2 AB Members and Their Work

[viper69]

I debated as to putting this post in Through the Lens or Chat. I chose to put it in Chat to increase its visibility for the forum membership.
As some of you know I don't make too many posts on my own; the content has to be very special generally.

As an amateur photographer there is a loss in photography using traditional cameras, people use smartphones now more than not. I'm not impressed with the latter generally.
With that said, there is a rise in specialist areas due to the amazing technology in traditional cameras and software, e.g. photo-stacking

If you look through BOTH flickr sites you will see pictures of their setups, they are not trivial setups, nor is the amount of time they put into making such gorgeous images.

The first link is from an AB member self taught, has had his work with National Geographic. I look at his vast images from time to time, and he only gets better over the many years. Below is a link to a specific image that is truly stunning.

Michael Pankratz

Explore Michael Pankratz’s 4,030 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

https://flic.kr/p/2pSs7T9
The second link below is for another macro shooter. He was inspired by the person above to shoot macro of Ts. Mygale also worked with National Geographic, had a traveling exhibit of his photography- pictures of his exhibit are there as well.

mygale.de

Explore mygale.de’s 2,295 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

These are the 2 best macro photographers I've come across.

 

[Mustafa67]

I debated as to putting this post in Through the Lens or Chat. I chose to put it in Chat to increase its visibility for the forum membership.
As some of you know I don't make too many posts on my own; the content has to be very special generally.

As an amateur photographer there is a loss in photography using traditional cameras, people use smartphones now more than not. I'm not impressed with the latter generally.
With that said, there is a rise in specialist areas due to the amazing technology in traditional cameras and software, e.g. photo-stacking

If you look through BOTH flickr sites you will see pictures of their setups, they are not trivial setups, nor is the amount of time they put into making such gorgeous images.

The first link is from an AB member self taught, has had his work with National Geographic. I look at his vast images from time to time, and he only gets better over the many years. Below is a link to a specific image that is truly stunning.

Michael Pankratz

Explore Michael Pankratz’s 4,030 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

https://flic.kr/p/2pSs7T9
The second link below is for another macro shooter. He was inspired by the person above to shoot macro of Ts. Mygale also worked with National Geographic, had a traveling exhibit of his photography- pictures of his exhibit are there as well.

mygale.de

Explore mygale.de’s 2,295 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

These are the 2 best macro photographers I've come across.

Those pictures are incredible

 

[Spinnenfritzi]

Amazing.... beautiful. Would be very tempting to get high quality prints

 

[viper69]

Amazing.... beautiful. Would be very tempting to get high quality prints

I’m sure you could reach out. Mygale used to sell all the posters he made that had all the species on a given print

Those pictures are incredible

They really are.

 

[Spinnenfritzi]

I’m sure you could reach out. Mygale used to sell all the posters he made that had all the species on a given print

allready made an account to message him.

Thinking about 3 by 4 Foot..

Big Caterpillar in the livingroom or something

 

[TheraMygale]

I do think stack photography is probably one of the best ways to get the most details out of inverts.

unlike birds, some inverts do allow us to get some excellent time to do shots.

i think its been discussed here and there on the board.

one can easily see the difference in the quality of image you get with stack vs everything else.

i dont know if i would have the patience but definitely will try it, if i ever get a dslr.

 

[viper69]

allready made an account to message him.

Thinking about 3 by 4 Foot..

Big Caterpillar in the livingroom or something

Let me know how that goes. He used to have a web site for ordering but it's down or not working etc. I've talked to him a few times, he's a really nice guy.

I do think stack photography is probably one of the best ways to get the most details out of inverts.

unlike birds, some inverts do allow us to get some excellent time to do shots.

i think its been discussed here and there on the board.

one can easily see the difference in the quality of image you get with stack vs everything else.

i dont know if i would have the patience but definitely will try it, if i ever get a dslr.

True- a lot of people see a stacked image, without knowing it, and think "why aren't my pics good", there a few reasons why hah.

You can do it with mirrorless, IF you get one.

 

[TheraMygale]

Let me know how that goes. He used to have a web site for ordering but it's down or not working etc. I've talked to him a few things, he's a really nice guy.



