The Metalfolk of Peoria - Macro Talk Too #109 - 9/12/24

Introduction

Good afternoon, everybody! It’s Thursday, 2:00 PM, and time for Macro Talk 2. I hope you’re all doing better than I am—I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather, possibly due to overwork and long days. We had a fantastic picnic last weekend that went exceptionally well! I know many of you were there on Tuesday, so I won’t repeat everything, but I do want to share a couple of pictures from the event.

We had a great crowd, and, honestly, I was flabbergasted that so many people showed up for a picnic in Peoria on such short notice. We shared some wonderful meals, networked, and exchanged notes on photography, among other topics. Here’s a stunning photograph taken by George using an IR camera. He managed to capture a great shot of me, which is significant because it's the only picture of myself that I've ever liked. Well done, George—it makes me look a bit like a zombie, but not a bad-looking one!

The weekend was a blast, and I assure you we will be doing this again. One of the primary points today is to clear up some loose ends and discuss upcoming events. I’d love your feedback on the picnic—what format, location, or approach you would prefer for our next gathering. If there are specific topics you want us to cover in future live streams, please share those too. Additionally, if you have questions—perhaps regarding the filter thread size of your Rodenstock enlarger lens—feel free to throw them out.

Speaking of upcoming events, I’m particularly excited about this weekend’s regular Patreon Zoom meeting. This is a live stream where you can communicate with me in real-time, and it lasts for two hours every other Saturday. This weekend will be special as I’ll be dedicating the meeting to two extraordinary macro photographers: Klaus Galloway, who specializes in outdoor wildlife macro photography, and Bud Parrot, who focuses on studio work. I can’t wait for Klaus to share his innovative high-speed handheld focus stacking technique and for Bud to showcase his advanced lighting methods with some impressive macro lenses.

As a reminder, if you want to join the Patreon community and participate, you can do so by visiting patreon.com/AllenWallsPhotography. For those of you who’ve sent me photos from the picnic, I’m still going through them. I’ll post a summary on my website, highlighting all the remarkable moments and photos. Perhaps I’ll combine the blog post with that of the last interview I conducted with Lester LeWitz, which is definitely worth watching.

Now, let’s get into a subject that many of you may relate to—issues we face in field photography that can mess things up! Upon returning from the picnic, I downloaded images from my camera and discovered that many were disappointing. It made me realize how easy it is to make simple mistakes in macro photography, especially in the field.

Here are some common issues I’d like to highlight:

1. Diopter Settings: If you're like me and wear glasses only for reading, make sure to set the diopter correctly for your vision. You might inadvertently change the focus without realizing it, leading to blurry images.

2. Bracketing Mode: It’s easy to forget if you’ve engaged bracketing in your camera. This can lead to a series of photos where the exposure is all over the place. If you’re done with bracketing, always turn it off!

3. Program Modes: Always ensure you're in manual mode before heading out. If you accidentally switch to shutter priority or any other mode, your camera may adjust settings unpredictably.

4. Video Settings: If you've been shooting video and switch back to stills, remember to check for any settings that may have carried over.

5. Missing the Memory Card: I’ve made the error of forgetting a memory card on multiple occasions. Luckily, most cameras alert you if a card isn’t in.

6. Custom Menu Settings: Be cautious with changes in your custom menu, as some settings can lead to exposure anomalies.

7. Vibration Control: After setting up your camera on a tripod, double-check if vibration control is enabled. It can result in motion blur if the camera thinks it’s moving when it’s not.

8. Taking Test Shots: Before going out, take a few test shots at home. This allows you to tweak any settings that may not be right.

Finally, if all else fails, you can either reset your shooting settings or do a factory reset. Both of these actions can potentially clear out any settings that are causing issues.

I appreciate your time and hope you found these insights helpful. Remember to share your experiences; we can all learn from each other’s mistakes.

Thanks for tuning in today!

Keywords

macro photography, Peoria, picnic, Klaus Galloway, Bud Parrot, focus stacking, bracketing, diopter settings, program modes, video settings, memory card, vibration control, test shots.

FAQ

Q1: What did the picnic in Peoria involve?
A1: The picnic included meals, networking among photographers, and discussions about photography techniques.

Q2: Who are the guest photographers for the upcoming Patreon Zoom meeting?
A2: Klaus Galloway and Bud Parrot are the featured guest photographers.

Q3: How can I participate in the Patreon Zoom meetings?
A3: Join the Patreon community at patreon.com/AllenWallsPhotography to attend these meetings.

Q4: What are some common pitfalls in macro photography?
A4: Common pitfalls include setting the diopter incorrectly, forgetting to turn off bracketing, and leaving the memory card out of the camera.

Q5: How can I improve my field photography?
A5: Always check your settings, take test shots before leaving, and ensure your vibration control is set correctly.