Capturing Hidden Worlds in Golden Gate Park

[@MichaelShainblum]

Should I buy a macro lens for future videos? Which one should I get? Let me know!

[@Valadhiel76]

Absolutely! I'm a big macro photography fan. I do macro photography primarily and love seeing how other people do it.

[@dvdragon]

@@Valadhiel76 Tokina 100mm 2.8. It is amazing for the price.

[@swmight]

I have a Tokina 100mm f2.8D AT-X pro. Don't know if its the "best" but I think is a fantastic lens. I'd definitely recommend it.

[@bryanince341]

I love my macro lens(canon 100mm L) but before I bought it, i used my 70-200 with a set of kenko AF extension tubes. while not as sharp as my macro, the 70-200/extension tube combo offered a lot more versatility and gave some really interesting bokeh that would change depending on what MM i was shooting at.

[@CAYENNEOREZ]

Another vote for the Tokina 100mm. Fabulous lens.

[@BasillicA2048]

I really like the way you are using video to tell stories of your photography trips and where your shots came from

[@Guitarslngr]

It is so enjoyable to listen to a cerebral photographer, explaining his thinking and not trolling for "likes." Your abstract sense of what is beautiful moves me. Keep shooting please...

[@robertoscipione8790]

You are one of the most talented photographers out there, each episode on your channel is a piece of art. Keep going with this amazing content, I love it so much! Greetings from Italy

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much Roberto, I really appreciate that!

[@gandaraleandro]

Yes Michael as Roberto said, you're one the most talent. You are doing an incredible work. Keep going. We loving your videos!! 😍💯🌈

[@matssandquist9258]

I love close up patterns. Not only in trees but rocks can also provide fantastic patterns.

[@TravisRhoads]

That tree was a gold mine! The textures were so intricate. I enjoyed the quiet walk through the woods. I was just out that way earlier this month.

[@paulkay8986]

There's a lot of beauty out there in the world Michael! Images that are just great for nourishing the soul...

[@j16m02]

Wonderful video Michael. The closeups starting at 10:20 just immediately said "Van Gogh" brush strokes. Beautiful

[@syedairsahashmi692]

What a beautiful frame you find at 5:33 the tree surrounded by the greenery, awesome love love love it

[@danielzellerphotography165]

Another inspiring video, Michael! The "topo map" image reminded me of an aerial view of being somewhere over the colorful landscape of Utah.

[@TrevorMcGrathPhotography]

A relaxing video on relaxing subject matter and a different twist on using the 70-200.

[@SubiTrekker]

My suggestion for a macro lens would be Nikon's 105/2.8. Sharpest lens I own, but it is a little on the heavy side. I think the tree trunk photo that does look like a topo map is certainly a keeper. Reminds me of those wood topo maps you see at art and craft shows.

[@MichaelShainblum]

I will check it out, thanks! :)

[@salvatoremannino4677]

Really enjoyed the abstract telephoto photos, in the last two I had the same feeling of watching some kind of aereal grounds or canyons, almost got lost through those patterns. I'm loving these vlogs, very relaxing to watch

[@syedairsahashmi692]

Exactly I can see it in the first place the owl awesome composition

[@danielmontano7266]

Yup! Owl and topo map! Even before you said it I was already thinking it for both.

[@robertthomas9043]

Might want to try a black & white of some of these abstracts. Very insightful and stretches my viewpoint.

[@tjcuneo]

Amazing what you can find close to home. Enjoyed seeing the tree bark textures as they are one of my favorite subjects to photograph.

[@pattymattes7124]

I love the textures and the colors. Thanks for sharing!

[@jordicasanovas5149]

Beautiful and peaceful shots Michael! Thanks for sharing

[@sherrioster7012]

I do so enjoy your work and appreciate you sharing your process. This video helped get me out of a slump and I got some great shots under the redwoods today. Thank you for that!

[@romainvoeller]

Great video Michael. The close-up/macros of the tree trunks are outstanding and gives me the inspiration I need to get out and start shooting in the woodlands. Love the "topo" shot.

[@MichaelBlanchette]

Great idea to get close to the landscape. Great shots, Michael.

[@alainbrunet1654]

The one with pastel colors (topo maps) make me think of a Van Gogh painting.

[@MichaelShainblum]

I could see that :) thanks for sharing your interpretation Alain!

[@SteveWhite24]

Nice work Michael. The ones around 10 minute mark spectacular. I did a similar thing with the various tree trunks at Wellington Botanical Gardens but their textures were patterned and fairly regular. Nothing as amazing and abstracted as these trunks.

