The Most Important Tool for the Macro Photographer

[@haroldmassey5966]

Thanks for the tip Mike

[@mgmoats]

You're welcome, Harold.

[@kpassaur1830]

Your 12" diffuser looks like a fold up Frisbee which doubles as a fan on a hot day. If you need a source for them cheap let me know, they also come in green, red and yellow. I friend of my got stuck with over 30,000 of them on a business deal that went south.

[@johnmccue7590]

Mike, this is such a simple and effective tip that I would never have thought on in the `ideal` bright overcast conditions, but it works, and it works well ! Great tip, thank you !

[@mgmoats]

Thanks John, glad it helped you.

[@JoshxIZ]

I Bought a larger 80cm one. Planning to use it to lift up darker shadows and also diffuse the flash or sun as you did.

[@johngriffin5996]

At your 2014 Macro Boot Camp in October 2014 in Amherst, NY I bought my diffuser and refector from you. I carry them in a side pocket of my camera bag.

[@mgmoats]

Awesome John, always make sure you have them with you.

[@eniotneets1895]

Thanks for this reminder. I know it but I also forget to take it with me. Great video.

[@mgmoats]

Yes, sometimes we forget.

[@threeducks]

Great idea, I have taken some macro shots of bees on a purple flower, and the petals of the flower are blown out, purchased a 12-inch diffuser from Wex looking forward to trying it out and getting some lovely natural colours.

[@mgmoats]

Make sure you always have it on you no matter what the weather conditions, sun or clouds.

[@robertlawrence7958]

Very interesting Mike. Wouldn't you get the same effect with a polariser? That would eliminate the need to be holding the diffuser thus freeing up your hand.

[@mgmoats]

Robert, when I started out in macro I did try a polarizer, and it worked sometimes, but not all the time, where the diffuser works 100 percent of the time.

[@robertlawrence7958]

👍 thanks for the reply Mike.

[@matthew080273]

Great video. Which diffuser would you recommend? Thanks

[@smkunder1]

Wow just found your channel, and you live in my area. Just becoming interested in macro, and trying to get tips on getting started. Good stuff on your videos!

[@mgmoats]

Steve, if you want to learn macro really quick, join my macro photo club, over 170 instructional videos. www.tinylandscapes.com/macro-photo-club/macro-photo-club

[@angelathomas2117]

Love your videos they a very helpful but I have not been able to find a 12 inch difuser anywhere

[@mgmoats]

Here you are Angela. www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/detail_page.cfm?productid=PRO4326&mfg=Promaster&show=yes

[@gregorybupp]

Hey Mike, thanks for the content. As a macro photographer, do you ever use a monopod or are you strictly using tripods? I see in a lot of your videos the tripods but feel like when I have to hunt for subjects it would make it really difficult, where as maybe a monopod will be more agile.

[@mgmoats]

Thanks Greg, I personally have never been any steadier with a monopods then I am handholding. I'm just not steady, so I only shoot on a tripod.

[@dodgermel2812]

just minutes after my last comment I found them available from B+H in the States

[@mgmoats]

Glad you found it. They are hard to find because they are not a big seller for photo stores.

[@ValerieHollifield]

That’s what I needed today shooting flowers at Daniel Boone Native Gardens. It was cloudy but some of the colors on the flowers were blown out. Thanks Mike!

[@mgmoats]

Yep, get one before you go out ahead.

[@RichMcPeek]

Thanks Mike! Yep, I don't leave home without it.

[@mgmoats]

Glad you have it and always have it with you Rich.