Macro Photography Course with Oliver Wright
A masterclass in Macro Photography. We’ve teamed up with award winning Pro Macro Photographer Oliver Wright to bring you a comprehensive Macro Photography Course. Oliver is a multi-award-winning photographer and a pioneer behind a style of macro photography that uses high magnification techniques to photograph insects covered in morning dew.
Oliver has had ten ‘highly commended’ images in the British Wildlife Photography Awards and regularly has his work published worldwide, with recent publications being The New York Times, The Observer and Outdoor Photography Magazine to name but a few. He is also a key spokesperson for Canon Europe and presents for them regularly at 'The Photography Show' and was chosen by Canon to be the face of their new RF 100mm Macro lens.
In this course, he shows you how to master Macro photography. From home macro projects with budget equipment to the advanced technique of handheld stacking, this in-depth course will cover it all.
Follow along with Oliver as he takes you through a journey on how to photograph flowers, butterflies, insects and even fast-moving subjects like jumping spiders and mosquitoes. Make your Macro photos stack up against the best by learning high-end skills from one of the best photographers in this field, in the world!
As always with TSOP this course has been designed, structured and produced by a professional, fully qualified teacher. We’ve been teaching photography since 2002. All this experience means the education you receive is free of waffle and focuses on accurate and thorough knowledge. We’ve structured the course in an easy-to-understand way, breaking down this advanced area of photography into manageable learning that anyone can understand.
Unlock the magical world of macro and learn the secrets behind high magnification stacking techniques.
If you’re looking to learn macro photography and create images that stack up against the best out there, then this course is for you.
Buying Options
Become a Member
£13.99/$19 per month or £126/$165 annually
Unlimited access to all courses and much more
This Course Only
Unlimited access to this course
One off payment - Lifetime access
Pro Stacking Techniques
Stacking enables you create pin sharp macro images with immense detail. In this course, Oliver shares the techniques pro macro photographers use to achieve this effect. You’ll learn how to stack using a tripod and how to stack handheld. These images will then be taken into post processing where you are provided the Raw files so you can follow along and learn macro stacking properly.
Unlock the secrets of Macro
Many people buy a macro lens, find insects, press the shutter and wonder why their photography doesn’t look as good as what they’re seeing elsewhere. Macro photography is so much more than that. To get pro results you need to learn the techniques used by them. From home macro projects with flowers to handheld stacking with jumping spiders. This in-depth course makes sure you master macro!
Unlock your potential and create stunning Macro Photography by joining Oliver Wright on his journey as he shows you how to transform average macro photography into something special!
What you will learn
Introduction to pro macro photography, what makes it different?
Specialized equipment used for macro photography and editing.
The physics of macro and why it’s so difficult to get high end results.
Camera setting and techniques used for macro photography.
Home macro projects.
Macro on a budget.
Tripod and handheld stacking techniques.
How to edit macro photography in Lightroom and Photoshop.
How to plan for a macro photography shoot.
Deeper insights into the insects you photograph.
High magnification macro techniques.
How to photograph, flowers, butterflies, insects, spiders and more.
How to effectively promote yourself to potential clients and on social media.
The business of macro photography. How you can monetise your passion and turn it into a career.
Who is this course for?
Intermediate level photographers wanting to learn macro photography.
Photographers wanting to take their macro photography to the next level.
Photographers looking to learn pro macro editing techniques.
Photographers looking to learn pro stacking macro techniques.
Macro photographers wanting to create work that competes with the best out there.
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“The instruction has been top notch. TSOP excels in program structure and the platform to post one’s work. I cannot recommend TSOP enough. I am in love with photography again - this program is so great.” – Sean Spenny – Canada
Course Content
Intro to your Course and Oliver Wright
An introduction to Oliver Wright, his macro photography and how the course works. Here Oliver shares his photography journey from the corporate world to professional photographer and gives us an insight into what macro photography means to him.
Lesson 2 – Equipment
Here you will learn about the equipment Oliver uses to achieve macro effects and why he uses them. You’ll look at cameras, macro lenses, extension tubes, tripods, flashes, essential accessories and the editing software needed to get more refined professional imagery.
Lesson 3 – Macro Techniques
In this lesson you’ll start by learning the basics of macro and you’ll understand the physics behind why good macro is so hard to achieve. You’ll also learn about focus stacking, focal lengths and lens magnification, compositions that work, using light and photographing macro subjects at different times of the day and the year.
Lesson 4 – Home Macro Projects – Tripod Stacking
A good place to hone your macro skills is with a home macro project. In this lesson you’ll look at ideas for home macro projects and you’ll learn a technique called tripod stacking. Oliver will also show you how you can use budget equipment with extension tubes to get excellent results.
