Come and enjoy the pursuit of macro and nature photos taken both at home and in the great outdoors!
I'm Andrew Lanxon, a professional photographer with over a decade of photographic experience. Join me as I take you on photoshoots of macro, landscape, nature subjects and more, showing how I take my photos and how I use editing software to take my images even further.
Photography should be for everyone, no matter your background, experience, or bank balance, so I try to focus on how to take images you'll love, rather than on how to spend more money on cameras or lenses.
Note that I might receive a commission on some affiliate links provided in my video descriptions.
Enjoyed the video as usual Andrew. I must do more of this photography. What LED light do you use? I couldn't decide which shot i preferred. Great image's as usual. Look forward to the next one.
Something I like about this video is that you actually go and show us how to take the best shots and also show us the different possible shots as you move the amount of light on the target. This is something I noticed that I don't see in most how-to videos on taking macro shots. They tend to get either too technical or to vague and only show us the final shots. Great Job!
Pity you can’t use that app offline. Being tethered to needing internet really limits the flexibility. I’d use LR if it allowed local editing from a hardrive. But nearly all my shooting is in remote areas. How great it would be to use an iPad. But I am forced to drag a freaking laptop. Sad.
Unfortunately this app is completely useless to me. Imagine being in a developing country in a hotel that you are lucky it even has power and then be stuck because you have to access the “cloud” in order to do any work. Yup, that ain’t happening. The inability to use this app with local external hard drive is just shameful. They just want your money. Sad.
I bought some cheap extension tubes to try shooting macro. I put them on my Canon Rebel and used a bad 75-300mm zoom I had, probably at 300. I had a chrysanthemum with tiny flowers, and shot part of a bloom. The tubes wouldn’t control the aperture, so the shot was wide open. There was just the room light. I liked it so well that when I got an offer for a free print, I had it printed 20” x 24”, framed it, and it is displayed in my living room. It let me know that I wanted to buy an actual macro lens, so I got the 100mm macro. I now use that lens adapted on my Fujifilm 100S, and it does great. I also got some extension tubes for Canon that has the electrical connections. They came when I had rented the TS-E 24mm, and I could move the focal plane. That was fun and worked great.
Nice one Steve! That's such a great entry into macro and I love that yougot a shot you liked so much to print like and to spur you on to do more. For future reference, if your extension tubes won't control your aperture you can usually put the lens directly on the camera, set the aperture, turn the camera off and remove the lens and when you put it back on the extension it should still be at whatever aperture you set it at. That's how I used to do it anyway with older canon ef lenses. Thanks for watching!
@@AndrewLanxonPhotography I figured there must be a way to do it. I was just messing around, so I didn’t look into it. I didn’t know that I’d get a picture that I see every day that I’m at home. My other bit of macro serendipity was when my 100S was new and I was trying out adapted EF lenses. I found a 1966 British penny at my house. I have no idea why I have it. It is over an inch in diameter, so I could shoot it at 1:1 on the larger sensor, but not quite on full frame. I photographed both sides. I also tried the 400MP sensor shift mode, since the coin wasn’t going anywhere. That worked OK, but was maybe a bit beyond the capabilities of the lens. I liked the 102MP versions so much that i printed both sides of the coin on 13” roll paper and had it framed. I think that makes the image over seven times life size. There is enough resolution I could have printed it twice that size, but I was at the limits of my printer.
I love the one on the left when they are all in focus, it gives the impression the bigger mushrooms are protecting the little one 😊 I’m fairly new to photography but am absolutely loving it, it’s doing wonders for my mental health which is one of the reasons I have invested in a good camera and really treated myself. I love macro photography and find your videos so useful, I’ve learnt so much! I have a canon EOS R10 and using the Laowa 90mm 2X ultra macro. I love my set up but my only regret is rushing in and buying a ring flash, sometimes it is brilliant but other wise I wish i’d have waited and invested in an off camera flash and a diffuser. Thank you for your videos!!
I think it was about 80-90 or so in total, going from the front tip of the mushroom to the back tip. I excluded any shots that added focus beyond those areas. Thanks for watching!
I use a 100mm macro on an APS-C body. I do have a 35mm lens that has a minimum focusing distance of 10 inches, I should give that try sometime perhaps with an extension tube.
