I Thought Macro Photography Would be Easy

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Macro photography is something one can do if they're on the brink of losing their sanity. So they can lose it quicker.

[@Mauser196]

I would say macro photography is like everything: easy to start, very hard to master Everything looks interesting because of the different perspective, but to get a really go picture, thats looks nearly like you imagine it.... damn that can become difficult...

[@angusmcdonald1223]

dammit you. You are even in the photography videos

[@NickPage]

This might be the biggest tale tale sign of the impending apocalypse. Thomas Heaton recording videos in his kitchen.... The end is near

[@GodIsReal]

Nick Page 🤣

[@rbeaubien7868]

With his hooded dressing gown, perhaps Thomas is going through a Big Lebowski moment.

[@robertnelson3179]

I am surprised he got any shot at all and just walked away due to conditions not being right

[@nigelelliott4049]

the day you shave your beard off is the day I know the apocalypse is coming. The Page knows when to look fresh for meeting his maker!

[@euskadi55]

Hahaha

[@esgee3829]

Mum, the neighbour has lost his mind. What do you see dear? I've seen him come out to the yard, on his knees, for minutes at a time only to rise up with a single fallen leaf pulled right up to his face. He's done this like 6 or 7 times over the last 3 hours!!

[@anandhua.b4589]

i actually do that

[@mohammadbabar6979]

So kid, you watched him doing this for 3 hours ?

[@PhilJonesIII]

@@mohammadbabar6979 Sounds like a bright kid: Never turn your back on a crazy.

[@kevinbrown945]

Mohammad Babar nothing else to do...kid stuck in the house too 😂

[@_lizard_laura_]

I thought my neighbors must think I've lost it. I was bent down with my face inches from a plant on my balcony trying to get pics of my praying mantis for like 10 mins. 😄

[@psycovette]

You need glycerin for the water drops and a small needle

[@lindsaywebb1904]

Yep. You beat me to it

[@dodger2876]

Thanks for the tip. Will keep in mind.

[@paeden5431]

A man spent years trying to figure that out in the 90s. He gave up and wrote a song about Glycerin.

[@ScottWalton]

I was going to say the same thing. Old trick from the product studio days.

[@johnlocke7097]

You beat me too

[@ActualCounterfactual]

I really appreciate your honesty Thomas. It can be very tiring to look at KZbin videos where people always try to impress and present themselves in the best possible way. They often emphasize one success after another whilst "hiding" the truth that .... a lot of planning, time + energy AND failure goes into what they present. Well done for being so truthful here Thomas, it made this video 100% more interesting than if you had simply presented best shots and left out all the hard work and fails.

[@mauistevebear]

Ha! It has taken me literally years to understand and successfully shoot macro. Thanks for highlighting the process. Your setup is perfect, extension tubes are cheap! and the more you do it, the better it gets! You never cease to amaze me...btw, all you need is a thinner needle (micro syringe let a diabetic kind) to achieve the water drops.

[@CarolyneMacMillan]

For part 2 you could take your macro setup into your garden when it's still cool in the morning and shoot some little critters. They move slower when they're cold. Another fun thing is looking for micro landscapes. The patterns on rocks and things can look like tiny landscapes sometimes. It takes a little while but once you get your eye in you'll see them everywhere.

[@davekelly8168]

Lol, try handheld with insects at stupid o’clock in the summer..

[@simonriley7750]

those ants never seem to hold still for more than a nanosecond....

[@mrrcassidy]

Bees and wasps here. I'm allergic - which makes it more interesting,

[@billmcdonald4335]

Zebra Jumpers and Wolfies here. Took me a couple of summers before I got the hang of it with a speed light. I'm working on improving my natural light abilities. Little buggers are *fast!*

[@MBroam]

I routinely shoot visitors to my porch light, it can be challenging to get the focus right while holding the camera above my head to get a subject on the ceiling!

[@mohammadbabar6979]

Dinosaurs here. Ate me thrice.

