Macro Photo- and Videography technique in the studio

Andreas Kay · Post by **Andreas Kay** » Tue Sep 17, 2019 12:54 am

During the last year I have developed techniques for Macro Photo- and Videography. Unfortunately I was diagnosed by Glioblastoma two weeks ago and will be leaving soon. I had a wonderful life in Ecuador but so much more to learn. Lou Jost will leave my heritage, but I like to share my experience as long as I can. Here are examples of my studio setup, further images can be downloaded at https://drive.google.com/open?id=1HX_WL ... pM0-OrPfnI

I have been documenting the diversity of life in Ecuador as an independent scientist since 2011 and sharing 30.000 photos on my page Ecuador Megadiverso (www.flickr.com/photos/andreaskay/albums) as well as videos (www.youtube.com/AndreasKay), hoping to raise more awareness for these threatened treasures.
For the new studio setup I use a black box of 57 x 50 x50 cm3. On the bottom is a cardboard that can be turned manually around the center. Another cardboard or a circular darkened window glass can be shifted manually so that a moving insect can be kept in the center and rotated.

The camera is Panasonic G9 with Lumix PZ 45-175mm and in most cases Raynox 150 and 250. The camera is mounted on a video head Manfrotto mvh500ah. Illumination is by LED panels with high CRI (see https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YnzvM ... FvfgFNdI8M).

My standard setup for the Panasonic G9 is:
C1 Post Focus 6K, A f8, ISO 400
C3-1 Video 4K/30fps, Creative Video Mode, M f22, 1/125s
C3-2 Video 4K/60fps
C3-3 Video FHD/180fps, Creative Video mode M, FHD/180fps, SK 80/4 on Helicoid, f16 + additional aperture 8mm

Some examples: an insect etc. rotating on the black glass as mirror: https://youtu.be/JJXIQH1iX10 , Green Jumping Spider: https://youtu.be/hKIJNduPYBs , Treehopper moving and turning on a plant: https://youtu.be/pRmYRRbNqeM , Spiny Devil Katydid https://youtu.be/Bi-ww6nlzNs , Katydid on a plant: https://youtu.be/ajHQyNzPLH0 , Slow motion: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... rBZhqTVCM-

Spherical Treadmill for slow motion video: www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopi ... 545#253545
Flash Diffuser: www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopi ... 546#253546
Field focus stacking: www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopi ... 547#253547
Video turning around center: www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopi ... 548#253548
Image Stabilization for Field Stacking and Macro-Videography: www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopi ... 922#253922

mawyatt · Post by **mawyatt** » Fri Sep 20, 2019 5:09 pm

Hi Andreas,

You have created a number of very interesting and useful fixtures and setups to support the wonderful images you've captured. A special thanks for sharing these with us, as many will certainly benefit from your efforts and hopefully we'll see more of this in the near future.

Myself and all the others here on PM are hoping and praying for you and wishing the best in these trying times.

Best,

Lou Jost · Post by **Lou Jost** » Fri Sep 20, 2019 6:14 pm

Andreas is understating his advances. He has developed and invented some extraordinary techniques and devices. I have been especially impressed with his recent focus on insect macro videos. We insect photographers are always fighting our moving subjects (even killing them to get them to stop). Andreas instead embraces the movement through videos that capture their extraordinary behavior. When he makes those videos, the movements are the most fascinating parts.

To facilitate this, Andreas has built a field tripod that rotates the camera around a fixed point, making wonderful video possible. In the studio his turntable does the reverse, rotating a live insect while keeping it in focus.

Most clever is his spherical treadmill (see his link above), which is a plastic sphere resting on motorized x- and y- rollers controlled by a gimbal controller, which responds to a photocell pointed at the insect. After initialization, the photocell maintains the insect in a stationary position while the sphere rotates under it in the exact opposite of whatever direction the insect is walking. We can watch a tiny insect casually strolling along, yet stationary in the center of the frame.

Insect movements are amazingly complex and hypnotically fascinating. After seeing Andreas' work over the last couple of years, I do not think I will ever again be satisfied with still photos of insects....

I'm very grateful to Andreas for helping us investigate our Ecuadorian forest reserves, and for his generous advice and shared passion for macrophotography. I hope he enjoys his remaining time here to the fullest, and I hope his passion for insect photography will keep his pain at bay for a long while.

dolmadis · Post by **dolmadis** » Sat Sep 21, 2019 12:05 am

Lou Jost wrote:Andreas is understating his advances. He has developed and invented some extraordinary techniques and devices. I have been especially impressed with his recent focus on insect macro........

To facilitate this, Andreas has built a field tripod that rotates the camera around a fixed point, making wonderful video possible. In the studio his turntable does the reverse, rotating a live insect while keeping it in focus.

Most clever is his spherical treadmill (see his link above).............

Insect movements are amazingly complex and hypnotically fascinating. After seeing Andreas' work over the last couple of years, I do not think I will ever again be satisfied with still photos of insects....

...............I hope he enjoys his remaining time here to the fullest, and I hope his passion for insect photography will keep his pain at bay for a long while.

Well said in support Lou especially your last few words.

The generosity of shares are the epitome if this forum/gathering of minds.

Currently I am poring over the many shares that Andreas has posted and I have alighted first on the simplest but most useable LED Flashlight and diffuser.

For me the field tripod has me fascinated and I am hoping that I can find a fabricator for one from the .skp file.

I agree that macro video is delivering so much more learning.

Thank you Andreas if you see this post.

BR

John

Lou Jost · Post by **Lou Jost** » Tue Oct 08, 2019 11:24 am

I am sad to report that Andreas committed suicide yesterday or today, as the pain from his incurable brain cancer became unbearable.

dolmadis · Post by **dolmadis** » Tue Oct 08, 2019 11:32 am

I am so sad to have learnt of that.

We have so much to learn from him and through his generosity we can.

John

mawyatt · Post by **mawyatt** » Tue Oct 08, 2019 12:49 pm

Lou,

I am so so sorry for the loss of Andreas to his family, friends, colleagues and our community. His work is inspirational for all. I never met him, or even knew him, except thru this amazing work, but recently almost felt like I knew him.

My thoughts and prayers for him, family, colleagues and friends.

Rest in peace Andreas.

Best,