[@achew317]

loved this video so much! im studying abroad at the moment but your videos have been the most enjoyable content as of late, bringing me back home

[@jaburchfield7194]

So pleasant and inspirational. I am more motivated to get out there and enjoy! Thanks!

[@altrujillo3566]

I think of your many videos this is one of my favorites. My thoughts are that environmental abstract photography is greatly undervalued by professional photographers. Landscape images may sell but abstract is just a whole lot of fun the play with.

[@philipculbertson55]

Some of those fallen tree shots looked to me like they would have been great monochrome images as well, particularly those with the smooth white tone goring through the darker toned rough texture shots.

[@JonStallings]

A topo. map was the first thing I saw. I think of the greatest joys of photography is the ability to play around and experiment

[@neilcole3406]

My favourite lens!

[@stevenlennie]

The pastel map style shot is wonderful

[@jacobmurphy3665]

The tree behind you at 7:40 with the slight twist to it looks like it could have some potential. Great vlog 👍🏻

[@gregs2466]

You have given me some ideas but I live in the desert so no tree trunks for me! However, I have plenty of things I can concentrate on patterns in my photos. Thanks for the ideas!

[@debbydhill]

Gorgeous! I saw different paths of life.

[@stephentopiaphoto]

That tree trunk really reminds me of The Shire. Nice abstracts throughout the video. Been doing the same lately since its "stick season" here in New England.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much!

[@studiomariog.sorani7601]

Hi, I have to admit this is one of my favorite videos of yours. Congratulations. I am a macro expert...I have 2 macro lenses...the Nikon 105mm and the Nikon 200mm. If you're staring into macro I would suggest the 105mm, because it is not that expensive as the 200mm.

[@JuPro100]

Thank you for the inspiring video. I really like your way of seeing things. Beauty is not only in wide, epic landscapes, but in the smallest details. The close-ups remind me of impressionist paintings, viewed up close. Nature is truly an artist!

[@futureexperience]

Nice intimate day of shooting. I had similar thoughts arise from the tree photos viewing: hobbit house door and the drone topography shots I’ve seen of Icelandic rivers. Very nice stuff indeed.

[@RedSnapper205]

Really inspiring work again, I am loving these last few videos of yours.

[@trout3212001]

I definitely saw the owl, but I also saw a Georgia O'Keefe image. The pastel colored pattern did evoke a topo map to me, even before you mentioned it.

[@smkunder1]

Great video, your walks inspire me to look at things a little different. Yes you would be great at macro!

[@shannonsnow8298]

I think you live in an incredibly beautiful part of our world! Trees, ocean, fog, city scapes and so much more! Love this!💕

[@starrwilson6818]

Your work is wonderful. Thank you.💜

[@wadekehler]

Loved the "topo" image.

[@sharonlee782]

Another great video Michael. Can’t wait to see what you do with a macro lens 😁

[@altrujillo3566]

Definitely, the 70-200 under your expert hands is doing a great job - nothing wrong with that particular lens. There are a number of lenses in the 90-100mm range but I would definitely suggest at least one with f/2.8, or greater (if those are available). I've owned a Canon 100/2.8 L and it was a remarkable lens but if I went out today to purchase a new one I would give a hard look at the Zeiss Milvus 2/100 M. Enjoyed this video!

[@juanitakelly3082]

I was thinking you don't need a macro lens as these are pretty amazing, but it would be fun to see what you can do with one! I recently made a tree bark collage that I had lots of fun with, but now I wish I had included a few more diagonal shots. I see faces in everything, even the vinyl on my floor, so I could go crazy on these! I saw many animal faces on the burls when going through the California Redwood forests. Loved this video!

[@alexnail]

That last textural image is awesome Michael. I also really loved your opening sequences, really beautiful!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much Alex!

[@StuddMuffin99]

What a great video! Calm, educational and inspiring. Recently discovered your channel and I really like your work!

[@NZScenery_co_nz]

got so excited to see you were using the 70-200mm F4 as I brought one last night (instead of the 2.8 I desperately wanted) looks like it really is a great performer going by the shots you have in this video :)

[@BabyG084]

This was so wonderful. I had never heard of focus stacking so I will definitely look into that more. And I will definitely look for some locations I can go to soon. Much love from Germany

[@annr3822]

I love Taking Photos and Going into your own Little World that is right here in front of us!! Some just appreciate it more then others

[@MichaelShainblum]

Agreed!

