Every time I watch a video with Don Komarechka, my jaw just drops. The only reason why I can forgive him for being so obviously super intelligent is that he generously shares his tricks with us! Thank you and all my five thumbs up!
Check out Tony and Chelsea Northrups videos with Don as a guest altso. More in depth and very inspirational. Don is a super nice guy for sharing tips and knowledge.
I’m a random passer-by, and I don’t have a camera, I just went to see the macrocosm, and I saw unusual opportunities for a simple layman, the possibilities of human imagination, creating the amazing beauty of a work of art. Thank!
WOW! I have watched dozens of videos from UK home grown and USA photographers, many of them brilliant, but this one! I was just like your comment at the very start - keen on macro, great camera, great lens, but unable to find subjects for it all - the concept of subject creation didn't occur, you think of finding wild plants, or insects, or random objects, but to manipulate them like this, what fantastic ideas and results, thank you so much, huge inspiration taken from this!
First saw Don on Tony&Chelsea's show and he was great with going into detail on his method with macro photography. Great to see him get more exposure here too!
I have shot hundreds of covers and big ads. but getting tips on macro is an entirely new thing for me. love how short it is and how much you get in... note with tripod an extension in the form of say a book would help get the camera close. feel like a beginner..we spend so much time trying great angles moving backgrounds and reflectors....getting back to the computer to see the shots is exciting...relly amazing.
Thanks for your advice Don I have watched so many of your videos and I was just able to use your focus stacking for this big shot. You are an amazing photographer!!
I haven't seen anything else like this online. Thanks for putting this video together and getting Don to share so many tips and techniques. Please keep giving us more!
In this video I see so many possibilities creatives macro photographer can do with their gears. There we go more stuff to learn again....Love it...Thanks
This video reminds everyone that gear is NOT the crucial element in photography, but CREATIVITY does! I hate that people chanting for FF is always better than smaller sensor sizes.
So inspiring, so educational. Learned a great deal. I was thinking about buying a macro lens for a couple weeks. Now I buying that macro lens. Thanks for the video. It was so refreshing
Such a good video for anyone, IMO. I've been doing macro photography for a while, and while I already knew and do much of these things, I still learned something. Reminds me I should actually visit DPreview's website more often...Haven't been there in ages... I also love anything and everything you can do in camera and at the scene/set. Photoshop is fun, but not that fun.
Very cool, and this shows the difference between just being a photographer and also being an artist. Someone else I really enjoy for different perspectives on all photography is Ray Scott of Visual Art Photography.
I agree that Don Komarechka here truly is an artist. But "just being a photographer.." ?? Now isn't that a little unfair to all the great documentary/journalism photographers? Different skillsets, different ways of looking. Photographers ARE artists... well, at least the ones who don't just spray or selfie-spam. :)
After seeing Don on Tony and Chelsea's channel for a couple of incredible shows, this video got a like as soon as I saw the title. Nice work to both of you (and Jordan?) on the video.
This is one of the most informative, educational, and interesting photography videos I've seen in a while. Dan appears to be highly talented and he's any excellent communicator! Thank you, all!
I too have puzzled over my enthusiasm for macro when everything I take disappoints me. What an extraordinary good tutorial this is. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Taking for sharing this short video. It cleared up a lot of unanswered questions I had. I was so disappointed that I did not get to see Don at the Macro Convention in October in Cleveland. Keep up the great work.
There was a lot of great stuff in this video for everyone even those of use who don't do macro photography. I'm a filmmaker and can see myself using some of these techniques myself. Great stuff.
this video was very helpful in getting me to realize how lazy I am, lol and that its okay to to think outside the box, I usually try to manipulate a scene as little as possible, and maybe move a few things or add some flash, but I guess thats where I come up short, and I need to get creative and take setting up a subject to the next level, thanks for breaking my perception on something holding me back
Fantastic video. Great content. Really well delivered with good audio and nicely cut together. From one photography channel to another, a heartfelt thank you for sharing.
very very inspiring, i have just bought Canon M50 three days ago and i am confused which lens i should buy and what kind of photography i would be doing. This video makes me realised i am looking for a macro photography. Thanks guys.