Hi Andrew, loving the videos. I am new to photograph and have the R7 with the RF 35mm close up/macro lens, and hope to add the canon EF 60mm macro plus RF toEF adapter to bring me near to 100 mm equivalent lens. As for trying to decide which of your focal length mushroom shoots I like, I would have to say both, for their different prospectives. 👍
Hey Andrew, thank you for laying bare your thought process. You would love the OM-1s ability to see the focus shift in real time on the viewfinder when stacking. Sadly missing from my Z8. I have been shooting mushrooms with my micro 4/3 60mm , 90mm and 12 to 40mm f2. Full frame equivalent 120mm, 180mm and 24-80mm. For mushrooms the 12-40 mm is fantastic with a 20cm from sensor close focus through the focal range. My favourite arty shots is to cut the cap off the mushroom place it on a fallen leaf gill side up on a nest of leaves. Side light and then focus stack. I am planning on doing a series of these shots. Give it a go. Off in a minute to Portland Bill. Winds gusting over 50mph. That is a job for the Z8, 600mm, 100-400mm and 24-120. See if I can capture some moster waves. Oh, anyone ever tell you that you have a voice made for radio? Have a good one, D.
I've used the OM1 for a while and I actually don't like cameras that do the stack in-body to be honest. Or rather, I've never once found it helpful and if they also save the individual raw files then I just use those. Dedicated software like Helicon focus always does a far superior job than in-camera stacking and gives you the option for much more in-depth retouching (which all of these images required, extensively) which I wouldn't be able to do using a pre-stacked in-camera image. The OM-1 is great with macro for many other reasons though!
Hey, Andrew. I agree I only ever use focus bracketing. I was talking about the ability to see the focus plane shift in the viewfinder in real time on the OM-1. To my knowledge it is the only camera that can do this. I activate focus bracketing on the fly by pressing the function button on the lens barrel. Great for butterflies with the 300mm. Or the Ivy bee face close up with the 60mm I took yesterday. When doing deep stacks ( 90mm + converters, stacks 300+ ) it is necessary in Helicon to stack all three methods A, B and C and to also stack the results of A and B with method B to capture hair detail. Masking in Photoshop is then required to minimise ghosting. For fungi method B is usually enough. Unless ghosting then B & C.
Andrew I feel the one in Focus shows more of what is framing the small mushroom this way I understand what you are capturing. Really appreciate you explaining how you go about doing your Macro work. Thank you.
I recently acquired a 70-180mm micro from Nikon and really love the ability to have a zoom. I used it most recently on insects and amphibians in the Amazon and it was epic. I will look for a macro and see what I can get! Thanks as always for your videos!
I liked the 24mm shot best but having said that there all good 👍. I don't have a macro lens anymore ( couldn't get on with it) but I take shots using my 12-40 or 40-150 zooming in enlarged in lightroom and boom..." what's the difference " love your work keep it up. Peter.
Very Interesting video Andrew, something I'd not thought of. I did a focus stack this morning of some mushrooms with my 10-18 lens, a very interesting result. My subject wasn't the greatest, so I guess it is subject and composition-dependent. Will certainly experiment with this. Thank you.
Great video clearly demonstrating the creative options the different lenses give. Prefer the out of focus image at 11:40 and of the two images towards the end of the video I prefer the wide angle one because it better shows the subject in it’s environment, setting the scene and telling the story of the mushroom’s world. After dipping toes in macro waters with extension tubes I decided against a Fuji macro lens, instead buying a D700 and a 105 f2.8G VR. Loved the D700 so much I bought a second one. Really have to thank Nick @duringthemeanwhilst for his advocacy of this camera and lens, I’m so glad I found his videos about them. Mostly photograph bees and insects. It may be heresy but for photographing small beasties I always use back-button continuous auto-focus with release set to focus. Two reasons, it gives me a higher keeper rate than manual focus and it lets me concentrate more on composition. And mostly aperture priority with auto-iso.
Came home from a day in the woods taking mushrooms, the day was magic, I have an Olympus camera with 60mm macro and 12-45 f4 lens. My problem is I don't like changing the lenses too much so tend to favour the 60mm macro. The icing on the cake though was having my tea watching your amazing video, I loved all of the images, all for different reasons. Truly inspirational for anyone who has not tried photographing mushrooms. Getting low down to take the subject can be a messy job but to help save my knees and not get my trousers too muddy I use knee pads from the hardware store, the ones carpet fitters use I find are ideal. The one problem I mainly have is the front of the trousers might look clean but my bottom gets muddy with me sitting on my boots 😂. Thanks again for the brilliant video.