[@alexgimagery]

The Hobbit home pic is brilliant, at 5:03. I agree, there seems to be another image within the flat face of the chopped stump.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much! :)

[@alexlaouri]

Very nice cinematic intro and color grading as well. I like how you can achieve a whole set of various type of images with the telephoto lens.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks Alex, that intro was a blast to shoot :)

[@tobyjugg6202]

Thats really cool :) Tghis last week after watching an earlier vlog, ive just gone out "mooching" in a botanical garden - no hassle, no miles of uphill mountain trekking, just slow & chilled for hours - REALLY enjoyable so thank you for offering up this different perspective. BIG thumbs up :)

[@paulus0109]

The treeabstractphoto (pffff...) with the red colours is absolutely beautiful Michael. As i am starting with macro, i can’t wait to see you shooting with a macrolens. Thnx for the vlog.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much!

[@jimroehm3938]

THANKS for the great idea! 💡 Taking close-ups or macros of trees would be great for a series, or groupings! I also enjoyed the stump that was overcome with bones, and the final tree that you took abstract photos of. VERY good video!! 😎

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks Jim, really glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@carljarvinen1189]

Just goes to show you don’t have to go to exotic places to take great images. Definitely see the topo map, also love the mixture of colors. And thanks for the images in Golden Gate Park, loved to visit it when I lived in the Bay Area...

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Fantastic images Michael, I thought I was pretty good at tree bark images but you take it to a whole new level. Thanks for sharing

[@frank9595best]

Really excited for this, thinking of getting a 70-200 or 70-300 to add exactly this type of shots to my photography. Always very inspiring Michael, looking forward to the video

[@tonyhales-BigT]

Another awesome video. I have the same desire for the texture of trees. I live near some large forests (for the UK 🙂) and spend hours walking in them. Best wishes from Norfolk UK 🇬🇧

[@DarrenJSpoonley]

Those images at around 10 minutes are like aerial shots of lava man !! That scene at the end was sublime .. great work buddy

[@gabrielawe7622]

Looking for what you share with your coming Macro lens 😊

[@MrMB2652]

Macro lens is a good idea, I recently purchased a used Sigma 150mm after a few years without a proper macro, after having owned quite a few. I instantly found a re-connection, and am looking forward to using it. Go for it, it looks like you'll enjoy! I also saw the topo in the bark image. Maybe think of triptychs from shots like that, I found some good tree subjects last week but the cold weather meant I need to go back, probably today.👍 Cheers Marshall

[@MrMB2652]

A longer macro like the 150mm also helps with tripod positioning, background limiting, and good subject distance for wary critters.

[@MichaelShainblum]

@@MrMB2652 That's a good call to display some of those images as a triptych, I will play around with that. Thanks for the suggestions and thoughts :)

[@liamdoran2149]

70-200....might well be my favorite lens. Great vid!

[@georgecarpenter4126]

Good work - I own the Tamron 180mm Macro and find it pairs well with my Canon 5D Markiii. Continued best wishes and stay safe.

[@alohaleslie9407]

Michael, I love your FUN imagination that inspires your work. I, too, go off into my fantasy lands though my family thinks I'm a bit "weird." LOL However, that is exactly what provokes the photographer's inner wanderings. Thanks so much for a FUN vlog. :)

[@GlennVanderbeke]

Great results 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@annr3822]

I can't wait

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much!

[@eefvelthorst4127]

Very nice and inspiring vlog. Compliments.

[@andioberlaender2203]

So inspiring video, thank you! Last macro shot reminded me on a topo map of Mars 😀

[@Valadhiel76]

Dude! Every abstract image that you discussed in detail, you and I were on the same wavelength! I saw the owls, I saw the hobbit hole, and I saw the topographical map. Another thing I saw with the close up shot of the last tree was a "wooden river": the lighter wood was the river, and the dark wood was the land. I look forward to seeing what you come up with when you invest in a true macro lens. I'm a big fan of macro photography (and do that primarily myself).

[@clayguthrie]

I thought I saw an owl at first too. Nice attention to detail.

[@maswidkrisnanto4116]

Thanks for the great video that provide insight that to get lovely subjects and ideas we can also find it around us. I have a question why use F 16 instead of f8 or f11 ? is it for getting sharper image with f16?

[@frankf9233]

I kind of saw a prehistoric foot print in that one photo. Macro is a different world and I'm looking forward to your experiences with it! Thanks for the video

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks Frank!

[@amaitra]

Almost reminds one of your UT images (Hanksville?). Great as always!