[@saturnuria1217]

2:05 When an outdoorsy guy starts wearing an animal onesie and says he's "on the edge" you'd do well to heed that warning.

[@dianneandres3770]

I love macro photography, and yes it’s hard, but so much fun and gratifying when you finally capture that oh so sweet image. Loved your video!

[@billrisjr]

I love that you're using this time to learn something new. You never stop inspiring Thomas! Thanks for everything over the years

[@PhilJonesIII]

Thank you. I feel so much better after watching that. I've spent the last few days trying to do a timelapse of a small flower opening. Apart from having to know the exact time when they start opening, you also learn, that from bud to flower, they move a lot. The lighting has to be absolutely consistent throughout the timelapse while allowing for any change in exposure needed when the bright petals emerge. You get just one chance per day to get it right unless you want to try shooting them closing up. And the buds don't open at a constant rate. It seems that every variable possible is exercising its right to vary. And none of this gets mentioned in the memoirs of the Marquis de Sade. Still, your sufferings have encouraged me to continue.

[@grat2010]

You in the hooded dressing gown looks just like how I picture someone who spent 3 days in their kitchen learning macro. Great job. You're doing wely staying safe.

[@xenomg1]

Many years ago I was "trapped" at home for a very bad cold and after 4 days I needed to do something to avoid getting bored, so I bought as well some cheap exentions tubes to do the same. I setted up a frame to attach flashes, lights, coloured gels, also a drippling bag to shoot drops sequentially...it took days to have a decent good image then I moved to a sliced orange thinely, litterally puttend in front of my flash and started to shoot and this was very satisfying, at the end of my 10 days of "detention" I was able to "master" macro photography but, at that time spring came out and I prefered to walk in the nature as you know well how it is powerful. Thank you mister!

[@robsingfield9977]

You can never be bored with a macro lens. I bought a Sigma 105 prime macro and I don't think I'll ever tire of it, it can be challenging depending on the subject but it opens up so much creativity.

[@LeeHallphotography]

Fantastic video once again my friend. I am so glad you show how hard macro photography can be but at the same time you simplify it. P.s your background Lighting is the key. Bouncing the light off your backgrounds will help your pictures

[@robertblesse5108]

Well done, Tom! You're expanding your repertoire, I'm very impressed! Glad you are keeping busy during the lockdown. I'm sure you'll be raring to go once it ends. The biggest part of each of my days is taking out the trash and walking slowly back and forth to the bins in the warm sun. Stay safe and well. Bob

[@mmodeman37]

Love this video. I did the exact same thing, well sort of. I bought the extension tubes and jumped in. I am not a pro like you, just a newbie trying to learn something new. Set up in my garage next to a large window for natural light. Bought some cheap daisies and and use a spray bottle. I think the difference was my expectations were really low and so my pics were much better than I thought. Then I went searching for other subjects and thanks to Mr. Spider I was able to get a nice bumble bee and dragonfly that made for excellent subjects. But although I was not overthinking the composition of the shots I completely relate to the frustration. Nice pics btw, much better than mine.

[@spikearnott]

Well I've done macro photography for years but one thing that I have learnt from this is how to get rid of all my calendars I didn't sell last year! :D Great vid Thomas and definitely not easy!

[@justinvanmarle6039]

Haha! You and me alike. 😂 “Just going to do a bit of macro. How hard can this be?” Very is the answer. 😉

[@fab-mh7vz]

Nice video, as usual. I'm currently starting my third week stuck at home and your videos make things easier. Can't wait to watch the next one! Thank you, Thomas, thank you very very much!

[@MattAngiono]

I'm actually shooting a macro timelapse as we speak... It's a flower opening, and I've been improving on it for days, trying new things and then hoping they turn out as planned. Each time goes differently and there's always tweaks to be made and lighting to be played with... It's such a fun but often frustrating challenge! There's an infinitely deep world to explore right beneath us, should we choose to look! Great video, and I appreciate you giving it a try! More people need to experience this!

