Macro Photography – an Interview with Don Komarechka
I’ve got something fun and interesting for you today, an interview with macro photographer Don Komarechka. I first saw his work on Google Plus and found his work so fascinating I approached him and asked if he’d do an interview and give us some of his secrets to his stunning macro photography.
Don Komarechka – macro photographer
If you want to learn how to make images like these watch the video below, and continue to read to the bottom of the page. I’ll provide links to Don’s web site and some of the things we discuss in the video. I’ve got a special surprise this month, on the macro theme, if you choose to participate. But watch the video first, no peaking!
Watch the video below now!
How to find Don Komarechka online
- Don’s web site
- Don’s blog
- Sky Crystals - see more of his macro snowflake images, and buy prints
- Don on Google Plus
- Don on Facebook
- @donkom
- Join Don’s new Macro Photography community on Google plus to discuss macro photography and share images.
Don’s infamous Canadian flag image
As Don described in the video, a print of the image above is refracted in the water droplets for a stunning effect.
Links to some of the equipment we discussed
If you’re interested in macro photography, here are links to some of the items Don mentioned in the interview, just in case you didn’t get to joy them all down.
- Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5 macro lens
- Kenko extension tubes
- Close-Up filters
- Macro focusing rails tripod insert, this is just one options, there are others on the market. I just wanted to show you something like this in case you’re tripod inclined more so than Don.
- Outdoor Photography Canada magazine featuring Don’s image of the world in a water droplet on the cover! (December 2012)
- More on polarising filters (to get rid of reflections)
Action plan and prize give away!
- Make sure you are a subscriber to Her View Photography (you must be a subscriber to win) If you haven’t already subscribed and gotten my FREE ebook, you can do so at the bottom of this article, look for the big green box!
- Go shoot some macro photos and post a link to your best image in the comments below. Tell us what challenges you had and how to made your shot. Let’s do this together.
- Enter your image by January 10th, 2013 and I’ll see that the winner will get a set of Don’s Snowflake Greeting cards shipped to you. (Canada and US shipping only please, if you live elsewhere we cannot guarantee shipping). Please make sure you use a valid email address so I can contact you if you are the winner.
Another example of water droplets and refraction.
I don’t even like bugs but this guy is kinda cute up close
If you loved this article, please remember to share the love – use the social media links below and share away!
And the winner is…
The winner of the prize draw for a set of Don’s snowflake greeting cards is . . . Laura! I’ll be in touch to get you your prize! Thanks for commenting and participating.
Update April 4th
Don is running a campaign to raise funds to get a large 300 page hardcover book printed. It goes into much more detail on how he creates his stunning snowflake images and for a donation of only $35 (or more!) you can help get this project funded AND get a copy of the book! How often can you say you were part of making something a reality? I just put in my $35 bucks, why not join me!?
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I just watched the excellent interview with Don K. I was familiar with him because I am a listener to This Week in Photography where he has been a participant. Your interview was excellent and I really learned a lot. Today I signed up for some Google+ photography communities and I have been rewarded already. I am a part-time pet photographer (www.stardogphoto.com) and I have a love for macro work as well.
Nice job Darlene!
Thanks You!
shelle
Thanks Shelle!
OK so I took up the challenge and wow, what a challenge. I took hundreds of photos (doing the sway technique) with a number of different scenarios. I chose this one because the background was clean and pleasantly colorful, I had a few drops reflecting the flower so it was more interesting. It was shot outside as it began to rain with all natural, soft light. I picked out about 8 images to do the stack/align/blend in CS6. It really worked well! I did some basic sharpening/detail in Aperture.
Question: How does Don get those perfect, round water drops? Should I be using some secret sauce added to the water?
Question: Any tips for placement or size of the background photo? That was a challenge.
Overall the image is ok for my first try. But I really loved the process and thats the best part.
Here is the link to the image.
Wrong link Please delete the link Darlene. Thanks.
http://shellesinger.zenfolio.com/p690521987/h50D77D7A#h50d77d7a
Much Better!
Nicely done!
Not sure how he gets his drops so round. Maybe join the Google+ Macro community I linked to above and ask him directly, he runs the group! If I had to guess I’d say the photo is maybe too far away, but I’d be guessing.
Hi Darlene,
Very interesting Interview, sparked a few ideas for the future, certainly going to have a go at focus stacking.
Here is an attempt from June I tried with Droplets and a Sunflower, dose´nt qualify for the Cards ( Being in Europe) but still wanted to share. Shot with an 18/55 kit lens and a 4x Macro filter.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/perspective2011/7473109670/
Nicely done! How far back was the flower from the stem?
surprisingly not that far, less than a foot.
Happy New Year Darlene,
Loved your interview with Don and it inspired me to try the focus stacking with some flowers today. Here is one of my first results, which I thought was quite cool when I followed the steps in Photoshop which Don outlined in the interview,
http://www.lauramcwilliam.com/Nature-1/Flowers/i-NdmDGfj/0/Th/_MG_0378-82_edit2-Th.jpg
This one was with my 100mm macro lens, and 7 shots.
Cheers, Laura
Actually, try this link instead. It’s a bigger image:
http://www.lauramcwilliam.com/Nature-1/Flowers/i-NdmDGfj/0/XL/_MG_0378-82_edit2-XL.jpg
nice job Laura! After your macro class I thought this might be up your alley! New web site too?
Laura we picked your name as the prize winner. I’ll be in touch to get you the box of Don’s snowflake greeting cards – congratulations!
Darlene,
This was so informative & thought provoking. I tried the reverse lens technique but it didn’t work for me. I found a macro filter & started playing around with it. Wow–depth of field is SO limited!! I tried Don’s swaying techinique with multiple images & it helped. I’m still attempting to get a good shot–this is so fun! Maybe I’ll get some extension tubes–you and Don definitely inspired me.
Thank you so much!
Happy New Year to you & your readers,
Joyce
(And I hope Latte is settling in nicely)
I am not a photographer but I had to come and look when I saw the image of the snowflake. These are so incredibly beautiful. Especially the snowflake ones.