Before and After

Posted: May 26, 2017 in Uncategorized
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Here is the Before out of the camera.
I decided to do something from the bizarro world.

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In the first After image I used the “Line and Ink #1” filter in Topaz Simplify4.

Line and Ink 1

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In the second After image I again used Simplify4 and picked the “Painting Colorful” filter.

Painting Colorful

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The New Vanguard Tripod and Sale

Posted: May 25, 2017 in Uncategorized
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Check out the new Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ tripod. Hunts Photo will be taking pre-orders on the new one and a great sale price on the last Alta Pro version.
$35 OFF Vanguard Alta Pro 263 Aluminum-Alloy Tripod = https://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/detail_page.cfm?productid=263AT&mfg=Vanguard&show=yes&SP=thlO9
NEW – Alta Pro 2+ 263 Aluminum-Alloy Tripod = https://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/detail_page.cfm?productid=ALTAPRO2263AT
NEW – Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 Aluminum-Alloy Tripod Kit with Alta BH-100 Ball Head https://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/detail_page.cfm?productid=PRO2263AB100

Macro Boot Camp – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Posted: May 24, 2017 in Uncategorized
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Macro Boot Camp
 Lakes Community Center at 809 Waccamaw Rover Road, Myrtle Beach SC.
 October 7th and 8th, 2017
Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 9am – 1pm.
Cost $149
Sign up at http://www.macrostoreonline.com
The “MACRO BOOT CAMP” is two days of in depth learning and fun. You will need a camera, macro lens, tripod, as you will be shooting in the classroom. It is for the beginner to the intermediate photographer wanting to learn more about the macro / close-up world.

Covered in the Macro Boot Camp:

Cameras / Lenses / Tripods / Heads / Accessories.
Controlling light with diffusers, reflectors, and LED lights / working with natural lighting.

Depth of Field
How to control depth of field with f/stops and special techniques / focus stacking with Helicon Focus.

Composition
Learn how to compose properly / finding character in nature / elements of design / textures
contrast / lines / light / visual weight / learning to work camera angles for blurred backgrounds / Two Subject Compositions / What not to do when composing.

Finding Good Subject Matter
Learn when, where, and how to fine good subjects through out the four seasons.
How to shoot macro indoors.

Post Processing
Learn Mike’s post processing techniques using photoshop, Smart Photo Editor, Nik Software, and Topaz software programs.

Website click here
Macro Workshops click here
”Macro Online Course click here
”Creating Art With Macro E-Book click here
Macro Photo Conference click here
You can buy my images from a select group at GreatBigCanvas.com
To save 15% on Topaz products click here
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Another Method to Create Blurred Backgrounds

Posted: May 23, 2017 in Uncategorized
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A couple days ago I showed you how to create backgrounds to place behind your flowers when shooting in the house or out in the field see here.  Mike Nelson sent me an email saying we can create the blur in photoshop.  Just take one of your photos and use the Gaussian Blur filter and take the slider all the way to the right and it will blur out the subject.

Website click here
Macro Workshops click here
”Macro Online Course click here
”Creating Art With Macro E-Book click here
Macro Photo Conference click here
You can buy my images from a select group at GreatBigCanvas.com
To save 15% on Topaz products click here
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Sign Up for Fall Macro Workshops

Posted: May 22, 2017 in Uncategorized
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Macro Boot Camp – Holiday Inn, Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Sept 9,10, Cost $199
Macro Boot Camp – Holiday Inn, Rockford, Illinois, Sept 16,17, Cost $149
Macro Boot Camp – Holiday Inn, Barboursville, West Virginia, Sept 30,Oct 1, Cost $149
Macro Boot Camp – Fairfield Inn, Columbia, South Carolina, Oct 14,15, Cost $199
Macro Photo Conference – Crowne Plaza, Middleburg Hts, Ohio, Oct 28,29, Cost $199
SIGN UP AT, http://www.macrostoreonline.com

Website click here
Macro Workshops click here
”Macro Online Course click here
”Creating Art With Macro E-Book click here
Macro Photo Conference click here
You can buy my images from a select group at GreatBigCanvas.com
To save 15% on Topaz products click here
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Share through social media, click links at bottom of this article.

Summer Vacation

Posted: May 22, 2017 in Uncategorized
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When I was a kid my favorite time of the year was the last day of school and summer vacation.  Well last weekend was my last workshop until September, and summer vacation starts today.  Yahoo!   I do have one weekend commitments for a photo conference at the Seven Ponds Photo Expo here in Southeast Michigan.  Looking forward to warm sunny days having fun, and getting time to capture more macro images.  I’ll still be online of course, blogging and posting on facebook, you can’t get rid of me that easily.
P1010445
Website click here
Macro Workshops click here
”Macro Online Course click here
”Creating Art With Macro E-Book click here
Macro Photo Conference click here
You can buy my images from a select group at GreatBigCanvas.com
To save 15% on Topaz products click here
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Share through social media, click links at bottom of this article.

5 Things to Consider for Better Macro Photos

Posted: May 21, 2017 in Uncategorized
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5 Things to Consider for Better Photos
1. Finding character. When you are out shooting, go slowly and take the time to study every subject for interesting characteristics. All settings that contain flowers, leaves, trees, and bugs have the potential to reveal elements of character. Character is reflected in an object’s distinctive shape, remarkable lines, exceptional contrast, unusual pattern, unique texture, or special light. Finding character in nature is about creating images that set themselves apart from the ordinary and mundane that most photographers capture.
2. Know your environment. One of the benefits of macro photography is that the environment is constantly changing with the different seasons. The life cycle of the plants we shoot are changing on a monthly basis. Study and learn the patterns of the environment that you shoot in, so you will be in the right place at the right time.
3. Are you creating art or just documenting? When you photograph a flower, does it tend to look documented, like something you would see in a flower identification textbook? In documented photos, it shows the flower and the environment it grows in with all the clutter. Are you creating artistic compositions with a clean background that allows the flower to stand out? Find the right camera angle with the least distracting background that allows the flower to stand out, creating a more artistic composition.
4. Do you think before you press the shutter? Once you find a subject and set up your tripod and camera to take the shot, do you think to yourself, “Have I seen this subject composed in this manner before?” If you have, then don’t shoot. We all study other photographer’s work online, and we have all seen thousands of images of flowers and other macro subjects. If you are composing your subject as you have seen it done before, then find a way to compose the subject to make it different than anything you have seen before. If you want your images to stand out, then stop copying others and come up with your own unique way of seeing a subject.
5. Software for post-processing. By following these tips, you can produce some unique and artistic photos. You may have found a subject with great character, and you have composed it in your own original style, but when it comes out of the camera, it lacks life. Digital cameras are not designed to produce finished photos, that’s up to the photographer. You need editing software to bring your photos to life by adding depth, contrast, colors, for a dramatic feel. Two of my favorite programs are Nik Software and Topaz Programs. By using these programs I have taken my photos to another level that really grabs the viewer’s attention.
Website click here
Macro Workshops click here
”Macro Online Course click here
”Creating Art With Macro E-Book click here
Macro Photo Conference click here
You can buy my images from a select group at GreatBigCanvas.com
To save 15% on Topaz products click here
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Share through social media, click links at bottom of this article.
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