the blended ones not just a final shot. Very educational. Thanks.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thank you for watching, Susan, I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@Toshkow7]

"pre see your shots" is something i would definitely use as English is not my primary language 😄

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

It's something I apparently use just because I'm not properly thinking about what I'm saying before I start saying it!

[@keithgarnham]

Never mind a change of clothes...get a small tarpaulin. One of the best accessories I ever bought as a macro photographer! I always find your videos interesting and informative by the way.

[@Johnmell100]

Keith, where did you get your tarpaulin?

[@peterc2248]

I delayed watching this for a few weeks as life got in the way. Another stonkingly informative and inspirational vid. Love it

[@tamarawilliams3699]

Yes, please!! More of these, please sir! This was a great video. Thanks, Andrew. Perfection, as usual!!

[@rosssayer6524]

Really appreciate you sharing your tips and tricks to improve your macro photography Andrew, whilst only new to this type of photography it’s becoming very interesting with bringing in your own lighting when required. Many thanks.

[@mk1photography61]

I loved off camera flash when doing portrait work so I will apply this knowledge to macro thanks!

[@BuildingCenter]

Great video. I recently upgraded my off-camera flash setup and will try these techniques with my backyard macro shots.

[@duncanmeechan5694]

Another very helpful video for us to learn a wee bit more about taking macro photos. The added light always helps when working so close and it was good to see the difference between flash lit and the normal ambient light. I look forward to seeing more of this, maybe even a wee bit more detailed, like larger subjects and more setttings 😁👍

[@MichelleCox]

Nice job. I like watching others go out shooting macro. I can often learn things just by seeing how others are doing it.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks Michelle, I appreciate that!

[@IamAW]

Thanks for adding all the shots at the end, I was gonna suggest it. So many pwople don't do it, but it's really nice to have.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

It's not something I do all the time but I definitely should. Thanks for watching!

[@simonbanfield6949]

Brilliant videos... passionate and deeply informative.

[@PaulChapmanUK]

I'm getting my first flash this Christams and I want to use it for plant macro photography (on and off camera). I would like to see howyou adjust your settings to get different results e.g including and excluding ambient light, etc.

[@samelogio7441]

Most enjoyable. I don't often bring my flash with me. You have inspired me to give it a try.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks Sam!

[@johnhutcheson9021]

Great video! I learn so much watching each of your videos. I would definitely like to see more and to learn more about your process, settings, and equipment. I always smile when your video pops up in my notifications. Keep up the good work and remember to bring an extra set of clothes…😊

[@vblakely]

You videos are very enjoyable and I learn sometime each time I watch them. I would interested in settings and the mini tripod with head used. Thank you and I look forward to the next one.

[@briansquibb999]

Thank you! I would love to 'pre-see' more of these types of videos.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Haha thanks Brian!

[@batdad514]

New subscriber. Really enjoy your videos. Like the variety. Keep up the great work.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thank you so much, it's a pleasure to have you along for the journey!

[@franmol01]

very good video on off camera flash. I'm now in mind to buy a remote trigger for this kind of macro work. I enjoy your videos a lot, many thanks.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks so much! I definitely recommend giving it a go if you've not tried it before.

[@johnlangford7788]

another good one

[@ricksattelysattely16]

Great stuff, as always

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thank you!

[@adrianroyle4425]

Having watched this video a few days ago I found myself using off camera flash again the next day. I've been doing insect macros for 20+years and occasionally fungi, but I generally leave the macro flashes on the lens for insects but do go off camera for fungi. Thank you for the reminder though, I definitely need to go off camera far more often. 😀

[@barrychidlow785]

Hi Andrew, really enjoying your macro stuff and learning from it. still class myself as a beginner so always like to learn more. Any help you can give on settings and lighting would be great. I am keen on fungi particularly and love the images you get. I am using my Canon R with 100 mm macro lens. Godaox TT685ii flash , also a small LED light sometimes. Thanks Barry

[@pathogan4854]

Great video Andrew ! I got a set of triggers from Godox to fire my flash Ive to manually set the power but 9times out of 10 its in my hand ! Im wondering what you are Pre seeing for next week 😁 ! great that you left it in ! its amazing what words our brains conjure up in those situations and your left wondering "is that a real word" Take care

[@marclabro]

super tuto. magmod used, answering my question on another post :-) which tripods are you using for camera close to the floor, ad200 pro cose to floor, camera with big tripod laying on floor slopes ?

