Playing around with Macros - Need advice

07/10/2004 01:18:54 AM · #1

Ok, so I want to start playing around with some macro pics. Never really done it before, and I'm looking for advice, tips, and comments on my first real try. Forgive its crudeness, but ya gotta start somewhere right?

So? Tear it up for me, and help me get better! What could I have done that would make this shot (and macro shots in general) better?

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

07/12/2004 10:24:47 AM · #2

Is it that bad? Do you cringe when you look at it so much so that you must quickly shut down your browser without commenting?

Please?

Tim

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

07/12/2004 10:35:56 AM · #3

I looked at this when you first posted and couldn't think of what to say about your image.

I get no sense of depth from the image since so much is in focus. It just looks like a typical studio shot, a nice one at that. The colours blend nicely together.

For me a macro has a small DOF. With f22 you've got most of the image in focus. Maybe focus on the front bumber and headlight with the rest of the car out of focus.

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

07/12/2004 10:42:43 AM · #4

Of course, take my opinion with a grain of salt, because I don't have a clue what I'm doing when it comes to macro photography...

I like the colored lighting...however, the light is a bit too dim to help me appreciate the details in the car. I might suggest that while you are experimenting with macros, experiment with various kinds of lighting as well as points of view, depths of field, and angles.

It does look like a studio shot...cpanaioti is right on the money with her comment. :o)

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

07/12/2004 03:05:07 PM · #5

Thanks for the comments. I was beginning to feel unloved.

I don't know what to do or where to go. I'm looking for some books onthe subject. I had a lot of fun setting it up and playing around with it. Of course, it is a simple image, with no real interesting points. I'm just trying to get some of the mechanics down right now.

I guess I did do something right though. I wanted it to have the feel of a "studio shot" of a full size car. Call me strange, but I like shooting "little" stuff and trying to make it look like something full size.

Off to find a doll from my daughter's collection that'll fit in the drivers seat...

longlivenyhc

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

07/12/2004 03:09:38 PM · #6

i played around with a studio type thing with one of my model cars, tell me what you guys think.

longlivenyhc

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

07/12/2004 04:38:29 PM · #7

any comments?

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

07/12/2004 06:04:29 PM · #8

Originally posted by dagills22191:

I'm looking for some books onthe subject.

I have John Shaw's 'Closeups in Nature' which goes into detail about equipment etc. Even though it's specific to nature shots I'm sure the techniques could be applied just as well to studio shots. Doing a search on Amazon.com would probably give you a list of books of closeup photography.

jonpink

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

07/12/2004 06:29:18 PM · #9

I think it's more about subject than technique. Can't really see the point in taking a macro of something large scaled down??

Try to find something that one doesn't see every day, like the detail in a coin or flower etc

Message edited by author 2004-07-12 18:30:04.

Faye Pekas

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/12/2004 06:33:49 PM · #10

Dagills, the color is too bright and the background is a bit much for my taste. Good start though :)

I will probably be doing some of the same kinda thing tonight. I just got my macro lens in the mail today and can't wait to get home from work and try it out! I'll have to borrow some of my grandsons little cars :)

Longlivenyhc, yours looks good. Very realistic. I like the lighter background.

piercedJon

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

07/12/2004 07:39:01 PM · #11

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

Strange you should say that... I would also assume macro had a very shallow DOF, I guess its what is percieved from what most of us see as macro shots.

Macro in its self just means, in simplistic terms, magnified!

And in "guide for dummy" lense terms is usualy associated with lenses that can switch to a closer focal distance.... a standard 300mm lens might require 4 feet min, but switch to macro and you can bring that down to 2 feet (or what ever the lens specs are)

I guess the original poster's shot was a macro... just didnt "feel" like one... we're so used to shots of say a flower with the pollen in focus and the rest blured!

rgordon

Canon PowerShot A70

07/12/2004 10:18:51 PM · #12

I am no expert, but here is a macro shot I took just yesterday morning, and the things I feel
I learned from it:

//homepage.mac.com/russellwgordon/md.jpg

1) If outdoors, take the shots as the sun is rising or setting. Be patient, wait for when the light is perfect. (But I guess that applies to most outdoor shots.)
2) Take lots of shots from different angles, with different arrangements, and different aperture settings.
3) Get as close as possible your subject and don't use zoom.
4) Use a tripod with a delayed shot (after you press the button) or a remote to avoid camera movement when it captures the picture.

My shot was taken with a stock Canon Powershot A70 without any special lenses.

I think I'm starting to prove to myself that I don't need an SLR to take nice shots.

At least, that's what I'll tell myself until I can afford one. =)

Message edited by author 2004-07-12 22:21:08.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

07/12/2004 10:21:36 PM · #13

Originally posted by rgordon:

I am no expert, but here is a macro shot I took just yesterday morning, and the things I feel
I learned from it:

//homepage.mac.com/russellwgordon/md.jpg

1) If outdoors, take the shots as the sun is rising or setting. Be patient, wait for when the light is perfect. (But I guess the applies to most outdoor shots.)
2) Take lots of shots from different angles and different aperture settings.
3) Get as close as possible your subject and don't use zoom.

My shot was taken with a stock Canon Powershot A70 without any special lenses.

I think I'm starting to prove to myself that I don't need an SLR to take nice shots.

At least, that's what I'll tell myself until I can afford one. =)

The light on your shot is sweet. You've seem to have got the exposure just right as well.

rgordon

Canon PowerShot A70

07/12/2004 10:24:54 PM · #14

Thanks.

I got up at 5:30 AM to catch the morning light, so I did pay for it in spades. =)