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Shoot a Lot of Different Compositions

Jun 14, 2025

I teach about finding subjects to shoot that have character. A subject that is unique and different from all the others in that species of plant or flower. When you find that special character be sure to shoot many different compositions because that subject will only exist for a short time, and you will never be able to reshoot it again.I found this character of a tulip at the flower department of a grocery store. I loved how the one petal dropped down and was supported by the green ...

Tips for Effective Cropping

Jun 10, 2025

Tips for Effective CroppingMaintain Aspect Ratio:Be mindful of the aspect ratio to ensure your image looks balanced and can be printed or displayed without awkward resizing. Common aspect ratios include 4:3, 16:9, and 1:1 (square).Consider Composition Rules:Apply the rule of thirds, golden ratio, or leading lines when cropping to improve the visual flow of your image.Place the main subject off-center to create more dynamic and interesting compositions.Focus on the Subject:Crop to emphasize the ...

Techniques for Creative Flower Photography

Jun 09, 2025

Techniques for Creative Flower PhotographyMacro Photography:Use a macro lens to capture extreme close-ups, revealing details that are not visible to the naked eye.Ensure proper focus and use a small aperture (high f-stop number) to get a greater depth of field.Backlighting:Position the flower with the light source behind it to create a glowing effect and highlight the translucency of the petals.Water Droplets:Spray a fine mist of water on the flower to add interest and create ...

Join My Email List

Jun 07, 2025

If you are interested in updates on any in person workshops, online zoom workshops, and new events, send me your email, and I'll add you to the email list.send to macrogeekmike@yahoo.com Booking camera club zoom meetings, need a speaker, let me know, macrogeekmike@yahoo.comJoin my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 instructional videos. Over 2800 members from 29 countries. Info and to sign up. MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro PhotographerAlso Check out my ...

Before and After - Starflower Scabosia Flower

Jun 05, 2025

I was shooting at the Ankley Family Farm and came across this interesting flower. I learned that this is the seedhead of a Starflower Scabosia flower. Shot with my Fuji X-T30 MKll and Tamron 18-300. f/25 @ 1/55sec. ISO 2000. A printed background was placed behind the seedheads.I shot a group of these seedheads and processed them in Smart Photo Editor.Next step I used a SPE filter that mirrored the processed image to create this cool image. Here is the original ...

15% off Vanguard Photo Products.

Jun 03, 2025

Looking for a new tripod, head, or photo backpack, check out the Vanguard website and save 15% on your order in the US and Canada. Those of you who follow me know I have used their tripods and backpacks for the last 15 years.Go to their website www.VanguardWorld.com place your order and in the code box enter MMOATS15 and you will save 15%. Booking camera club zoom meetings, need a speaker, let me know, macrogeekmike@yahoo.comJoin my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 ...

Before and After - Sepia Tone Dahila

Jun 02, 2025

Working with some of the Dalia flowers in the backyard. I was filling the frame on all the shots I was taking, it's one of my favorite styles.Here is the finished image. Here is the original out of the camera.I cropped, used a pencil filter and added the sepia tone.Shot at f/32 and sharpened.Processing in Smart Photo Editor.I will again be presenting my zoom program, My Processing with Smart Photo Editor on June 4th.More info and to sign up. My Image Post Processing with Smart ...

June - Macro Photo Club News

May 31, 2025

June - Macro Photo Club NewsJune monthly theme - Lots of great plant life to photograph, so show us some of your artistic plant life images, but no flowers this time.Macro Photo Club members, post your images in the Mike Moats Macro Photo Club Facebook group.The winner of the May product giveaway of a Litra LED light is Bob Ballantyne, so Bob, email me at macrogeekmike@yahoo.com The June product giveaway is a Macro Photo Club coffee cup. For those who are lifetime members, when you ...

Macro Composition

May 30, 2025

Composition is just as important in macro photography as it is in any other genre of photography. Here are some tips specifically tailored for composing macro photographs:Fill the Frame: Get close to your subject and fill the frame with it. Macro photography is all about capturing the intricate details of small subjects, so make sure your subject is the main focus of the image.Rule of Thirds: While the rule of thirds is a fundamental principle of composition, it's particularly useful in macro ...

Painted Fern - Before and After

May 29, 2025

I love these little painted ferns. With this finished image, I cropped, sharpened, and I believe it was a filter I used in the "Pencil" category to get the look you see. I tried to just sharpen and leave the fern the original color but liked this artistic version better. Here is the original out of the camera. Booking camera club zoom meetings, need a speaker, let me know, macrogeekmike@yahoo.comJoin my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 instructional videos. Over 2800 ...