Macro Photography
The Hyperfocal Distance
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Related topics: Camera Technology | Digital Photography | Landscape Photography | Macro Photography | Photo Workshops
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Runtime - length of the film: 6m10s
Language: english
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In this FotoTV feature, Ralph Lambrecht demystifies hyperfocal distance and depth of field zones. Lambrecht explains two definitions of the hyperfocal distance, the first is the closest distance at which a lens can be focused while keeping objects at infinity acceptably sharp, the focus distance with the maximum depth of field.
When the lens is focused at this distance, all objects at distances from half of the hyperfocal distance out to infinity will be acceptably sharp. Second, the hyperfocal distance is the distance beyond which all objects are acceptably sharp, for a lens focused at infinity.
The hyperfocal distance is entirely dependent upon what level of sharpness is considered to be acceptable and as we learn from Lambrecht, the most most significant variable of the hyperfocal distance is lens aperture and its respective settings. This allows for selective focus to implement creative applications in photography to either highlight or emphasize an element or area of a scene.
Selective Depth of Field 2
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Related topics: Animal Photography | Camera Technology | Macro Photography | Nature Photography | Photo Workshops
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Runtime - length of the film: 22m33s
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In his second macro photography film tutorial, photographer and editor Hans-Peter Schaub discusses and demonstrates the compositional and creative aspects of macro photography while on location at the Maximillian Park in Hamm, Germany.
Schaub focuses on teaching photographers how to improve their photos by adjusting the depth of field to achieve the desired depth of field that fits with their compositions. With numerous demonstrations test shots he shows three very important aspects photographers can use as guidelines when composing their photographs; Topic, Emphasis, and Simplicity. The use of selective focus and depth of field are two great tools to simplify the image and Schaub uses many techniques to show emphasis as well, for example, through framing choice. In advance, Schaub has chosen nature and insects as his topic, therefore photographers need to be aware of their topic before they shoot macro photography, as well as the general message of the resulting photograph, because it is what inspires people to look at the photograph over and over.
In order to use selective focus effectively photographers must first learn to understand depth of field and how to control it, because control of depth-of-field is one of the most creative tools photographers have. One of the most important points to consider in composition is isolating the subject so that it becomes apparent to the viewer what the photographer is trying to show. Selective Focus not only provides a more film-like image, it provides the photographer with the essential means for focusing the viewer’s attention on a specific portion of the shot.
Trail of Smoke
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Related topics: Lighting Techniques | Macro Photography | Photo Workshops | Special Photo Techniques | Still Life | Studio Lighting
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Runtime - length of the film: 5m24s
Language: english
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Water, Fire, and now, Smoke. Today, photographer Herbert Wannhof demonstrates step-by-step in this latest instructional video, how FotoTV viewers can flawlessly photograph trails of smoke as depicted from a broken lightbulb.
There is no one correct way to photograph smoke, but it is clear Wannhof has developed his technique over a period of time. And as most photographers will agree it is a learning and discovery process every time they take photos.
As Wannhof begins his set-up run through, we learn the most important thing when photographing smoke is getting enough light to freeze the motion of the smoke in mid-air. Wannhof does this by using more than one flash and with a clean and simple background. Wannhof comprehensively details all technical requirements, safety considerations and the tools needed to complete the spectacular shot of the broken bulb with trails of smoke.
Although smoke is an interesting subject matter, in Wannhofs photos, the smoke itself isn’t actually the subject matter, it is simply the tool used to create spectacular photographs. Wannhof simply does not create pictures of smoke, he creates pictures by using smoke. A very solid approach to ensure complete creative control, and to manipulate the smoke as needed to get superb end result.
Wannhof’s primary points of interests, and therefore his specialties are; portrait and nudes and special effects photography, as well as devoting more time to further develop his interest in panoramic photography. He also works as a consultant for Artlight-Studios in Leichlingen, Germany, a fully equipped and easily accessible studio, which is very "photographer-friendly".
