Colour in Macro Photos

canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
edited October 7, 2007 in Holy Macro
I have looked at many Macro photos submitted by you professionals. I am totally amazed at the deep rich colour you can all produce with your photos. I have used a 400D and yesterday I have got the 40D and I use the Canon 60mm 1:2.8 - but none of my close ups ever look like yours in colour. Is our sun in Scotland that different from yours? Can anyone please advise me as to what is the best setting to get similar colours like yours. As you all know I am a learner but determined to succeed.
Kind Regards
Bob

Comments

  • joglejogle Registered Users Posts: 422 Major grins
    edited September 30, 2007
    The first tip is to always shoot RAW. A lot of the macro shots here are tweaked to bring out the best detail and with a lot of contrast added. This is much easier if you have raw files to begin with.

    Have you got a flash? get an off shoe cable and maybe a small softbox too. Have a good look through the macro forum, there are lots of good discussions about lighting setups for macro there.
    jamesOgle photography
    [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it." -A.Adams[/FONT]
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited September 30, 2007
    jogle wrote:
    The first tip is to always shoot RAW. A lot of the macro shots here are tweaked to bring out the best detail and with a lot of contrast added. This is much easier if you have raw files to begin with.

    Have you got a flash? get an off shoe cable and maybe a small softbox too. Have a good look through the macro forum, there are lots of good discussions about lighting setups for macro there.

    Hi James,
    Thanks ever so much for your reply and I will cerytainly shoot in the RAW mode in future. Yes I have the Canon 580 Speedlite EX 11. So do I need anything alse apart from this? I look forward to hearing from you.
    Thanks once again for your help,
    Bob
  • joglejogle Registered Users Posts: 422 Major grins
    edited September 30, 2007
    Great, you have a good powerful flash.

    Have you seen this sticky thread in the macro forum? See the off camera cable so that you can move the flash around to the side of the lens? Those are very useful in macro and you can buy small softboxes like the home made ones there that just attach with valcro to the end of the flash. http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=64695
    jamesOgle photography
    [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it." -A.Adams[/FONT]
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 1, 2007
    jogle wrote:
    Great, you have a good powerful flash.

    Have you seen this sticky thread in the macro forum? See the off camera cable so that you can move the flash around to the side of the lens? Those are very useful in macro and you can buy small softboxes like the home made ones there that just attach with valcro to the end of the flash. http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=64695

    Thanks James I found that really interesting.
    Bob
  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited October 2, 2007
    As mentioned, I always shoot RAW but that is really for the exposure latitude it gives me. I virtually never play with the colour during processing though, just general levels correction. The colour does depend on the light source with flash tending to give richer/warmer colours (similar to strong sunlight) and natural light on a cloudy day giving paler more pastel colours. I happen to like both :).
    I'd just experiment a bit.

    Brian V.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
    http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 2, 2007
    Lord Vetinari wrote:
    As mentioned, I always shoot RAW but that is really for the exposure latitude it gives me. I virtually never play with the colour during processing though, just general levels correction. The colour does depend on the light source with flash tending to give richer/warmer colours (similar to strong sunlight) and natural light on a cloudy day giving paler more pastel colours. I happen to like both :).
    I'd just experiment a bit.

    Brian V.
    Thanks Brian I will certainly do what you have said. However, I use a Canon 60 mm 2.8 Macro and I certainly don't get the close up shots that everyone seems to get on here so do I have to go for a fish eye or what?
    Thanks again for all your sound advice.
    Bob
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 2, 2007
    jogle wrote:
    Great, you have a good powerful flash.

    Have you seen this sticky thread in the macro forum? See the off camera cable so that you can move the flash around to the side of the lens? Those are very useful in macro and you can buy small softboxes like the home made ones there that just attach with valcro to the end of the flash. http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=64695

    Hi and thanks for your reply. However, my 60mm macro does not produce anything like I see on here. Do I have to get another lens or do I get an extension tube. I am quite lost here as to which way to go.
    Cheers
    Bob
  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited October 3, 2007
    canon400d wrote:
    Thanks Brian I will certainly do what you have said. However, I use a Canon 60 mm 2.8 Macro and I certainly don't get the close up shots that everyone seems to get on here so do I have to go for a fish eye or what?
    Thanks again for all your sound advice.
    Bob

    Hi Bob,
    Many of us are shooting at higher magnifications than 1:1. I use both a sigma 105 with ext tubes and also an MPE-65 that goes upto 5:1 magnification.
    You can get a set of Kenko ext tubes that will work with your EF-S lens if you check on Ebay (the newest Kenko tubes are different) that will allow you to get to over 2:1 with your 60mm lens.

    Brian V.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
    http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 4, 2007
    Lord Vetinari wrote:
    Hi Bob,
    Many of us are shooting at higher magnifications than 1:1. I use both a sigma 105 with ext tubes and also an MPE-65 that goes upto 5:1 magnification.
    You can get a set of Kenko ext tubes that will work with your EF-S lens if you check on Ebay (the newest Kenko tubes are different) that will allow you to get to over 2:1 with your 60mm lens.

