Learn When To Walk Away

Many times I walk though a field of flowers looking for that perfect shot that will produce a good flower portrait with a good clean background.  I’m also looking for a flower that has character and has something in the design of the petals that sets itself apart from all the normal looking flowers with perfectly aligned petals.

If I don’t find any unusual subjects or cannot find that flower that works with a good clean uncluttered background, then I walk away. It’s better to walk away without an shot, then to produce a poor uninteresting image.  That is the difference between a pro and an amateur is the pro knows when to walk, and the amateur shoots even if he doesn’t have a good quality subject.

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Winter Macro Indoors

As winter approaches I start looking for new subjects to shoot, and this is the first in a series of tips on shooting indoors during the winter months.   One of my favorite subjects to shoot during the winter months are slab cut rocks, which are thin slices of rocks that are polished smooth exposing all kinds of great abstract designs.  Each year I search out companies online that sell these rocks and this year I found “Dandy Slabs”  which is a premier site for rare, high grade and old stock lapidary materials – slabs, rough rock and collector specimens.  Check them out at,  http://www.dandyslab.com.

I shot these images using my Tamron 60mm macro lens.  When I’m shooting indoors I like using a short focal length lens and working in close with the subject.

This first rock is a Deschutes Picture Jasper Slab and I liked the rich warm tones and lines.

This part of the rock reminded me of a mountain range, and the bright area on the left is the early morning sun with a large flock of crows in the sky entering the scene.

 

This second rock is a Laguna Agate Slab.  It has a wild design with some great colors. These slabs are maybe a quarter of an inch thick and the designs vary on each side so it gives you more options for compositions.

This is the front side

And here is the same rock but from the opposite side, and a little different look.

So check out Dandy Slabs and pick up some rocks to shoot.

New E-Book Coming Soon

Finding Character In Nature is an e-book for the macro photographer that will help change the way you think the next time you go out to shoot.

The word character is often used to describe a person that is a little different or unusual from the general population.  People that have a unique look, dress flamboyant, or act different from the rest of us are known to have character. They stand out in a crowd and draw attention.  When viewing portraits of people, we often see character in the features of their face.  Finding the character in nature will give your images that unique look, and stand out.

It’s easy to do, and you will learn how in this 40 page e-book.

Coming soon with an introductory price of $5.00.

Spring 2011 – Macro Boot Camps

2011 Macro Boot Camp – Quality Inn, Carlsbad, California (north of San Diego) February 4,5,6. Laurie Shupp from Nik Software will be there to demonstrate the Nik Software programs.

2011 Macro Boot Camp – Outdoor Photo Gear presents this workshop at the Wingate Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, March 4,5,6

2011 Macro Boot Camp – Courtyard Marriot, Farmington Hills, Mich. (southeast Michigan)March 11,12,13

2011 Macro Boot Camp – New England’s largest photo retailer “Hunt’s Photo” presents this workshop at the Courtyard Marriot, Woburn, MA (near Boston) March 25, 26, 27.

2011 Macro Boot Camp – Hampton Inn, Skokie, Illinois, (near Chicago) April 1,2,3

2011 Macro Boot Camp – Courtyard Marriot, Farmington Hills, Mich. (southeast Michigan) April 29,30,May1

2011 Macro Boot Camp – Quality Inn, Hamburg, New York, (near Buffalo) May 13,14,15

Presented by Mike Moats, an award-winning, published nature photographer specializing in macro photography.

Sponsored by
Tamron – Lensbaby – Nik Software – Hunt’s Photo – Think Tank Photo – Helicon Focus – PhotoFlex – Outdoor Photo Gear – Outdoor Photographer Magazine

This will be an in depth unique three days of learning, fun, and entertainment. It is for the beginner to the intermediate photographer wanting to learn more about the macro world in nature.

Times:
Friday 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday 10th 9:00am – 2:00pm

Mike will cover cameras,lenses,tripods,heads and special macro accessories. How to create artistic images using a Lensbaby. Focus Stacking images with Helicon Focus. See how to build a collapsible enclosed plexiglas wind box for shooting flowers. Shooting high magnification with a focusing rail. How to control lighting with diffusers, reflectors, and a plamp. Most new to macro photographers struggle with depth of field, but Mike will make this easy to understand.

Learn the rules of composition for composing and framing your subjects. Mike will show you how to choose the perfect flower out of a grouping. With all the chaos in nature you will learn how to define the interesting subjects from the clutter. Choosing the right shooting angles for the proper background that compliments the main subject. Creating artistic compositions with flowers. How to create art combing subjects in nature.

