Methods in Macro Photography with Thomas Shahan

[@jonneville2287]

99.9% of people never see these creatures at the macro level, and therefore never appreciate what beauty they possess. Excellent work.

[@timotheusmiller]

"Life on earth is really beautiful, and it really deserves a closer look." True!

[@RohiniJainDoshi]

Amazing words !!

[@hossain-in-motion]

Exactly what I was going to write. I'm inspired and going to act on it.

[@alinatekumara8541]

Man, your voice! I've never heard anything as soothing. I often Listen to one of your Videos going to bed and i Fall asleep immediately. Thats fairytail telling for adults. Love it. But also your Videos and what you say about the insects and sharing your experience. Thank you so much for everything but mostly for replacing my sleeping pills 😉

[@roybarnes-thewildlifeman1855]

I am a wildlife, macro photographer and have been for several years now, but your video is absolutely inspirational and one thing I have to say is that your voice is truly beautiful. It is calming it is magical. It is full of love and energy for what you do. I find your video very very, very wonderful.

[@markharris5771]

I’ve no idea how many times I watched your videos, and I’m not sure which ones I’ve already commented on, but I never tire of them. Your philosophies are perfectly without compromise, your photography is amazing and your narration is informative, passionate and reassuring for those not as expert as yourself. Thank you.

[@seansiquig]

what a beautiful video. this is a thank you, from almost a decade in the future.

[@pierreanquet]

This video is my holy bible, when I get boring in photography, I just watch it again and it gave me the inspiration to shoot! Thank you Thomas, you really changed my perception of macro and you're probably the most important person in m'y photographer's life!

[@DrDerpington]

So i clicked on this video just expecting a few pointers and was not ready for the beautiful photos of life, literally had me in tears!

[@christopherstevenson9737]

Thanks Thomas for your comments and reflection that it is not us humans in terms of importance. As a working naturalist and biologist I greatly appreciate anyone who points out the truth about our ecology and mother nature. Who is really in control anyway? Who dictates when we will survive? And awesome tips and advice on macro photog to boot!! Cheers - Christo

[@adtfor]

Finally, a macro reviewer with actual photos...

[@UndaCuvaChikin]

I've had a secret yearning to learn how to do this and I'm finally pulling the trigger on it. Fantastic lesson and superb material! Thank you very much!

[@naturemha]

everytime I watch this, the ending gives such an optimism on our world and nature. You are an inspiration Thomas.

[@AubreyAndRoger]

Thomas!

[@thestalicho]

That is the most sense I have heard on the subject of macro photography and macro kit, thank you

[@Peacockspiderman]

Nice video Thomas, thoroughly enjoyed it and hopefully it will inspire a lot of people to go out and explore their environment with a new set of eyes

[@shartmeyer]

Outstanding shots, great lesson.

[@aleeburitz7310]

" Peacockspiderman" Yaeee!

[@aleeburitz7310]

I seriously love these spider's.There like a little gem.

[@aleeburitz7310]

Hi Peacockspiderman how are you? Hope all is well. I'm thinking of getting a tattoo of the spider what do you think?

[@aleeburitz7310]

Yaeeee!

[@primefotoNL]

Hi Thomas, once again a simple en clear explanation for the beginners. Your first one gave me the ideas i needed to get going. These days i am working ina museum photographing insects for the archive. I love your work like many others. Best regards, André from the Netherlands.

[@REDNBLUEBROS1337]

This guy is calming as fuck

[@Thena_the_Grey]

It's like the Bob Ross of photography

[@Unumpendium]

All of my photos are through my phone only, I regret not having a camera, yet totally, the beauty of nature is beyond the possibilities of your eyes. Great video, indeed inspiring.

[@CarlosRojas-oy7pm]

Fantastic, you're my macro photo hero!

[@MicaelWidell]

Yes, this video was one of my main inspirations for buying my first macro lens. It also inspired my new KZbin channel where I show a high magnification setup that you can build cheaply yourself.

[@aliramirezruiz3481]

@@MicaelWidell I like your videos. I'm gonna get a 28mm lens to use with an inverter ring for macro shots.

