The Woods are Alive! Macro Photography with a Nikon D850

[@banditalley9592]

In an era of overly-processed and artificial looking images, it's so nice to see someone connecting with nature and bringing the natural beauty out in the images. Your edits are sympathetic to the subject and will be timeless!

[@CHoudijk]

I've recently read a interview and this photographer called it a term I can't forget. Nature porn. It's artificial, misleading and not representative to the subject. A fantasy, which isn't necessarily bad, of course. But I like Courtney her approach, which is more true to the real thing.

[@tiktokfavorite3070]

But these are not true macro, these are mushroom portraits

[@petrub27]

@@tiktokfavorite3070 some of them could be 1:1 but yeah, not really macro. let her dream, thou....

[@ravenfallsphotography6254]

I’m finding that, although there are a number of photography channels I follow, this is the one I enjoy most. Not only are Courtney's images excellent, she is an utterly delightful host.

[@CourtneyVictoria]

That's very kind of you and thank you so much!

[@ChrisC1377]

Ten minutes of poetry.... Thanks Courtney.

[@JerryWilliam63]

Courtney, in her quiet unassuming way, Shows a world of beauty that would often go astray. The forest whispers in hues and light, As Courtney captures the unseen sights. On the plush canvas of moss lives a forgotten lore, Where she finds her delicate subjects there on the forest floor. Through her wisdom and vision the forgotten soon surge, In each and every snapshot their voices will emerge. Her silent tribute to the forest floor, Reveals an unseen wonder now ours to adore.

[@CourtneyVictoria]

This is lovely!

[@JerryWilliam63]

@@CourtneyVictoria 😊

[@foto-spective]

I love that you also photograph mushrooms that are not in perfect condition. For example, the two laying on their side. Most photographers I watch seem to skip over every mushroom unless it is in absolutely perfect condition. Imperfection can make perfect art. Loved the video!

[@CourtneyVictoria]

I think the less perfect ones have a lot of character! I spotted a mushroom on a recent walk that looked pristine, apart from one large hole in the middle of it where you could see some of the gills underneath. It looked like a little round mouth with teeth ha! Mushroom monsters of the forest.

[@gabmilitao]

the care and attention you put in your camera angles while filming the A and B roll are just excellent. On point to tell the story, nothing more than what is needed. Not to mention the beautiful images captured of the mushrooms and the way you present and conduct the story of the video.

[@TheWitchboard]

Excellent narration and video, really enjoyed watching Courtney at work, Thank you.

[@markgubbins1958]

Did you know, that the place where a dog sledder keeps his dogs, is called the mushroom. LOL I couldn't resist that one. Wonderful photos !!!!

[@ravenfallsphotography6254]

GROAN! 😂

[@enricodondero4681]

These are the most beautiful woods, for the cleaning of the undergrowth and the turf, the type of light that filters through that kind of branches, the feeling of relaxation that you feel in the abetaie.

[@mawavoy]

You have a very nice macro setup. Thanks for sharing it’s components and several very nice images.

[@jonkers2007]

I really enjoyed your conversational style of presenting. Great to see your knowledge of and enthusiasm for your subject.

[@daniellegrandpa]

I love photographing them, and making them.

[@ffstopP]

Excellent tutorial, Courtney. You show knowledge of your subject, the light, and your equipment, and how to translate your knowledge into an interesting image. Thanks for the lesson.

[@CWReace]

Thanks again for providing videos to inspire us, rather than telling us "5 things you're doing wrong...", etc.

[@nigelbranchett7718]

We should be thanking you. A lovely informative video. Your tripod I think I might have to persue as it does a lot things I could do with, as a semi disabled photographer!

[@jeffslade1892]

Likewise, crawling around on my belly is no longer something I can do with decorum. So out will come the cable release and maybe the field monitor.

[@adragon3210]

Lovely video as always, and I cant wait for your next adventure!

[@rosssayer6524]

Lovely trip around the forest Courtney, I’m a sucker for photographing mushrooms as well, thanks for sharing those beautiful images. Great idea using the silver paper, thanks for that 🙏

[@stephenbest5011]

quick glimps.......wonderful photo

[@OutOfTownPhotography]

Well done Courtney, I can see you doing Springwatch some day👍🏻👍🏻

[@ZakariKha]

Thanks for the magical march in the world of myclium!

