Lessons
Class Introduction
01:39 2Location Scouting
02:59 3What is Macro Photography
02:09 4What Makes a Good Macro Photo
03:44 5Gear
11:20 6Preparing for Outdoor Macro
02:00 7Camera Settings
06:48 8How to Get Started With Macro
11:59Lesson Info
Using Macro Flash Set
Now I've switched over to the Olympus STF-8 twin flash macro unit. This system has two flashes that mount at the end of your lens, each with a diffuser cap, and it is raining a little bit right now, but not to worry this is completely weather sealed. What's great about this unit is you can independently move each of your flashes around the rim of your lens. On the back of the flash unit we have two dials. We have our power and we have our ratio. The right hand dial is for the ratio of left flash unit to right flash unit and we can have more power on flash A or more power on flash B. One to eight, one to four, one to two, one to one, and the opposite for flash A. On the left hand dial we have our auto RC mode, which is TTL, we have full power, half power, quarter power, all the way down to 1/128 power. And as you're shooting your subjects with this flash system you can actually have more light on the left, more light on the right, more light on the top or bottom, however you want, as op...
posed to when shooting with a single hot shoe mounted flash, you're getting one type of light consistently across your subject. To see the effects of varying the power with the two flash units on the STF- we'll take a few test shots. First, equal power to both flash A and flash B. (shutter clicks) Next, eight to one, favoring A. After that one to eight favoring B and then entirely using flash A without flash B and likewise entirely using flash B and turning off flash A. So you'll notice you have a lot of control, in addition you can move each flash independently, you can move one up and have flash from above and the other flash from the side, so now if we were to use equal power from both flashes and take the same shot. (shutter clicks) We get different lighting entirely. The STF-8's a great option to give you even more control of your light sources or to have your light coming from one direction or another. You can even remove one flash or the other, hold it in your hand and shoot from wherever you like. So if I wanted to have my light source way above here. (shutter clicks) I can do that as well. I could come down. (shutter clicks) And you can experiment with the position of your light very easily.
Class Materials
Bonus Materials with Purchase
Free Bonus Materials
Ratings and Reviews
Andrew Lamberson
I found the class both very informative and very motivational to get started in Macro photography. It is an entry-level class but it explains what you really need to know to be successful. I especially found the information on the value of using flash and how to modify your flash for it to be more effective especially helpful. I am an experienced wildlife photographer and have done some "Macro" with my telephoto lens, but this class motivated me to purchase a dedicated lens. I am really looking forward to spring and finding some good bugs!
Gary Hook
Chris does a commendable job of explaining his techniques, reasons and potential pitfalls to avoid. Very thorough and much more enthusiastic about little bugs than I will ever be :-) but at the end one has a good concept on how to approach the task at hand. Nice closing with his practical examples of 'post' shoot production. One suggestion for inclusion would be some operating tips/techniques with a tripod/macro rail slider. His Olympus is way smaller/lighter than my Canon 5D so my hand holding will be at a minimum. Well done. Thank you
Chris Baudec
Great presentation and great motivation in the post processing. I do wish that the would have been made available. After all, this is a Olympus sponsored event, and Oly settings are always welcomed.... and a tad difficult on the learning curve.