[@diyalalwani780]

W

[@pamalkabodikotuwa5482]

Wow. Such an inspiration. I usually never comment on any of the utube videos. I could be so selfish. But, this video changed me. As a beginner trying to explore macro photography this video taught me it's not about the "GEAR" I was hunting for but, It's the Micro environment that it's all about. Thank you again. Keep inspiring

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Thomas, really extraordinary images and love your philosophy regarding how important the subject is, in spite of how we get there. If we could only inspire our youth and others, to really appreciate what's underfoot and right at hand, we would be much improved. I'm also impressed by your knowledge... glad you're out there and sharing.

[@davidcesarino]

So relaxing... and many nice tips and truths. From the closer look to give up on the rush to worry about the fanciest setup and so on. 💯

[@helmutlive]

One of the best macro photography I have seen.

[@matthewalexander8752]

Thomas- I’ve created a ‘new’ playlist on my KZbin app., titled “Macro Genius” …..Your work is outstanding!

[@g0fvt]

Absolutely stunning macro work!

[@Henningway1990]

What an inspiring video! Thank you so much Thomas! I just bought a Canon 100mm Macro lens and now find myself sitting at the window and watch out for the postman to bring take it to my house! :)

[@danielletracyann]

I loved this video! Your love of nature comes across in the way you speak about these little insects :) this brightened my day. Thank you

[@PhotographerBrianScantlebury]

Thomas, been taking a look at your work off and on over last few years. Am always amazed and say thanks for your recent video. inspirational. CheersBrian

[@TheSalvoboy]

I really loved the way you put it up!! Pictures are beautiful Thomas.

[@sahnistudioshahkot4624]

nice

[@dougmapper3306]

I have a nice Phidippus Audax who lives in my mud room. We've nicknamed her "Phid" and she does a nice job of eating whatever comes in the door when people go in and out. She hangs out on the ceiling or upper walls and just waits. Any speck of a bug in her field of view is instantly investigated. She'll hook a web line and leap like 4 or 5 inches to tackle it. It's awesome to watch.

[@jackwednesday]

Humble and awesome guy. His photographs are beautiful and his attitude is sound. So lovely to watch this after just watching 10 seconds (all I could stand) of a video where some prick kills the insects so he can photograph them. Lovely to see a photographer who really loves and values the animals. They are the stars, as Thomas rightfully points out. Excellent video, subscribed : )

[@user-bh3ew6ii4g]

Well said, I agree!

[@deenugent473]

I agree!

[@iwonder538]

There is no more left for us to do - you have done it and all we can do is to imitate - amazing job of yours, wow !!

[@Tingeltangelbob10]

I'm more than impressed. That was amazing!

[@kungula]

what a nice video ! What I like most is that you use just a simple eqipment and you get a stunning result ! Congratulations !

[@sreihart]

Never thought of spiders as beautiful, but you've shown me just how amazing they are. Now to deal with that arachnophobia problem that I have ; )

[@PuisiCurhatan]

I am deeply impressed by the photos; they broaden my understanding of how vast these worlds are, allowing me to see things that were never visible or even thought of before.

[@PianoNick]

Just run into your great instructive video, thanks for the tips. What a relief to finally see and hear a normal person talking and explaining without yelling or screaming or wearing stupid or silly hats/caps! 😊

[@danielzee]

Incredible photos, thanks for the tips. Never would have thought of using a paper towel.

[@skymedic48]

Wow, this was beautiful. What a uniquely passionate form of photography. So glad I watched all of it well done! +1 sub.

[@jcphenix1]

When Technique disappears, vanishes, behind a perfect result, it's just Art. Un grand respect et une grande admiration pour votre approche de la Vie.

[@emmaalmendarezphotography5127]

Lovely video and spectacular pictures! Thanks for sharing.

[@briancanning4741]

Love your narration style and your insight...very thoughtful!

[@maughtner]

this is the most relaxing thing Ive watched in ages :)

[@TheTrulyvision]

Big fan of your work Thomas. Thanks for sharing!

[@pierrzmalaka]

I'm never gonna squish a spider again!!