[@CarlConstantine]

Speaking as a Macro Photographer...You got some very nice results. I did like your feather shot and mix of colour and the last flower shot was gorgeous. Great job.

[@PaulHowcroft]

Keep going with macro it will be worth it in the end. A lot of patience is needed to get the best results but when you start getting them and finding you have learned a new skill you will never look back.

[@stevehubbard8459]

Y'know, Thomas, I've been meaning to try macro for ages, and your video reminded me and inspired me to have a go. I got some extension tubes online, and I've had a tremendous amount of fun in the last few days. Even the daisies in the lawn look fantastic at that scale! Thank you so much for your content, I always find it enjoyable.

[@waterman308]

you make something beautiful out of the most mundane things. well done sir. I used them to photograph an old pocket watch which I disassembled and placed on a black felt back ground. Very cool.

[@philipculbertson55]

The biggest problem with tubes is they lose a lot of light, probably two stops for the set you used. I will get you started as will +Filters, or even turning your lens around backwards but you will not regret getting a Tamron 90 True Macro lens. I now should a nice Nikor 105 Macro but the Tamron worked really well for the price. A lens will really get you moving and make it much more enjoyable, especially with insects and outdoor subjects.

[@morrisgentry8624]

I agree. I have the Tamron 90mm macro and love it!

[@alanbg2278]

So I have a set of extention tubes and haven't really used them. Time passes and I just got a Lensbaby Trio 28 a few days ago. I am so pleased with the images I get with that I now 'see differently'. Your vidoe gave me new inspiration. One step backwards : Two steps forward ! ( well, I know what I mean anyway ) Cheers !

[@gerryroncolato8895]

Thomas, you took the commonplace and made it exceptional. Well done!

[@glynparry6598]

Thank goodness we have blokes from the north of England. They are the salt of the earth. Thanks Tom I get my macro lens out this afternoon 😊

[@bmc81]

I have the extension tubes and they work great. Mine are 13, 21 and 31mm for my Canon. I have been working on macro for a few months now and I have found it is much easier to move my tripod then to disrupt my subject that took a long time to set up. Also water and oil mix works great for spraying and landing on the subject. As well as using a syringe instead of an eye dropper to put minute droplets on. Also try soap solution in water to spray

[@angellacanfora]

So this is what it's come to - I'm watching a frustrated, grown man in a bear costume try to drip a drop of water on a tiny flower. Repeatedly.

[@charlottemoon2886]

I feel your pain, I was the same when I first started in macro, I also use Glycerine, a 50/50 mix with water works well for me and yes get a syringe with a needle, the metal repels the water so you get nice droplets. Also get a memo crocodile clip these are great for keeping subjects still that aren't in water. Look forward to seeing more of these, stay safe and well!

[@brycethmcnabb]

Thanks Thomas, I literally woke up this morning thinking I was gonna go watch KZbin videos about macro extension tubes. And like you’re some kind of wizard you come out with a video convincing to get some.

[@victoriakirkup7957]

OMG there is nothing funnier than a landscape photographer stuck inside! You 4 are really keeping me entertained! Than you!!

[@Yannick_84]

if you want to go total insane try photographing the surface of soapbubbles, but if you get it the result is totaly stunning aswell

[@chriss2761]

Beautiful images Tom I tried Macro a while back and gave up its so hard, Good positive video that helps us all to take time out to watch our favourite landscape photographers that are keeping real and positive at this time 👍👍👍

[@dodger2876]

Made the same experience. It's really and your easily get frustrated. I tried to shoot a frozen water bubble last winter. Took me uncounted triies 3 days being outside in the cold. But finally succeeded. ;)

[@ItsaCampingThing]

Great idea Thomas. Especially in times like now. I used to have a set of extension tubes years ago. Tried inverting my tripod center column and photographing beads of water droplets on the grass. Not exactly rain drops but water from a water sprayer bottle. A good excuse to not cut the lawn quite so often also. Now just watching your video have decided to give it another shot :)

[@martinnightingale6033]

A reflector is best . Flash can overpower what you are shooting too . I'm in the same boat . 3 months at home . I was just getting into doing Landscape photography . Mainly been doing motorsport . Can't do that now far too worn out . Macro is great fun . Great vlog Thomas .

