Macro photography: Quick, easy tips for better outdoor shots (lighting and composition ideas)

In this week's video I show some of my top macro photography tips for getting quick and easy photos when you've not got a lot of time. Instead of complicated lighting setups, I show how I leave my tripod at home and shoot easily hand-held, using speedlights and adjusted settings to achieve bright, sharp images.
Follow me on Instagram: / batteryhq
#Macro #Photography #Tutorial

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Hands up who wants to get muddy in a forest with a camera this week!!

[@Bullseyearchery]

The small pink flower is called Herb Robert. Geranium family.

[@sarahbatsford4791]

An enjoyable video. Not done macro for a while so here goes, fab tips.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks for watching!

[@SomeonewithaSony]

This is where I have the most fun with macro - or used to. This is the way I started 12 years ago. Since that time you tend to develop and acquire more gear and get into other more complex macro photographic technics like “set-ups” and stacking and all of a sudden the fun is completely sucked out of it. I had much more fun 12 years ago wandering around with my Nikon D5000 and 90mm Tammy when compared to now where I spend more time stacking in the field or setting up extreme macro with objectives, and the like. Thanks for the reminder.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thank you so much for such a thoughtful comment, Leigh and I'm really glad this resonated with you. It's so easy to get bogged down with equipment and settings and stacking and lighting and before you know it every photo takes five minutes to take. Instead, keeping things quick seems to ignite my creativity!

[@moniquebracegirdle6836]

Hi Andrew, fab images. This is my type of Macro... 😊. As a late starter to photography, (I'm 60 and only been doing it for a couple of years), I'm not into focus stacking or heavy editing. I rarely use a tripod unless it's for long exposure or landscape... which isn't often. I personally prefer the softer images with the shallow depth of field. And I always seem to come home with muddy knees 😃.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks so much, Monique! I think that sounds great! There’s a lot of people who will tell you there is just one ‘correct’ way of doing macro images and that might be that it has to be focus stacked or using f/22 for better sharpness but the reality is that there’s no one way of doing things and whatever works for you in your own shots is the best way!

[@ricksattelysattely16]

Love your philosophy on gear access-how true-how many fleeting shots missed?

[@KatieCollins1]

I especially love the insect shots but even the simple ones are very evocative

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thank you!

[@loribeasley1956]

I've never thought about carrying a speedlight in the woodlands, brilliant tip!

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks Lori! It's definitely worth always having some kind of light with you in darker locations like that!

[@JasonPetorak]

I did not have a lot of extra time to go out into the forest, however, I did find a little bit of contrast in my own backyard. Using my Nikon D850 with Commander Remote and off camera SB700 mounted on a small tripod with a phone holder to position it, I was able to get a great shot of a dandylion even without a macro lens.

[@MrWorstNews]

McLovin with the incredible tips and tricks! What size lens are you using mate?

[@shaunosborne9579]

Another great video with some excellent tips, thanks i'll sure try and remember them.

[@colletteworley228]

Great video, some really handy tips. Thank you

[@howardshure4841]

Great video! Thank you so much. It's extremely helpful to people like me who are just starting their photography/macro photography journey. I was wondering what lens you are using in this video.

[@trevorfinnis9111]

Andrew hi really been enjoying you macro videos I have just bought a macro lens so really looking forward to trying it out .

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks Trevor, I really appreciate that! Best of luck with your macro lens!

[@lacayoj]

@andrew can you make a video on how you edit your shadows and greens? they look amazing.

[@rayzalaf8988]

I use a monopod all the time, camera on and resting on the shoulder like Dick Wittington off to London, it just gives a bit of extra support and it's ready to go.

[@VolcanoHeadProdution]

Love your work, your macro shots are so inspiring!! Makes me want to get out again and get some nice autumn vibes. Iv noticed youre around Edinburgh too, do you have any good recommendations for places to go for macro? Iv done most of my shots up in a wild flower field near Mayfield, but that’s quite the trek and the flowers are gone this time of year :((( Looking for forests or something perhaps ?

[@frankbolstad7339]

Amazing work!

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thank you, Frank, I really appreciate that!

