Insect Macro Photography - Episode 1 

I did not expect so much traction on my first macro video! Thanks everyone for the feedback😁 Episode 2 is now up: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-S_w3GoO8u6c.html

I love seeing the actual process, as you are composing and taking the shots, followed by the end result. Plus your commentary on what you're seeing and how you work through your compositions. I have been away from anything other than cell phone photography for so long that the first, and last SLR (yep, no "D") I owned was a Pentax K1000 I bought in the early 80s. Sold it in the late 80s. From that point on I was point-n-shoot film cameras and then P-n-S digital cameras, and finally smart phones. But lately I have been seeing some amazing insect and plant macro photography here and on Instagram. So I recently took the plunge and bought a Lumix G95, an Olympus 60mm Macro lens, a couple of extension tube, flash, yada yada. At this point I'm just trying to figure out the basics of the camera itself. It's like I drove some manual transmission car from the late 1950s, didn't drive any cars for years, and then decided to buy a Tesla Plaid. A little overwhelmed at the moment but I anticipated this and am going to stick with it. Channels like yours are so encouraging and inspiring. Because, ultimately, it's just some person walking around a forest or a field, taking a lot of pictures and then working with the best. All the while getting better. I'm not even to step 1 yet. more like step 0.3, but this road runs one way, and I can only get better, over time.

12:18 I observe the water bottle and measure your heartbeat. they are the same as mine when I shoot something with my knees bent and have to stop breathing. after the click it's like coming out of the water and looking for oxygen again. we photographers have a lot in common. I don't take macro photos because I don't have such equipment, I mainly like close up photos in nature with plants. I really enjoy your videos I really like the nature you walk in and of course your photos. here in Greece also there are millions of insects that for now I don't bother them. maybe some butterflies, usually orchids and other plants dance in my frame. keep doing what you are doing, you are calm like nature! Love your Foggy Woondlad's photos.

Just found your channel 👍 subbed . A nice relaxing video for a change and top photos aswell 👍

"... sometimes, I can never find the bug in the viewfinder!" I'm glad it's not just me :) - Thanks for the video, Jamie.

Great job, Jamie! Your relaxed narratives are spot-on.

I love It!!!

I really like what you do, your work is amazing, I find your videos relaxing and very well filmed 👏👏

Great photos mate and nicely put together video. I’ve got a TT350 coming for my Olympus but think I’ll need to get the V350 for the fast recycling. Annoyingly I’ve got 5 v850’s and an V860ii but they are for Nikon and too heavy on the smaller body.

I'm not even that interested in bugs or macro photography but these videos are a vibe

Wunderbar. Vielen Dank ❤

Great work Jamie, and amazing images, I’ve always wanted to take photos like that. You make the process look so easy. I’ve also got the EM1 mk2 so would be interested to learn what bracketing setting you use (default number of shots and focus differential). Think I’m going to have to invest in a Raynox too as they clearly make a large difference. Do you manually focus and then let the bracketing work it’s magic? Have you tried the in camera stacking?

Loving the videos and the format is very refreshing with not a lot of talking intro like so many today keep it up but do let us know the diffuser you use its very affective combined with your skill Jamie

Omg so interesting!

Impressive photos. Like I found your channel. Waiting for more.

Great video session , super support and very cool performed thanks a lot

Hi Jamie it’s fantastic to see a fellow Brumie on RU-vid. Keep up the fantastic work

Hi mate,enjoyed your content and I think majority of people would be proud if it was there’s,keep up the good work practice makes perfect and great to see how others do macro on the go.

Great images Jamie, enjoyed the video. Definitely would like more videos on macro, focus stacking and how you edit your images. Olympus cameras have some great features for macro. Do you stack in post or let the camera stack the images internally?

I've particularly enjoyed the rolling shutter on the flash 🤓

Very motivating and inspiring watching your videos @JamieSpensley . When you are shooting your pictures, do you use manual focus 1:1 with the Raynox attached?

Amazing images

Great

Thought that your video(s) were terrific and very inspiring! Bought an Oly 60mm Macro a couple of months ago but not had the motivation to fully try it out - you've given me that motivation to go out and try! How long have you been shooting macro?? And don't be put off by any negative comments - you'll always get people who think that can do better or know more! Keep it up...

Hi Jamie!! Nice video... Do you use electronic shutter??? what flash do you use? nice pictures! Thank you so much!

