First decent macro shot

[Albert D]

This is my first decent macro after 2 days of shooting. Most of the shots were out of focus. I'm a brand new photographer with much to learn. I'm open to any suggestions or criticism.

 

[denum]

Nice shot, but maybe a bit under exposed. Macro is a lot of fun. Are you using a diffuser? Manual focus or auto focus.

 

[407370]

Great start.

You need to diffuse the light. Hotspots will develop easier when you get the light source closer to the subject.

Speaking of which, dont be afraid to get your lens closer to the subject. People are interested in the subject and the more you fill the frame the easier it will be to edit.

Does your camera support Focus Stacking??

I had a wee go at editing your example:

See the hotspots on the spider and in the background?? Look at the eyes.

Amazon has a whole selection of macro diffusers for very little money or do what I do and invest in a good roll of white kitchen paper and some sticky tape:

Its not stupid if it works.

CHEERS
JBO

 

[jeffashman]

Wonderful first attempt!

 

[Albert D]

No diffuser but I have since gotten one. The camera support focus stacking but I haven't worked with it yet. As I said this is all new to me and I'm still figuring out basic camera settings. I was using auto ISO but will work on getting to full manual. I was not using auto focus and found it very difficult to keep the subject in focus.

Nice shot, but maybe a bit under exposed. Macro is a lot of fun. Are you using a diffuser? Manual focus or auto focus.

Great start.

You need to diffuse the light. Hotspots will develop easier when you get the light source closer to the subject.

Speaking of which, dont be afraid to get your lens closer to the subject. People are interested in the subject and the more you fill the frame the easier it will be to edit.

Does your camera support Focus Stacking??

I had a wee go at editing your example:

View attachment 277056

See the hotspots on the spider and in the background?? Look at the eyes.

Amazon has a whole selection of macro diffusers for very little money or do what I do and invest in a good roll of white kitchen paper and some sticky tape:View attachment 277058

Its not stupid if it works.

CHEERS
JBO

 

[407370]

Hey Albert.
The greatest fun I have with photography is learning a new skill. There is no time limit take your time. Put in "Macro Photography" into Youtube and have a look.

Diffusion will make a huge difference to macro.

Sit down at a a table and get a few small things as practice subjects. See how the pics turn out with different settings. I have a collection of model camels and garden ornaments that I try out new settings on regularly. You will notice that very small changes will make huge differences to images. These pics are not for anyone else, just create for the pure joy of creating an image.

When you are ready, have a go at focus stacking. This is where all macro photographers end up. Took me about a year to work out focus stacking with a new camera but made a few of my favourite images along the way.

CHEERS
JBO

 

[Albert D]

Hey Albert.
The greatest fun I have with photography is learning a new skill. There is no time limit take your time. Put in "Macro Photography" into Youtube and have a look.

Diffusion will make a huge difference to macro.

Sit down at a a table and get a few small things as practice subjects. See how the pics turn out with different settings. I have a collection of model camels and garden ornaments that I try out new settings on regularly. You will notice that very small changes will make huge differences to images. These pics are not for anyone else, just create for the pure joy of creating an image.

When you are ready, have a go at focus stacking. This is where all macro photographers end up. Took me about a year to work out focus stacking with a new camera but made a few of my favourite images along the way.

CHEERS
JBO

That sounds like a great idea. It will give a little more control and I'll be able to make notes as I figure things out. Thank you.

 

[Thiophilos]

That is a pretty good shot of a jumping spider.

Definitely use a diffuser. Plain paper will work, or packaging material, or translucent plastic used for stationery. Or diffusion sheet out of a discarded monitor or TV. Your diffuser needs to be 7 or 8 inches across and some distance away from the flash head to give the light a chance to spread. You can use an elastic to attach it to the front of the lens. Or hold it with a free hand.

There are lots of ways to do this, and it is fun to experiment with different setups.