[@FeralForaging]

Beautiful video and photography. Thanks! :D

[@Bautaen202]

There is something fairytailish and magical about these fungus in the forest. Especially when they are covered in or pops up in a green oasis of moss. Beautiful pictures. Love it. Like your videos as you also put som humor into it and facts about mushrooms. Keep up the good work. Love from Norway

[@Dez_Blanchfield]

what a fun journey discovering some rather quaint little things, the moving one that some insect or work was nibbling on or shifting around seemed hilariously sci-fi weird.. a triptic of 3x of these would be a fun scene to create on a wall space..

[@glennmorrell8964]

Hi, thanks for the lovely story telling of life in the forest , the forest is like something out of middle earth, very Gothic look, lovely presentation.

[@RyanH0809]

Very fun, refreshing photography video. Well done!

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Miss Victoria, some great photos well done top video

[@MooseBear82]

One of your best videos ever, just brilliant!

[@AliasJimWirth]

Would love to take a workshop with you. Thank you for another enjoyable video.

[@jaybradley9083]

Okay. Now I'm hungry for a Milky Way. 😋Great video, Courtney. I've taken a few mushroom photos over the years. You've inspired me to take another look at fungi. I like the way you included the moss in the compositions. The aluminum foil idea is a great tip for bounce lighting. Thanks!

[@CourtneyVictoria]

I did enjoy my post photography milky way! I have to say I've been neglectful of the fungi realm in my photography previously, but I'm finding it quite fascinating at the moment. I'm looking forward to foraging in Autumn to see what species I can find. Thanks!

[@felicityrostron9406]

I love photographing mushrooms there is something a bit magical abut them.

[@randyschwager2515]

Great video! This time of year can be challenging! Great subject matter to hunt for. Thanks for taking me along!

[@CourtneyVictoria]

It can be! It is amazing what you can find though if you take a good look around. I found more fungi than expected and now I keep seeing them everywhere!

[@GrzegorzBłachnio]

Super Nikon D850 ❤

[@alanhall5648]

Thank you for a very informative video and some stunning shots 🔥🔥🇬🇧

[@Outlaw33]

That shot with the black bug was great.

[@txphotography6637]

Love your enthusiasm and genuine interest with what you are photographing in different locations. Your whimsical approach is refreshing, but doesn't overshadow the knowledge that you obviously have with photography. Glad to be a subscriber!😎

[@danrichardsonmedia]

Your videos are good for my soul. Thank you ☺️🙏🏼💚

[@spacelord1913]

good trick with the foil

[@Ade-wq2uw]

Excellent video Courtney ,great shots

[@robertdavis1255]

Great compositions Courtney with interesting results... enjoyed your video & comments as usual.... just love your work.... cheers from Australia 🦘🦘😊❤

[@mojmakroswiat-mymacroworld2959]

Great film about mushrooms. Very interesting tripod, very heavy ?

[@just_eirik]

I LOVE photographing mushrooms! Every year I get so hyped for “mushroom season”. Your photos look really nice!

[@paulcunninghamw00dlandph0t0]

Excellent videography to go with the photography,

[@richardbrown3434]

Beautiful images and a super video 🎥📷👌🏻🍄

[@williamkosanda7858]

Thanks for inspiring me to get going on macro photography. It’s been great to be able to get some focus stacked shots from the local woods. I can tell you though that I would never lay or sit on the ground around here in Missouri ( central US). I would quickly be covered with ticks, which is really unpleasant. So, I need to improvise other ways to get down low while minimizing ground contact. A little extra challenge.

[@jasoneldridgephotography]

Fantastic mushroom shots Courtney!

[@purplemonkeyelephant]

Lovely video, and the production levels are very impressive!

[@ao8613]

Stellar video!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@evawettergren7492]

Wonderful. This is my goal... to be able to go out and take photos such as these in the woods I live near. My only issue is that I can't stand mosquitoes and there are A LOT of those around. No way can I take my time and set things up as neat and precise as shown here. I'm more of a "Ok, stepping out of the car now... have about 5 minutes before I'm detected by all of the bugs and have to rush back to the car... GO!" And then I rush around trying to find something to photograph and hurry to get a good pic before I'm eaten alive.

[@neilgordon1034]

The nicest Lady photographer on youtube x And one who knows what she is talking about x

[@daveexplore3856]

LOVE. I just bought a Nikkor 105mm Macro & really pumped about it Courtney. Awesome channel xo

[@seangholland3055]

Nice one, discovered you work by accident, will watch all from now one.

