I am occasionally asked how I come up with topics to discuss during my twice weekly livestreams. The topics come from several different sources. Most often, I am answering a question that was brought up by one of my students or asked by a livestream participant. If, when thinking about the question, I can expand on the topic to include interesting background and details, it will often become my subject for the week. But I also keep an ever-growing list of promising subjects that occur to me during my own exploration of macro photography and associated disciplines. The beauty of macro photography is that there are more fascinating topics to explore than I could cram into a lifetime of livestreams.

I try not to repeat myself and avoid talking about the same topic twice in the same year, and even when I do return to a previous conversation I try to emphasize information that has not been covered. I need to bear in mind that new viewers are going the streams every week and for many of them this may be the first time they have encountered the topic. Balancing the needs of the newcomer to macro with the seasoned experts that are also in the audience every week is the hardest part of programming these events.

This week, for example, I am breaking from my usual practice of finding a common theme for both livestreams and instead will be addressing two distinctly different topics that came up in conversation over the preceding week. This has the advantage of keeping things interesting and relevant to more viewers, while keeping the process interesting for me at the same time.

On Tuesday I am going to talk about the use of polarized light in macro photography. I don’t think I have ever discussed this subject as I plan to in this livestream. The question that prompted this was a practical one - “when should be using polarizing filters in macro photography?” - and to answer that I need to explain a little about polarized light. So I will open with a discussion about light in general and the concept of polarity in the context of visible light. When we understand the nature of light and see how it can be polarized, everything else I talk about should make a lot more sense. For example I will explain the difference between using a polarized light source and polarizing the light that enters our camera through a polarizing filter. When do we want to use the former, when the latter, and I will introduce the concept of using both.

For a subject to be useful for your photography it needs to have some practical application, so I will describe the various types of polarizing filters and give step by step recommendations on how they are used. By the end of the hour you should have everything you need to make wise decision about when and how to use polarization as well as information on the best brands of polarizing filters to look for. B&H carries a wide selection of the very best circular polarizing filters - you can find them here - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=circular%20polarizing%20filters&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps&BI=23366&KBID=28903&SID=DFF&DFF=d50

A B&W circular polarizing filter from b&h

If you would like to join the discussion, the link for the livestream is here - https://youtube.com/live/U2bcVTXrWzc?feature=share

On Thursday we are going to look at something completely different that I think should be of interest to many of you. What is the best tripod head for use in macro photography? I don’t think I have ever talked about this in any depth but it is quite interesting. For one thing, there are a lot more options than most people might be aware of, and they are not all equally ideal for close up work. I will describe all the different ways in which a camera can be mounted to a tripod (monopod, ground pod, camera stand, etc.) and discuss the relative merits and drawbacks of each. Based on my own experience I will make specific recommendations for each time of head and explain why I use each of them.

If you are thinking about adding or replacing a tripod head in your bag, here are a few of the products that I recommend and will be talking about during the livestream.

When it comes to ball heads you will have a hard time finding anything more versatile and well constructed than the Really Right Stuff BH55, available from B&H - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1301057-REG/really_right_stuff_bh_55_pro_bh_55_ballhead_with_full_size.html/BI/23366/KBID/28903/DFF/d10-v21-t1-x781162/SID/DFF

Another contender at the top of the stack is the incredible Novoflex Magic Ball - a different take on the ball head but one that many of the best macro photographers swear by - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/153279-REG/Novoflex_MB_Magic_Ball_with_Socket.html/BI/23366/KBID/28903/DFF/d10-v21-t1-x1596924/SID/DFF

For the more budget conscious photographer, Sirui makes a really lovely low profile ball head, the AM40 that is a little smaller than the RRS, but a lot less expensive - https://amzn.to/4hfVBVG

In the geared head category you will not find a better affordable three-way head than the Benro GD3WH that I use. I have ben using this for at least 6 years and I love it - https://amzn.to/3AaA93v

Another option if you jus have to have the best geared head on the planet is the original Arca Swiss cube, available from B&H - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1373798-REG/arca_swiss_8501303_1_cube_c1_gp_geared.html/BI/23366/KBID/28903/DFF/d10-v21-t1-x861127/SID/DFF

I think a very fine alternative at a lower price point is the new Leofoto geared head, also from B&H - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1796458-REG/leofoto_gw_01_3_way_geared_head.html/BI/23366/KBID/28903/DFF/d10-v21-t1-x1340748/SID/DFF

not strictly a tripod head, I like to use this leveling device for still life work

For anyone wanting a video friendly fluid head, a very attractive option is the new Neewer, shown above. It is sturdy and easy to use, while also being very affordable - https://amzn.to/3YcPZmo

The SmallRig DH10 is another excellent choice - https://amzn.to/4f3DvEm

I recommend a two axis head for use with a monopod and one of the best for the price is the Sunwayfoto DT-03S - https://amzn.to/3BTe0HA

B&H has a wide selection of other monopod heads - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=monopod%20head&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps&BI=23366&KBID=28903&SID=DFF&DFF=d50

The tripod head livestream link is right here - https://youtube.com/live/HYt2wfVEPc8?feature=share

If you are one of my Patreon Supporters, don’t forget we have a Pzoom this Saturday morning at 10AM and this week will be a mixed bag, with some introductions, updates on where to purchase bugs this winter, a book at my studio, and some discussion of idler platform stacking. Should be a fun morning! Your invitation is over on Patreon. If you are not one of my supporters but want to look into joining, please check out my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/allanwallsphotography

For anyone interested in the dark arts of 3D modeling and printing, Larry and I will be hosting Tangent at 12:30 on Saturday. For details, check out the Tangent page over on Discord. To join the fun, use this invitation

Topic: Tangent

Time: Oct 26, 2024 12:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6916802815?pwd=TS9tZi9ZL1NXeVUvOUF4eTg5YjdlZz09&omn=8842267247

Meeting ID: 691 680 2815

Passcode: 678122

That’s all I have for you right now! Hope to see you tomorrow!

Allan

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Polarization in Macro Photography

Allan Walls Photography, LLC

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Fairhope, Alabama

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