NEW – Macro Boot Camp in Lansing, Michigan

The Fall September Macro Boot Camp in Rochester Hills, Michigan is SOLD OUT, so I’ve added a new boot camp in Lansing, Michigan. Details below.

LANSING, MICHIGAN MACRO BOOT CAMP

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

Sponsored by
Tamron – Lensbaby –  Nik Software – Hunt’s 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.

Where: University Quality Inn, Lansing, Michigan
Hotel just a short distance from Capitol City Airport, with shuttles service from hotel.

Special room rates for workshop participants.

Dates and Times :
October 8th 5:00pm – 8:00pm
October 9th 9:00am – 5:00pm
October 10th 9:00am – 2:00pm

Mike will cover cameras, macro lenses, Lensbabies, the best tripods and heads for macro, special macro accessories, stacking images with Helicon Focus, composing, and learning how to see the artwork in nature. Learn how to control depth of field. See how to build a collapsible enclosed plexiglas wind shield for shooting flowers. Camera positioning for that perfect background. When and how to use reflectors, diffusers, plamps, focusing rails, and more. Mike shows his image processing using Photoshop and the latest Nik Software.

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

Lensbaby will be providing lenses 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 in a Hunt’s Photo flyer.

Limited availability, so don’t wait long to register or you may miss out. September boot camp sold out in a few weeks.

If you register and pay before July 1st, you will receive free, Mike’s e-book, “Running A Successful Nature Photography Business” ($39.00 value).

Cost $149.00

Register online at www.MikeMoatsBooks.com

For more information, call Mike at (586)770-3992. Visit Mike’s website at, www.tinylandscapes.com

Comparing Photography To Other Art Forms

I was at the movies the other day and while the previews were running I was thinking how cheap it was to go to the movies.  To me movies are a form of art just like photography.  I would consider actors as artist, the writers as artist, the directors that films the movie, all the set directors, lighting people, everything that goes into that movie in my opinion is  artistic.  The movie makers spend millions upon million of dollars and the product they produce is created by some incredibly talented artist.  So with hundreds of people and millions of dollars to produce this one piece of artwork why are they selling it for only $8.00 to view and when it comes out on DVD it may run $20.00.   photographers go out and capture an image, do a little processing, let a printer do the work to make the finished product and then they want to charge $500 to $600 for a 30X40 gallery wrap.  Photographers want more for an 11X14 print then the cost of buying the DVD of a movie.  This doesn’t make any sense to me, this is way out of balance.   Why don’t the movie companies do like the photographers and sell the DVD for $500 or $600 like the photographers are asking for when they sell that 30X40 gallery wrap.  It seems much more logical since the movie cost millions of dollars and tons of people to make it happen.  Why do photographers think their art has so much value for so little effort and a piece of photo paper.  How many people would buy that movie if it was 500 to 600 dollars.

I also looked at the music business. The musicians which I also consider artist have to take the time to write all the songs for their album, rehearse all the songs, go into the studio and record.  They need producers and techs to work the recording equipment to get that perfect sound.  The record companies spend huge bucks to pay all these people and to produce the CD’s.  What does it cost to you and me, about $16.00.  They would have every right to charge hundreds of dollars for this artistic product , but they don’t.  Would most pay hundreds of dollars for the latest CD, I doubt it.

If the movie people and the musicians charged what photographers charge for their art they would also become staving artist like most photographers.   Are staving artist starving because they charge too much for their art?

Macro Boot Camp

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

 

    Sponsored by

Tamron –  Lensbaby – Photoflex – Hunt’s Photo – Helicon Focus - Nik Software – Outdoor Photo Gear

  

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

Where;  The Embassy Suites Hotel,  Livonia,  Michigan (just outside Detroit)

Dates and Times :
March 26th  5:00pm – 8:00pm
March 27th  9:00am – 5:00pm
March 28th  9:00am – 2:00pm

Mike will cover macro lenses, Lensbabies, the best tripods and heads for macro, special macro accessories, stacking images with Helicon Focus, reversing lenses. Composing, and learning how to see the artwork in nature.  Learn how to control depth of field. See how to build a collapsible enclosed plexiglas wind shield for shooting flowers.  Camera positioning for that perfect background. When and how to use reflectors, diffusers, plamps, focusing rails, and more.  Mike shows his image processing using Photoshop and Nik Software.