Carpet fitter's knee pads are great. I've had suggestions for waterproof picnic blankets and gardener's cushions too, all of which Ill probably try at some point, but the good old plastic shopping bag works well enough for me now -- plus which I've often used it to pick up any rubbish I find strewn around (thankfully almost nothing in this forest!) so it comes in handy for many reasons!
I've tried bin bags and other types of kneelers but find it easier having knee pads. I put them on before I start on my walk and take them off when I've finished.
Would you suggest getting the 24mm when already owning the 35mm? I am considering getting the 24 but then I won't be using the 35 probably ever... EDIT: Forgot to mention 9:58 the shot is wonderfully displayed, parents of mushrooms taking care of the little one!
It depends on your budget and how much you like the wide look. The 35mm is such a good all rounder and generally I'd say the 24 doesn't offer SO much more as to be worth it. But it is different and if you can justify the price (buy it used. I got mine on mpb for half off retail) then it's a fun addition to your kit.
Thanks Andrew, can’t wait to go in the woods crawling around and get dirty photographing mushrooms 😀 Well what about macro lenses… I use a 90mm and 180mm on a APSC camera and love them. But I really would like to have a 25mm macro lens as well… I love the detail but it’s also great to photograph the subject in it’s environment! So i can’t decide what I prefer, I think all because of the variety…
Hi Andrew, well this is so timely. I shots Olympus which is M4/3 with the 60 m macro lens. My favourite subjects being wild flowers and fungi. I have been debating buying the 30 mm macro and could not decide. That will now be a firm yes for me.
If you don't already have a wide in your kit then definitely give it a go! I'd even consider looking for a wider one as 30mm on m4/3 will still be about 40/50mm. I don't know if you can get wider options from olympus though.
I also shoot with an OM-1. I recently purchased the OM-1 12-40mm f2.8. this lens has more than enough macro capability for fungi and flower photography and gives you 24-80mm full frame field of view. Highly recommended. ( I paid £420 eBay). I have almost stopped using my 60 and 90mm macro lenses for fungi and flowers. The 12-40 is very versatile small and light. For extreme macro I use the 90 with up to 2x extender for 8x full frame magnification. But the stacks can easily reach 500. I have some beautiful shots of flower anthers side lit at this magnification. For fungi and flowers the 12-40 is highly recommended and also good for street. For flower parts and even close ups of polen the 90mm with extenders if needed.
I use RF 100mm and RF 35mm f/1.8, and I can't always decide which I like the most. As you said, both have their style. The 35mm give more context. I think they should not be opposed, but they are complementary. About you're photos, they are very nice shots. Thanks for the video.
I have the same combo and this vid has me itching for the 24mm too! I think the 100mm in terms of contrast/colours is a bit more pleasing. But the 35mm is a fantastic lens and I love it. Shame the new 35mm F1.4L is not a Macro!
Full frame 105mm macro is my main choice but I do find myself using a 20mm wide angle lens as well for close up shots. It’s not a macro lens but gets close enough for mushrooms and flowers. I enjoy playing with the extra distortion it gives over a 24mm lens.
Great video, love the shots and the comparison. I only have the 100mm macro but your videos on the 24mm and the 35mm make me think about tying something different. Thank you :)
Some of the best photography advice I've been given typically relates to comfort or protection in the field. A good pair of boots, or raincoat, or gloves to make the entire experience easier and more enjoyable. 5:00 You could buy yourself a waterproof picnic blanket for about $10. Weighs virtually nothing and rolls up into a little bundle you could fit in your pack, or strap to the top/bottom of it. The smaller/lighter but more expensive option would be a hiking tent's ground sheet.
No disrespect taken! The bag fits into the tiniest of pockets on my bag (or my jeans) and can also be a rain cover for the camera if needed and I also often use them to pick up any trash I find when I'm out and about to empty in a bin later, so I always find it handy to have a bag with me.
