Working Macro I Comments appreciated

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/22/2003 07:27:19 PM · #1

This is my first request for comments. Thanks for any input!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/22/2003 07:58:40 PM · #2

Having just tried to photograph something metallic, I don't think I can offer any help. Exposure, detail, DOF and cropping all seem appropriate.

Of course, I don't know what you're "selling" here; if the title was "Wine and Cheese Festival" it might not be so effective a piece ....

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/22/2003 08:02:08 PM · #3

I'm just practicing with some lighting on metallic objects. It's really tough to get the light right!
Thanks... Wine and Cheese pics are next week! LOL
JD Anderson

Message edited by author 2003-07-22 20:02:28.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/22/2003 08:04:38 PM · #4

It's really tough. When you finish your researches, please consider writing up a site tutorial on the subject, as you certainly seem to be off to a good start.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

07/22/2003 08:08:26 PM · #5

JD, this is a good macro.. the detail is fine...

Getting the lighting right takes a little practice but I think I can offer you some tips that may help out...

1. diffuse the light as much as possible to create even lighting. I often drape a paper towel or newspaper over my light source.

2. use a tripod.

3. meter the scene and then shoot it at .3, .7, and 1.0 stops on the low side of the metered exposure.

I think you will find that a little underexposure will help quite a bit. when you are dealing with reflective surfaces, the lighting needs to be as even as possible...

autool

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

07/22/2003 08:09:53 PM · #6

It looks to me that you are doing a fine job. Is the wrench a brassy color as well as the bolt, or did you add the color in processing?

07/22/2003 08:36:32 PM · #7

...and here is my second effort!

07/22/2003 08:44:21 PM · #8

Originally posted by autool:

It looks to me that you are doing a fine job. Is the wrench a brassy color as well as the bolt, or did you add the color in processing?

actually, the bolt is very bright, and the wrench is also silver, although a darker shade than the bolt. I'm using a small desk halogen lamp for one light and a 120 watt floodlamp (not halogen). All of my 'studio' shots have a strong yellow cast, and more red saturation than it should have. The originals for these two pictures were very yellowish red. I tried these as grayscale, but I felt they had a little more depth with some color in them. I used the saturation and hue control to reduce the yellows and reds, and then I touched up the saturation with the sponge tool in Photoshop 7. In the first shot, i left in more reds than yellow, and in the second I left in more yellow than red. Neither the wrench nor the bolt have any reds or yellows in them when viewed in good light.

Message edited by author 2003-07-23 19:07:23.

07/22/2003 08:46:08 PM · #9

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Thanks John,
I slipped a white plastic grocery bag over my main light for diffusion, I exposed it at -.7, and shutter speed was 1/40, so I hand held it. One of my favorites of yours is your 'mechanical pencils' shot!
Thanks for the input.
JD

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

07/23/2003 06:49:35 PM · #10

BUMP

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

07/23/2003 06:56:58 PM · #11

Photos look great so far! Only thing though, is you're hand holding it at 1/40!? I assume you meant 1/400, yes? I definetely prefer the second shot to the first one, mainly becuase of the darker lighting, but also compositionally. Keep up the good work. Look forward to seeing your final creations.

07/23/2003 07:06:24 PM · #12

Originally posted by JasonPR:

I will hand hold for shutter speeds down to 1/8 sec. Anything slower than that and I get the tripod. I get sharp images, so I'll keep doing it that way until I can't hold still!
JD

Diversq

Canon EOS-10D

07/23/2003 07:20:42 PM · #13

Originally posted by smellyfish1002:

I will hand hold for shutter speeds down to 1/8 sec. JD

OMG you can hand hold a 1/8 shot.. Iâ��m lucky if I can HH a 1/125. Of course I drink about 2 gallons of coffee a day and smoke and am a type A personality so that should tell you something. I think your macros are great, Iâ��m looking forward to getting a macro lens and start down the dark path to bug and flower fame...

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

07/23/2003 07:32:07 PM · #14

I much prefer the lighting, focus and composition of the second one. I think in the first, the things I'd like to see in focus are not and it detracts from the whole.

I really like the lighting in the second one too - works very effectively