Stroll through the cemetery

[lacad01]

Wandered up to Gore Hill Cemetary at lunch time today testing out a new lens (Sigma 105mm EX DG macro) and here's the pick out of a mediocre set. I must have taken about 50 or so shots and only a couple worked out to be semi decent. Lots of improvement needed. All taken with Can 450D, varying exposures, experimented trying to get differnet depth of field, etc. Appreciate any comments on improvement, etc.
Thanks for viewing :)

[telecasterguru]

Adam,

The images are showing promise. I like the third one of the fern it has a nice dof but looks a little off balance.

Frank

[lacad01]

Cheers Frank. Just wondering what you mean by "off balance" - composition, colour....?? :shrug:

[iceman]

ah that brought back memories. I did the same thing in December 2005 when I worked in St. Leonards.

Here are my shots:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=6297

I was having fun with selective processing at the time LOL

I like your shots! Good DOF.

[lacad01]

Cheers Mike, those are some pretty good images you took. It's a short stroll up the road as I'm based in St Leonards. Would like to go back really early in the morning or on a misty/foggy day and take some more :)

[Liz]

Some nice pics there Adam :thumbsup:
I also to have a look through old cemetries - so much history, and som eof the old crosses are beautiful.

[lacad01]

Cheers Liz. I'll have to take more notice of the tombstones next time I'm there as to be honest I was mainly concentrating on the flora and fauna but those two crosses particularly caught my eye :)

[Vanda]

Good shots Adam. I remember one piece of advise I got some years back - that if its a scene your looking at - in order to capture the mood - you have to think about how you will create a corresponding moody pic. No use thinking "enchanted forrest" and taking a picture of gum trees at noon! In fact to capture the "enchanted forrest" -if you give it some thought - you will do things very differently - probably choose to shoot at twillight, with sunbeams, rain and who knows what else. Depends on your mental picture. Mikes shots are great example of this. Macro is different, usually the more technically correct it is the better the result. The fern is nice but would probably improve if more stem was in focus - better camera position. The insect on the flower - more impressive if you fill the frame wirh the bug and make sure those eyes are in focus. Nicely exposed shots. (Hope I did not woffle too much!)

[lacad01]

Thanks Ian, appreciate the feedback and critique, certainly take it on board. I've recently joined a Photography forum and the critique there is brutally honest, my skin has thickened somewhat since joining that site but I joined so I could learn and improve from those who have better skills than me :)

[Vanda]

Going through a similar learning curve myself Adam! What did you pay for the Sigma 105? Did you consider the Sigma 150 macro - more expensive I think? I'm looking at the Tamron 90 but would love to get the Nikkor 105 but it costs a lot $! Did lots macro a long time ago (pre kids) - now they have left home I have time to get back into photography in a big way. Will have to get a macro soon for my DSLR.