Fist Macro with my first DSLR

[dmanning11]

After a long time coming I have finally purchased an entry level DSLR, a Sony SLT-A33
I have ordered an AF extension tube, and am considering buying a fast dedicated macro lens to go with it.

Still in the meantime i have taken some quick pics of some flowers at dusk with my 55-200mm lens, from about 6 feet away, its not the sharpest lens but does ok.
I just love playing with the aperture and depth of field that you get with a DSLR:heart:

Here are the first set of results, if only they were sharper...:meh:

 

[dmanning11]

Oh and any comments tips or ticks will be most welcome...:thumbup:

 

[480sparky41 41]

Across the board, the lighting on all of them is quite flat, leading to very low contrast. Adjusting the black & white points in post will correct that, however. If you allowed us to edit your images, I'm sure I could get them to really pop.

DOF will always be an issue, especially when you get closer. The first and fourth shots simply lack both DOF as well as a definite subject. However, the 2nd and 3rd shots work quite well.

 

[unpopular]

I think the contrast is fine. These images are romantic and gentile, not dynamic and bold. Some additional increase to black point may help, but too much will ruin the sense of delicacy.

Not everything looks better in Velvia.

 

[dmanning11]

I have updated my profile to allow editing, 480sparky feel free to make them pop.
Photoshop and post processing is my next focus, so I am vary interested in what you can do with them.

oh and Unpopular what is "Velvia"?

 

[480sparky41 41]

Simple curves adjustments:

Keep in mind, I'm only working with the scaled-down images you've posted. Much more can be done with the full-size originals, and if you shot raw, all the better.

 

[unpopular]

velvia was a high contrast slide film which was very popular in the mid-late 1990's I never liked it.

That said, I really like what you did with these, Sparky.

 

[dmanning11]

Yep I always shot in RAW, let me make some similar adjustments so I can create a Raw import profile, and I will repost the pics.

 

[480sparky41 41]

.....I always shot in RAW..........

Hallelujah!

 

[unpopular]

Yep I always shot in RAW, let me make some similar adjustments so I can create a Raw import profile, and I will repost the pics.

holy crap! really? you're off to an awesome start, not just the raw bit, either. You clearly aren't afraid to try interesting and unique things with the tools you have available.

 

[dmanning11]

I'm the head of IT for a large company, the computer related component is the easy bit. It's learning composition and technique that will be the challenge.

 

[unpopular]

This is a difficult composition to make work, especially the acacia (right?) branches. It's hard to incorporate negative space without creating outward pointing arrows. Don't be afraid to rotate your images in ways that are not "accurate", and I think the outward pointing triangles would be better pointing upward, however, sometimes it will appear unnaturally lit - so it won't work every time.

 

[dmanning11]

Ok here are the modified RAW's converted to jpg for the web...

 

[dmanning11]

I didn't go super high contrast, because I do like that slightly soft look. But they aren't as washed out as they were before.

 

[480sparky41 41]

I don't see much difference between them. What's the difference in your processing?