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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> Macro shots and some tips
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08/20/2008 10:50:49 PM · #1
Okay, I'm not here to give tips, but rather find out if anyone has some tricks for good macro shots. I picked up a 60mm 2.8f and love it. I've taken a few good shots with it thus far, and tried my hand at the "drop" shot. I am in awe of people who can take such great shots like this. This is as close as I got, and wanted to start a thread where people can show off their macro shots and tell us what they did to acheive the look. Here's mine...



Thanks. Comments on the previous post are always a good idea, IMO.
09/08/2008 01:35:37 PM · #2
Wow, I just wanted to thank everyone for their participation in this thread! The responses have been quite overwhelming where I had to start another one just to keep the freshness going! Thanks too for all of your comments on my photo. I appreciate that too. I swear, if you're not in a click on this thing, you get no feedback. That's okay, I take these for me really, but it would be nice to hear something, good or bad.
09/08/2008 01:56:19 PM · #3
There are clicks here, but I think it's because they know each other for years and grew up with the site. I got my 1st ribbon a few weeks ago and thought people would just start talking to me. Nah. I have 2 friends on here that I know for about a year, and they are the only ones I really communicate with.

Hang out, put your photos out there. Do some of the side challenges, comment on everyones stuff and someone will click with you.

ps. I have Nikon 60mm f/2.8 and I love it. I didn't get to do as many bug shots this year but there is still some time left.

Here's a macro shot from the 60mm that everyone can kiss:



edit for spelling.

Message edited by author 2008-09-08 13:57:01.
09/08/2008 02:01:54 PM · #4
Here is my recent macro shot.
I tried to "fight" the shallow DOF in this one.
The head of the cicada is at the closest focusing distance of my 100mm macro lense.


There is a lengthy explanation in the comments :)
09/08/2008 02:03:48 PM · #5
Chris,

I left you a comment.
09/08/2008 02:04:03 PM · #6
Looks like you are on the right track. You've done well to focus on the drop and have everything else blurred out. I like the composition and contrasting colours. My only constructive criticism is that the out of focus areas look a little noisy.

Good work. Keep it up.
09/08/2008 02:04:47 PM · #7
I'm assuming "click" is "clique?"
09/08/2008 02:13:35 PM · #8
Chris - Didn't see the original thread. A simple bump may have worked better than the sarcastic post, but everyone has their own style...

I think your droplet shot is really pretty solid on the drop. I think the main way to vastly improve macro shots is having the lighting set up correctly. Depending on the subject - glass, metal, fabric, etc. - each requires slightly different lighting set ups to really pull out the details in the sharp focus areas and smooth those backgrounds. For fast action shots like droplets, strobes appear to be a must. If you read threads from IreneM, she spends up to hours on set up and takes many many photos to get the results she does.

Personally, I would consider PMing her or other DPC macro masters directly if you have specific questions on how they do it. I know she is a busy lady, but she or others that are macro masters on DPC may be able to provide some insight on lighting set up and technique.

Here is a recent entry using the 60mm 2.8


Since I am not great in the lighting department, I tend to use natural lighting. The main area that I have continued to work on is getting the right DOF on closeups like this. Again, many shots and lots of practice. A good thing the silly fly in the photo was a slow eater...

Fixed Link

Message edited by author 2008-09-08 14:16:14.
09/08/2008 02:36:59 PM · #9
Originally posted by CassieDoodle:

I'm assuming "click" is "clique?"


Thank you so much. From now on, I spell check and diagram my sentences to ensure proper grammer. I forgot this site was for the perfect people.
09/08/2008 03:02:04 PM · #10
Here is a blog article on macro lighting. The article is on lighting bugs, but lighting drops is pretty much similar.
09/08/2008 03:06:17 PM · #11
Originally posted by TonyT:

Originally posted by CassieDoodle:

I'm assuming "click" is "clique?"


Thank you so much. From now on, I spell check and diagram my sentences to ensure proper grammer. I forgot this site was for the perfect people.


Considering that "click" is a common word in photography, it's a reasonable enough question... As for you, you've responded in your own thread twice and both responses have reeked with attitude, which is the more perplexing when you consider that the thread is getting the attention you wanted and the suggestions you wanted on its second trip through the mill. Myself, I never saw it before.

R.
09/08/2008 03:10:08 PM · #12
Stay on Topic

Macros, lights and action!

Personally I would LOVE any info on how to improve macro shots

Message edited by author 2008-09-08 15:10:41.
09/08/2008 03:55:40 PM · #13
Originally posted by TonyT:

Originally posted by CassieDoodle:

I'm assuming "click" is "clique?"


Thank you so much. From now on, I spell check and diagram my sentences to ensure proper grammer. I forgot this site was for the perfect people.


I actually wasn't trying to be smart, or as you say "perfect". I was just trying to grasp what was being said. I got confused and I was just asking a question.

If you'd like to jump all over me for asking a simple question, go for it. Thanks for the compliment. If I was trying to be sarcastic, I'd also correct your spelling along with your grammAr.
09/08/2008 04:35:29 PM · #14
Originally posted by CassieDoodle:

Originally posted by TonyT:

Originally posted by CassieDoodle:

I'm assuming "click" is "clique?"


Thank you so much. From now on, I spell check and diagram my sentences to ensure proper grammer. I forgot this site was for the perfect people.


I actually wasn't trying to be smart, or as you say "perfect". I was just trying to grasp what was being said. I got confused and I was just asking a question.

If you'd like to jump all over me for asking a simple question, go for it. Thanks for the compliment. If I was trying to be sarcastic, I'd also correct your spelling along with your grammAr.


Reel funnie.
09/08/2008 05:38:23 PM · #15
Originally posted by CassieDoodle:

I'm assuming "click" is "clique?"


Yeah, that too. :) Thanks.
09/08/2008 05:40:20 PM · #16
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by TonyT:

Originally posted by CassieDoodle:

I'm assuming "click" is "clique?"


Thank you so much. From now on, I spell check and diagram my sentences to ensure proper grammer. I forgot this site was for the perfect people.


Considering that "click" is a common word in photography, it's a reasonable enough question... As for you, you've responded in your own thread twice and both responses have reeked with attitude, which is the more perplexing when you consider that the thread is getting the attention you wanted and the suggestions you wanted on its second trip through the mill. Myself, I never saw it before.

R.


Please pay more attention to whom you address in these threads. You sure look rather silly now that you know you wrote to the wrong person... whoops!
09/08/2008 05:40:53 PM · #17
Originally posted by TonyT:

Originally posted by CassieDoodle:

Originally posted by TonyT:

Originally posted by CassieDoodle:

I'm assuming "click" is "clique?"


Thank you so much. From now on, I spell check and diagram my sentences to ensure proper grammer. I forgot this site was for the perfect people.


I actually wasn't trying to be smart, or as you say "perfect". I was just trying to grasp what was being said. I got confused and I was just asking a question.

If you'd like to jump all over me for asking a simple question, go for it. Thanks for the compliment. If I was trying to be sarcastic, I'd also correct your spelling along with your grammAr.


Reel funnie.


Yea i thot sew two :)

Message edited by author 2008-09-08 17:41:02.
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