annamaria
Been spending a lot of time on here!
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2013
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- 3,595
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- Location
- Milledgeville, GA
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- Photos OK to edit
Actually, for me, the context and background are just fine. It's not really so important WHAT this plant is, it's the ice-globe covering some sort of bud that is really your subject. The white background has helped isolate it; if you shot this so that the plant itself was the background, I personally think it might have been harder for the subject to really stand out.
What's missing, for me, and what would have made this a really nice shot instead of just "okay" (In MY opinion)…is focus. There's just not enough DOF here. Macro is really tough to get not only a sharp focus, but to then get sufficient DOF that you get everything you want in that sharp focus. Here, I'd really like to see a much sharper edge to that ice globe, and yet still have the bud itself be in focus too. Instead, not even the whole bud (not even most of it) is completely in focus.
What was your aperture? You'll often have to stop WAY down on aperture when working with macro to get much DOF.
Well I have a few minutes before I leave. The aperture is not adjustable with the extension tube I have. The exposure was 1/2000 sec. ISO was 1600. The background was snow. I wish I had been able to get the ice more in focus. I am still learning to use the extension tube and it's so tricky, just a slight movement and I lose focus. I really appreciate your suggestions and will have to try again with another subject. Unless we get more ice again I can try again. ;-)
Can you adjust the aperture with just the lens, and THEN add the extension tube? It seems like there IS a way to do that with that type of tube. My extension tubes have contact points, so it's not a problem for me, but I'm almost certain I've read about how to set your aperture with the other kind of tubes.
If you can get some advice on how to change the aperture, then take your shutter speed way down to compensate for the smaller aperture (smaller opening that is, larger f number--never sure how to say that). You shouldn't need 1/2000 if you're on a tripod anyway, but even handheld, you should be able to drop that to at least 1/500.
I often find myself at f/22 or higher when shooting macro, so fill flash would be really helpful as well.
I will have to do some research on adjusting the aperture with the regular lens before adding the extension tube. It would be neat if I could that. If I can do that I will try your setting suggestions. I know I need to get a fill flash at some point. Thanks again for your advice.