[@janm2473]

My mom taught all of us kids to never kill spiders...they're so beneficial. She'd wrap them in a tea towel and shake them outside in our huge garden. Even in winter, she'd carefully wrap them and out they'd go....I still do that today.

[@wikkidprawn]

Hi Jann - I used to do the same until I found out that this can kill house spiders (big ones in winter) now I just let them do their thing and we generally stay out of each others way )

[@drubber007]

Shame on you for ever doing so in the first place!

[@TheCptncrunchify]

I'm never gonna squish a Dr. again!!

[@cubingwithcarl4572]

Jann Smith Some spiders can only survive inside in the winter so if you let them out you’re also killing them

[@beaumaisel9377]

Ive been in Costa Rica for 12 years. We have bugs galore! Great inspirational video. Going to try the flash rig. Well done. Cant believe anyone gave it a thumbs down, probably bug haters.

[@nicodimus2222]

How on earth do you get so close (55mm lens) without scaring the subject away? Jumping spiders have great vision, so they always see me coming.

[@hannesweigel]

A beard helps

[@Andrius-K]

probably spiders recognize him :)

[@ibizenco]

I have heard that throwing them a fly first helps a lot.

[@DubMass11]

He’s a spider whisperer.

[@janmaaso]

I am impressed! These photos and the tips you share are amazing. Thank you so much. Jan.

[@skakdosmer]

Great video! Thanks. I'm pretty sure the fear of spiders is not culture bred, though. At least not in it's origin. I think it is a very basic instinct probably much older than mankind itself. Personally I was never afraid of spiders, but if one comes into my peripheral view, in a split second my head turns and my eyes focus on the spider before I've even had time to think of it. I think our very distant ancestors, that were much smaller than modern man, had even better reasons to be aware of any such creatures around them, as some of them are quite venomous. But of course culture may well have enhanced the fear far beyond reason.

[@indiahawkins4559]

You truly are a beautiful soul. I share your love for insects, especially spiders. I want to become a macro photographer, and your work inspires me so much.

[@eddardyang197]

you are so impressive! i have never imagined that we can use 50mm as so by the way,which one do you use m50 1.4 or k50 1.4?

[@tommitytom]

You're a legend man! Love your shots!

[@Ge1ert]

Hi Thomas. I too was hooked by your jumping spiders video. This one is excellent yet again. I know you say equipment isn't the critical factor, but can you tell us what lens/tube set up you used for the very high magnification shots, such as the beautiful closeups on the arthropod eyes please - even with reflections - wow ! ? I already use Kenko tubes and an old 50mm prime reversed, but I don't get the magnification that you do. Far from it. I'm an environmental biologist, so this really does fascinate me. Thanks Thomas.

[@Ge1ert]

Hi Thomas. Really appreciate if you could satisfy my curiosity re- the above question. Love your work. Thanks. Gelert :)

[@coleudall14]

To the extent of my knowledge, I don't think the brand of extension tubes are the determining factor. I'm not exactly sure how he gets so incredibly close haha but the type of extension tubes shouldn't matter. I use a very cheap set with a reversed 50mm and I get about 1.5:1 magnification but he seems to get at least 2:1.

[@Ge1ert]

cole udall That's what interests me too. Great if he would reply.

[@deanmindock5020]

By cropping the image you can milk some additional magnification. That's where a high pixel sensor comes in handy. I think too that Thomas is using a small aperture, say f16, to get the depth of field (DoF) increased and get more of the bug in reasonable focus. The flash gives him the ability to stop down and also helps to freeze the action and get a clean image. This also allows the use of a cheaper lens that has no image stabilization built-in. So, the flash is fairly important unless your object is in bright sunshine. The Oshiro 60mm f2.8 macro lens can do 2:1 magnification. It is low cost but pretty sharp. It is a purely manual lens. BTW, it can focus at infinity too.