[@Mousyfox]

Hi Thomas, I bought a doubler for my Pentax from the AGE UK shop for £3 and discovered that with my 18-55mm kit lens attached to it I can do macro photos too. The step is to do focus stacking so that I can get all of the flower in focus. For that I bought a slide contraption thingy from Amazon for about £20. I've yet to do a set up like you've done in this video but you've added some ideas to my kitbag, so to speak. As an extra I'm going to be trying using some additives to the water, such as salt and detergent and anything else I can come up with from the kitchen cupboards. Thanks for this inspiring video. Stay safe, stay well, stay recording.

[@hjones451]

You have my sympathy and empathy regarding macro - it's a slow learning process, but very enjoyable.

[@Владимир-ь7ъ9ь]

Hi, Tom! I 've seen a lot of videos by different photographers, but this video of yours is so good at motivating action, looking for a result! I 'll start doing macro, too, from now on. The long quarantine, of course, has a negative psychological effect, but now I know how to move on. I 'm your new subscriber. Thank you! Health to you and your loved ones!

[@Innerlightuk]

Thomas your skill as a film maker shines through and looking forward to the next one.

[@maureenluciabooth]

Love your frankness and humility. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[@Stayhumblefootieguy]

This is so good watching you do something different and seeing how your managing with change and keeping us all inspired

[@stephenbarlow2493]

I have the greatest respect for landscape photographers because this seeing these compositions is not something I've ever been able to master. However, macro photography, my speciality is quite a different skill set to other forms of photography. Although it's good to see that Thomas has learned one of the most important lessons and that is often in macro photography you get serendipitous opportunities when something you are trying for doesn't work, but you get another opportunity you'd not thought of. This is what a lot of macro photography is about, and that is exploring these opportunities, which weren't what you had in mind.

[@davebenson1504]

One of your best lessons... lots of learning from mistakes, the best learning... with that dropper, you need the actual fine point syringe... looks like 3 incredible days of learning...

[@digi7878]

Thanks Thomas, great video and something we can all try at home. My efforts were with a second hand Nikon D3200 with just the kit lens. I started taking a dandelion but just too much yellow and settled with a small blue flower. I didn't manage to get a reflection but happy with the result. Would love to see another video of something else we can try at home.

[@ThisGuy2330]

This is fantastic! I've rekindled my interest in macro due to the lockdown. It's a fantastic way to pass the time if nothing else.

[@JeahnLaffitteAdventures]

This video arrived just in time! Picked up a macro and I’m SUPER excited to get going.

[@CookedLight]

Get a Tamron 90mm f2.5...quality is superb. Its what I moved to after learning with extension tubes. It has the Adaptall 2 mount so you can take it to most brands of camera.

[@shanefiddle]

Yes! The photography adventure continues! Our hero (tragic hero?) triumphs once again, after many interesting trials and tribulations. And along the way, we learn some new lessons :-) Thanks again Thomas!

[@raycarter4030]

The 100ml L series lens is amazing for this stuff, sharpness, clarity, bokeh, the whole malarkey.

[@justinwideman3471]

I have done lots of macro but dont have the 100, i rented it and went to the botanical gardens for texture, color, still life desert, rainforest plants. Most disappointing photo/rent-shoot day of my life. Great glass, but I was probably expecting it too do too much for me over finding creativity.

[@ersway]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching that and have just ordered some cheap as chips tubes from amazon now just got to sort out my wardrobe to get into character!😄

[@andrewsgray]

Ooh interesting! Now where did I put my extension tubes... I had a ring to reverse the nifty 50, could see the makeup of a fly's eye with it. Cool things to try in these times. Thanks for the light relief Tom 👍

[@glennhunt3725]

I just bought a set of Kenko extension tubes ($254) and they work great. Looking forward to trying them on different lens. I have heard cheap tubes can get stuck on the lens and this can be a disaster. Caveat Emptor during lock down. Going to a flower shop to get some exotic looking flowers. That should cover the next three daze.