Learn Mike’s techniques for processing images with photoshop and Nik software programs

Bring your camera, lens, tripod, because Mike will have subjects set up for you to shoot.

Lensbaby will be providing lens for you to try out.

You will have a chance to win door prizes from our sponsors.

Sales on many of the products you see at the workshop will be offered by Hunt’s Photo and Outdoor Photo Gear.

Cost $149.00

For more information call Mike at (586)770-3992.

Register online at,  www.MikeMoatsBooks.com

A FEW MACRO BOOT CAMP TESTIMONIALS

Vince N. says,
Hey Mike! Just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful Macro Boot Camp in MI last month! As a professional photographer, I’ve attended many workshops and seminars over the past 5 years, and your workshop is right at the top of the list! Very informative, organized and professional, and straight to the point. I had a great time learning many new techniques for macro photography. Thanks again! – Vince

Mike L.
Just got back from the Macro Boot Camp in East Lansing. In a word Awesome!
Thanks Mike, I learned alot and the information was presented in an excellent and easy to follow manner. I will recommend this workshop!

John H.
Thanks for the great class this weekend. You explained things so that they were easy to understand, kept the class moving, kept it light and very enjoyable and a great learning experience. You did a great job!!! I will recommend your weekend seminar to everyone I know.

Peg R.
I just got home from the boot camp and wanted to thank you for such an excellent weekend. As a public school teacher for 33 years I was subjected to hundreds of hours of in-services and workshop and I would definitely give your boot camp an “A”, it was very well done.

Tim K.
Mike – GREAT course, a lot of fun. You are incredibly down-to-earth and approachable compared to pretty much all the master photographers I’ve met. That was great to see. Everyone I talked to down there felt really comfortable and had a good time, so bravo for that. You really put a nice personal touch on your course.

Sandra M.
Thank you again for a wonderful weekend at the Macro Boot Camp. What a great opportunity to learn from you, learn more about photography and get to know you a little bit. You are doing a great service for people. . . . keep up the great work!

Linda W.
I am kind of sorry that the course is over but I learned so much, more than I expected. Everything was so well explained and very easy to understand and your illustrations are so helpful.

Nancy K.
Wanted to let you know I really enjoyed the Macro Boot camp! I learned a lot a great techniques, tips and information.

Shirley J. M.
Thank you for a wonderful workshop. It was extremely helpful, informative and easy to follow. I don’t think I felt out of my league at all.

Marita E.
I Had a ton of fun at the Macro Boot Camp. Can’t wait to try all the fun stuff here at home.

Mary B.
It was truly a fantastic workshop! I learned a ton of great stuff. Thanks, Mike, it was a wonderful time.

Gloria W.
We enjoyed your Macro Boot Camp workshop this past weekend and I’m sure our macro photos will improve when we apply some of what we learned. It was interesting to see how important “imagination” is in your work

NEW – MACRO NATURE FORUM!

Please stop by and check out my new Macro Nature Forum. Just for macro photographers of all skill levels, and It’s free to register and participate. You will be able to post your macro images in different forums, start or engage in a macro discussion, enter contests, and more. The forum is now open. www.macronatureforum.com

Today Oct 29th was the first day open for business and it was very productive.  30 members and over 120 posts. Just a few small glitches that I hope won’t continue but seems everything is fine now. After 48 hours over 200 members and over 500 posts.

 

End Of Another Art Show Season / New Macro Boot Camps

Last weekend in Lousiville, KY was the end of the 2011 art show season.  My workshops take over now till next May.  The shows were all down about 20 -30 percent from last year.  The up side this year is all the workshops are selling out, so looks like people are more inclined to spend money when they can learn, rather then buy more art to hang on their walls.

I will be in Lansing, Michigan this Friday for the start of another Macro Boot Camp.  Class is full so it will be a another fun workshop. 

The spring workshops are filling well.  Carlsbad, (north of San Diego is three quarters full and the Farmington Hills, MI workshop only a few openings.  Chicago workshop over half full.  Boston coming along also. 

New Workshops
Hamburg, New York (just south of Buffalo) May 13, 14, 15, 2011
Lousiville, Kentucky  March 4, 5, 6, 2011 –  Presented by Outdoor Photo Gear

To sign-up or for more info go to
www.MikeMoatsBooks.com