Lesson 5 – Home Macro Projects - Tripod Stacking - Edit
In this lesson you’ll be taught how to create a stacked image in post processing. Stacking in macro photography is an extremely important technique to master as it gives you much more detail. You’ll be provided with all the raw files so you can follow along with along with Oliver and really get to grips with this pro technique.
Lesson 6 – Home Macro Projects - Handheld Stacking
Continuing from Tripod Stacking, this lesson takes it one step further and teaches you a technique called handheld stacking. This technique is very specialised and can be quite difficult. Practicing it on a home macro project before you go out in the field is essential. Oliver also shows you how you can do this technique with budget equipment and compares the results with high end pro equipment. You’ll be surprised how they stack up!
Lesson 7 – Home Macro Projects - Handheld Stacking - Edit
Here you learn how to edit handheld stacked images in Lightroom and Photoshop. Again, you are provided with the raw files so you can work along with the lesson and you’ll get to see first hand how budget equipment can compare with high end pro equipment.
Lesson 8 – Flowers
Here we venture out into the field to photograph flowers. A good place to start with outside macro photography and you’ll see some stunning results produced. From using the sun to backlight flowers to finding insects to photograph within flowers, this lesson has all you need to get great macro photos of flowers.
Lesson 9 – Flowers - Edit
In this lesson, we head back to the studio to edit the photos taking in the flower meadow. As usual you are provided with the raw files so you can follow along with the edit.
Lesson 10 – Damselfly
Damselflies are a beautiful flying insect in the order of Odonata and a very popular subject for macro photographers. In this lesson Oliver teaches how to find these insects covered in dew with particular emphasis on respecting nature and protecting these insects’ habitats. He then shows you how to create beautiful, stacked images of Damselflies covered in morning dew.
Lesson 11 – Damselfly Edit
Here we are back in the studio to go through the images taken. Here, Oliver creates final stacked images in post processing with stunning results. As usual you are provided with the raw files to follow along with the lesson.
Lesson 12 - Dragonfly
Dragonflies again belong to the order of Odonata and in this lesson Oliver is very lucky to find a rare species of this striking insect. Using the tripod stacking technique Oliver manages to get several compositions of this Dragonfly including a high magnification version.
Lesson 13 - Dragonfly Edit
Back in the studio again and here is where Oliver can categorically reveal the species of Dragonfly, he found stating it is only the second one of these he has photographed in his whole career. He then proceeds to create some amazing results using his technique of stacking in Lightroom and Photoshop.
Lesson 14 - Grasshopper
Moving into midday macro photography Oliver teaches you the different types of species to photograph and the different techniques needed to achieve good results. After this we find a Grasshopper and Oliver shows how you can turn this insect into beautiful photographs using his technique of handheld staking.
Lesson 15 – Grasshopper Edit
In this lesson we look at the images taken in the field and create a stacked image that shows stunning detail in this often-overlooked insect.
Lesson 16 – Jumping Spider
The jumping spider is often seen as the hero shot for many macro photographers and it’s for good reason. They are extremely quick, meaning they are extremely hard to photograph. In this lesson Oliver shares all his expert knowledge in photographing spiders and manages to get a stunning photo of this fascinating creature.
Lesson 17 - Jumping Spider Edit
Photographing an insect this small takes real skill and that has to be matched in the editing. Here you’ll learn from the best and create a stacked jumping spider image that has so much detail you can see the refection of Oliver in its eyes!
Lesson 18 - Shield Bug
Out early morning again in the English countryside and the first insect we find is an extremely small Green Shield Bug covered in dew. Oliver shows you how to use a focus rail and the technique of tripod stacking to get a high magnification image that shows immense detail of such a small insect.
Lesson 19 - Shield Bug Edit
Out early morning again in the English countryside and the first insect we find is an extremely small Green Shield Bug covered in dew. Oliver shows you how to use a focus rail and the technique of tripod stacking to get a high magnification image that shows immense detail of such a small insect.
Lesson 20 - Burnet Moth
Continuing the early morning shoot, Oliver finds a beautiful Six Spotted Burnet Moth. This is not the easiest insect to photograph but being a true professional Oliver gets the picture he wants then challenges himself further by attempting a 5x magnification composition with stunning results.
Lesson 21 - Burnet Moth Edit
In this lesson Oliver goes through the results of the shoot comparing the different compositions then creates final stacked images. The finals are compared with a single image and it’s hard to believe what a difference Oliver’s stacking technique makes to high magnification macro photography.
Lesson 22 - Butterflies
Further in the morning shoot we focus on finding butterflies and are more than pleased to find a Marbled White Butterfly. In this lesson Oliver teaches you how to find butterflies and how to get stunning pictures in one shot using a specific macro lens.