[@nicolasbertin8552]

Also, if you want cool pictures, try dropping butter in a hot cup of water, tea or coffee, you can try dropping droplets of liquid soaps too. You can also try to make supercooled water in your freezer, and photograph the rapid progression of the ice when you bang the bottle.

[@mawavoy]

Thanks for the macro post! I know it is not your usual post. Your work is fantastic you know how nature produces light and how to capture it.

[@oregoncoastexploredoffical]

Genius. Its been raining for 2 weeks straight and quarantined. You gave me an idea and just did this project. Effing hard. my flower kept sinking lol.. but my final image came out really good actually. Wish i can send it to you. I used a 4x macro lense

[@M31glow]

Hi Thomas, add about two drops of liquid soap to your small bottle sprayer. It will reduce the hydrophobic behavior of the water droplets on flower petals ... actually anything. Great post

[@poutsomesagios]

So enjoyable seeing landscape and wildlife photographers trying macro for the first time!!

[@adershvarshnei5198]

Thomas in a dressing gown with ears, going mad to the sounds of acoustic music. This is quality content.

[@FKnoph]

Arguably your funniest video to this day! 😁 Keep up your efforts, and stay healthy!

[@Alister_Benn]

The end result was worth it. Great job :-) Yes, we're all stuck in right now, but thankfully we're all being responsible.

[@macronencer]

Yep. Most people think macro is easy until they try it! Giving up on that was actually one of the main things that led me to get outside and eventually start making time lapse sequences.

[@alangauld6079]

I started with extension tubes on my old film cameras and I always carry one in my backpack for close-ups. They weigh next to nothing and take up little room. One of the great bargains of photography and much easier to use than a reversing ring IMHO - you don't lose autofocus or normal aperture control for a start.

[@christinem4655]

Ha! Funny you should post this. Yesterday I cleaned out/straighten my photography gear shelves. I found a set of extension tubes collecting dust in the back. It's been years since I used them and I had honestly forgotten I had them.

[@seanglossop2990]

Been trying this this week...bought some tubes six months ago and never tried. I feel your pain. In the end though I have one image I may frame. It was a bit of luck granted but will persevere and see what else i can find to photograph. Good vlog Tom.

[@CincinnatusPublish]

I just got my first maco lens last week... Holy hell... This is so hard!!! However, when you get that good shot, it's beautiful!

[@dac9404]

Fun! Thanks for the idea. Not sure my dear wife would be so patient with me using the (her) kitchen. Stay healthy and happy everyone.

[@LukeOrwin]

Great video. Nice kitchen. Was picturing a macro competition between the other F4 group. Also Competition on who had the best dressing gown. Stay Safe

[@davidaylsworth8964]

Macro is as tough a method as there is in photography. Good on you for trying your hand at it. Nice work Thomas.

[@robstammers7149]

Yeh, I'm having the same 'lock down blues', I get my camera out, sit it on the desk, and find myself shooting ball point pens, the computer keyboard keys, half filled cups of tea, door handles, aaaaargh! What am I doing!!! Nice kitchen by the way, thanks again Tom, stay safe mate...

[@markjwilcox]

A great way to keep your photography going during the lockdown. Those tubes are available with electronic pass through for the lens - well worth looking at to keep auto focus if you want it.

[@rockyrails]

I spent my whole career shooting jewellery - the key is all in the equipment - I use Zeiss 100mm macro lense - Nikkor 120mm macro on Sinar specially modified for nIkon D850 and Phase one back when needed - for water try glycerine water mixture so the drops don’t explode on contact - love your landscapes BTW

[@oliveringold8146]

Ferd Mels glycerine instead of water is a genius trick! Saved me from many breakdowns in the past! 😂

[@ThatGamingGuyfromthe70s]

'The key is all in the equipment'. Now thats a quote for any aspiring photographer to live by. It should be on a t-shirt.