[@BlueHasia]

I think an important thing you glanced over in this video is you said you drove two hours. it is so important to travel for photos also. it also makes me really aprecaite and slow down and stay much longer knowing i dont have a 15-30 min drive home.

[@Bautaen202]

I realize I must get my ass out and in to the forest with my macrolense. You are a true inspiration and your pictures are just beautiful and stunning. I particular like the mushroomspictures with flash lighting. Can I ask what tripod you have with you? It looks handy in size to bring a long ofr macro in the forest. And that you can turn the ballhead upside down. Keep up the good work and inspiring photography you do. Have a nice week :) Cheers from Bergen/Norway

[@juliacruttenden5907]

Would love another video on this especially going into Autumn

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks Julia, I'll definitely try to then!

[@micksmixxx]

Both your video AND the way you explain things certainly inspire people to try Macro Photography, Andrew. I'm extremely limited with what I can do, and I have to use my backyard to carry out my Macro Photography ... apart from things within my room. 😉

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks so much for such a kind comment!

[@micksmixxx]

@@AndrewLanxonPhotography You're more than welcome, sir. I haven't been able to get outside today as my health isn't what it should be, but you can bet that I WILL be getting outside very shortly. ;-)

[@em_m5989]

Yeah, I'd love to hear more specifics on the topic. My own forays into it almost always fail. Great video

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks! Where do you think you've gone wrong before? Maybe there are things I can specifically address!

[@em_m5989]

@@AndrewLanxonPhotography I feel like I don't really know how to combine flash with natural light? The logic behind it seems pretty straightforward, but with macro I usually get a less than satisfactory outcome. There are so many things to balance 😅

[@cluelessphotographer]

Thanks!

[@mariobaert8346]

I do a lot of macro but have never thought of off camera flash. My regular flash doesn't work anymore (battery leakage) and I'd be interested to know what flash model and trigger you use, as well as that interestingly shaped soft box(?) or other accessoires (mini tripods etc.) It seems to be quite handy the way you use them (legs :-) f.e.).

[@joetagg1961]

I’d love to see more flash macro videos. I have 2 questions. 1, what diffuser do u use n your flash? And 2, do you set your flash manually or is it set through your camera ( TTL flash) . Thanks for sharing. Hope to see more on this subject.

[@mariobaert8346]

Same questions here. I recently bought an Godox AD200Pro and matching trigger + a few accessoires. At first I was a bit overwhelmed but after a few tests I'll be OK with it. Now I just need to do some serious testing in the field. A bit confused at what the "zoom" on the trigger exactly does. Don't seem to see any difference. And how to adjust for more or less light, using the trigger or using the f values (which I mostly not prefer because of the bokeh in the background)... A lot to learn still!

[@Cezarygon]

Hi, how You set the flash power? Just set in low and add a bit if needed, or using TTL?

[@synthgardens]

Hey Andrew! Love your content. I am looking to start macro photography myself. What's your take on macro rail sliders? Do you use them? If so, under what circumstance and are they necessary to have? Thanks in advance!

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks, I appreciate that! Personally I've never used a rail slider and haven't really had much desire to do so. They require a slower more methodical way of working which for a lot of the faster-moving things I shoot it wouldn't necessarily be good for. But, like I say, I've never tried -- maybe I'd love them! Certainly I'd say they haven't been at all necessary for me!

[@warrengh5647]

Excellent thank you but would like to see how you blended the images.