Lesson 23 - Butterfly Edit
As this is a one-shot image the editing is achieved using Lightroom only. In this lesson Oliver shows how very little editing is needed on pictures like this. The beauty of the butterfly and the photographic technique used has done most of the work for you.
Lesson 24 - Demoiselle
A Demoiselle is a species of Damselfly and another popular subject for macro photography. In this shoot Oliver finds a Banded Demoiselle and using his macro lens captures a one-shot image which shows the true beauty of this insect.
Lesson 25 - Demoiselle Edit
Back in studio Oliver explains the importance of composition in macro photography and shows how he edits a one-shot macro image in Lightroom. As always you are provided with the raw file so you follow along and learn the editing process.
Lesson 26 - Mosquito
Not the most loved insect but they do make great subjects for Macro photography. In lesson watch Oliver put all his experience into practice by capturing stunning detail using his high magnification, hand-held stacking technique.
Lesson 27 - Mosquito Edit
It’s amazing to get this level of detail from such a small insect. Follow along with Oliver as he shows you how to stack and edit such a picture and of course, you’re provided with the raw files to follow along and learn the process with ease.
Lesson 28 - Lizard
Mid-day macro shooting gives a great opportunity to find different types of animals. In this lesson Oliver gives a deeper insight into what animals to look for and how to photograph them. He then finds a common lizard and using his one shot macro method, captures this gorgeous looking creature in different compositions.
Lesson 29 - Lizard Edit
Back in studio to edit the lizard pictures and Oliver shares a little secret to sharpening areas of pictures for a more refined look. To help you learn with ease, you are also provided the raw files to follow along with.
Lesson 30 - The Business of Macro Photography
This lesson is for those wanting to take their macro photography to the next stage and earn money from their passion. Oliver shares the realities of being a macro photographer and teaches you the different revenue streams you can use to make money. You’ll look at how to get clients, how to promote yourself on social media, how to build a striking portfolio, business tips and how to take your first steps into the world of business.
Lesson 31 - End of Course Recap
A friendly sign off from Oliver and a recap on the knowledge you’ve learnt on the course.
More examples of Oliver Wright’s Macro Photography
About your Tutor
Oliver is a UK based nature photographer and specialises in macro photography. After a lengthy corporate career Oliver threw in the towel and became a full-time professional photographer in February 2014. Since then, his work has taken him around the world and included many exciting jobs from photographing the King of Sweden to working with Canon.
Oliver is a multi-award-winning photographer and a pioneer behind a style of macro photography that uses high magnification stacking techniques to photograph insects covered in morning dew.
Oliver has had ten ‘highly commended’ images in the British Wildlife Photography Awards and regularly has his work published worldwide with recent publications being the New York Times, The Observer and Outdoor Photography Magazine to name but a few.
Oliver is also a key spokesperson for Canon Europe and presents for them regularly at Photography Shows and was chosen to be the face of their new RF 100mm Macro lens.
To view Oliver’s website, click here.
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FAQs
What level do I need to be at?
This course is suited for intermediate photographers and Lightroom and Photoshop users. It is not suited for anyone who hasn’t used Lightroom or Photoshop or learnt about the basics of photography. In this case, take our Photography, Lightroom and Photoshop course first.
I’m not in the UK, will this course still be suitable for me?
Yes. Do you have flowers, insects, spiders and other small subjects where you are? If the answer is yes than this course is going to be great for you.
What’s the difference between ‘This course only’ and ‘Become a Member’?
Please see ‘Buying Options’ above.
Do I need Adobe Lightroom for this course?
It depends. If you want to follow along with the edits then the answer is yes. However, if you edit your work in a different program then you can simply use the same editing techniques in whatever program you are used to. The raw files provided will open in any editing program that supports raw editing. If you wish to buy Adobe editing software we recommend buying their ‘Photography Plan (20GB)’ which includes Photoshop CC, Lightroom Classic, and Lightroom CC for a monthly fee. For more details on this plan click here.
What’s the cost in my own currency?
The courses are priced in British Pounds and US Dollars. On checkout, it will show the cost in British Pounds and will be converted into your currency when purchased. To get an accurate cost in your own currency click here to use a Currency Converter.
Do I get a certificate with this course?
Yes - On completion of all our courses, you receive a certificate from The School of Photography.
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If you want to build a photography career, or just have the ambition to create great photos, TSOP is a great place to start.
Buying Options
Become a Member
£13.99/$19 per month or £126/$165 annually
Unlimited access to all courses and much more
This Course Only
Unlimited access to this course
One off payment - Lifetime access