[@tallAldiProduction]

I kind of disagree with that. I can get the same pictures with my canon 100mm macro or my 24-105 with macro tubes attached. The 100mm just makes it a bit easier. And depending on the subject, when you start focus stacking I find the macro tubes even better because I can reduce my minimum focal distance much more. So for moving objects like living insects I go with the 100mm because it’s faster, but when I have the time to set up the shot I prefer my tubes.

[@jeffpotter7958]

About a year ago I decided to try macro photography for an advanced critique class I was taking at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) thinking it would be easy. About 3 weeks in my whole kit almost ended up tossed in the street. I found out like you did just how hard macro is. But to be honest with you, to take a compelling image in any genre is really hard.

[@themacrophotographer1697]

Good work there Thomas, a nice image at the end of it. An often similarly cheap way to get into macro would be a lens reversal ring which allows you to mount your lens backwards. That can give pretty good results too. Next job, get out in the garden and start chasing flies around. If you don't have dirty knees by the end of a good macro session outdoors then you haven't been trying hard enough.

[@klausphotobaer5754]

Hi Thomas, great work and I envy you for your dressing gown 😎 If you want some more inspiration on macro photography, I highly recommend the works of Marcel Chassot. He is one of those lesser known photographers, but nevertheless a brilliant one and a master in macro photography. You stay safe and healthy as I want to see more of your work in the near future !

[@darrenboyd6967]

I just dug out last Saturday an old macro zoom lens (not a true macro lens, but a close focusing zoom "not bad") I'd forgotten I had. So excellent timing on this video.

[@bryanince341]

I love shooting macro in nature. I feel like it's something that can be done anywhere. I've never attempted a setup like you did. and I can see why it frustrated you so. Try it outside in a natural setting and I think you'll enjoy it much more. Also for a little bit more, Kenko makes a great set of AF tubes for Canon. I used them a few years with my 70-200 and the combination gives a really nice swirly bokeh but maybe not the sharpest image. I mainly use the Canon 100mm macro now which is an absolutely amazing macro lens. the sharpness is insane

[@adrianmoysey]

Well done Tom, now there will be no extension tubes left on the shelves, as panic buying sets in 😂

[@catmonkey6826]

Reversing rings are great too, they're a few quid and even hand held you can have some fun with flash or great light. A focusing rail helps enormously but for a decent one your looking at a bit of an investment. Spices are good subjects, Star Anise, mixed peppercorns and so on. It's definitely helped my sanity this past few weeks!

[@prasanttripura3623]

Finally this quarantine gave us a review of your home

[@justinwideman3471]

I think he'd be a trick doing still life and product photos in that kitchen and room walls. He usually does big landscapes so went to the oposit extreme, but I think he'have more fun with more stock product photos in the middle and b-roll shooting in the house.

[@gregorsnell]

It's surprisingly very easy to pay attention to your Marco tips 🐻 Awesome indoor photo challenge. Next should be Macro Wildlife Photography.

[@twiztedzero1685]

I do that with my 100-400 Tamron lens, butterflies, dragonflies ... while I wait for birds and critters.

[@CraigStocksArts]

Cheap or expensive extension tubes won’t affect the image quality since there aren’t any optics tn them, they’re simply spacers. The optical performance of your lens is the same with or without the extensions, it just focuses closer. Also, the amount of extension needs to be less than the focal length of the lens or it won’t be able to focus.

[@servidorroque4954]

I totally enjoyed the video. I love macro photography and I understand the frustrations. But hey, aren’t we in quarantine? Plenty of time for practice!

[@davidakoubian3025]

Hang in there! Vegetable Glycerin is the trick to getting droplets to stay. I have a few small spray bottles and syringes I use to apply it.