Bring your camera because Tamron and Lensbaby will be providing lens for you to try out. Mike will have subjects set up for you to shoot.

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 in a Hunt’s Photo flyer.

Each participant is encouraged to bring five prints of their best macro shots to share

The Embassy Hotel will offer special room rates for this event.

Lunch on Saturday and Sunday included in the price of workshop.

Limited to forty participants,  so don’t wait to register or you may miss out.

If you register and pay before January 1^st, you will receive a free PDF of Mike’s e-book, “Running A Successful Nature Photography Business” ( $39.00 value).

For more information or to register by credit card, call Mike at (586)770-3992 or (586)264-7100
Or register online at www.MikeMoatsBooks.com

 

There’s A New Fast Shooting Lens In Town

If you watch old westerns, the fastest shooter in town was well-respected, and so is the new Tamron 60mm fast shooting macro lens.  This f/2.0 out shoots the other  macro lenses by a full stop.  This really helps with macro as we tend to shoot subjects like small moving critters, flowers blowing in the wind, and if you’re like me, I shoot a lot in wooded areas were it can get pretty dark.  So to help stop a moving subject or speed up my shutter in low light, the Tamron 60mm macro fits the bill. 

The wide f/2.0 aperture of the this lens also helps to blur backgrounds, which is a problem you usually have with the short focal length lenses.  I had no problem producing a nice blured backgrounds or abstracts, and the results rivaled some of my longer focal legth macro lenses.  This lightweight lens is also great if you’re hand holding shots.

Those of you that know my style of shooting know that I like to shoot a lot of subject using full depth of field. I was very happy with the way this lens performed when stop down all the way. Nice sharp images though out.

Here are a few shots from the Tamron 60mm macro lens.

(Mike Moats is sponsored by Tamron)

www.Tamron.com

 

Monthly Newsletter

Starting in the month of October I will be publishing a short monthly newsletter.  The newsletter will help you improve your macro work with  a monthy macro tip, photography equipment news, and and my updates for workshops, art shows and new products.

Click below and add your name to the email list.Click Here

Scary Day In The Swamp

I was out in the swamps this morning shooting the floating leaves. This was shot after my camera unhitch itself from the head and took a swan drive into the swamp water. My hand shot into the water like out of a canon, so the camera wasn’t submerged more than a fraction of a second. Had no towel to clean it so had to use my t-shirt. It seems to be working fine as this image was shot after the dunking. You can bet I was cranking on the knob that tightens the camera on the head after that.

What’s New

Back from the workshop in the Eastern Sierras, had good weather and everyone had a good time shooting.  Shot at mono lake, and if you every get a chance to visit the ghost town of Bodie, it’s very cool and a great place to shoot some intresting macro images in the old buildings.  We also got to visit and shoot the bristle cone pines that grow on the top of a mountain at 11,000 feet.   Haven’t had time to process any of the images I shot but hopefully this week I will have time to post some.

Yesterday I was at the Rock Financial Showplace for the Great Lakes Fine Art Show.  It also runs today and tomorrow from 10:00am till 6:00pm and is located in Novi, Michigan.  Anyone in the area stop by and say hi.

The fall color in lower Michigan is starting to turn.  So far the color looks really good.  The last couple years the leaves have been blotchy and lacking good colors.  This years the leaves have great color and no blotches.  So looking for some great opportunities for images.

I’ve been shooting with the new Tamron 60mm macro and Tamrons new 17-50mm lens and will post a review and some of the images.