Great video Jamie - great content, images and commentary! Question: Does your flash keep up with the focus bracketing? It sounded like a few were missing the lighting? Also, a quick mention of your setting as you move about would be good too. You've got a new subscriber!

Jamie you are a master at your craft and very inspiring i think the way you do your videos is perfect and very informative . i too have just bought the cygnustech diffuser for the very same setup but mine is the EM1mk3 so in looking forward to its arrival of said diffuser and my first outing with it and after a verity of different DIY diffusers it should be night and day and keep up the Stella work. out of interest where did you get your card backgrounds in assuming they are plastic and waterproof?

Nice shots!

Very interesting video. Just subscribed to your channel. Can you please tell me the name of the flash diffuser your using and where to buy it. Your photos are amazing. Keep up the good work. Thanks.

Well done Jamie, keep the videos coming :)

I can’t figure out how you get such detailed photos. If I just zoom in a little bit, it’s all pixelated. Using Om-1 60mm raynox 250

Привет, у меня Nikon D5200, HELLIOS-44-2 2/58 с макрокольцами, макромех ПЗФ и вспышка YongNuo 685!!! Как вы думаете с таким набором можно заняться макро?😄

You're so talented.

hi ! Nice video ! What do you call stacking mode versus burst mode ? is this some specs from your camera ?

Great results! Just one question, how do you change focus while you’re burst shooting?

Nice video, thank you! 🙂

Hi Jamie. I was very inspired by your series. I have the om1 and have just bought a Godoy 350. I am waiting delivery of diffuser. I would really appreciate advice on how to set up camera/ flash/ focus setting etc.

What Lens do you use, i know there are many lenses that are used and i wanted to get a perspektive to which could be interisting for me as i am proceeding to buy my first macro lens (bevore i used to do revers macro with a pringels diffusor

Does that stacking function works with the manual lenses or should i move the camera myself for stacking

Hi Jamie, liked the video. Always good to see how other people do macro. Can you tell me what your camera settings are when you want to do a stack? For example, is your focus on auto or manual? What other settings do you have? thanks in advance for your reply. Cheers.

Love your video,May I ask how I can get a diffuser like yours?👍👍

baby swans - cygnets. Love the little diffuser you are using - what is the model please?

What lens are you using? I got camera as OM1 MII from video... Nice work...

Thank you for your informative video. One question, please. What is the brand of the diffuser you are using? Thanks again.

excellent *SUBBED* 1. what were the settings on the camera what mode was you in. 2. was your lens set to manual focus, was it also set to 1 to 1 3. was the camera set to high/low, focus etc. thank you. or could you show your settings in a video, i have the EM1 mkIII, what flash were you using/settings.

Bravo ! What material do you use for the colorful background? Cardboard, paper or other? The focus stacking even works by hands? I am amazed

Hi Jamie, I am planning to shift to Olympus gear from Nikon. Can guide if I would get similar refresh rate on the godox V860iii as your v350 for focus stacking?

Awesome photos! Keep up the great work.. what stacking software are you using? Thanks

Hi, i'd like to know what flash you use for your olympus and what diffusor you use too. Have you done mano single scooter or you have dove focus standing on camera? Thanks

I love your videos 😍 am purchasing Sony A7RV and "Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens" this content is unique. Also i have been selling pictures on shutterstock i think this will sell alot and am open to learn new things. Thanks 🙏

12:15 robust image! 😍

Thank you so much.could you tell me what is your diffusor .thank you for your help

More questions... hahaha... Are you using a raynox 250?

Amazing images, thankyou for the excellent video, it's great to see how you work in the field.

Nice your video! I wanted to ask you what flash do you use…! Thank you!

What is the photostack tool ?

Cygnets 😁

Focus stacking dfoes not work if the subject moves. You will only get a blurred photo as the end product.

That spider was a orb-weaver

I'm a little confused by your technique. First off, I'm not sure I understand what you're doing with the flash. Due to the recharge cycles it's only firing for roughly half the shots. Surely that's resulting in major exposure variations and if you're using the Olympus in-camera focus stacking - as I think you said was the case - you must have sequences that don't match from an exposure perspective? Secondly, I'm not sure in camera focus stacking is even particularly effective when used handheld.

Bad and disappointing results. Better natural light!

What a shame that you are ruining your images by using a flash... the stacks are bad too, very inconsistent and full of stacking artefacts (physics do prevent most stacks of natural subjects because of overlaps that are not continuous)...

Pls walk us through your editing process, it would be Greatly Appreciated ! Cheers ! ☺