[@jerzys192]

If you are talented and hard-working, it's easy 👍👏🏆

[@janlasalle8845]

How timely ! I was quite charmed by this video. I have mostly been shooting wildly active movement of dancers for the last four years. Now that is not happening I decided during this crisis to set up for macro and drag out an expensive tripod I rarely used and shoot a little. I do have Nikon 105 vr lens which I love and last year before I lost my studio I purchased a Nikon 850 camera...so perfect combo right!!!? I had some success but then when I saw some stunning images on KZbin I realized wow I have a lot to learn....this style is painstaking and zen like ...I have a bunch of subjects Im interested in . Today I spent about 3 hrs styling and setting up. I liked two or three images...but damn you are so right...this is not easy....but rewarding and Im going to give this still work a go before I get back to my peak action shots ...who knows when??Stay safe and thanks for this fun video which perked up my spirits!!!!

[@RalphHightower]

Yea! Nailed it! I got some glycerin to do close ups of beer cans and bottles. I don't know if glycerin would be less fickle than water for water droplets on flowers or not. Here in the States, lockdowns permit going out for exercise, although not in groups. I don't know what the situation is in the UK.

[@Tezorus]

Nice vid man, informative and cool content. You should try a simple bonette lens like the raynox dcr 150. That thing is cheap and way more manageable than an extension tube without cutting your sharpness. I've been using some for outside real macro photo and i personally think it's a better choice when it came to starting macro without investing tones of money. It's only my personal taste for cheap macro photo gear of course but i prefer it over extension tubes.

[@wilkbor]

Great job. I just bought a set of bellows and intend to do the same very soon.

[@PhilT993]

Thanks, Thomas. That was fun. Indoor sports time! Phil

[@neoneion1]

Funny, I have been working on my macro/abstract photography as well. I have some really cool results. It helps having an 8 year old daughter because I have stuff everywhere that I have no idea what it is. Most of my results if I admit are not my original idea but seems to be byproducts if not only trial and error but rewards of over compensation. One example of this is a tiny silver plastic bead necklace that she has was laying around so I grabbed it put it on a purple plastic plate she love to eat on from ikea, set the plate on a speed light and played with different lighting. When that didn't work I just kept adding more plates and additional diffusers and what I got was totally amazing abstract art that had an image not of the main subject but the shadows and lighting created what look like a persons head. Personally everyone uses insects and flowers but try using things around your house, yard or office. Magnification does amazing things to simple items. Also, last tidbit, when I am shooting landscapes or travel, I always shoot oddball things that can be used for abstract. Like in Rhodes Greece, I shot a steel sewer drain and I turned it into a cool industrial abstract photo.

[@Distinctly.Average]

I’ve been doing macro for years now, All mine is live creatures out in the wild. I’ve never done still life stuff but given the lockdown I am considering doing some, at least until more insects start appearing in the garden. Keep at it though, It is great fun. What could be interesting for your channel is to try some macro landscapes. Do a quick google and you will find people making moss, leaves etc look like massive vistas. I think that would be fun.

[@bluste63]

I think one of your most comical videos yet. Thank you.

[@ScotlandsMountains]

Nice use of the new all in one survival suit for your next wild camp 🏕😁👍 hope all is well Tom M

[@peterebel7899]

Thomas is doing the same things than I do in these days? Yes, macro can be done everywhere. Springtime is showing up, flowers in the garden. Playing with natural light, perspective, composition, ... Just do it. Especially in these days! BTW: Thank you especially for this absolutely non Thomas Heaton vid, or should I say for this Thomas Heaton style vid?

[@MDMiller60]

Well done Thomas. I loved the content and the humor. Just what we need. And, you image came out great. Chris is right about the glycerin.

[@alohaleslie9407]

LOL I really needed a good laugh today, Thomas. You provided it. Thanks!!!!! BTW After I viewed your vlog, I watched another by Stewart Wood, Macro Photographer...he used a small hypodermic needle to perfectly place the water drop. So cool!