[@Gareth1959]

Another grand adventure unfolded. Spot the fungi sounds like a fun game to me :)

[@CourtneyVictoria]

It is! Now that I've started I see them everywhere!

[@trevorleprevost9547]

I enjoyed watching your video very much, it was very relaxing and informative. It's very clear that you have a true passion for your work.❤

[@Zeno_Evil]

I'm so envious of the forest conditions you have to work with, specifically the moss. The forests around me aren't quite so verdant. Maybe I should just move far away from Chicago.

[@GjrygjfgcRfyghgkiy]

I love macro photos, I use my Kase filters set for my wildlife photograpgy.

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

After binge watching your videos, I suggest a name change to "Courtney Victoria, the daft photographer."You have a good mix of serious and quirky. Love it. Keep the vids coming.

[@SteveSmith-yc9ss]

Really enjoyed this video.

[@errol1967]

Beautifull pictures with a great camera. I own one myself. Greetings from Holland

[@robertwhitemoto]

Beautiful and innovative shots!

[@wearetrackclub]

Love watching your process! The mushrooms are so cute 😍 Great content!

[@shawndonnelly5317]

Great video Courtney.

[@petekutheis3822]

bugs and choco and broken stinky mushrooms anatomically shaped. Very interesting creature u remain Courtney ;) ❤

[@formatthitech]

Love this! Really fantastic macro shoot with some wonderful captures 😍

[@CourtneyVictoria]

Thank you! :)

[@ilpoheikkila4773]

Great video!

[@RobbC.]

Great mushrooms, beautiful photography. The only thing missing is a stylish photograph of the Milky Way. I presume you meant the chocolate bar? Because if you have an entire galaxy (Star System, not the chocolate bar) in your car then I would be very impressed. Keep up the great work :)

[@briancarlisle2534]

I love your videos. Was curious if you’re using any lighting too, on some. And would you ever think you’d go to a mirrorless camera and use the 105 macro?

[@brianm.9062]

is that Nikon or Canon kitchen foil? fantastic shots once again.

[@shreyasjani8465]

I love your videos... they are so damn peaceful ❤❤

[@joepanico6480]

Milky Way. Appropriate choice since the inside does look like a mushroom. Thanks for sharing your photo journeys.

[@alanthornton3530]

Thank you for an interesting video. I came across a 'Morel' growing at the side of a footpath & managed to get a few shots of them, they're a spring mushroom. A good idea using foil to help bounce the light on the subject, I assumed the sandwiches were eaten prior to filming? Plus one for a dark chocolate milky way :) Yum!!

[@jurgenschurr6737]

Thank you for the nice and lovely video. The fungi rejected by other people (shown at your ´exhibition´ photo) seems to be a summer cep (Boletus reticulatus) which is an excellent edible mushroom and tastes as good as the yellow boletus. However, please eat only those fungi which you (or some trustable expert) can definitely identify in situ and which shows all typical characteristics, but none of the characteristics of poisonous look-alikes. Do not trust the oponion of any remote KZbin commentator (like me). Do not play Russian roulette! Some of the other fungi which you have shown are poisonous panther caps, from the same family as the fly amanita.

[@CourtneyVictoria]

Thank you! I'm not as of yet very knowledgeable about the different species of fungi, so I took a wild guess but it's interesting that they may have been edible. I'm currently shopping around for a decent guide book to take out with me so I can identify them, but despite loving to photograph them I'm not one for eating them ha. I'll more than likely leave them where I found them for others to forage.

[@LukesMushrooms]

Hello. I also take photos of mushrooms and I really like the way you explained it in this video. I wanted to ask if D850 shows live preview of each picture taken during the focus stacking process, as my Z5 keeps the screen black until the bracketing is finished and I cannot see where the focus actually is. Thanks :)

[@observewithme]

Awesome video

[@matthiasgehtwandern]

creat and nice video and setup up

[@Orkney_Pirate]

Thank you for the video Courtney it was excellent! You are such a natural, I noticed you using the 24-120 lens, is that the one you use for all macro or do you have a dedicated macro lens for small work? Thanks again, subscribed 🙂

[@chrisdelzz795]

Beautiful videos

[@TheOneAft]

9:22 to 9:26 Very cool! 😃

[@johnrouterer9038]

You put a lot of work into your videos, well done.