The reasons I opted for the macro tube set are for the low price as well as they were compatible with my entire lens collection. With the Macro filter you can only use them on compatible lenses as well as a reverse macro adapter.
Very nice gift 💧 ❄ 🍁 Easy to forget that sculptors essentially move landscape around, and we get to see a highlight .. . experience the quality of rock, our natural environment when creating an image. Good to break it open that way to do abstract, like removing subject to a better backdrop. This was great video for me as learning to do flower and potted tree macros.
That was really nice, thank you! I usually prefer my photography the natural way, since often when i start to manipulate the nature it just become's unnatural and unpleasing. That could be my inability, but that's the way it goes so often. The corporate world has taken this approach to the worst directions, inhuman creations and rape of nature / total disregard. I rather just venture out more, take my time enjoying the nature and ultimately find that special place / moment (or few), sometimes even capture it to an SD card. Having said that, i DO love manipulating objects when i'm at home, taking my sweet time. Especially when testing lenses (creating scenarios for them), doing product photography, some macro / close-ups every now and then. There's lot to love in both ways, but i do prefer the natural way if that didn't come across so clear already. Natural way in photography, natural way in living. Cameras and lenses are ultimately just toys, materia bound to perish in due time. The experience is vastly more important, for that'll stay...
Thanks for your thoughts Ville, I suppose it all depends on what you're trying to capture. My images do not depict reality as WE see it - but there is no trickery in post-production to get the effects. Everyone defines their art in different ways, but if you call it "art" you should have free reign to do what you want with it. The one exception is when an image has a perceived documentary value, and your manipulations could be seen as deceptive. If you read any of my image posts online, you'll see that I describe the creation process in great detail and hold no secrets back so that others can attempt the same concept in their own way. No one would believe that a Gerbera Daisy naturally grows underneath sheets of ice, or that water droplet refractions that we create "in studio" could possibly be found in nature. I suppose for some of these creations you are a sculptor or visual artist first, and photographer second. It's a blurry line but one that every photographer needs to explore to see what side of it they fall on. As every photographer has a different take on things, I always love to hear the perspective of others such as yourself.
awesome ! I have tried this a few times - but seem to have a problem figuring out the distance between the subject and the background so my 'flower' never shows up in the water drop clearly- any tips?
it depends on the size of the flower! If it's big, move it farther away. I typically put gerbera daisies a few inches away from the droplet(s). If the flower is too far away you'll see a lot of empty space around it. If the flower is too close, you'll only see the center of the flower and not the petals. Just a bit of trial-and-error and you'll get a feel for it.
Fantastic content, thank you. So much more interesting than discussions about comparing sensor sizes and other gear related topics. Thanks Don, for showing us a few of your techniques.
Great video, I've same clamp but wouldn't have thought to used it to hold a petal. Its sad but I also have the touch. Its winter in UK and frozen over, the ice stood up now I want to take photographs though a sheet of ice. Thanks
Thank you! This is fantastic. I've just started getting into macro photo with a nikkor 55mm 3.5. This gives me much more permission and direction about setting the scene instead of just capturing the scene.
That was pretty cool! As a macro shooter this is exactly what I’ve been wanting to watch and learn. I don’t have a DSLR or an ILC, just a humble Coolpix (don’t judge) with a macro mode, but I’ll definitely be trying out the new techniques and ideas I learnt today.
Every time I watch a video with Don Komarechka, my jaw just drops. The only reason why I can forgive him for being so obviously super intelligent is that he generously shares his tricks with us! Thank you and all my five thumbs up!
I learned so much from this video, I’m speechless. I love taking macro and this feels like a master class.
Check out Tony and Chelsea Northrups videos with Don as a guest altso. More in depth and very inspirational. Don is a super nice guy for sharing tips and knowledge.
Word! Always used a bulky flash to light my subject, I have to try using a compact light instead.
I’m a random passer-by, and I don’t have a camera, I just went to see the macrocosm, and I saw unusual opportunities for a simple layman, the possibilities of human imagination, creating the amazing beauty of a work of art. Thank!
