Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time
I love macro photography as it enables us to see the beauty in small things.
For this particular project, I wanted to show details (including textures) of a mundane object; an old rusty screw on a piece of wood (an old cutting board). In addition, I wanted to illustrate how the focus shifts on an object with an odd shape like this across the frame using video animation of the individual still images.
Normally I create photographs. This time, however, the final product is a video where you can follow the change of crystals/salts from the collodion wet plate process.
I have started this project because at my workshops I am often asked what happens when developing, fixing or sensitizing the plates. Of course, I have often tried to explain it, but a picture is worth a thousand words. That’s why this video was made.
Macro photography is such a fascinating subject. Getting that close to something isn’t something we normally see. We get to observe minute details that we’d never otherwise notice. A lot of things macro subjects are obvious, like bug parts, for example. But not everything is quite so easy to identify.
You might remember British contact lens retailer Lenstore from when they teamed up with Nikon to create 24 Hour London. Well, now they’ve come back with the “Close Up” macro challenge. Can you identify these objects from these extreme close-ups?
Before Irix officially announced their new Dragonfly 150mm f/2.8 macro lens at Photokina, they teased us with a few videos. Now, though, they’ve released pricing and release details. Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t look like you’ll be able to get it in time for Christmas – at least, not if you’re in the USA.
Sigma’s new 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art lens got a lot of people excited. At least, a lot of Canon, Sony and Sigma shooters. Finally, a macro lens with the build and optical quality of the other Art series lenses. And it was one of the lenses coming in a new native Sony E-Mount. Finally, Sigma has announced prices and release dates.[Read More…]
When I do macro photography, I do it mostly freehand, outdoors, and when possible, in natural light. I love my Sony A7 and the abundance of affordable macro lenses available for it via adapters. But one thing that I often struggle with, and sometimes damn my full frame sensor for, is the minuscule depth of field.
So one day, I got the idea to pick up a macro lens for my newly purchased Micro Four Thirds camera: The Panasonic Lumix G80 (known as G85 in the United States). In this article, I want to briefly go through some important aspects to consider when you pick between full frame and crop sensor for macro photography.
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It’s Fujifilm’s turn to make their new announcements this week, and they’ve got some that GFX medium format shooters are going to enjoy. First up, there’s the new Fujifilm GF 250mm F4 R LM OIS WR lens. It has a field of view equivalent to just under a 200mm lens on a 35mm body. So suitable for both longer distance outdoor portraits, as well as shooting closer wildlife.
But to help with the wildlife side of things, there’s also the new GF 1.4X TC WR teleconverter. Priced at an eye watering $849, it’s not exactly cheap, but if you shoot medium format digital, the word “cheap” probably isn’t in your vocabulary. Fuji haven’t forgotten macro shooters in the new announcement, though, offering both new 18mm and 45mm extension tubes.
Macro is always a popular topic, and it’s one that more people seem to be exploring for video content recently. But macro lenses typically aren’t inexpensive. My Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor, for example, was around $600 when I got it. Today, the current model Nikon 105mm f/2.8G AF-S VR is closer to $900. But there are a number of cheaper alternatives.
In this video, Caleb Pike looks at three very inexpensive options to get you started with macro. Each of the three options comes with their unique pros and cons, but all three solutions cost under $20 each. If you just want to dabble without spending a fortune, one of these could be the way to go.
One of the things I was most interested in checking out during The Photography Show were the new Sigma lens offerings. Those are the 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens, aimed primarily at portrait photographers, and the 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art. So, I sat down for a chat with Paul Reynolds of Sigma Imaging UK. I wanted to find out why the 70mm f/2.8 wasn’t available for Nikon, and I also hoped to get some insight on a release schedule for the new Sony E Mount versions of their existing and new prime lenses.
This is the first of a number of new announcements from Sigma today. They’ve finally added a macro lens to their Global Vision Art series lenses. That lens is the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art. With an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/22 and offering up to 1:1 magnification, this lens is likely going to be a big hit with macro fans.
While this is a full frame lens, it may be of particular interest to APS-C shooters. On Sony crop bodies, for example, it will offer the same field of view as the popular Nikon 105mm f/2.8VR Micro-Nikkor does on full frame. But it does it with a little more of that depth of field which is oh so scarce at macro distances. Unlike previous Sigma Art series lenses, this one’s available for native Sony E-Mount, too. Although, surprisingly, not Nikon, according to the press release.[Read More…]
You can find out more about John on his website and follow his adventures on YouTube and Facebook.
can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.
To see more of his work please visit his studio website blurMEDIAphotography, or follow him on Twitter, 500px, Google Plus or YouTube.
JP’s photography is available for licensing at Stocksy United.
Find my work on My website or follow me on Facebook or My page