[@ivarhusa454]

I , too, was inspired by Thomas to photograph spiders and insects. It certainly won't be the cheapest option, but I was able to add up to about 36 mm of extension tube behind my excellent birding lens, Canon's 100-400 Mark II. This is a relatively new lens that can focus down to about 1 meter. Adding 12 to 36mm of extension tube brings it in real close. My prior birding lens, the Canon 100-400 Mark I could only focus to about 6 feet, but the difference between 6 feet and 3 feet is huge, as extension tubes are usefully effective on the new lens, but not the old.

[@TheJosejustin]

I really like the way you explain the whole content. The relatively slow pace of your narration also implicitly tells us to be patient while exploring these beautiful subjects. This speaks volumes about how you go about doing your work and create such stunning work

[@periurban]

Inspirational!

[@danielvazquezguevara3842]

I get sentimental watching this videos :') You are truly the Bob Ross of macro photography!

[@dPico-digitaldurda]

very very very nice work

[@adolvssonkonst7255]

+dPico totally agree, very nice video

[@chirpydebs]

I do love your outlook. When I tell people it's not about praising (or not) my photography skills, but about showing how fascinating the world of tiny creatures is, I can get odd looks. It is about doing what we can and learning along the way... Thank you for your video 🤗

[@PhonegraphyTech]

Great Video

[@ratyviviquinandy1196]

Phonegraphy Tech

this is pure poetry. Love your approach to macro

[@terser]

RedPandaGamer Thanks! I really appreciate it. MurkyMists I know! Too bad you can't see the dozen other orchid bees buzzing around it as well! Jaeyun Lim YE

[@bibs94]

Thomas Shahan Sir, In my DSLR (Nikon D3200) even in Manual mode, if i unmount the lens, the Flash does't work. It says it Won't work without an attached lens ! what should I do ? I am a student, and don't have much money to buy a new Body !

[@mariorodriguez-to8tt]

2O HEY P OO😈😣😢😴😶😵😲😟😱😰😩😨😦😦😢😆😑😮😑😮😑😮😐🐸🏠🏧🏨⚾🎱

[@BubblesPothowari]

Bibs Photography Not understood, why flash is needed to work, with no lens attached............

[@23anujsingh62]

what's your IG..?

[@prashantdhameja5778]

+BubblesPothowari bcoz in reverse lensing you will find that very less light will get in your camera. thats one of the reasons to use flash

[@petertown9467]

Im just starting out with macro photography and your Videos are the best I've seen. Thank you so much for making the effort to post these educational Vids

[@jonasrm]

Thanks a lot! For your words and photos. I love macro photography. Very nice video.

[@pixelpeeper823]

Thomas let me just say this, you are an amzing macro photogropher!!!

[@laloochoa2620]

Man, you´re the Ansel Adams of macro photography! Marvelous work, marvelous tutorials, marvelous way of thinking out of the box

[@MrsScoops]

I love your attitude towards the critters! Fabulous shots, also!

[@phorahaobijam7995]

Thanks for this wonderful video n ur world view , i never thought that world can b so beautiful at this microscopic level n nature went into so much details n colors to make them

[@Keokanis]

Thomas. You have developed great skills, but your philosophy breath throughout your work. Thousand thanks for sharing your world...

[@BPN40Cal]

I'm glad you're back making videos. You've got a nice calm demeanor about you. Thanks for helping me unwind after work. Cheers!

[@SonawanePravin]

The narration, the music and the pictures themselves make this video more than a 'methods in Macro Photography' list. In one word, in plain submersible. Great advice. Thanks! :)

[@GreenTonya]

Thank you for your video! Amazing! I just started to learn macro photography and spend couple hours everyday. Your photos are really inspired me! Thank you so much!

[@ovidijuspocius6336]

The best macro pictures I ever seen

[@onyourmarkphoto]

Incredible. Just found your channel. Love it. Thanks for these videos.

[@howtocount1638]

When I was 8 I imagined heaven as a world that you could create and I was dead set on living in the Pokemon world. 20 years later I'm watching this and I realized Pokemon are real and you can catch them all with a camera. Thank you I'm crying tears of joy.

[@SurenGiri]

Thanks Thomas for sharing much more than just a photography. It is enlightening.

[@Taurevanime]

Nice to see another video from you, I missed them. Your videos documenting jumping spiders are what drew me to your channel, and I am glad to see you still lovingly capturing them their images for others to enjoy their beauty. Keep it up.