True- a lot of people see a stacked image, without knowing it, and think "why aren't my pics good", there a few reasons why hah.

You can do it with mirrorless, IF you get one.

the prices on mirrorless is just as expensive for me then dslr. I have my eyes on a nikon d7200/7500 for the futur. Since im not selling calendars and stuff, nor competing… its more in my price range for the work i do.

mirrorless is still a very nice option for those who can afford it.

And youre so right. Some people actualy think a picture is just a press and click. Its not. Real photography, especialy of inverts, is a lot of work.

its dedication and passion at that point.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Nice posters wish I could keep any I had fancy 3D ones from school my mom tossed them … science ones . I never had a tarantula poster.

Let me know how that goes. He used to have a web site for ordering but it's down or not working etc. I've talked to him a few things, he's a really nice guy.



True- a lot of people see a stacked image, without knowing it, and think "why aren't my pics good", there a few reasons why hah.

You can do it with mirrorless, IF you get one.

whats a stacked image? Does it add depth ? I know my phone really struggles to get pics that high quality. Although I’ve had a few good shots with iPhone SE.

 

[advan]

I do think stack photography is probably one of the best ways to get the most details out of inverts.

unlike birds, some inverts do allow us to get some excellent time to do shots.

i think its been discussed here and there on the board.

one can easily see the difference in the quality of image you get with stack vs everything else.

i dont know if i would have the patience but definitely will try it, if i ever get a dslr.

I've always joked that stacking is for cheaters. If you can get some handheld stacks that is one thing compared to a camera mounted on a step rail and tethered to a computer. Some deep stacks you see, the photographer either kills or gasses the invert to make sure it does not move. Which I think is unethical.

With mirrorless cameras out now, DSLR's are cheap on the used market same with their lenses. Take the dive!

Nice posters wish I could keep any I had fancy 3D ones from school my mom tossed them … science ones . I never had a tarantula poster.

whats a stacked image? Does it add depth ? I know my phone really struggles to get pics that high quality. Although I’ve had a few good shots with iPhone SE.

With high magnification macro, your depth of field(part in focus) is razor thin. Stacking is taking multiple images at different "depths" and using a program to merge them all into one final image.

If you guys want prints from these guys, just ask! Tell them what size you are looking for and they will get back to you with a quote. I have a few prints from Michael and they are worth it! -Chad

 

[viper69]

Nice posters wish I could keep any I had fancy 3D ones from school my mom tossed them … science ones . I never had a tarantula poster.

whats a stacked image? Does it add depth ? I know my phone really struggles to get pics that high quality. Although I’ve had a few good shots with iPhone SE.

Stacked image- in short you define a start and stop position of your subject (focal planes), the camera takes the images, and in camera, though often in post, they are merged together. This why you when you see their images everything generally is in focus. It's like cutting a pepperoni stick in slices and physically stacking them on top of each other. There are other members here who are using this technique but they are not where these 2 are currently in work product.

Photo-stacking is used in research far longer than general photography. However, having done it, the techniques are in principle the same.

No one's cell phone is going to produce a great image compared to traditional cameras because the sensor is too small. The images that Apple uses in its "shot on iphone" marketing campaign- they are done on setups that cost in excess of $13,000 using their phone.

I've always joked that stacking is for cheaters. If you can get some handheld stacks that is one thing compared to a camera mounted on a step rail and tethered to a computer. Some deep stacks you see, the photographer either kills or gasses the invert to make sure it does not move. Which I think is unethical.

With mirrorless cameras out now, DSLR's are cheap on the used market same with their lenses. Take the dive!
With high magnification macro, your depth of field(part in focus) is razor thin. Stacking is taking multiple images at different "depths" and using a program to merge them all into one final image.

If you guys want prints from these guys, just ask! Tell them what size you are looking for and they will get back to you with a quote. I have a few prints from Michael and they are worth it! -Chad

Nice to see you post man.

 

[TheraMygale]

Some deep stacks you see, the photographer either kills or gasses the invert to make sure it does not move. Which I think is unethical.