Beautiful shots, both types. I wouldn't like to ultimately discriminate between the two focal lengths for macro shots, but to me it is like a lens for close portraiture in greater isolation (the 100mm) vs a lens more suited to making environmental portraits (the 35mm) in which the main subject is clearly embedded into its surroundings. Although I am pretty fresh to the macro world, it feels to me that macro tends to be more associated with close-up shots of subjects (like close portraiture), so environmental macro shots tend to be rather unique to me - and I like them for what they offer. I think when used appropriately, it is a pretty strong tool that allows one to capture the ambience and context through the wide-angle view, balanced against (i.e., a certain cost of) the degree of visual focus and detail of the main subject. I also think the 35mm offers a more true-to-life experience... as if I was that small standing down there, or the subject that big next to me - more so than with the 100mm. When it comes to telling a story with a photograph, I think the wide-angle lens would be the way to go more often. :)
I currently use my Canon RF 100mm Macro for most of my images. One of the areas I go to photography, I need to remain on the trail. On occasion, I will bring out my Canon EF 180mm Macro to reach further off the trail. Your wide angle macro images really give me another perspective. I recently just bought a Canon RF 35mm Macro and can’t wait to give it a try.
@@AndrewLanxonPhotography I do like it but I probably don't use it as much as I like to because of the size and weight. It is really a good lens to photography insects from a distance and for those situations when you can't leave the path such as arboretum .
great video, i have 2 macro set-ups depending on how much weight i want to carry, Canon eos R6 with 150mm sigma macro / Olympus EM1.3 with 60mm (120mm) macro. I prefered the shot on the leftand i also carry plastic bags 🛍 😂
Lol...we were in BA Forrest this morning for the second time due to your first visit there. If you take I think the Yellow route and before you get to the bridge on that one, peel into the left and pick up the stream, I found some stunning shrooms there and used my new 100mm F2.8L on the R5....smallrig video light helped out too. However I prefer the shorter of the 3 routes so far and we'll do the other one on our next visit. Did not think much of Kelty! You might like Muiravonside County Park...some nice long walks and a good range of them.
Nice! I've not explored the area all that much yet as I've often gone back to the spots I'm familiar with so I've been trying to get a little further out each time. I saw some destroyed fly agaric mushrooms that would have been great to shoot when they were fresh so I'm keeping my fingers cross for next time!
Wide angle macro is great. I used extension tubes on the sony 20 1.8 but maybe I'll try them on the 24-105 at 24mm. Had the laowa 15mm macro for a while and it's a hell of a lens.
A 15mm macro sounds nuts! I think I might need to experiment with this. I really enjoyed going 24mm wide on these, though I wonder if maybe the size of my camera would end up being more a problem -- I'd want to get really low to shoot up with that 15 but I couldn't get my camera lower even on these ones.
@@AndrewLanxonPhotography Yep. Totally different perspective. The DOF even at F4 is quite large and closing it a little bit more you really can see the background. Sort of going wide angle from up close but on steroids.
You and me Drew? We on the same page ma man! Mushroom season? I wish. But I have been shooting my Nikkor 35 f2 and a cheap Cosmicar 25mm f1.8 TV lens both with short tubes, looove these wide views. SUCH a short spooky working distance for damsels and dragons however. Thanks for your realistic approach. Greetings from Colorado.
Damn, I'd never have the patience for shooting fast moving subjects up close with wide macros. These mushrooms were about as active as I could stand. But then I'm a lazy, impatient arse hole most of the time and if I can't get the shot quickly enough then I tend to lose interest. You've got stamina!
I blame you for making me want to drag my arse out into the woods and crawl around on my hand and knees looking for mushrooms. I have a macro problem and there’s no support group. Great video, I’ll have dirty knees in the morning again!
at 11:40 I prefer the shot on the left with all the mushrooms in focus 🙂 with the last shot i like both (so helpful!!) I agree that the oh-so expensive plastic bag is a must-have accessory in the macro kit bag! Here's hoping mushroom season here (south Wales) is better than last year which was a real disappointment with very few species to be found. I've amassed 3 macro lenses - a Laowa 65mm and Fujifilm 30mm (both APSC) and what I think is the best lens ever made, a micro Nikkor 105mm f2.8G which I shoot on a D700 or adapted (Fringer AF adapter) to my Fuji X-H2. All have their own special look, but the Nikon / Nikkor set up produces really dreamy results.
Thanks for your vote on the shot! I think I agree, though I didn't expect to tbh. That's an awesome macro setup you've got there. Is that nikkor a vintage lens? I bought an old zeiss 50mm lens recently and I keep meaning to put a macro adapter on it for some vintage macro.
Thanks for watching! The 35mm is probably my favourite all round lens as it's so capable for travel, street and landscape photography but also can be a great macro lens when you want it to be. If I could only have one lens it'd probably be that one.
