Bee/ C&C

[revenater]

I figured something out today.....macro photography is wayyyyyy harder than it looks. Here was my first try at it. Let me know what you think

 

[cgipson1]

Not bad for a first try... but you needed a bit more DOF. And you needed to get closer.

Macro lenses have extremely shallow DOF even at small apertures like F16 or F22. The closer you get the shallower the DOF, so you need to use smaller apertures. Most of my macro starts at F16, and gets smaller from there. The problem is that diffraction starts to be an issue with smaller apertures. You have to find a balance between DOF and Diffraction that works for the image you are making. Of course, smaller apertures require more light (either through ISO changes or added light from flash). Shutter speed will only control the Ambient light.. but a fast shutter speed will allow you to capture a moving object with no blur (as will the extremely short duration of a flash exposure). Hope this helps a bit!

For this shot I would have started at F16 minimum, and gotten closer (assuming you are using the Tamron 90mm macro lens?)

File type: JPEG
File size: 758.5 KB
Creation date: 8/9/2012 17:17
Last modification: 8/12/2012 09:54
Make: Canon (Canon Global)
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 10.0 Windows
Dimension: 3364 x 2340 px (7.9 MP)
Focal length: 90 mm
Aperture: F5
Exposure time: 1/160"
ISO speed rating: 400/27°
Program: Shutter priority
Metering Mode: Pattern
White Balance: Manual
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

 

[sovietdoc]

In some cases I don't see a problem with shooting macro at f/2.8 It just depends on what you want to do.

This, for example was done at 1:1 @ f/2.8 and although it's insignificant as I was just trying things out, you could use it for some things. It all depends on what you're trying to achieve..

 

[revenater]

Thank you for the advice I will remember that will I try again.