Selective Depth of Field 1
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Runtime - length of the film: 20m16s
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In this macro photography film tutorial, photographer and editor Hans-Peter Schaub discusses and demonstrates the technical aspects of macro photography while on location at the Maximillian Park in Hamm, Germany.
Schaub focuses on a shallow Depth of Field, also known as "Selective Focus". As Schaub demonstrates, selective focus usually results in blurry foregrounds and backgrounds allowing photographers to draw the viewer's attention to the main subject. This is often referred to as "selective depth of field".
Manipulating the depth of field to your desired needs will help create more creative and subjective photographs and Schaub systematically shows viewers how to best make use of shallow depth of field which allows photographic subjects to stand out from their surroundings, concealing unwanted distractions. Schaub also discusses the use of various macro lenses and the additional implementation of flash light in combination with natural light.
Burn and Shoot
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Related topics: Lighting Techniques | Macro Photography | Photo Workshops | Special Photo Techniques | Still Life | Studio Lighting | Studio Techniques
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Runtime - length of the film: 6m38s
Language: english
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FotoTV Warning: “When reproducing the following Film-Workshop in your studio, we urgently advise you to heed the necessary measures relevant to the safety precautions for flammable materials."
For most photographers, photographing an igniting match for the first time can be a tricky thing – in this FotoTV tutorial, photographer Herbert Wannhof is back again to share some very useful information on exactly how to do it.
Shooting a single flame of a match as it is being lit is one of those photo ideas that seem simple at first, until you actually try it yourself, and in this film Wannhof concisely demystifies shooting matches and rising smoke. Providing step-by-step instructions and beginning with tips and techniques, Wannhof briefly goes through his lighting set-up, which consists of two spots with snoot attachments; one for the igniting flame and one for the back-lighting to emphasize the plume of smoke rising from the match.
In less than no time what results is a stunning capture. The saturated color, the movement, the softness of the smoke, the composition, and the sharpness all come together to form a brilliant image.
Although finding the perfect moment to photograph an igniting match and plume of smoke is key, Wannhof says, “ It definitely does take some patience and practice, but by using the right equipment soon enough you can guess the time you have to take the shot.” Wannhof recommends using only an SLR as the shutter release delay is pretty much non-existent, and of course a macro lens to capture all the glorious details.
In conclusion, this is a very useful tutorial that will certainly help photographers diversify their talent and experiment with their creativity to produce professional special effects photography right out of their own studio.
Wannhof’s primary points of interests, and therefore his specialties are; portrait and nudes and special effects photography, as well as devoting more time to further develop his interest in panoramic photography. He also works as a consultant for Artlight-Studios in Leichlingen, Germany, a fully equipped and easily accessible studio, which is very "photographer-friendly".
Macrophotography with Urmas Tartes
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Runtime - length of the film: 8m20s
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In this movie, we want to present to you a part of the world often neglected in nature photography, macro photography. This microcosm of nature features tiny animals that are almost invisible to the naked eye and need to be magnified to be truly appreciated.
Urmas Tartes is a passionate macro photographer, who focuses that passion on insects. Not surprisingly, his background is in biology. He decided early on that instead of killing these insects for collections, he would rather photograph their beauty. In the beginning of his career, back in the days of the former Soviet Union, it was hard to obtain a macro lens. In fact, his first photos were done with a Zenith camera, a macro flash and a handmade lens built from a reproduction lens.
Today, Urmas Tartes is a professor of Zoology at the Eastonia University for Biological Sciences. He is a renowned newspaper and magazine author and often travels giving lectures featuring his photos. In 2002, he was honored with the Grand Prix of Zoology Photography in Eastonia. As the times have changed, so has his equipment of choice. He now uses a Cannon camera with a set of macro lens.
We recently had the pleasure of meeting this premier macro photographer and he shared with us some of his most precious tips and tricks to accomplish such grand photos of such tiny animals.