It might be helpful to know what lens you are using to take the shot with. When I take pictures of flowers I usually use my 100mm Macro. DOF is important based on what kind of effect you are trying to get. Remember that the smaller your f value the smaller your DOF will be. It looks like your Aperture is set to maybe f/4 or f/5.6? Because only part of your flowers are in focus. If I am going for this effect I will use f/2.8 to get the sharpest shot but the smallest DOF. If you want to get the whole flower in focus you have two options. Take 3 or 4 shots with a limited DOF and focus stack them (search for threads by Lord Vetinari in "Other Cool Shots" to find info on Focus Stacking) or you can use say f/10 with a flash because your shutter speed will be pretty low. I recently went to the Arboretum and got some good flower shots. I'll post some when I get home to give you some samples. Hope this helps.
Thanks.
I noticed too that the entire flower(s) were't in focus. Sometimes it doesn't seem to bother the picture, but other times it drives me insane. I saw stack focusing mentioned around here before and I've always wanted to figure it out. I'll have to go look at those threads...
Oh, by the way, the lens I was using was a Sigma 70-300mm lens, I had it on the macro setting and the manuel focus (which I'm still trying to improve on.)
Oh, by the way, the lens I was using was a Sigma 70-300mm lens, I had it on the macro setting and the manuel focus (which I'm still trying to improve on.)
--Amy
I have never used that lens but would think it would be good because for one thing you don't have to get on your hands and knees to get close to the flower . But most zooms are soft wide open so I would try to stay away from using it at 300MM.
With macro I've learned from the others posting their macro shots that it is easiest to manual focus and then move the camera forwards and backwards to get the exact spot in focus that you want. It seams to work better than adjusting it by hand.
Comments
Nick
SmugMug Technical Account Manager
Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
nickwphoto
SmugMug Technical Account Manager
Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
nickwphoto
I noticed too that the entire flower(s) were't in focus. Sometimes it doesn't seem to bother the picture, but other times it drives me insane. I saw stack focusing mentioned around here before and I've always wanted to figure it out. I'll have to go look at those threads...
Oh, by the way, the lens I was using was a Sigma 70-300mm lens, I had it on the macro setting and the manuel focus (which I'm still trying to improve on.)
--Amy
www.amyamosphotography.com
With macro I've learned from the others posting their macro shots that it is easiest to manual focus and then move the camera forwards and backwards to get the exact spot in focus that you want. It seams to work better than adjusting it by hand.
Nick
SmugMug Technical Account Manager
Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
nickwphoto