Macro Photography is an art form unlike any other type of photography. Instead of seeing the world as it is, a macro photographer sees an entirely different world. It’s a world that’s shrunk down, zoomed in, and focused on the details. With our naked eye, we don’t see the tiny hairs on an insect or the intricacies of a diamond ring. But in the Macro Photography world, you see every little detail. And with that detail, you can find beauty. You can find stories. You can find perspective.
One of the latest tutorials by the Fstoppers is a full workshop on Macro Photography by Andres Molines.
Description:
“This macro photography tutorial takes you through a variety of studio shoots and then into the jungles of Central America. Andres teaches his techniques to shoot fine art, products, live insects, amphibians, and reptiles. Each lesson is accompanied by a post-processing section where Andres will demonstrate his full Lightroom and Photoshop workflow. This tutorial is perfect for anyone wanting to get started in or perfect their macro photography.”
- 12+ Hours of Video Content
- 22 Studio and On-Location Lessons With Post-Processing
- Image Files Included for Every Lesson
- Gear Lesson With Downloadable PDF
- Access to Andres’ Secret Facebook Group
- Purchase Price: $299
Who Is Andres Moline?
Based in Miami, Florida, Andres Moline is a world class macro photographer and designer who specializes in photographing insects and products. Since Andres’ work received some of the highest ratings on the Fstoppers site and he was twice voted the winner “Critique the Community” episodes, the Fstoppers crew knew Andres had something special to bring to their community. After making a wildly popular free tutorial that only scratched the surface of Andres’ techniques and expertise, it was only a matter of time before they’d collaborate on a full scale workshop, which is the topic of our discussion today.
What I Loved About the Macro Photography Tutorial (Pros)
When someone’s ability in a given area matches their unrivaled passion, you know that whatever they create is going to be amazing. This workshop features numerous worthwhile lessons, from how to get started at home with creating product images, to photographing insects & wildlife in Costa Rican rainforests! Of all the topics covered, however, these are a few of my favorites.
Incredible Insect Photography
In all the ways Andres shines, his insect photography stands out as one of his brightest talents. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to find, handle, and work with live insects, including those who crawl and fly. Andres also shares tips on how to light and edit the photos you capture of insects as well. Beyond that, the images speak for themselves.
Gear Guidance
When it comes to photography, gear represents a major investment and can quickly overwhelm new photographers. Luckily, Andres shares a detailed gear guide and shows us that we can get started in macro photography without having to purchase tons of new, expensive gear. If you do have a higher budget and want to jump right in, Andres has you covered there as well. You’ll find an option for all budgets in the gear guide.
Education Beyond Nature/Insects
In addition to learning how to photograph the myriad creatures and flowers covered in this workshop, we’re also treated to lessons on photographing jewelry, oil and water, and more, most of which you can find in your own home. Another major component to this workshop is the editing/retouching tips we’re given to truly create a professional level final image. If you don’t yet have your own collection of amazing macro shots, you can use the exercise files provided with the workshop and follow along as Andres walks through his post-production workflow.
Creative Application
Andres does an excellent job of going beyond everyday macro shots and truly bringing details to life with a unique perspective. Sure, macro shots already offer us a glimpse into a world that we wouldn’t normally see, but many photographers rely on the same old shots that we HAVE become accustomed to. What makes this especially worthwhile is that Andres goes into detail about how to best capture the details, sharing focused lessons that we can then apply to our own attempts at macro photography, regardless of our particular subject or scene.
How They Could Have Done Better (Cons)
I’m hard pressed, really, to find any shortcomings in this thoroughly executed workshop. The only thing that I would’ve liked is if I could’ve been present for the workshop in real time. Even with as much information as is covered over the course of 12+ hours, questions always arise and it’d be great to shoot along side Andres and get immediate constructive feedback regarding technique. Still, with the access you get to the workshop’s private Facebook group, which can help you accomplish pretty much what you’re missing in this format of a workshop, there’s really no stone left unturned.
More Information in the Trailer
Conclusion
I strongly believe in continuing education. If $299 gives you a new passion, then this tutorial is worth it. If $299 helps you create better ring photos for your wedding photography or helps you find a new creative outlet in your travel photography, then it’s worth it.
The 30 day money back guarantee lets you explore and try out these workshops without locking you into the investment.