[@iainmurray5716]

Excellent and informative.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thank you so much, Iain!

[@OllyHitchen]

Awesome vid mate. I too struggle with motivation to get a camera out of the rucksack, and like to take a flash with me. At present though I’ve not got a modifier, how do you find the magmod? Cheers, and really appreciate the video!

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks Olly! I think it’s quite easy to do and I’m trying to make sure my camera is more accessible as I really think it just helps that general creativity. The MagMods are great and very quick to use, although I also get great results with cheap collapsible speedlight soft boxes.

[@OllyHitchen]

@@AndrewLanxonPhotography cheers, nice one mate! Appreciate it, and keep up the great work!

[@peterc2248]

I too find the whole rucksack thing inhibiting. Looking at my Lightroom catalogue, I find many of my favourite pictures have been taken with my RX100 simply because it's pocketable and easy to use. I shall get my old 'messenger' style bag out of the cupboard! Cheers

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

It can be a real barrier can't it? I always find I shoot more when my camera is on a strap around my neck than zipped in a backpack. Though, maybe not all those photos are good and arguably I'd only get my camera out for the really good ones? There's definitely a lot to say for slowing down and choosing your shots carefully anyway and maybe that's something I should have talked about more here!

[@peterc2248]

@@AndrewLanxonPhotography As an older, fatter and less mobile gent, I find any extra weight literally a real pain so I tend to use my small camera more. Over this last Summer it was a common occurrence for me to get down to insect level but then fail to get up! :-)

[@tomforbes3284]

I usually have my Godox flash on TTL setting. What do you use?

[@romvac]

Can you post where to buy this diffuzer? Thanks.

[@andrejul9627]

Like it

[@miguelangel9066]

Hola Andrew, Hello, what type of light measurement do you usually use in macro, point, matrix or center-weighted ??? Thanks and greetings.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Hi Miguel! I don't really use light measurement as I shoot in full manual mode and adjust my settings accordingly as I shoot. Typically though I would use point (spot) metering in order to take a reading from the subject when I focus, then recompose and take my shot. Hope that helps!

[@miguelangel9066]

@@AndrewLanxonPhotography Ok, thank you very much, now I understand it in an easier way, I will test your indications. a cordial greeting.

[@neeternfallenflight3676]

I'm new at macro photography, hey would you suggest me best budget awesome lens for my a6400?? And does it allow me to have peaking feature of a6400?? Please need an advice. TIA

[@darrenoakley6680]

Great video Andrew can I ask messenger bag you was using

[@britishrose9417]

Extra tip for people like me - use a camera wrist strap... not saying I dropped my camera in a pile of wet leaves or anything...

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

As someone who has also dropped their camera into many wet things you have my absolute sympathies!

[@evandraeger1511]

What speed light do you use?

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Hi Evan, on this shot I was using the Canon 600 EX-RT flash. Other times I use the Godoy AD200.

[@laureenignarro8030]

Great video!! Thank you !!

[@robgerety]

Three leaves - poison ivy?

[@BlackOps-Ent]

Say what's this Marmot jacket you have on?

[@papichulo1691]

Me parecen muy buenos tus videos, pero ponle para traducir a otro idioma como al español

[@PhilJonesIII]

There are others! When starting out, I often miss shots because I have to get all my stuff out of the bag. I have to remind myself: That's what I'm here for. I always take a tripod but, the camera stays on it between shots. The tripod legs remain 'as is' until the next shot. That goes some way to reducing the effort. Nearly always short legs on the tripod and dirty knees for me anyway.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Hi Philip, thanks again for taking the time to comment on my videos, I so appreciate it! I'm glad I'm not the only one then who ends up missing shots out of, let's be honest, lazoness! I definitely need to remember often that the photography is why I'm out and that's why I like doing the quick shoots sometimes as there isn't the 'lovely day out' to distract me; it's ONLY about the photography so it's easier to focus

[@PhilJonesIII]

@@AndrewLanxonPhotography Lazy? Not a bit of it. It's just that the photographer's inspirational mojo hasn't kicked in yet. That's my excuse anyway.

[@brunopelvillain9700]

Sorry, I thought I read: Macron on the move.