GDPG MAY 2023 Photo Challenge

Here is a short right up on my camera and macro gear setup for the GDPG (Greater Dayton Photography Group) May 2023 photo challenge. If you are interested in shooting Macro you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get into it. Or buy an expensive Macro specific lens. You can use any lens you already have and some extension tubes.  Extension tubes are exactly like it sounds a tube that attaches to back of your lens. This tube moves the lens further from the image sensor, which causes the lens to focus more closely or magnify the focus. I am using 2 extension tubes a 10mm + 16mm for a total of 26mm of extension. Extension tubes don’t have any lens optics in them so they are very inexpensive. The extension tubes I have can be purchased on Amazon for approximately $30. The extension tubes I am using have the electronic contacts on them so the lens auto focus feature still works. Provided you get close enough to your subject to bring it within view. The extension tubes will change the lens focusing distance (you will need to get closer).

When shooting macro the focal plane is razor thin which can make it difficult to focus on your subject. I find myself shooting mostly at f7-f11 to have enough depth of field. Also since this is a telephoto lens I generally shoot around 70-150mm. I find the advantage to shooting with the telephoto lens is it allows me to shoot my subject without having to get to close to it. Which could scare my subject away or I might be covering the subject with my shadow if I am standing to close.

The extension tubes are attached to my OM Systems M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 R lens. Which in full frame terms would be equivalent to 80-300mm lens. The camera body I am using is the OM Systems OM-D EM-1 Mark III which is a 20 megapixel micro four thirds sensor. The photo was taken hand held, below is the EXIF data from the photo.
ISO 800 1/250s f5.3 120mm


Springboro Performing Arts Interviews


Here is a link to an interview that the Springboro Performing Arts Center did for the photographers that submitted their works for the January 2022 show.  The Springboro Performing Arts Center show was a great opportunity to meet new fellow photographers and to show case one of my favorite photos in their Art gallery during the month of January.  I hope that Springboro has this photography gallery again next year and I hope to again have one of my photographs selected to appear in their show.


Springboro Performing Arts Center Gallery

One of my photographs will be on display at the Springboro Performing Arts Center Art Gallery.  The Springboro Performing Arts Center is showcasing Ohio Nature, featuring both black and white and color nature scenes from across the state by 16 photographers.  I am really excited and proud to have one of my photographs on display there. If you have time please go to the art gallery and have a look at the Ohio Nature art exhibit.


Below is link to their website which will have information about the Ohio Nature art display.  Springboro Performing Arts Center.

320 W Central Avenue

Springboro, OH 45066

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