When I see a video upload with Chris my day turns instantly better
The leaf's background was the best. :))))
WOW! I have watched dozens of videos from UK home grown and USA photographers, many of them brilliant, but this one! I was just like your comment at the very start - keen on macro, great camera, great lens, but unable to find subjects for it all - the concept of subject creation didn't occur, you think of finding wild plants, or insects, or random objects, but to manipulate them like this, what fantastic ideas and results, thank you so much, huge inspiration taken from this!
Who doesn't love Don and his work?? Can't wait for his new book to come out! Thanks Chris.
Thanks for having Don on your show Chris. He is truly an amazing artist and generous teacher.
First saw Don on Tony&Chelsea's show and he was great with going into detail on his method with macro photography. Great to see him get more exposure here too!
We saw him on those two shows as well, and immediately wanted to work with Don. He's a gifted photographer and teacher.
No doubt when it comes to macro photography Don Kom is the Macro master. Can’t wait for his new kick starter macro book to come out.
I have shot hundreds of covers and big ads. but getting tips on macro is an entirely new thing for me. love how short it is and how much you get in... note with tripod an extension in the form of say a book would help get the camera close. feel like a beginner..we spend so much time trying great angles moving backgrounds and reflectors....getting back to the computer to see the shots is exciting...relly amazing.
Thanks for your advice Don I have watched so many of your videos and I was just able to use your focus stacking for this big shot. You are an amazing photographer!!
I love that's this got uploaded just a day after I received my first macro lens. Thanks Chris and Don!
This was really great of you to post a video that is not about gear but about an interesting technique. Something different. Thanks.
I haven't seen anything else like this online. Thanks for putting this video together and getting Don to share so many tips and techniques. Please keep giving us more!
Quick, useful setup tips, jovial personality and many good advices about the artistic side of macro photography.
I'll never understand those who thumbs down a video like this. Excellent video.
In this video I see so many possibilities creatives macro photographer can do with their gears. There we go more stuff to learn again....Love it...Thanks
This video reminds everyone that gear is NOT the crucial element in photography, but CREATIVITY does!
I hate that people chanting for FF is always better than smaller sensor sizes.
It still is, but it doesn't really matter as there are plenty good sensors in all sizes :)
DOF does not change, lens size for same FOV does
? yeah it does. It's easier to get larger dof with larger sensors. (ie. you can get up to f64 for medium format)
no gear ?? he is heavily staging theses shots with lots of "gear" spray bottles, multiple tripods, reflectors, flashlights, and extra elements.
Half right....it's about being able to use the gear "effectively" like those little gator clips or lights.
FANTASTIC! You have discovered a special niche. Please continue ... wonderful.
The last shot with the curved stem and 3 drops was the best in my opinion. All were good. But that one really caught me. Great job.
One of the best DP Review videos! More like this please.
Don is such a gent, always enjoy learning from him!
So inspiring, so educational. Learned a great deal. I was thinking about buying a macro lens for a couple weeks. Now I buying that macro lens. Thanks for the video. It was so refreshing
Wow this is FANTASTIC! Makes me realize theres still so much more to learn about photography! Thank you!
This was such a great episode! I would love more episodes featuring artists in different genres of photography
Really great video, Chris and Jordan are a big plus to DPReview.
Such a good video for anyone, IMO.
I've been doing macro photography for a while, and while I already knew and do much of these things, I still learned something.
Reminds me I should actually visit DPreview's website more often...Haven't been there in ages...
I also love anything and everything you can do in camera and at the scene/set. Photoshop is fun, but not that fun.
Very cool demonstration, breakdown and intro into macro!
Very cool, and this shows the difference between just being a photographer and also being an artist.
Someone else I really enjoy for different perspectives on all photography is Ray Scott of Visual Art Photography.
I agree that Don Komarechka here truly is an artist. But "just being a photographer.." ?? Now isn't that a little unfair to all the great documentary/journalism photographers? Different skillsets, different ways of looking. Photographers ARE artists... well, at least the ones who don't just spray or selfie-spam. :)
After seeing Don on Tony and Chelsea's channel for a couple of incredible shows, this video got a like as soon as I saw the title. Nice work to both of you (and Jordan?) on the video.
This was a good video. Going beyond the gear and showing an artist create. He is very good.