In 2010 I will be offering a photoshop workshop that will also feature the Nik software programs. They will be one day workshops held in Rochester Hills, Michigan.  No dates set yet, but will I will post info as I put them together.

St James Court Art Show

I’m writing this from my hotel room in Louisville, Kentucky.  In town to do the St. James Court Art Show. This art show is rated in Sunshine Artist magazine as the second best art show in the county.  Draws around 250,000 people over three days and has over seven hundred artist from across the county.  Stop in and say hi if you’re in the area.

Spring 2009 Macro and More Workshop

Take a moment and check out the images from our participants in the Oregon Macro and More Workshop in June 2009.

www.macroandmore.com

Presentation At Grosse Pointe Camera Club

Tomorrow night April 28th I will be speaking at the Grosse Pointe Camera Club in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.  My presentation with be The Four Seasons Of Macro.  the club meets between 7:00pm till 9:00pm.  The locations is at Brownell elementary school at 260 Chalfonte, Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Come and say hi.

Still Waiting On Spring

I got out to shoot last Thursday and did find a few late blooming bloodroot, but haven’t processed them yet.  Still lacking on new growth as the only thing showing was some coiled up Skunk Cabbage and a few emerging Mayapples.  I did get a little creative with an interesting formation on a stump I found last fall.  At the time I found it I shot it with some small white flowers I found in a field but wasn’t happy with the lack of color.  My wife had bought some flowers from the store call Sun Stars,  I carried them with me to use with this stump idea.  Shot both images with my Fuji S5 and a Tamron 90mm macro lens, f/stop at f/32 .

After I finished shooting this one I was heading back to the trail I came in on and found a large Turkey feather.  I always keep interesting finds as it could come in handy combining it with another subject.  I went to visit another downed tree trunk that also had some interesting patterns in the wood.  I combined the Turkey feather with this stump.  You sometimes have to use your imagination when waiting for spring to showed up.

In a few days I’ll post one of the Bloodroot flowers I shot on this day.

Macro Workshop, E-book

MACRO WORKSHOP / E-BOOK

 

My how-to Macro Workshop is now an e-book.  I’ve had hundreds attend my workshops here in Michigan and do have some come from out of state, but most can’t afford to travel across country to take a one day workshop, so now you can have the workshop e-book come to you.  

Course Covers

Equipment
Cameras
Lenses
Tripod And Head
Accessories 
Plamps
Diffusers
Reflectors
Camera Functions
White Balance
ISO
Shutter Release
Lighting
Composition
Rule of Thirds
Lines
Contrast
Textures
Light
Two Subject Comps
Color
Using All The Rules
Depth Of Field
Shallow Depth Of Field
Full Depth Of Field
Some Where In Between
Crowding The Main Subject
Viewing From All Angles
My Photoshop Tools

_________________________________________________________

E-book will be sent to you as a PDF for downloading once you order.

Cost $29.00

Order at www.MikeMoatsBooks.com

E-Book will be available by April 20th

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Waiting For The Bloodroot

It’s tough timing the opening of the bloodroot flower to shoot.  I timed it just right last year but missed them the two previous years.  They only last a couple days, and I usually get there to early and then come back to late.  I’m going out to check my local hot spots this week. 

Favs from 2008

I’m geting ready for my art shows that will start up in a few weeks and looking through some of my images from last year that I will be printing to sell this year at the art shows, and decided to post some of my fav shots from last year.

Thanks for looking

Mike

NANPA and NFRCC Conventions

In the last month I’ve present programs for the North American Nature Photographers Assoc. annual summit in New Mexico and the Niagara Frontiers Camera Clubs Convention in New York. 

