Lately, the weather has been getting increasingly unpredictable, which made me all the happier when the sun finally broke through the clouds halfway through Sunday, bathing nature in its warm light. The insects took advantage of this brief moment, emerging from their hiding places to enjoy the sunshine, even if only for a little while. For me, it was the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in the world of macro & close-up photography once again and capture a few special moments. It was truly a successful photo session. 📷 Camera: Canon EOS R8 🔎 Lens: Canon RF 100mm F2.8L MACRO IS USM 💡 Lighting: natural Handheld, one shot Camera settings: 1/500s, F/5.6, ISO-1600

https://influentialpoints.com/Gallery/Rhopalosiphum_nymphaeae_water_lily_aphid.htm Shot with the Laowa 65mm f2.8 2:1, flash and Cygnustech diffuser.

I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on people using AI to build alternatives to Adobe’s creative apps. What could this mean for photographers, especially those of us shooting macro? Would you trust an app built with AI to edit your images or handle focus stacking? Would your decision come down to how it was created, or the quality of its results? And where do you think the legal boundaries are? Could recreating features lead to lawsuits, or does it depend on whether someone copies code, branding or the interface? I’ve used AI to create a focus-stacking app myself, which got me wondering how far I could take it. Could I build a video-editing app too? What’s stopping more of us from creating tools tailored to our own workflows? Would you try an AI-built alternative, or stick with established software? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts and experiences! 🔍

A little later than planned this month, as I’ve been busy with workshops and reviews, but let’s celebrate what you’ve been creating! Share your favourite image you created in September and tell us a little about it. What inspired you? How did you make it? Or why is it special to you? ✅ No theme ✅ No pressure ✅ No judgement It doesn’t need to be perfect or even finished! It could be a completed piece, a fun experiment, a work in progress, or simply something you enjoyed creating. Every image is part of your creative journey, and if it means something to you, it absolutely belongs here. Don’t be shy about sharing. Your work might inspire someone else to try something new, and this is a wonderfully supportive space to celebrate what we’ve all been making. ✨ A quick reminder: this is a sharing thread, not a critique. Let’s keep it positive, friendly, encouraging and inspiring. 💬 Remember to show some love to other creators too. A like or a kind comment can make someone’s day. 🙌 Can’t wait to see what everyone created in September! 💛

Taken a while ago in the garden. OM1 OM 60mm Flash and diffuser