I definitely disagree with any practice that requires to kill an animal, or hurt it, just to take a photo. Tons of dead specimens available for such purposes.

i believe you too. I to a lot of bird watching. I have seen what “wildlife photography” looks like from behind the scenes. 100 photographers baiting and circling a Grey owl, to get a “hunting shot”. This is not a “wild life” shot. Thats a setup. And perhaps its how it was done, is still done… doesnt not mean i agree with it.

i respect the photographer who is alone in the woods and waits for hours until the animal he has been studying for weeks, shows up. That, to me, is true wildlife photography.

to go back to stack, i admire people who take time to do things without hurting. I also sort of get you when you say cheating. I kind of jokingly say digital photography is cheating some days. Because then theres lightroom, and all the addings…

i still prefer to see through my binoculars. And my toy nikon p900. I never bother animals at the distance i can be with that.

 

[viper69]

I definitely disagree with any practice that requires to kill an animal, or hurt it, just to take a photo. Tons of dead specimens available for such purposes.

i believe you too. I to a lot of bird watching. I have seen what “wildlife photography” looks like from behind the scenes. 100 photographers baiting and circling a Grey owl, to get a “hunting shot”. This is not a “wild life” shot. Thats a setup. And perhaps its how it was done, is still done… doesnt not mean i agree with it.

i respect the photographer who is alone in the woods and waits for hours until the animal he has been studying for weeks, shows up. That, to me, is true wildlife photography.

to go back to stack, i admire people who take time to do things without hurting. I also sort of get you when you say cheating. I kind of jokingly say digital photography is cheating some days. Because then theres lightroom, and all the addings…

i still prefer to see through my binoculars. And my toy nikon p900. I never bother animals at the distance i can be with that

not all of us wildlife photographers do ANYTHING to "get the shot" of an animal. Just like not all hunters do setups to kill with a gun (oh that's really fair)

 

[TheraMygale]

not all of us wildlife photographers do ANYTHING to "get the shot" of an animal. Just like not all hunters do setups to kill with a gun (oh that's really fair)

These are the people i have respect for, and consider true wildlife photographers. No matter what camera they have.

same for hunters. I think theres plenty to go around. Nothing like a nice hike and silence, with a chance to happen upon a gift. Hunting and fishing is so much more then just actualy getting a shot/bite. Its eveything around it.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Stacked image- in short you define a start and stop position of your subject (focal planes), the camera takes the images, and in camera, though often in post, they are merged together. This why you when you see their images everything generally is in focus. It's like cutting a pepperoni stick in slices and physically stacking them on top of each other. There are other members here who are using this technique but they are not where these 2 are currently in work product.

Photo-stacking is used in research far longer than general photography. However, having done it, the techniques are in principle the same.

No one's cell phone is going to produce a great image compared to traditional cameras because the sensor is too small. The images that Apple uses in its "shot on iphone" marketing campaign- they are done on setups that cost in excess of $13,000 using their phone.



Nice to see you post man.

So photoshop causes Photo-stacking ? I wouldn’t be suprised if species went extinct from being killed for photos. Especially moths and butterflies ..
$13,000 using their phone because they get professional movie set up added into it???
Woah

 

[viper69]

These are the people i have respect for, and consider true wildlife photographers. No matter what camera they have.

same for hunters. I think theres plenty to go around. Nothing like a nice hike and silence, with a chance to happen upon a gift. Hunting and fishing is so much more then just actualy getting a shot/bite. Its eveything around it.

I like fishing a lot- I don't eat fish, so I throw them back. It's a lot of fun. I don't hunt, and I think people who hunt with guns are terrible people. it's not a fair fight at all. IF one wants to hunt, they should do it one on one and see who wins.

So photoshop causes Photo-stacking ? I wouldn’t be suprised if species went extinct from being killed for photos. Especially moths and butterflies ..
$13,000 using their phone because they get professional movie set up added into it???
Woah

I didn't mention PS, there's a variety of SW out there that does stacking.

I read an article on those shot on phone images because I felt they were staged when I first saw them years ago - I was right. The article had a behind the scenes look, the setup was extensive as was the cost.