In February I presented a program called “Making A Living On The Art Show Circuit.  The program went well and had a good attendance.  I had the pleasure to hang out with some great photographers including Bill Fortney (Nikon liaison to the pros/owner of Great American Photo Workshops, and published photographer),  meet Art Wolfe, visited  with friends like my buddy and workshop partner Jack Graham who was there on a awards committee, and good friends Jim Clark  and Walt Anderson of Better Beamer.  http://nanpa.org/

Here I am at NANPA, the room was dark  so hard to see me up there.
Photo by Jack Graham with his G10.

The NFRCC Convention was last weekend and was a lot of fun.  Met a lot of great photographers and got to see some nice presentations, one which was Michael Reichmann of Luminous Landscapes website, and had to leave early Sunday so missed Rick Sammon’s presentation.  My presentation “Four Seasons Of Macro” was the opening presentation of the convention on Friday night.  I was followed by my friend Jack Graham who presented a program “20 Photography Tips.  On Saturday I set up some macro subjects that people could bring in their cameras and shoot. www.nfrcc.org

Running A Successful Nature Photography Business – Now On Sale

The new e-book is now on sale

Learn how to make money with your photography
see last post for more info.

Running A Successful Nature Photography Business

To order go to, www.MikeMoatsBooks.com

Running A Successful Nature Photography Business

Running A Successful Nature Photography Business

The book will be sold on a CD to be viewed on your computer.  The e-book teaches what I call streams of income and the more streams you use the more money you make.  

Sell prints through art shows
Sell prints through art galleries
Sell prints through art consultants
Sell prints online, through website
Sell images for stock (advertising, calendars, etc.)
Sell articles and images to nature photo magazines
Offer workshops
Offer online workshops
Publish books
Produce E- books
Produce how-to DVD’s
Find sponsors
Give presentations for photo conventions, camera clubs
Open your own gallery

I will breakdown and examine each of these fourteen streams of income.  How to find and approach galleries. You will get information on how to enter the art show business, from tents, walls, how to find and apply to the shows.  Selling your articles and images to magazines and setting up a workshop program.  Publishing your own books, produce DVD’s, finding sponsors, giving presentations, the reality of opening your own gallery. 

Use just a few streams to make some extra money or go all out full time.

You can start with one stream and add on each year, or if you’re really ambitious add two or three a year.   I got to all fourteen in four years.

The e-book will run $59.00 and be worth every penny as a time saver on learning all you need to know to get started making money with your nature photography.

To order go to,  www.MikeMoatsBooks.com

mgmoats@yahoo.com

Presenting At The 48th Annual NFRCC Convention

Jack Graham and I will be presenting a Macro & More talk at the 2009 48th Annual Niagara Frontier Regional Camera Clubs Convention. It will be held March 20,21 & 22nd at the Holiday Inn on Grand Island, NY. We will be presnting on Friday night, and on Saturday we will have subjects set-up for macro photographers to bring their cameras in and shoot. Other speakers are Michael Reichmann of Luminous Landscape, Rick Sammon, and more. See more details at; http://www.nfrcc.org/convention/speakers.php

Do You Have the Eighth Intelligence?

I’ve been reading an interesting book called “Last Child in the Woods” saving our children from nature-deficit disorder, written by Richard Louv.   The book reflects the growing international concerns about nature deficit in children and the corresponding social movement that has emerged in the United States, Canada, and other countries.  He talks about the people of the baby boomer and older age group that enjoyed a kind of free natural play in the outdoors that seems, in this era of kid pagers, instant messaging, Nintendo, like a quaint artifact.

One section that intrigued me was how Howard Gardner, a professor of education at Harvard, developed his influential theory of multiple intelligence in 1983.  Gardner argued that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, was far too limited; he instead proposed seven types of intelligence to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults.

Linguistic intelligence,  “word smart”
Logical-mathematical intelligence, “number/reasoning smart”
Spatial intelligence “picture smart”
Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence,  “body smart”
Musical intelligence, “music smart”
Interpersonal intelligence, “people smart”
Intrapersonal intelligence, “self smart”

Most recently he added an eighth intelligence: naturalist intelligence, “nature smart”.   Charles Darwin, John Muir, and Rachel Carson are examples of this. The core of the naturalist intelligence is the human ability to recognize plants, animals, and other parts of the natural environment, like clouds or rocks. Maybe this explains why some photographers have a natural ability to see and photograph things in nature that others walk right passed. 