    Brian V.

    Hi Brian,
    I went today and bought a set of extension tubes for £75 from Jessops. I tried the tubes on a 60mm lens like mine on the 40D and I tried them and although I couldn't get a reflection as to what they would do I can try them and take them back if I want for a full refund.
    I tried them all together on my 60mm lens and used the 40D but they are still a long way short of the photos I have seen on here. First of all I went into 'Raw' and changed the lens to (Man) I put the camera setting on Macro and I attached the 580 EX flash. I waw trying to send you the photos but at the moment SmugMug is down being repaired. As soon as it resumes I will send them. I tried using the tubes without the flash and I kept getting an error message saying the lens required cleaning. I moved in a different position and it would then work. Several times I got this error message and after switching the camera off and on again it would work fine. However, the standard of the photo content leaves a lot to be desired as you will see. I used a tripod as it was totally hopeless hand held. It is a damned good job these insects were dead or I would never have achieved what I did. Your firm comments will be more than welcome.
    Kind Regards
    Bob
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 4, 2007
    canon400d wrote:
    Hi Brian,
    I went today and bought a set of extension tubes for £75 from Jessops. I tried the tubes on a 60mm lens like mine on the 40D and I tried them and although I couldn't get a reflection as to what they would do I can try them and take them back if I want for a full refund.
    I tried them all together on my 60mm lens and used the 40D but they are still a long way short of the photos I have seen on here. First of all I went into 'Raw' and changed the lens to (Man) I put the camera setting on Macro and I attached the 580 EX flash. I waw trying to send you the photos but at the moment SmugMug is down being repaired. As soon as it resumes I will send them. I tried using the tubes without the flash and I kept getting an error message saying the lens required cleaning. I moved in a different position and it would then work. Several times I got this error message and after switching the camera off and on again it would work fine. However, the standard of the photo content leaves a lot to be desired as you will see. I used a tripod as it was totally hopeless hand held. It is a damned good job these insects were dead or I would never have achieved what I did. Your firm comments will be more than welcome.
    Kind Regards
    Bob

    Hi Brian I have sent you two other photos but I have lost them for some reason.

    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204061616-L.jpg

    Cheers
    Bob
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 4, 2007
    canon400d wrote:
    Hi Brian I have sent you two other photos but I have lost them for some reason.

    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204061616-L.jpg

    Cheers
    Bob

    Here is the other one Brian. I have got all mixed up with this sending photos as it is a long while since I sent any and I have forgotten the full sequence.
    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204061599-L.jpg
    Cheers
    Bob
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 4, 2007
    canon400d wrote:
    Here is the other one Brian. I have got all mixed up with this sending photos as it is a long while since I sent any and I have forgotten the full sequence.
    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204061599-L.jpg
    Cheers
    Bob

    OMG Brian this is the last one. What a problem I have had sending these.

    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204061546-L.jpg
    Thanks a lot Brian
  • ccpickreccpickre Registered Users Posts: 385 Major grins
    edited October 5, 2007
    canon400d wrote:
    OMG Brian this is the last one. What a problem I have had sending these.

    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204061546-L.jpg
    Thanks a lot Brian
    A powerful flash is key. Because a macro lens will have an extreme depth of field difference. I have a 100mm prime macro, and at 2.8 I thnk the focal plane is maybe a few centimeters. I usually have to drop the aperture to about 15 on a sunny day, nad having a flash helps me not have to do a shutter speed of like 1/50 which is impossible without a tripod using that lens.

    These were done with a 100mm Prime, a speedlight 430, and photoshop thumb.gif
    174866632-L.jpg
    174867297-L.jpg
    172353297-L.jpg
    Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici
  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited October 5, 2007
    canon400d wrote:
    Hi Brian I have sent you two other photos but I have lost them for some reason.

    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204061616-L.jpg

    Cheers
    Bob

    Hi Bob,
    You should be using the camera in Manual mode (M on the dial) Set the aperture to about F11 and the shutter speed to 1/200th ISO100. Put the flash into ETTL mode. Try shooting a static target without any tubes preferably on a table and resting the lens/camera on the table at max mag without any tubes and then add them one at a time and take some shots. As the magnification goes up the DOF gets smaller so focus gets harder (takes a lot of practice). The other thing of course is the focus distance shortens as well with tubes. The pics just look rather shallow dof and not focused on the eyes. Not sure what macro mode on the camera does but don't use it - use full manual mode with flash :)

    You may find these exercises useful
    http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=58028

    http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=59406


    Brian V.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
    http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 5, 2007
    Lord Vetinari wrote:
    Hi Bob,
    You should be using the camera in Manual mode (M on the dial) Set the aperture to about F11 and the shutter speed to 1/200th ISO100. Put the flash into ETTL mode. Try shooting a static target without any tubes preferably on a table and resting the lens/camera on the table at max mag without any tubes and then add them one at a time and take some shots. As the magnification goes up the DOF gets smaller so focus gets harder (takes a lot of practice). The other thing of course is the focus distance shortens as well with tubes. The pics just look rather shallow dof and not focused on the eyes. Not sure what macro mode on the camera does but don't use it - use full manual mode with flash :)

    You may find these exercises useful
    http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=58028

    http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=59406


    Brian V.

