Read this article on PhotoFocus about how to find the minimum focusing distance of your zoom lens to see how well it does for close-up/macro photography. Here is the link to the article. http://photofocus.com/2015/07/10/macro-photography-finding-the-minimum-focus-distance-for-a-lens/

Join my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 instructional videos. Over 2800 members from 28 countries. Lifetime membership only $99.
Info and to sign up. 

MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer (tinylandscapes.com)

Also Check out my workshops and zoom programs.

WORKSHOPS - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

I think Mayapple plants are very interesting.  The top group of leaves form like an umbrella, and under the umbrella it produces one white flower.

They come out in the early spring in wooded areas, grow in large groups tightly together.

Here is the first stage as it is just emerging from the ground.

Here is a shot of a large group packed in close to each other.

Sometimes I like to shoot the top of the plant, interesting design in the leaves.  Shoot them covered with rain drops, or maybe do some creative post processing with the colors.

Now for the flower. They are not easy to shoot because the flower is underneath the umbrella, so you have the tripod down as low as it can go, and a little tough on the body having to work so low to the ground.  There are so many ways you can shoot the flower for an artistic look and then do a little creative post processing for a more creative feel. 

Because of all the clutter behind the flower it's and not easy to work a background behind it, I tend to shoot these in the lower f/stop ranges, so, maybe f/5.6, f/6.3 or /f/8. which helps to blur the background but you do sacrifice some focus on the subject.

Booking camera club zoom meetings, need a speaker, let me know, macrogeekmike@yahoo.com

Join my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 instructional videos. Over 2800 members from 29 countries. 
Info and to sign up. 

MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

Also Check out my workshops and zoom programs.

WORKSHOPS - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

We recently had some cancelations for this sold-out workshop, so those who missed out signing up have another chance to sign up.

This will be my sixth-year teaching at the Madeline Island School of Arts Campus.

Also teaching this year will be, Jackie Kramer, Kathleen Clemons, and Adrea Gulickx.

Madeline Island, nestled in the sparkling embrace of Lake Superior, captivates with its natural beauty and tranquil allure. Lush forests and meadows, painted with vibrant hues in summer, create a picturesque landscape perfect for photographers and nature lovers.

The island's artistic spirit thrives within its small communities, where galleries, local crafts, and a rich cultural heritage add depth to its charm.

On Sunday attendees will take a fun ferry ride from Bayfield to Madeline Island School of Arts sprawling campus.

On Sunday evening we will have a meet and greet with the four instructors in the dining hall.

After a good night's sleep in the campus cabins everyone will meet up for breakfast in the dining hall and find out who will be their instructor and shooting location for the first morning.

Each day you will work with a different instructor in a new location.

Flowers will be a big part of this workshop and the islands Lupine flower is a big attraction, plus shoot in private gardens on the island or take a ferry ride back to the mainland to shoot some Bayfield gardens. You will also shoot a variety of other subjects in nature. 

After the morning shoot you will be back in the dining hall for lunch, and after lunch you will attend a lecture with your instructor of that day in one of the meeting rooms. 

After your instructor meeting you will have some time to relax before heading back to the dining hall for dinner.

After dinner you will have free time to go out and shoot, hang out with the instructors, or go to the island's galleries, bars, shops. 

After breakfast on Friday morning, you will head to the milkhouse barn meeting space for image critique from one of the instructors. 

Bring a laptop to load your images for the critique.

The workshop will come to an end at noon on Friday.  In the afternoon you will prepare to leave the island or stay an extra night and leave on Saturday.

Floral Photography on Madeline Island

June 16th–20th, 2025

For information about the workshop and to sign up click the link below.

CLICK HERE

May - Macro Photo Club News

May monthly theme - Spring flowers that grow in the woods.

Macro Photo Club members, post your images in the Mike Moats Macro Photo Club Facebook group.

The winner of the April product giveaway for a Think Tank Photo Bag is Christopher Witte, so Chris, email me at macrogeekmike@yahoo.com 

The May product giveaway is a Litra LED light. 

For those who are lifetime members, when you signed up you were sent a welcome email.  That email has the links to access the instructional videos so make sure to save that email. If you lost the welcome email contact me and I'll send you a new one. macrogeekmike@yahoo.com

Join the Macro Photo Club at, MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer (tinylandscapes.com)

My wife and I went to a local nursery to buy some new plants for our flower beds and came across this flower that I have never seen before.  

I was like, wow, look at this cool flower, have to buy one to photograph. 

The sign behind the pots said it was a Kangaroo Paw Plant.

Shot with my Fuji X-T30 MKll and my Tamron 18-300 and also with my new Fuji 70-300. 

So far not happy with the depth of field at the f/22 on the Fuji lens but will do more tests soon.

I will shoot it again as more of the buds open.

Booking camera club zoom meetings, need a speaker, let me know, macrogeekmike@yahoo.com

Join my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 instructional videos. Over 2800 members from 29 countries. 
Info and to sign up. 

MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

Also Check out my workshops and zoom programs.

WORKSHOPS - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer