Who IS this Mike Moats guy?

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2 Who IS this Mike Moats guy? Mike is a well known Macro/Close Up photographer He has written several e-books on the subject Competed in many competitions Sold images at Art Fairs Received numerous awards Published in many magazines Speaks at conventions and camera clubs Conducts these weekend Macro Bootcamp sessions

3 Minimal equipment requirements Macro or Close Up opportunities are literally EVERYWHERE! No need to travel to distant, exotic places to shoot (but perhaps more awesome opportunities if you do) Plenty of subject matter right inside the home or yard Easy to shoot inside or outside One lens New subjects every month Shoot any time of day Create your own, personal art

4 1) Camera Phone Point and shoot or bridge DSLR 2) Lens/filter Dedicated Macro lens (DSLR) Close up filters Reversing ring Extension tubes 3) What you already have!

5 3) Tripod Sturdy 4) Accessories Remote shutter release (Manual, Electronic, Radio or Infra Red) *Option, use 2 sec/ 10 sec shutter on the camera Reflector/Diffuser Hand held light Blower bulb Clamp/Plamp Home made backdrops Knee and possibly elbow pads Multi tool Spray water bottle (AKA Dew it yourself ) Cleaning kit (Not for the camera!) Tweezers Brushes scissors

6 The list on NEEDS can go on forever with things like: Macro Rails Focus stacking software Wind boxes Bee shooters Reversing rings Extension Tubes All wonderful things to have but as long as you have a camera. You re fine!

7 Mike recounted a time when his wife asked him to join her on a trip to the craft store. It was an expensive trip for Mike!

8 I awoke a few mornings ago and thought I said Macro and close ups are everywhere. What is HERE, NOW? I looked at my wife s dresser and saw this. Sony A37 Tamron mm South light 9:30 am 85mm 15 sec f 36 ISO 200

9 Add a backdrop of black slinky material.. Two perfume bottles.. Same light Same camera and lens 9:40 am 55mm 8 sec f 32 ISO 200

10 I had planted some large Dhalias on the deck.. Different day Sony A37 Tamron Overcast 2:30 pm 135mm 1/20 sec f 8 ISO 200

11 Then we went to visit a friend. This was in the front yard! Mixed sun/shade Sony A37 Tamron :55 pm 180 mm 1/80 sec f 10 ISO 100

12 I haven t mentioned some more of my favorites: Car shows Air shows Farmers markets Junk yards Flea markets Neighbors house/garage/yard The list is endless because: IT S EVERYWHERE

13 These Bootcamps run three days. Friday evening, all day Saturday and a few hours on Sunday. The sessions were held in a meeting room at a Holiday Inn. Friday was all get acquainted, lecture and a great slide show of images. Saturday and Sunday were largely dedicated to shooting.

14 During the initial evening session many images were shown and discussed along with the why/how of the image. Where to find nature close up/macro opportunities yard, parks, conservation areas, gardens etc Seasons all Indoors or out yes Composition Two subject (interesting background and vivid, contrasting subject) Leading lines Character Depth of Field f stops, small, as in f 22 or higher for max depth of field/sharpness Large f stops f 1.4, f 2.8 etc for minimum depth of field and soft out of focus backgrounds Character in nature The odd or bent petal The flowers on the edge for better backgrounds

15 As we entered the room on Saturday, Mike had set up a a table set up with an impressive assortment of stuff to shoot. Remember Mike s visit to the craft store? Flowers Bottle caps Slinkys Gears Pocket watches & parts Sea shells Feathers Thread

16 We were soon released to pair up two to a table (plenty of space) and set up to shoot some Macro/Close up stuff! Of course, there are 15 or so fellow attendees lined up to surround the table of stuff to get the items they envisioned shooting! The lighting was exactly what you would expect from an Holiday Inn (of any other) meeting room. A ceiling full of florescent tubes flickering their with their evil greenish glow. Thank goodness for white balance settings!

17 My first inclination was to shoot some of everything! Bad idea. No plan, awkward choices, time lost. I started with sea shells Yuck!

18 Shifted to feathers

19 None of that did much for me so I tried a watch Now we re having fun!

20 Another try at some seas shells.. Not too bad And then some string and buttons Getting warm!

21 And then a couple of watches and a flower

22 Whew! It was a busy but great time. We covered a LOT of subject matter Spotting macro and close up opportunities Equipment Some valuable accessories Home made backgrounds Reflector/diffuser Composition Technique Color

23 It s EVERYWHERE! Unlimited opportunities exist

24 Two subject composition

25 Sharp

26 Simple Vivid Sharp

27 More on Mike and his work can be found easily on line at: mikemoatsblog.com tinylandscapes.com or facebook.com/mike.moats