From Studio to Field - a Different Approach to Lighting
/Another Way to Look at Light
In the field, it is all about flexibility and preparation
Last week, on Thursday, I introduced a new series of discussions looking at the challenges facing a studio macro photographer who was planning to take what they have learned out into the field. It is a subject we have not really focused our attention on in the past. There is a lot to consider when planning such a move, so I decided to break the discussion down into a series of streams based on the various areas that would need attention - lighting, working with living subjects, managing motion, and more. Then, over the weekend, as I began putting the content together it occurred to me that there was another group of photographers who were being left out of the discussion - the folks that have been thinking about bringing their macro indoors.
Studio work is all about precision
My first reaction was to conclude that including that group would be redundant - a repetition of what I was already discussing, only in reverse. But, of course, that is not the case at all. The challenge of learning about lighting for high magnification subjects in the studio when one is coming from long years of perfecting light management in the field is completely different, in almost every respect, from learning how to use found light in the field when your background is microscope objectives and multi-LED light cages. There is nothing repetitive about these two approaches to lighting - they are equally challenging, no matter which direction you are moving in.
Single shot macro means getting the light right first time
So I have decided to look at each topic from each of the two perspectives in alternating livestreams over the next few weeks. On Tuesday’s we will look at the issues facing a field photographer wanting to add studio insect photography to their skills…
… and on Thursday’s we will ask all the same questions about the studio photographer wishing to tackle the great outdoors.
For each topic (this week it is all about lighting) we will look at what has to change when moving from field to studio, or vise-versa, and what doesn’t. We will look at gear and technique options, spending a good part of our time discussing the unique features of lighting in the studio and field respectively.
Multi-flash lighting of a small weevil - ambient/background light eliminated
This is the kind of conversation that should have value for anyone interested in close-up or macro photography, regardless of your interest in insects, or lack thereof. It should also be of real interest to those with no plans to change what they are doing - a chance to review and update what you are already doing. The sessions will focus on my experience with both transitions and will include tons of examples, with photographs to illustrate each point discussed.
Bee mimic hover fly lit using available sunlight and a reflector card
The link for Tuesday’s Macro Talk is here - https://youtube.com/live/JUD1Sv3k5s4?feature=share and the link for MacroTalk Too, Thursday at 2PM, is right here - https://youtube.com/live/fsmLqXLKvE0?feature=share
On Friday I will be co-hosting, along with Harold Hall, the next episode of Chemical Art, our unique discussion forum for those interested in making birefringent crystals to photograph. I have been busy with the homework assignment - looking for interesting crystal structures in evaporated soy sauce (and some other available condiments from distant lands) and have managed to find a few (though I am not crazy about the smells of some of these liquids, some of which have persisted for several days after evaporation). We meet on Zoom at 2PM of Friday, and the meeting is completely free. Even if you are not too interested in this particular fermented fluid, come anyway - we have a ton of fun learning new stuff every time we get together. Here is your invitation and link to the festivities… Allan Walls is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Crystal Art
Time: Feb 13, 2026 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6916802815?pwd=TS9tZi9ZL1NXeVUvOUF4eTg5YjdlZz09&omn=82857563927
Meeting ID: 691 680 2815
Passcode: 678122
Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/82857563927/invitations?signature=QHmSGqbMPCcboxe6U7Gqq5HHr0bNUZ0WQmv5okiGNjI
For those of you who support my work (and it really is work!) through Patreon, it is, once again, time for us to gather for some stimulating photography-related banter. Pzoom will be at its usual time on Saturday morning, 10AM until noon, and, in addition to our usual updates, introductions, questions, and channel-related announcements, we will be looking back at the week’s content and digging a little deeper into concepts that were not fully explored. If you do not attend these meetings, I would reconsider doing so - it is a very special group of enthusiastic and talented macro photographers whose input has been invaluable over the years. These meetings are my favorite events of the month and I cannot recommend them more highly.
Solitary bee lit with a single, diffused low power speedlight
You invitation and pass code are over on Patreon, in yesterday’s post. See you there.
If you would like to support the channel, please visit my Patreon page for all the details - we would love to have you! https://www.patreon.com/allanwallsphotography
With all of these programming notes taken care of, let me report on last week’s AfterStack - number 39. We are only meeting once during the month, so Bud and I feel it is vital that we make each session as helpful as possible. Saturday was a perfect example of that. We talked about renting our wrk using the Photoshop print utility and it was a rich and fascinating discussion.
A tiny weevil lit by multiple low power flash units
As the owner of a recently acquired wide format Epson printer (a Stylus Pro model 7880), this conversation could not have come at a better time (which seems less-of a happy coincidence when you discover that it was my idea to talk about this), or been more helpful. If you have ever been perplexed by the complicated and confusing user interface of the Photoshop print dialogue, this conversation is for you. Bud Perrott led a tremendous discussion of everything from sizing and resolution to color management and ICC profile selection. The session was recoded and is available by following this link … https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/qk3L9EzSR2-SBOxsH3FmTuvkbSZOMXyWYjHKFwwmHs1VKkyOQDVmz9p_HlRJRaKf.mWovGfrleH73dr0u (this link expires in 32 days - if you would like to keep a copy of this event recording, please download to you computer before it is removed by Patreon).
The subject lit by my flash, pulled back to allow ambient illumination of the background
On the subject of AfterStack, if you are looking for episode #38 I am sorry to report that there is no YouTube video of that session. A problem with the recoding prevented me from importing and editing the content in my video editing software. This was strange as the downloaded recording could be played back with no apparent issues in the two video player programs I tried. So while there is not a video for the last episode, I do have a copy of the recording which I will be happy to send to you upon request. I will also be trying one other transcoding recommendation tomorrow, and if I am successful in getting the recoding posted, the link will be available to my Patreon Supporters as early as Monday.
I will finish with a completely unrelated and non-photography related recommendation, something I do not typically do. My brother made a podcast recommendation to me over the weekend. His suggestions are usually good and I did not hesitate to give this channel a listen. It was fantastic. It is called “Moonshots” and is available wherever you get your podcasts.
It is free, which is another reason you should try it. It deals with the newest updates of Artificial Intelligence development and consists of a group of extremely well-informed computer experts discussing AI related topics that are truly cutting edge. It is released every 3-4 days and is, in equal parts, exhilarating, shocking, and utterly terrifying. As I listen to this week’s episodes, it has dawned on me that I know only a tiny fragment of what is actually going on in the world of AI, and much of what I thought I knew was wrong. If you are interested in learning more about what is actually happening, and how it promises to change literally everything about being a human on this planet, give it a listen.
Euglossa - Orchid bee - ecuador
The images in this post are all from a file that I thought had been lost daringly most recent computer catastrophe, last year. I never expected to see these pictures again.