[@gerryphilpott9766]

Great photos and gave me some new projects to try with my 70-200. I don't own a macro as saving money for other lens needs, but i did recently purchase some Meike macro extension rings. I haven't tried them yet but I understand they work best from about 24mm to 70-80mm. Much less than a macro lens and add almost zero weight. Have you tried anything like that, and if so, what did you think?

[@llchan]

Michael, in response to your question, the first thing that I saw was wax. And the I saw topo map.

[@huellasverdesguia]

Great content! Cheers from Spain!

[@robertbrown5052]

Some really nice stuff there Michael. Love those bark/tree trunk closeups. I find I’m using my 70-200 more and more - and for subjects that are right under my feet. The macro lens question is a tough one - I use a 50mm fixed (Canon) on some cheap extension tubes for now but keep thinking the same question : wouldn’t that 105 Sigma look really good in my bag? (Even better mounted on the camera!!). Happy shooting

[@slowlyrusting4044]

Definitely see a typo map. A couple of the other images reminded me of standing on the edge of the surf line just before the foam starts to "fall" back into the sea.

[@slowlyrusting4044]

Topo map NOT typo. I hate spellcheck 🤬

[@wimscheenen3535]

Yet another great video with gorgeous photos. It's hard to choose one favourite, I think I go with the second one in which you see the owl. Although for me it's more like an ancient forest spirit (like in GoT 😉). As to a macro lens, I don't know if it will benefit you from the type of images you showed here. For me the macro lens shines in compositions where there is more depth of field and you need nice bokeh out of focus.

[@bondhudey8065]

Wonderful video man!! I am a beginner travel photographer and I am looking to upgrade from my kit 18-55mm to another lens. At the moment I can only afford 70-300mm. Should I buy it or should I keeping saving??

[@erichstocker4173]

Every video you make in Golden Gate park makes me regret not going out there during the many times before the pandemic that I visited SF.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Its a place I took for granted quite a bit, until recently

[@matthiasrichter-foto-7]

Hello Michael, another very nice and creative video. Thanks. That give me motivation to take my camera and go outside. Greetings from Germany.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much!

[@taniadina32]

Lovely and relaxing voice.

[@hmuz8388]

Since it's Ramadan this month, I can't do much in terms of landscape photography (energy levels are pretty low haha). Thanks for the consistent quality content. And yes, I totally saw those owls!!!

[@williamdavidson1490]

Hey Michael at 10:30 in the video could you have dumped some bottled water you were carrying over the texture of the wood, have you done that before? Oh and I see the Surface of Mars in this photo btw.

[@tomoconnor7674]

Hi Michael, I loved both of the videos in GGP. I saw a lot of the same patterns you did. I was curious if you had someone else with you for your personal safety in the park? I hear of people being robbed of their gear in SF. I live in Concord and have been to SF to photograph, but only with other people along. I personally really liked the image just before your favorite, it made the portion of the tree look like a tree trunk leaning from right to left. Your videos and comments about what you are thinking about as you consider different compositions are really really great. Thanks, Tom

[@AvinashManthri]

Awesome video Michael! The topo map image looked to me like a cropped view of the Jupiter’s surface 😍

[@MichaelShainblum]

I love that take, thanks for sharing!

[@abscalia_liuteria-restauro]

Really nice and inspiring.

[@Countrycharm17]

This video was so inspiring, thank you Michael! 😊 The bark shot reminded me of a map of Sedona. I just got back from Arizona, so that makes sense. 😁 I purchased the canon 100mm macro ef many years ago to shoot product shots and fell in love with macro photography. The photos look like little magical worlds, with dreamy bokeh. Canon just released the 100mm macro RF. Pretty amazing.🤯

[@jackcapaldi]

I've just started landscape photography but I'm not sure what camera I should buy, and recommendations?

[@bryanince341]

beautiful textures, makes me want to break out my macro

[@Aditya-cw7rd]

waiting desperately ❣️

[@Aditya-cw7rd]

please make video on composition ❣️

[@aharshephotography]

Grand Canyon from high up in the sky is what I see in that photograph

[@shelleystoneman]

Looking forward to it! :)

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks Shelley, I really hope you enjoy the video!

[@bobrutan4735]

The Hobbit home is what I thought of as well prior to you saying it. Cool.....

[@orphanuprising]

Please buy a macro lens. I knew you'd hear the call of the tiny. Macro is insanely fun and weather conditions have almost no impact. It's a reliable genre that I always have to fall back on if there's nothing else to shoot.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

You see a hobbit home. I see Medusa. Cool photo either way!