First Time Macro

judahjudah Registered Users Posts: 253 Major grins
edited August 2, 2006 in Wildlife
Hi all,
been out this morning tryin' to get some macro shots. It was painfully hard. My camera hunted for hours tryin' to look on somethign usable (and it was always somethign at least a foot back behind the subject). Most of all in macro mode the minimum focusing distance is around 90cm and hence made my life very hard. Anyway, enough for excuses, here are the three shots I consider half-decent.
Comments?

85076648-L.jpg
85076281-L.jpg
85076079-L.jpg
This last photo shows exactly what the problem is. I couldn't get closer or the autofocus would go bananas. Manual focus is not even an option, it's so slow that it would takes me week to get a usable shot in MF mode. Cropping is not an otpion too because even if my camera is a 6 (or 5, don't remember) camera, the details up at 100% magnification are orrible to say the least. (If you have time, patience and are willing to help, please check the original file in my smug gallery).
85078264-L.jpg
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

http://judah.smugmug.com/

Comments

  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited July 31, 2006
    You did fine with what you were using. Macro shots are usually hard to get right. I almost always use manual focus when I shoot a macro so it must have been tough not to have that as an option.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited July 31, 2006
    are you using a tripod ??
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • Alaska shutterbugAlaska shutterbug Registered Users Posts: 91 Big grins
    edited July 31, 2006
    Judah, your avatar is deceiving:): Since its a photo of your son, I won't be as easy as if I was critiqueing an 8 yo's work!

    Actually, I really like the composition of photo #3, it just seems a bit out of focus.

    #4 is my favorite, beautiful color. thumb.gif would have been nice to get a few more angles on the dragonfly, (but I know about uncooperative subjects).

    I'm still trying to figure out macro on my Panasonic. My little sony cybershot could take a macro 2 inches away. Takes some learning, patience, and I too need to get out the tripod for macros.

    Life Imprints by Kim
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited August 1, 2006
    beautiful work thumb.gif
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited August 1, 2006
    I like the last the most. It's clear that you need some more practice.

    Consider a close-up filter.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Dick.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • judahjudah Registered Users Posts: 253 Major grins
    edited August 2, 2006
    Harryb wrote:
    You did fine with what you were using. Macro shots are usually hard to get right. I almost always use manual focus when I shoot a macro so it must have been tough not to have that as an option.

    Hi Harry,
    yeah, manual focus would be very useful but my camera handles it with the zoom switches and it's super slooooooooooooow (I mean around 30 to 40 seconds to get a usable focus), so it's really not an option. Thanks for your comment.

    :):
    Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
    That saved a wretch like me!
    I once was lost, but now am found;
    Was blind, but now I see.

    http://judah.smugmug.com/
  • judahjudah Registered Users Posts: 253 Major grins
    edited August 2, 2006
    jwear wrote:
    are you using a tripod ??

    Nope. I was on a rocky lake shore, no way I could put a tripod there. :):
    Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
    That saved a wretch like me!
    I once was lost, but now am found;
    Was blind, but now I see.

    http://judah.smugmug.com/
  • judahjudah Registered Users Posts: 253 Major grins
    edited August 2, 2006
    Alaska shutterbug wrote:
    Judah, your avatar is deceiving:): Since its a photo of your son, I won't be as easy as if I was critiqueing an 8 yo's work!

    Actually, I really like the composition of photo #3, it just seems a bit out of focus.

    #4 is my favorite, beautiful color. thumb.gif would have been nice to get a few more angles on the dragonfly, (but I know about uncooperative subjects).

    I'm still trying to figure out macro on my Panasonic. My little sony cybershot could take a macro 2 inches away. Takes some learning, patience, and I too need to get out the tripod for macros.

    Hi Alaska, no problem! :):
    The real problem with macro (but it's same same with al kind of photography) is when you're limited by your camera. I quite like my composition but was forced at least a couple foot away from the subject and the shot suffered for this. My Fuji claims the same (very close macro) but that's on paper and with standing still objects. Absolutely out of question to get that close to an insect or any other small animal that keeps moving, and moving.......and moving......and....ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!! :):
    Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
    That saved a wretch like me!
    I once was lost, but now am found;
    Was blind, but now I see.

    http://judah.smugmug.com/
  • judahjudah Registered Users Posts: 253 Major grins
    edited August 2, 2006
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    beautiful work thumb.gif

    Thanks a million Awais! :): I remember your macro shot to be very very very nice!
    Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
    That saved a wretch like me!
    I once was lost, but now am found;
    Was blind, but now I see.

    http://judah.smugmug.com/
  • judahjudah Registered Users Posts: 253 Major grins
    edited August 2, 2006
    Dick on Aruba wrote:
    I like the last the most. It's clear that you need some more practice.

    Consider a close-up filter.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Dick.

    Hi Dick,
    I was considering a closeup filter but to be honest I don't want to spend money on this camera. It's just a camera for practicing and learning all basics about photography, very soon I'll scrap the money to buy a DSLR and hope my life will be much easier! :):
    Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
    That saved a wretch like me!
    I once was lost, but now am found;
    Was blind, but now I see.

    http://judah.smugmug.com/
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