This is one of the most informative, educational, and interesting photography videos I've seen in a while. Dan appears to be highly talented and he's any excellent communicator! Thank you, all!
The most informative macro photography in youtube. Thanks a lot
Many things I never even considered because I was only using what was in nature with no modifications - but this was fantastic!
Wow I am so excited to go try.....sadly no ice pools in Africa........Thank you...looking forward to more classes
I too have puzzled over my enthusiasm for macro when everything I take disappoints me. What an extraordinary good tutorial this is. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Taking for sharing this short video. It cleared up a lot of unanswered questions I had. I was so disappointed that I did not get to see Don at the Macro Convention in October in Cleveland. Keep up the great work.
Very educational video. I have not tried macro before, and this video gives a whole new perspective than what I imagined.
Nice shots, Chris! And a shout out to Jordan for the macro video.
This video is so impressive! Please do more f these! Great job guys
Unreal! Thanks for sharing this!
There was a lot of great stuff in this video for everyone even those of use who don't do macro photography. I'm a filmmaker and can see myself using some of these techniques myself. Great stuff.
this video was very helpful in getting me to realize how lazy I am, lol and that its okay to to think outside the box, I usually try to manipulate a scene as little as possible, and maybe move a few things or add some flash, but I guess thats where I come up short, and I need to get creative and take setting up a subject to the next level, thanks for breaking my perception on something holding me back
Great video. Thanks Chris and thank you Don.
Enjoyed this trip to a world I never knew existed. Thanks for the journey!
Love Don's work and he is an amazing teacher. Thanks for putting this one together guys great video!
Beautiful, and creative minds
Fantastic video. Great content. Really well delivered with good audio and nicely cut together. From one photography channel to another, a heartfelt thank you for sharing.
For the first time I have a clearer understanding of Macro - thank you!
very very inspiring, i have just bought Canon M50 three days ago and i am confused which lens i should buy and what kind of photography i would be doing. This video makes me realised i am looking for a macro photography. Thanks guys.
Good one. Looking at objects as ingredients to be manipulated is great advice.
The reasons I opted for the macro tube set are for the low price as well as they were compatible with my entire lens collection. With the Macro filter you can only use them on compatible lenses as well as a reverse macro adapter.
just fantastic. clear. funny. brilliant. helpful. and almost in english.....
Excellent! Interesting, informative video, and there's some amazing shots, along with more useful information, on your site, Don. Thank you!
0:07 ??? :D
Oh boy! The details revealed :)
Lmao!!!
Oh my I just saw it now 😄
It's what the leaf was for.
How did they miss that?!
Wow. That was fantastic. Hope to see more tips and tricks about macro. Thanks much. Cheers.
Thanks for sharing and I thought I was the only walking through the woods looking for shots.
Very nice gift 💧 ❄ 🍁 Easy to forget that sculptors essentially move landscape around, and we get to see a highlight .. . experience the quality of rock, our natural environment when creating an image. Good to break it open that way to do abstract, like removing subject to a better backdrop. This was great video for me as learning to do flower and potted tree macros.
Cheers Chris..I,m trying to learn about macro photography..
So informative, thank you for sharing. Awesome content.
A bunch of stuff there I'd never even thought about! Great vid you two!
That was really nice, thank you! I usually prefer my photography the natural way, since often when i start to manipulate the nature it just become's unnatural and unpleasing. That could be my inability, but that's the way it goes so often. The corporate world has taken this approach to the worst directions, inhuman creations and rape of nature / total disregard. I rather just venture out more, take my time enjoying the nature and ultimately find that special place / moment (or few), sometimes even capture it to an SD card. Having said that, i DO love manipulating objects when i'm at home, taking my sweet time. Especially when testing lenses (creating scenarios for them), doing product photography, some macro / close-ups every now and then. There's lot to love in both ways, but i do prefer the natural way if that didn't come across so clear already. Natural way in photography, natural way in living. Cameras and lenses are ultimately just toys, materia bound to perish in due time. The experience is vastly more important, for that'll stay...