[@norwegenlover]

Thomas, you are a GOD! :D It was you almost 3 years ago, when I found your channel, that made me love macro photography as much as I do til today. Youve got that special kind of calmness everyone wants to achieve by doing yoga and all this stuff, but it really is just enjoying what you're doing everyday and staying calm and focused at the objects you want to take photos of. I as a German am always struggeling a little when I see, how beauti- and colorful your subjects are - in Germany there are only very few really colorful insects and we also got only the boring jumping spider-kinds :D But I had the chance to do macro photography for a living for a year and I took it. That was the greatest decision I ever made and you may feel responsible for that!

[@tomwild2214]

this is very very helpful and a pleasure watching and listening. Thank you very very much !

[@gsrox2007]

Thomas, your calm narration, deep insights and wonderful images have made me a fan!

[@jimiorezzoli]

Great shots, great advice and great attitude. Thanks so much!

[@brodylockwood14]

I wish you did audio books. Love your Canadian accent and calming force. You'd be great at asmr lol

[@KnorpelDelux]

"Life on earth is beautiful and it deserves a closer look" will become my slogan now. Well put!

[@eddiehawkins7049]

Your advice is as beautiful as your photography. Thank you.

[@TrevorHeathPhotography]

the most beautiful images of arthropods I have ever seen! I just bought a 100mm macro and was browsing to see what I could find on macro photography techniques...You have opened my eyes.Thanks so much for sharing your methods.

[@reMarc83]

Hi - i just wanted to say that i enjoy your videos sooo much. The calmness in your voice combined with interesting content and information - well structured speech. I like watching them.

[@endymion2001]

Thank you, I love your perspective, both photographic and how you explain things! „Find your own way“. ❤

[@topoluc12]

You are my favorite photographer no matter what just because of your style! Not only photo style but also personality!

[@bobniel8314]

Wow.....well those images blew me away! What fantastic photos and such an interesting video. Truly inspiring! Oh, the macro videography is also stunning.

[@lucydiamond3222]

I've been researching macro gear because like you, I am very interested in the world of these tiny creatures we never take much notice of and that most people just thoughtlessly kill when they do take notice of. After reading so many lens reviews, pros and cons of extenders, just finished watching a video where someone said the one method no one should use is reversing your lens, and now I click on this video and you have the most simple and home crafted setup for taking such extraordinary shots. It's really inspiring to see someone make the absolutely most of such unconventional methods.

[@bala1000mina]

Thank you so much Thomas! Wonderful footage! I learnt a lot! God bless you man!

[@aardisastra]

So sharp and beautiful insects...your video is valuable...well done 👍👏

[@ekspresija101]

I came back again to say again how amazing your work is. That equipment is cheaper than used iphone, but you are getting results out of it that are stunning. True inspiration.

[@guitarstalkandtech9085]

Love learning all these new tips, so many different types of photos and styles of taking pics. Endless possibilities on how to take pics.

[@johnreynolds3348]

Nice to see someone rocking the Pentax!

[@StonyRC]

Mr Shahan, I could not believe it when I saw you hand-holding rather than using a really fancy tripod. Plus your gear is (no disrespect intended) quite "ordinary" rather than mega-bucks expensive. Your results are amazing - truly beautiful images. I'm inspired to try and emulate what you do. Many thanks for helping. Regards Steve (UK)

[@firefury6090]

Best explanation on what close up macro photography truly is! Bravo!!

[@swaroopchotu]

Beautiful creatures, such a fantastic world we have and as you said a closer look is inevitable. Great shots and thanks for the video.

[@edwinvasquez473]

Your photography and videos bring so much you to me. Thank you!

[@Cagey7531]

This guy puts most macro shooters to shame, especially the ones who shoot dead insects and pride themselves on their 100+ image stacks ... I love that Thomas can get better live insect images than many of them without even needing to stack at all! Amazing.

[@VenuDharmaji]

It was really a delight to watch your videos. They are inspirational to many of amateur macro photographers like me! Thanks for sharing.