"naturefold" -- field photography with Laowa 2.5-5X and focus stacking

[rjlittlefield]

There's a new channel on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@naturefold , with a young photographer named Alexis whose technique and results are masterful.

He shoots in fast burst mode using a sort of lean-in technique, with heavily diffused flash.

At first I was distracted by what appear to be several bursts per stack, but eventually I figured out that the appearance is often just an artifact of rolling shutter in the video camera that's shooting him shooting a single longer burst.

Anyway check out the videos and Instagram feed -- wonderful stuff!

--Rik

[Tom Jones]

Wow! It's been awhile since I went that far down a rabbit hole looking at someone new.
It's an interesting technique, and he's doing really nice work. Thanks for the heads up!

[WojTek]

Hello Rik,
Great, but you have to have a steady hand.
So, not for grandpas / grannies with shaky hands
Best, ADi

[clausgiloi]

I've just started following his YT channel though I'd seen his stuff on IG. Amazing results... I don't know how he gets close enough for long enough to get those stacks. I'd like to know the fps of his setup.

[MarkSturtevant]

I have seen him before on YouTube, and he is remarkable. I think the method involves sort of leaning on the edge of the diffuser for stability, and gently pressing forward as you stack.

[rjlittlefield]

I just watched one of naturefold's more recent videos: "Photographing and Filming tiny Water Springtails".

Around 2:14-2:16, HERE, there's a sequence where he holds focus on one springtail while another one walks through the focus band.

It's a masterful illustration of both how shallow focus is, and how well he's holding in on the subject he wants.

--Rik