BLOG

Millipede - Before and After

Oct 31, 2025

I was down south teaching a workshop, and a photo friend Mike Matthews was going to bring in some of his critters that he has for my attendees to photograph. I went to Mike's home to do some shooting of the critters the day before the workshop, and he finds a millipede in his yard. I've always wanted to photograph one of these and was excited to be able to. Here is the image that I cropped and processed, and below that is the original. I used my Smart Photo Editor program ...

Sea Glass

Oct 30, 2025

Some years ago, one of the participants in my Florida Macro Boot Camp brought me some, Sea Glass. Pieces of broken glass, once sharp at the edges, that have been ground smooth from the back-and-forth movement over the sand under the ocean water. It's great when I get some new unique subjects to shoot. Join my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 instructional videos. Over 2900 members from 29 countries. Info and to sign up. MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro ...

Speaking in Two Different Countries Today

Oct 29, 2025

Prior to the pandemic I traveled the US from east coast to west coast and from north to south even to Alaska teaching my macro boot camps and speaking to camera clubs. I drove to all those locations (flew to Alaska) because I carried a lot of products that I sold in my workshops.Once the pandemic hit all in person programs came to a halt for a few years. Emerged was the zoom program. Everyone learned about zoom so families could connect during the holidays, birthdays, and camera clubs ran their ...

Benefit of Macro Photography, We Control the Light

Oct 29, 2025

Landscape and wildlife photographers have no control over the light when they go out to shoot, it is what it is. Macro Photographers shoot small areas, so we have control over the light, using diffusers, reflectors, flash, LED lights. That is a huge benefit for the macro photographer.Join my online Macro Photo Club and learn through over 280 instructional videos. Over 2,900 members from 29 countries.MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

My Vanguard Tripod

Oct 28, 2025

I love the vanguard tripods, well-made, does everything I need it to do for my macro/close-up photography. Great thing is the price only $199. Center post extends up and into a horizonal position to get over top of your subjects. Legs go straight out allowing the tripod to sit all the way down onto to ground. VEO 3+ 263AT Aluminum Tripod (No Head)https://www.vanguardworld.com/collections/tripods/products/veo-3-263at-aluminum-tripod-no-head

Before and After - Artsy Foxtail

Oct 27, 2025

Found this foxtail positioned right in front of this unknown plant, and like the comp. It was the first frosty day of the 2023 fall season. I placed a printed background behind the subjects and shot at f/32.I was playing with the image in Smart Photo Editor not really knowing what I was going to do with the processing and hit on one of the filters that gave it this artsy look.So that is what I went with. Here is the original out of the camera. Join my Macro Photo Club ...

First Frost

Oct 26, 2025

Here in the northern regions of the US we will start getting our first frost of the Fall season. Still waiting for ours here in Southeast Michigan, but it will get here.When I see the weather man/women reporting frost for my area, I make sure to have my gear ready to go for daybreak.At this time of year, the weather will warm up and melt the morning frost so you have to get out at daybreak as you will have limited time before it melts.Frost adds character to any subjects making for great ...

Benefit of Macro Photography - You Don't Have to Travel Far From Home

Oct 25, 2025

The nice benefit about macro photography is that we don't have to travel far for subject matter. I have four parks within 20 minutes of my home with unlimited amounts of subject matter to shoot.If you don't have parks near where you live, there can be subjects to shoot in your backyard. I have a variety of flowers, pine trees, ferns, hostas and other plant life growing in my yard.When it's cold in the winter or to hot in the summer, I can always go to the local florist, buy some flowers ...

Nature Photography

Oct 24, 2025

I've spent most of my life in nature hiking trails, wandering off trails and benefiting from the calming effect we get from spending time in the woods and fields. In 2001 I bought my first camera and lenses with the idea of photographing nature and another reason to head out to the local parks.I was having so much fun with my camera and also becoming aware of all of mother nature's amazing artwork, which is beyond any art man has created. I am so grateful to have been able to turn ...

Love Photographing Desert Plant Life

Oct 20, 2025

Living in the northern region (Michigan) of the US, I have a lot of amazing plant life to create art. One thing I don't have in nature in my area are desert type plants. So, I really love going the southwest to photograph the desert plants. My favorites are the many varieties of Agave plants. I search them out in the botanical gardens and have been able to get some great images. So many amazing lines in these plants. Join my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 ...