Do you know how hard it is to get a cat to stay still when you are two inches from his face?
Don't you hate it when there is not a puff of wind, but as soon as you try to take a macro of a bug on a leaf, it won't stop blowing?
Don't you wish you had a proper macro lens instead of your 18-55 kit to shoot the bug that is only 5mm tall?
I had sooooo much fun with these challenges. I know they are not the sharpest in the world, but it's good practice trying to stretch the kit lens to it's limits.
Not bad, Baz. That jumper shot would have been a cracker if you had the right lens. Ditto on the hoverfly, although slight improvement in composition would be if you had the fly facing into the frame, rather than so central and facing out - if you know what I mean.
A macro lens out there somewhere is calling your name... I reckon you should keep an eye out in the POTN sales section for a used Sigma 105 or something like that. You'd pick one up pretty cheap used, and since so many sellers there are US-based and the Aussie dollar doing well...
1) I quite like the shot, my only suggestion is too close and wrong lens - both eyes in focus would have really made the shot imho. I'd have went a longer lens from a distance and cropped. That said, that route would probably lose some detail.
2) LOTS of potential, wee bit too much noise and it looks underexposed too. Great pose from the jumper though. I would have personally placed the jumper and stem higher in the image, probably around 3/4 height. Looks compositionally better to my eyes. Was this shot underexposed and you tried to rescue the shot?
3) Good idea, nice composition, and I don't mind that the preying mantis is smallish in the frame - it works, and works well as is imho. Lots of noise though. Again, was this shot underexposed and rescued?
4) Cleanest shot of the series of macros of insects/arachnids, as Troy has said - a bit too centered, I'd have placed the hoverfly further towards the left hand side of the frame. Also, it looks like this is a natural light shot, or you didn't use enough flash to better highlight the hoverfly's eye/facial area.
I think I hear a macro lens calling you - I'm not sure what marque you're using, but if it's a Canon, I'd go with a 100mm EF macro, or a Sigma 105mm. Both are very very good lenses and will serve you well.
1) I quite like the shot, my only suggestion is too close and wrong lens - both eyes in focus would have really made the shot imho. I'd have went a longer lens from a distance and cropped. That said, that route would probably lose some detail.
2) LOTS of potential, wee bit too much noise and it looks underexposed too. Great pose from the jumper though. I would have personally placed the jumper and stem higher in the image, probably around 3/4 height. Looks compositionally better to my eyes. Was this shot underexposed and you tried to rescue the shot?
3) Good idea, nice composition, and I don't mind that the preying mantis is smallish in the frame - it works, and works well as is imho. Lots of noise though. Again, was this shot underexposed and rescued?
4) Cleanest shot of the series of macros of insects/arachnids, as Troy has said - a bit too centered, I'd have placed the hoverfly further towards the left hand side of the frame. Also, it looks like this is a natural light shot, or you didn't use enough flash to better highlight the hoverfly's eye/facial area.
I think I hear a macro lens calling you - I'm not sure what marque you're using, but if it's a Canon, I'd go with a 100mm EF macro, or a Sigma 105mm. Both are very very good lenses and will serve you well.
Dave
Thanks Dave, of course mate! Much appreciated tips there. That's what it's all about.
1. Noted.
2. Jumper was underexposed yes. I will re-crop this one and do it again.
3. Mantis light was good, just played with contrast a little and did a mask on the little fellow to accentuate his markings.
4. No flash. I heard others shying away from this as the cheapo camera flash built in can introduce some pretty hideous reflections on shiny insect exo-skeletons. I hear both you and troy on facing in though. I took one of my other cat on the driveway and remembered that very thing while composing it. I don't know why sometimes we remember these things and sometimes we don't.
Yep! Macro lens calling me....gotta get my big widefield for my timelapse first, along with the 5D II....where does it end!?
I like the composition of the mantis shot. It could probably do with a little cropping, but it's quite well put together if a tad out of focus. But I find my eye being really drawn into the shot to see the little guy. He looks great peering over that leaf!
Baz - what camera are you using (sorry, I can't remember)? From memory you're using a Reynox lens? On board flash can be dealt with, but with compacts it's a bit harder. Half a ping pong ball can do wonders (just be careful it doesn't melt).
If you want to, get a 2nd hand 30D or 40D and Sigma 105mm macro along with a dedicated flash unit. You'll love it. Unless you prefer Nikon, and then I'd go with a D90 as an entry level unit.
Ah - not a bad camera. Get yourself something like a Sigma 105mm (just as good optically as the Canon 100mm, but cheaper). Get a flash if you don't have one already, the 430ex will do just fine. Make a LordV Coca Cola diffuser (Google it, easy to find) and enjoy. It's a pity you're in Canberra and so far away, cos I'd have happily caught up and offered you some advice and guidance on macro imaging.