Thanks for your thoughts Ville, I suppose it all depends on what you're trying to capture. My images do not depict reality as WE see it - but there is no trickery in post-production to get the effects. Everyone defines their art in different ways, but if you call it "art" you should have free reign to do what you want with it. The one exception is when an image has a perceived documentary value, and your manipulations could be seen as deceptive. If you read any of my image posts online, you'll see that I describe the creation process in great detail and hold no secrets back so that others can attempt the same concept in their own way. No one would believe that a Gerbera Daisy naturally grows underneath sheets of ice, or that water droplet refractions that we create "in studio" could possibly be found in nature. I suppose for some of these creations you are a sculptor or visual artist first, and photographer second. It's a blurry line but one that every photographer needs to explore to see what side of it they fall on.
As every photographer has a different take on things, I always love to hear the perspective of others such as yourself.
awesome ! I have tried this a few times - but seem to have a problem figuring out the distance between the subject and the background so my 'flower' never shows up in the water drop clearly- any tips?
it depends on the size of the flower! If it's big, move it farther away. I typically put gerbera daisies a few inches away from the droplet(s). If the flower is too far away you'll see a lot of empty space around it. If the flower is too close, you'll only see the center of the flower and not the petals. Just a bit of trial-and-error and you'll get a feel for it.
Very nice! So interesting. It was a very big useful lesson, with unlimited possibilities. Thanks a lot!
Fantastic content, thank you. So much more interesting than discussions about comparing sensor sizes and other gear related topics. Thanks Don, for showing us a few of your techniques.
Don thanks for this. Loved the tips and plan on watching it a couple more times...
Thanks very much for watching, Maurice!
This was seriously one of the most helpful videos I have ever watched. Thank you guys!
Quite a surprise to see what is presented here. Well done.
Great tutorial! influences me to pluck flowers rather than just leaving them wilted naturally
Great video, I've same clamp but wouldn't have thought to used it to hold a petal. Its sad but I also have the touch. Its winter in UK and frozen over, the ice stood up now I want to take photographs though a sheet of ice. Thanks
Great tutorial - can't wait to try out some of the ideas.
One of the best photography videos I've watched in a while! Thanks!
Great video! I don't really shoot macro but this has inspired me to give it a shot.
Thank you! This is fantastic. I've just started getting into macro photo with a nikkor 55mm 3.5. This gives me much more permission and direction about setting the scene instead of just capturing the scene.
Amazing video. Opened my eyes to a new dimension of macro photography!
Very informative😊 this is like a different level of Macro photography.
What a great episode. Thanks for creating.
This was a fascinating blog. Don is incredible. Thanks for sharing this.
really great video. It's nice to learn a completely new perspective on macro photography. Thank you!
Wonderful video, I hope we will get more like this in addition of your usual great reviews.
Expert geting advice from Expert = Crazy Beautiful
awesome info.....i've known that some scenes handle noise different, just never knew why. abstract scenery.......🤔🤔🤔👍
this has to be the best tutorial i have ever seen on Macro Photography. take that F-stoppers.
fabulous tutorial guys!
I love this kind of video. So interesting. Enlightened me on so many things I didn't think about before.
Just fascinating to watch, and something that makes one think about photography. Thank you.
..Joe
Great work, has inspired me to buy a macro lens.
Great video... A real master class!
I am amazed, it's the most artistic part where the imagination and camera gear tries to achieve..
Damn this was a badass little tutorial. Thanks for this fam!
Dang! Those are some awesome tips and tricks for macro!
Snow and ice everywhere. 'Hi i am Don Komarechka and casually wearing a shirt'
You are amazing thank you. Please wich cámera do you use ..?
Great macro tips thank you so much! Please do more on macro
I'm very pleased to see that the macro lens I chose is the same one that "the master" is using.
That was pretty cool! As a macro shooter this is exactly what I’ve been wanting to watch and learn. I don’t have a DSLR or an ILC, just a humble Coolpix (don’t judge) with a macro mode, but I’ll definitely be trying out the new techniques and ideas I learnt today.
The camera doesn't matter so much as training the eye and the mind for doing macro work/play.
The best camera is the one you have with you :)
Very inspirational thank you for that Video. Cheers, Mike
Many, many thanks to Don! Amazing video.
I really enjoyed watching this and love how they show you some nice tricks