[@frankprince-iles8123]

How would you focus-stack with off-camera flash from several directions? Is it possible or too complex? Thanks

[@GregJorgo]

Hi Andrew, can you share which mini tripod you’re using please mate?

[@philhunt1442]

How bright is your flash? Could I just use a 2000 lumen flashlight with a diffuser instead? Do you have a specific light warmth/tone in the flash or is the color all done in post processing? Sorry if these are really dumb questions, I'm new to photography

[@rachealcarpenter4903]

What lens are you using? I’m having trouble with having to move back and forth to get focus. I’m just using a lens in reverse.

[@groggu]

This was great! But I wonder about using a flash with lower shutter speeds. I this case is the flash just proving a fill light?

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks Greg! Yes, if you lower the shutter speed it will capture more of the ambient light so your flash will act more as a fill light adding in an extra touch of light alongside the natural ambience. It's always a balancing act between the light sources and it's great fun to experiment with!

[@wmbrennan]

Question, if you were to use a LED light instead flash how would it look different or would it look the same? Great video, gets the thought process going.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks Bill! Generally led light is less powerful so I wouldn't be able to overpower the ambient light in the same way and I'd have to rely on wider apertures or longer exposures to get Sharp images. Some people swear by led but I always prefer flash for my macro work.

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

I hope to go out and do more of this type of photography myself this season, so another video on it would be welcome if you’ve got the inspiration for it! I’m hoping to use off camera flash and also LED lights.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks Tim! I'm definitely keen to do more on this topic and I hope to put together a variety of guides soon. Thanks for watching!

[@mariobaert8346]

Hm, LED lights instead of flash could be interesting as well. Good point, you could see before you shoot what it does.

[@allanmcdougall]

Hello Andrew, thanks for the good videos. I miss the Trossachs! But Aotearoa is beautiful too. I have a canon r6 and a godox 200 light. I would like to know if I can use flash with automated focus bracketing in some way. Do you have a video which covers this? Allan McDougall

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Hi Allan, thanks for watching! As far as I'm aware it's currently not possible to use flash using built-in automated focus bracketing tools (as found on the EOS R5 etc). You can use your flash in burst mode and twist the focus barrel to create a quick stack (assuming your flash can keep up) but otherwise relying on constant LED light is the better option for focus bracketing as the light is there on your subject whatever mode your camera is on. Hope that helps!

[@iCanoe_]

“Sometimes you have to suffer to get the shot”. So true! Suffer now… or suffer at your desktop regretting the shot you did not get. Get the shot!

[@davidjarchibald1171]

@archibalddja I am interested in your small tripod. What kind is it.

[@dawnsamuels2561]

very nice was wondering what kind of off camera flash you are using?

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks Dawn. I'm using a Godox AD200.

[@johnwhite2155]

very nice. more of the same would be welcomed Thank You.

[@chrisbusby4395]

Alan what tripod are you using to get close to the ground ,my manfrotto pixi is too weak to hold my camera/ lens combo when angled down?

[@chrisbusby4395]

Andrew Landon Photography .sorry I meant Alan

[@chrisbusby4395]

Andrew rather:)

[@altrujillo3566]

Informative video - thank you! New subscriber here....looking for an idea on best flash for this type of work? Wonder if you can help.

[@mikehughes6366]

What time of year was this?

[@kevins8575]

I really don't like to get wet, so I bring a yoga mat to lie or kneel on. It's easier on my aging body, too.

[@loganbeach1235]

What is the flash you are using?

[@cluelessphotographer]

I always just leave a change of clothes along with jackets in the car. :) Andrew, 1.Can you link the diffuser on your flash? 2.Are you using a "Smallrig"? Thanks Clueless

[@besweeeet2]

"Pre-see" 😂

[@rocky7de]

Was für ein Blitz ist das?

[@dontgetmadgetwise4271]

I have no objection to physically removing dry grass leaves from a scene. Nature is not mystical nor emotional and no one will miss it. Indeed your compost may be more beneficial to the big picture. Who knows?