Mike Moats' Macro Photo Weekend Workshops
Nov 5, 2014 16:55:07 #
If you have ever wondered what Mike Moats' Macro Workshops look like, here are photos of a typical shooting lab.
As you can see, mostly close-up photography is taught to novice photographers, under the guise of macro-photography.
As you can see, mostly close-up photography is taught to novice photographers, under the guise of macro-photography.
Nov 6, 2014 04:25:09 #
I assume most novices would not possess a macro lens but do have macro style settings on their cameras.
Nov 6, 2014 07:16:04 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Hmmmm. no one getting closer then 10" from the subject. yeah, thats macro alright. (NOT!)As you can see, mostly close-up photography is taught to novice photographers, under the guise of macro-photography.
Nov 6, 2014 08:31:36 #
I see David Akoubian in the 6th image (with the yellow jacket). He was one of the featured speakers... I know him personally as he lives here in Georgia. We chat on Facebook every so often.... First met him at a photo club macro contest I was judging in Canton, Georgia several years back. I was supposed to meet up with David & Mike last month in "Old Car City" on a day prior to a class Mike held here in North Georgia, but found out I had a Dental appointment the same day & thus couldn't make it ( I would have rather gone there but the Dentist was inserting a permanent bridge to replace a temporary one)...
Nov 6, 2014 22:35:57 #
Nov 6, 2014 23:03:32 #
riverlass wrote:
Mike Moats and I disagree on the definition of "Macro-Photography".Are you saying that it's not really "Macro" at all?
I contend that true macro-photography is 1:1 magnification to 10:1 mag.
Moats cannot afford to be so restrictive. Fully 75% of his paying attendees ($200/person) do not own macro lenses, so he encourages the use of close-focusing standard lenses, and the use of additional extension tubes or tele-converters. You will also notice that diffused incandescent lights are used in his class "lab" teaching situations, which do not lend themselves to field macro-photography.
Moats discusses macro lenses & speedlights, but does not require either for his Macro Workshops: http://tinylanscapes.wordpress.com/workshops , http://www.macrostoreonline.com
Nov 6, 2014 23:21:42 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
I guess, if a person does workshops for a living they can't be too restrictive, but there should be a standard for what is called "true macro". It seems everyone needs leeway and choices these days, to the point of nothing having a specific definition. It's all about giving folks as many choices as they can possibly want, a range that makes everyone happy. They is no standard for perfection anymore. Stay strong.Mike Moats and I disagree on the definition of "Macro-Photography". I contend that true macro-photography is 1:1 magnification to 10:1 mag. Moats cannot afford to be so restrictive.
Nov 10, 2014 02:28:35 #
Well, at least it was in a pretty room. And you got a pretty picture of it. :lol:
Nov 10, 2014 02:33:50 #
pianist38 wrote:
Nope! This are images from Moats' internet advertizements.Well, at least it was in a pretty room. And you got a pretty picture of it. :lol:
Nov 10, 2014 12:52:45 #
I found a place on his website where he has "close up" in parenthesis next the "macro". I also ask him about his use of the term macro for close up work and got a reply in the comments section at the bottom: http://tinylanscapes.wordpress.com/macro-mentoring
"Bill, only very small percent of photographers or the public understand the three styles which are close-up, macro, and micro. Most photographers including myself think of macro as shooting small areas, and dont get that technical to break down the three styles by size, they just lump the three styles under the term of macro. I have had many articles published in major photo magazine using the term macro for the articles, and not once has an editor of a magazine that picked the close-up images for the macro articles ever question the term. Ive taught thousands of photographers through my workshops, and have presented to thousands of attendees at photo conferences using the term macro for my programs, and never has anyone questions my use of the term macro for my images. You are correct and I admit I am technically a close-up photographer, but people still think of what I do as macro. If you look at my six facebook photo groups that are all called macro, no one is posting anything near macro, but they still refer to their images as macro when showing them, and as I repeat only a very small percent of photographers actually know what true macro is, they just assume if you are shooting small areas you are a macro photographers, and I will continue to market myself that way, and its working pretty good so far. Thanks for the comment."
"Bill, only very small percent of photographers or the public understand the three styles which are close-up, macro, and micro. Most photographers including myself think of macro as shooting small areas, and dont get that technical to break down the three styles by size, they just lump the three styles under the term of macro. I have had many articles published in major photo magazine using the term macro for the articles, and not once has an editor of a magazine that picked the close-up images for the macro articles ever question the term. Ive taught thousands of photographers through my workshops, and have presented to thousands of attendees at photo conferences using the term macro for my programs, and never has anyone questions my use of the term macro for my images. You are correct and I admit I am technically a close-up photographer, but people still think of what I do as macro. If you look at my six facebook photo groups that are all called macro, no one is posting anything near macro, but they still refer to their images as macro when showing them, and as I repeat only a very small percent of photographers actually know what true macro is, they just assume if you are shooting small areas you are a macro photographers, and I will continue to market myself that way, and its working pretty good so far. Thanks for the comment."
Nov 10, 2014 14:06:53 #
Flyextreme wrote:
And there-in lies the problem. He admits to rolling close-up and macro onto the same definition as "Macro", and mis-informing thousands of photographers through his workshops. He perpetuates the hoax based on financial return to himself. If he required his students to use a true macro lens, he would not have enough paying workshop clients to break even. (Quoting Mike Moats): "You are correct and I admit I am technically a close-up photographer, but people still think of what I do as macro."
Nov 12, 2014 03:58:32 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Actually, he includes "Micro" in there too. He admits to rolling close-up and macro onto the same definition as "Macro"
It's not going to change any time soon, or ever, with Macro stamped on lenses and with most cameras that have a macro setting on the dial. Just like the vast majority of the general public thinks their phone takes just as good a picture as our cameras. True macro photographers are a very tiny percentage. And, how much does it "really" matter?
Nov 14, 2014 19:08:20 #
Flyextreme wrote:
It matters because when you start moving the lines and widening the definitions you lose quality. Everything becomes what everyone wants it to be. There's no pride in excellence. It's just another step in the dumbing-down of the American language.And, how much does it "really" matter?
And why does he use the word "micro"? I thought that was just Nikon's word for "macro". He uses it like it's another category of photography.
Nov 14, 2014 20:14:34 #
riverlass wrote:
Macro= 1:1 to 10:1And why does he use the word "micro"? I thought that was just Nikon's word for "macro". He uses it like it's another category of photography.
Micro= 10:1 and up
Nov 15, 2014 00:41:51 #
Flyextreme wrote:
Macro= 1:1 to 10:1
Micro= 10:1 and up
Micro= 10:1 and up
Well, that's a new one on me. Thanks.
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