[@Bussmicke2305]

Smart idea to look for half eaten mushrooms. I was out of ideas to visit my local forest. I haven't been out in the woods this year. Now i have an idea and a reason to go out., You are very good mushroom phtographer

[@CourtneyVictoria]

I hope you find some! :)

[@Bussmicke2305]

@@CourtneyVictoria I was out today but find only lots of blueberries... 😁 Good for desserts and muffins... 😁

[@petermcginty3636]

Thank you, Courtney. Fun video with lovely images. 🎉 Many thanks. BTW after finishing a shoot, do you ever think, "How do I get back to my car?" 😮

[@CourtneyVictoria]

Sometimes ha! This part of the forest I know very well, but if I'm exploring somewhere new I have a map on my phone or in my bag just in case. Generally my sense of direction is decent but getting lost has been known to happen!

[@kevincompston3840]

Wonderful video. But I must ask, is the D750 gone forever?

[@CourtneyVictoria]

No it's still around! It just hasn't had any screen time recently and I can see that it is missed by many ha!

[@gianca54570]

La più brava! 👏👏👏🌷dall'🇮🇹👌

[@larryb0315]

Hi Courtney, thanks for another great video!! How do you like the 24-120f/4 lens on your D850? Your images look great with that combination! I have been looking at that lens for my D850.

[@aquaticcolledgefishing]

Disappointed there was no milkyway photography, but nice mushrooms 😅👍

[@wojciech_c]

Fajny film. Gdzie masz takie ciekawe leśne tereny w Anglii?

[@paulrobertson7580]

I’m new to your channel Courtney and am really enjoying your content, it’s getting me inspired to get out and take more photo, thank you

[@CourtneyVictoria]

I'm glad you're enjoying it and thank you!

[@johnnysvegetablegrowingmad5797]

Hi there, great video , what tripod and head do you use in the video for the mushroom 🍄 photography? Thanks Johnny

[@airship9637]

Somewhat tangential to he topic at hand is the out-of-print but fun sci-fi-ish juvenile book: The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet.

[@artsilva]

A skill that is quite rare now days is the Improvising and knowing your camera, light and compositions. I too have been known to be scrappy and creative in lighting and exposing subjects with things with and around me. I wish we hade more consistency in mushroom growth where I live, would love to do a series on them... on a side note, have you tried the Dark Chocolate Milky Way? soooo good 😋

[@CourtneyVictoria]

Oh, I'm not a dark chocolate lover! I know, despicable ha! A fungi series would be a fun project to do. If only we had the Autumn variations all year round! Thanks!

[@artsilva]

@@CourtneyVictoria Agreed! I've been wanting to put my 60mm Micro D series to use other than film scanning. I live on the coast in So. California and would have to travel north to get any seasonal fungi... oh someday I guess 😉 Oh you don't know what you're missing with the dark chocolate and creamy caramel, Yummmm-mmm. haha.

[@wongkenneth4005]

🥰mushroom

[@JoseFernandes-v8l]

Hi Courtney hope you’re well . Can you please make a detailed video on how you use manual mode on your Nikon. Thanks Jose - Portugal

[@AirPavel]

Super ☺

[@scotskinner4350]

I've been doing macro flash insect photography in my mother's garden. Perhaps I should load up on the bug spray and head into the woods.

[@Revup1]

I'm sorry I don't like mushrooms....just not a fun guy, I guess.....hey, old jokes are the best! Great video again. It's from these videos I've discovered the need to reconnect with my surroundings and see things differenty, less jaded I think and more child like!

[@ravenfallsphotography6254]

FACT: My high school biology textbook had a chapter titled "The Fungus Among Us." Old jokes, indeed!

[@peternagy9708]

8:55 Death cup. Most poisonous mushroom , deathly to humans. ( Squirrels and Rabbits are immune )

[@jun1004you]

good최곱니다👍👍

[@danijel3227]

Nice.

[@fotobertl]

Hello, nice tour in search of mushrooms. Good idea, with the change of perspective when explaining and great mediation. Perhaps I would have a tip for the camera position overhead and the illumination of the mushroom. Take a look at my video, maybe that would be new ways to set the camera and illuminate the mushrooms. With the small LED you can wonderfully bring some warmth and color into the picture. Great video! Greetings Albert

[@hosshansen]

Hi Victoria I love your nature videos, du you use focus stacking on the photos in this video..Thanks

[@jss27560]

I’ve always enjoyed photographing mushrooms but with my knees, I might not be able to get up after struggling to get down low enough.