Micael Widell Newsletter #60
Captain's log
April was unusually cold in Sweden. We had snow and ice all the way to the end of the month. So that was a bit frustrating for someone like me, who is eager to go out and photograph insects after a long winter in Sweden. But there was a couple of warmer days, and I managed to go out and take some nice photos during these days – see my video from that walk.
100 000 subscribers
During the month, I also passed a milestone that I have been looking forward to for years: 100 000 subscribers on Youtube.
These days, the subscriber count is not as important as it once was – as most people watch videos based on recommendations on their Youtube homepage, and not via the subscription feed. But it still feels like a really big milestone for me. Around 2100 channels around the world have more than 100 000 subscribers, and now I am one of these. Hear me talk about my whole Youtube journey and how I got here in this video.
Here are the videos I published since my last newsletter:
- Macro Focus Stacking with M.Zuiko 90mm + Raynox DCR-250 (and a surprise ending...)
- It’s been the blessing of a lifetime
Instant gratification
I've always loved instant photography, and I've tried quite a few different cameras for Fujifilm Instax film. My main issue with most cameras though, is that there are no manual controls of shutter speed and aperture – so it is very hard to be artistic with the medium.
My latest rig was a Mamiya RB67 with an Instax Square back. It gave very beautiful results, and the instax square film is among the best value for money instant films you can get these days.
The issue with this rig was its weight and size. The camera was like 2.7 kg and very big, so even when carrying it in a backpack it was kind of a nuisance. So I decided to sell the RB67 and my accessories for it, to try something different for a change.
Earlier I was reluctant to try Polaroid, as their film is around twice the price per photo, at around $1.5 or so. That's pretty pricey. But the Polaroid photos are slightly larger than Instax Square, and I think the colors you get are often sublime and quite beautiful. Above you see the legendary Polaroid SX-70, which you can still buy and shoot today.
With the money I got from selling my Mamiya rig, I ordered the Polaroid i-2, pictured above. It is pricey, but it seems like a very solid camera with every feature you might want, including manual exposure control.
The only thing I don't like is that it is not a SLR, like the classic Polaroid SX-70 cameras, so what you see through the viewfinder is not always exactly the photo you will get in the end. So I am considering also buying an SX-70 (which of course also comes with its own set of drawbacks), to compare the two and then sell the one I like the least.
My favorite photo from the month
The best photo I took during April, my own opinion, was this isopod portrait. I love how I got good detail in the face of this little guy, and also a very creamy nice bokeh – as well as a symmetrical composition and warm nice colors that harmonize.
It is a stack of 39 photos, and you can see me take the photo in this video.
Inspiring photos from Instagram
Here are some photographs I have found on Instagram recently that I really love and find inspiring. Click the username to visit the photographer's instagram profile and follow them.
@finn
@bassamali6911
@one.lost.shoe
@petermckinnon
Goodbye for now
Thank you for reading this far, and see you in a month! Feel free to follow me on YouTube and Instagram. If you like my work, please consider supporting me on Patreon. And lastly, feel free to tell your friends about this newsletter, and to reply to it if you have feedback or comments :)
/Micael