Naturalist intelligence deals with sensing patterns in and making connections to elements in nature. Using this same intelligence, people possessing enhanced levels of this intelligence may also be very interested in other species, or in the environment and the earth. Children possessing this type of intelligence may have a strong affinity to the outside world or to animals, and this interest often begins at an early age. They may enjoy subjects, shows and stories that deal with animals or natural phenomena. Or they may show unusual interest in subjects like biology, zoology, botany, geology, meteorology, paleontology, or astronomy. People possessing nature smarts are keenly aware of their surroundings and changes in their environment, even if these changes are at minute or subtle levels. Often this is due to their highly-developed levels of sensory perception. Their heightened senses may help them notice similarities, differences and changes in their surroundings more rapidly than others. People with naturalistic intelligence may be able to categorize or catalogue things easily too. Frequently, they may notice things others might not be aware of. As children these people often like to collect, classify, or read about things from nature — rocks, fossils, butterflies, feathers, shells, and the like.

Do you have the Nature Smarts?

Diffraction In Macro

I’ve had many photographers that are curious about why I shoot most of my images at f/32.  To keep it simple and not get all techy, when you shoot with a lens stop down to the smallest aperture ( highest f/stop number)  you lose sharpness.  The ideal f/stop for sharpness is in the f/8 to f/11 range. I tend to shoot many of my images with everything in focus and the problem with macro is as we move in closer to the subject our depth of field shrinks and we have to increase the depth of field to bring the whole image in focus.  I did a test to show how the diffraction is not that drastic and with some sharpening it will bring the sharpness of the f/32 to equal the sharpness of the f/8 and allow me to get focus through out the whole image which the f/8 can’t do.  So you don’t have to freak out and worry about driffraction when you shoot at f/32.

This test shows how this works for macro photography with a macro lens, I can’t say you will get the same results with your regular lenses shooting landscapes or wildlife images.

I shot this peacock feather with a Tamron 90mm macro lens.  The feather is lying flat and the lens is at eight inches away at a very slight angle.  I shot at f/8, f/11, f/22 and f/32 to show the difference in sharpness between the four f/stops.

These shots are right out of my Fuji S5 camera with no sharpening.

This is the f/8 and as you can see its sharp in the middle but even with shooting at only a slight angle the f/8 fails to bring it all in focus.

The second shot was set at f/11 and you can see good sharpness in the center and a little more focus at the corner but still not enough.

This was shot at f/22 and you can see we have good sharpness in the center and a little more sharpness at the corners.

On the last shot at f/32 we still maintain good sharpness in the center and we have good sharpness at the corners.

On the next four images I blew up the center of the sharpest part of the f/8 shot, which was the center of the image, and compared it with the  same part of the others to see the difference.

This is the f/8 and you can see it is nice and sharp.

This is the f/11 and about the same in sharpness.

This is the f/22 and you can see its a little less sharp.

This is the f/32 and it has a softer look but not bad.

Now here is the f/32 with sharpening at 120% and as you can see the sharpness is back in and looks as good as shooting at f/8 to f/11.   I may have even added more sharpening than was needed so I might back it off to the 100 range.

By adding the sharpening tool in photoshop, we may be creating an illusion that it is sharp, but not much different then if we have to correct colors or exposure if they are off, so we correct the diffraction, as long as it looks sharp doesn’t matter how you got there.

So now I have an image that has every part of the image in focus and with a little sharpening my image has the same sharpness as shooting in the f/8 to f/11 range and the diffraction is not a problem.

So as you can see diffraction isn’t this big scary thing and shooting stopped down works. It allows me to maintain focus throughout an image and still get good quality on sharpness.