Equipment
Fuji S5 Pro Digital SLR
Fuji S3 Pro Digital SLR
Sigma 180 Macro Lens
Lensbaby G3
Velbon Macro Rail
Bogen Tripod and Head
Fuji S5 Pro Digital SLR
Fuji S3 Pro Digital SLR
Sigma 180 Macro Lens
Lensbaby G3
Velbon Macro Rail
Bogen Tripod and Head
I would like to introduce myself, I am Mike Moats, a professional Nature Photographer from Sterling Heights, Michigan. I started in photography as a hobby seven short years ago (2001) and it quickly grew into a full time business. To date I’ve had articles and images published in, Outdoor Photographer Magazine, Nature Photographer Magazine, Nature’s Best, Whisper In The Woods, Photolife, Michigan Game Finder, NANPA’s 2007 & 2008 Expression Book, and Fujifilms Newsletter (Cable Release), and Calenders. I’m proud to have won numerous international and local awards, and in 2006 was asked to join the Fuji Pro Talent Team, and in 2008 I became a moderator of the macro/flora catogory at Birdphotographers.Net. In 2006 I started Close-Up/Macro Photography Workshops, which went very well, and I’m expanding to add more workshops and clinics. The bulk of my income comes from sales of my prints which I market through art shows, exhibits, and online through my website. www.tinylandscapes.com Email, mgmoats@yahoo.com
What model Bogen tripod do you suggest.
Most interesting photos.
Thank you,
Bob Broder
Hey Bob, I use a Bogen model 3221, it runs about $180.00.
Hi Mike,
I am thinking about buying a 180 Macro Lens for my Sony Alpha 100. I saw now that you are owning the Tamron and the Sigma Lens. What is your experience with these two lenses. Which one would you prefer if you had to choose between them both?
A second question. At a workshop at Rei you showed us your photo veste. Unfortunately I have forgotten what brand it was. Could you provide me the brandname of it?
Thank you in advance. Your pictures are amazing
Andreas
BEAUTIFUL work! I love to look at your colors and clarity and artful depictions of nature. I am a music teacher in northern California (extreme north) and do photography on the side. I found your name while looking for BEST magazine contest rules.I do a lot of backpacking in the Trinity Alps and South Sierra when I can (12 lbs. of the pack is my camera gear). I so much am wanting to know more about processing my photos with a little more affect for some that I want to add a more artsy feel. I love to do all my own Photoshopping, printing, etc., but would love it even more if you could tell me a bit about some of your processing where you give them more “punch”. Do you use any Photoshop filters, etc.? Thanx so much, ~ judi
Hey Andreas, Either lens will work fine for you.
Hey Judi, I use Photoshop Elements 2.0. I just do some sharpening, boost the color saturation, and boost the contrast, and thats about it. Some times a clone tool is needed to eliminate any small imprefection.
Hey Mike,
I love your work, especially your more abstract close-ups. I see from your response to Judi that you use Photoshop Elements 2.0. Is that sufficient to get the black background effect when you’re isolating a backlit weed, for example? I’m wondering whether Elements (the current 6.0 version) is all I need as opposed to the full-blown Photoshop (I’m not a techie type).
I’ve shot transparency film for years and have lots of special images on slides. I bought the lower-priced Nikon slide scanner - so that will be my first step. I’ve read that it’s important to calibrate one’s monitor before doing any editing. Do you use a monitor calibration software/hardware device you can recommend?
Thanks,
Lori
Hey Lori,
All my images are processed using Elements 2.0 which ia an outdated program but it work fine for simple processing. You don’t need the full blown PS, the Elements 6.0 or what ever its up to now will work excellent for what you need.
I congratulate you Mike on your achievements. Your posts on BPN are A Class Act…I too am working on my own web site. It will probably be up and running in about two weeks. I will be posting in the Macro and Flora section tonight. Once again I commend you…
Thanks Gus, looking forward to seeing all your future posts at BPN. Let me know when your site is up, and I’ll put a link from my blog to your site.