Macro Photography Tips with Mike Moats

Images copyright Mike Moats. All rights reserved.

In this week's Tamron Newsletter is an outstanding article written by Jenn Gidman and featuring tips from one of the industry's most respected macro artists, Mike Moats.

In fact, Mike was featured on an episode of "Why?" last year. Just click on the thumbnail image to the right to hear his backstory.

In addition to manufacturing some of the finest optics in the world, Tamron is always focused on education to help you raise the bar on the quality of your images. The article from the newsletter is also published on their website and part of a complete initiative to become a leading resource for support.

Mike shares some outstanding tips in this article and Jenn's done a great job of pulling them all together. Rather than share the entire article here, I pulled out one of my favorites. Look at the image below and then read the description of how he captured it.

Note: In the Mobile, AL area? Catch Mike's 2-day Macro Photography Workshop, March 23/24 at the 2017 Festival of Flowers Weekend.

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For the images Mike shared in this new article he was shooting with Tamron's new SP 90mm F/2.8 MACRO VC (Model F017) lens. 

"XY-Shift compensation has been newly added to reinforce VC functionality, further improving image stabilization capabilities at any shooting distance from infinity to macro. Advancements in USD control software have also increased AF focusing speed and optimally fine-tuned for various framing conditions. Furthermore, a high standard of Moisture-Proof and Dust-Resistant Construction has been added to prevent intrusion of dust or water droplets. Highly durable, Fluorine Coating is applied to the top element surface and efficiently prevents condensation of moisture and repels smudge-causing substances."

Click on the lens for more information, then visit your Tamron Dealer to check out the lens for yourself and find out what all the buzz is about.

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​I tend to use the lower F-stop numbers when I want to create a more abstract image. I found this big, thick world geography book you see in this next image—the type of book that has contains lots of maps and words—opened it up, and folded the pages in. I then placed a light on the back side so it would shine through, which made the colors bounce around. It was kind of freaky! Again, the low F-stop I used here (2.8) helped blur out all of the words and images. I just focused on the very outside edges of the pages. It's important for macro photographers to remember that even when the weather is bad and they can't get outside, they can still find neat things to take pictures of around the house.

Click to read Mike Moat's full article loaded with great macro tips!