We are getting ready to start our next round of macro classes, and I wanted to mention a class favorite; Helicon Focus Lite. This software performs focus stacking, which radically increases depth of field in your macro image. Imagine photographing a columbine, a flower with a lot of depth. To get critical focus through most Read More
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Nikon TC 1.4x III
Most wildlife photographers will say the same thing; I sure wish I had a bigger telephoto lens. It just seems you can’t get close enough to wildlife, especially birds. One way to extend the range of your telephoto lens is by adding a teleconverter. I have all the converters Nikon makes, but generally stick to Read More
Droplet Splash Photography
We are at the end of our first online macro classes, and we have had a blast. The participant’s images have been stunning, and everyone has learned a lot of new macro technique. I have one more macro technique to share on my blog. Droplet splash photography is just that; capturing a drop of liquid Read More
Lightroom Range Mask Dodging and Burning
I like dodging and burning many of my images. Flat low contrast scenes become more interesting, and the image takes on a three dimensional appearance. Landscapes, portraits and travel images often look better with a little dodging and burning. My preferred method for many years was selecting the adjustment brush in LR, adding about .5 Read More
Macro with Nikon Z; extension tubes
We have been having a blast teaching our online macro classes, who knew virtual learning could be so much fun? Each session we introduce new shooting techniques, discuss editing tips specific to macro, and review everyone’s photos. A lot of discussion has come up on gear, and I wanted to post this for all the Read More
The Plamp
Here is an inexpensive gear tip. If you photograph flowers, macro or still life, you should order a Plamp today. This simple clamp/arm device is very helpful during shoots, and gives you a ‘third hand’ to hold reflectors or move things out of the way. I’ve been shooting a lot of macro in my backyard Read More
Macro drop photography
Cree and I are really excited our online macro classes are almost full, we can’t wait to start those classes next week. One topic we will go into detail with during the class is macro droplet photography. Photographing water droplets requires a lot of patience and methodical setup, but it is a blast! You will Read More
3 Macro options
Cree and I, like many others right now, have been doing a ton of macro photography. We are rediscovering our yard. After starting with obvious subjects like flowers and insects, we have moved to water droplets and lichen. I have to say I forgot just how much fun macro photography can be. We have been Read More
The Dandelion Challenge
Name one flower that almost everyone has in their yard, or in a nearby park, and a good answer is the notorious dandelion. This ‘weed’ keeps many people busy in their yards all year. Cree goes to war all summer trying to keep these ‘flowers’ out of our yard. But since we have been focusing Read More
Complimentary color borders with flowers
Cree and I spend a big part of our day looking for new flowers in our yard to photograph. Lately I have been working with a red tulip, which looks great right now. After exhausting techniques like focus stacking, double exposure, zoomies…I went back to an old technique. Is there a way to get lots Read More
Macro bubbles
Here is another fun at home macro photography project. And this is best done inside, so weather is not a factor. Similar to macro oil and water, macro bubble photography is as much fun. You will need a few things…dish soap, water, small container and ideally glycerine (find it at your local supermarket). Mix 3 Read More
Snow and Shutter Speeds
Colorado will just not transition into spring. Right now we have a full on blizzard outside the office window, 12 inches of snow and still falling heavy. But I always look at bad weather as good weather when it comes to photography. Unique images are often created in unusual weather. We teach a lot of Read More