    Thanks Brian that is brilliant. I will give it a try tomorrow and let you know how I get on. I was following the instructions in the 40D manual.
    Thanks again
    Bob
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 6, 2007
    Lord Vetinari wrote:
    Hi Bob,
    You should be using the camera in Manual mode (M on the dial) Set the aperture to about F11 and the shutter speed to 1/200th ISO100. Put the flash into ETTL mode. Try shooting a static target without any tubes preferably on a table and resting the lens/camera on the table at max mag without any tubes and then add them one at a time and take some shots. As the magnification goes up the DOF gets smaller so focus gets harder (takes a lot of practice). The other thing of course is the focus distance shortens as well with tubes. The pics just look rather shallow dof and not focused on the eyes. Not sure what macro mode on the camera does but don't use it - use full manual mode with flash :)

    You may find these exercises useful
    http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=58028

    http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=59406


    Brian V.

    Hi Brian,
    I have completed the two exercises and wow what a difference with the manual setting. I will have to practice the sway but the broom handle is a wonderful tip. I have the following pics to show you and your comments would be most appreciated.

    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204591119-L.jpg
    Taken at 1/200 F11 ISO 200 with 13mm tube
    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204591125-L.jpg
    Taken with same settings with two tubes 13 and 21mm
    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204591128-L.jpg
    Taken with same settings with three tubes 13, 21 and 31mm
    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204591134-L.jpg
    Taken without touching table
    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204591137-L.jpg
    Taken with elbows on table
    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204591123-L.jpg
    Taken with broom handle
    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204603794-L.jpg
    This is the Magical Angle shot F8
    All the shots were taken with my 40D and with the external 580 flash.
    Thanks once again for all your kind help I will go and practice again.
    Bob
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 6, 2007
    ccpickre wrote:
    A powerful flash is key. Because a macro lens will have an extreme depth of field difference. I have a 100mm prime macro, and at 2.8 I thnk the focal plane is maybe a few centimeters. I usually have to drop the aperture to about 15 on a sunny day, nad having a flash helps me not have to do a shutter speed of like 1/50 which is impossible without a tripod using that lens.

    These were done with a 100mm Prime, a speedlight 430, and photoshop thumb.gif
    174866632-L.jpg
    174867297-L.jpg
    172353297-L.jpg

    Excellent photos. I did a test with my Canon 50mm prime lens 1:1.8 with the 13 & 21mm extension tubes and I was amazed of the outcome. The test I did was with the screw on the table and in actual fact produced results as good as my Canon 60mm 2.8 Macro lens. I did the same setting as instructed by Brian.
    Cheers
    Bob
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 6, 2007
    canon400d wrote:
    Excellent photos. I did a test with my Canon 50mm prime lens 1:1.8 with the 13 & 21mm extension tubes and I was amazed of the outcome. The test I did was with the screw on the table and in actual fact produced results as good as my Canon 60mm 2.8 Macro lens. I did the same setting as instructed by Brian.
    Cheers
    Bob

    Here is the result of the photos with the Canon 50mm Prime lens 1:1.8 with the 13 & 21mm extension tubes.

    204708650-L.jpg
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 6, 2007
    canon400d wrote:
    Excellent photos. I did a test with my Canon 50mm prime lens 1:1.8 with the 13 & 21mm extension tubes and I was amazed of the outcome. The test I did was with the screw on the table and in actual fact produced results as good as my Canon 60mm 2.8 Macro lens. I did the same setting as instructed by Brian.
    Cheers
    Bob

    Here are the other two photos taken witth the Canon 50mm Prime lens 1:1.8 with the 13 & 21mm extension tubes.

    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204708709-L.jpg
    http://canon400d.smugmug.com/photos/204708671-L.jpg

    Cheers
    Bob
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited October 6, 2007
    clap.gif Nice job, Bob.
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 6, 2007
    wxwax wrote:
    clap.gif Nice job, Bob.

    Well Sid it was all down to Brian with his two exercises: I really appreciate what he has done for me. I know I will have to learn to stop the shakes but I find his tip with the broom handle and the swaying for focus. I must admit now I know about it I concentrate on it and I am sure after a wee bit of practice it will work. Lets applaud Brian.
    Thanks again Sid
    Cheers
    Bob
  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited October 7, 2007
    Screw shots look good to me. As you suggest once you have found some reasonable camera settings it is then down to practice. Tubes seem to be working well on both lenses :).

    Brian V.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
    http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 7, 2007
    Lord Vetinari wrote:
    Screw shots look good to me. As you suggest once you have found some reasonable camera settings it is then down to practice. Tubes seem to be working well on both lenses :).

    Brian V.
    Yes thanks a lot for your kind help.
    Bob
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