newbie's macro shots
- Thread starter chEbyshEv
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The_Cheat
Senior Member
There's a trick in macro, and that's to crop. Most of the impressive macro shots you'd seen are actually tight crops of the subject. This would give the subject a larger than life feel, which macros ought to have. Alternatively (and of course ideally), you should go as close as possible, and yet stay in the minimum focal length of your camera. Go and find out what's the minimum focusing distance of your camera, and see whether you can do a close-up with the subject still in focus.
Get the composition right first, and maybe we can talk about the technicalities later!
Get the composition right first, and maybe we can talk about the technicalities later!
The_Cheat said:There's a trick in macro, and that's to crop. Most of the impressive macro shots you'd seen are actually tight crops of the subject. This would give the subject a larger than life feel, which macros ought to have. Alternatively (and of course ideally), you should go as close as possible, and yet stay in the minimum focal length of your camera. Go and find out what's the minimum focusing distance of your camera, and see whether you can do a close-up with the subject still in focus.
Get the composition right first, and maybe we can talk about the technicalities later!
hi the_cheat! thanks for the suggestion. i will keep that in mind. i'm trying to learn as much as i can and practice as much as i can too.
The_Cheat said:
Technically got lar if you wanna split hairs
Closeups are something like those posted here. Macro is maybe 1:3~4 to 1:1. Greater than life size eg 2:1 and bigger, its Micro. Anyway chEbyshEv, try not to place your subject smack in the centre of the frame. Try to use the rule of thirds for a start (divide your picture into thirds horizontally and vertically and place subjects of interest at the intersections). Also, see if you can get lesser depth of view by using a smaller fstop e.g f2.8 instead of f5.6,f8. Also watch the background. The last two picture's background is very distracting.. not very sure that the pots and what not add to the beauty of the flower (which incidentally looks a bit underexposed. Try shooting it near diffused window light or use a flash).
Have fun shooting!
The_Cheat
Senior Member
justarius said:Technically got lar if you wanna split hairs
Anyway chEbyshEv, try not to place your subject smack in the centre of the frame. Try to use the rule of thirds for a start (divide your picture into thirds horizontally and vertically and place subjects of interest at the intersections). Also, see if you can get lesser depth of view by using a smaller fstop e.g f2.8 instead of f5.6,f8. Also watch the background. The last two picture's background is very distracting.. not very sure that the pots and what not add to the beauty of the flower (which incidentally looks a bit underexposed. Try shooting it near diffused window light or use a flash).
Have fun shooting!
Eh! Well, it's true that macro is something like 1:3 or 1:4 lah... but, on the picture, the subject should be treat in such a way that there's sort of isolation of the subject to make it stand up, and have the illusion of larger than life! ;p
You really want micro shots? Well, I do that quite a bit, and it's not actually 2:1 lor! It's more like 400:1 plus plus plus... I shoot fungal spore for you information lah!
Anyway, I don't think you should stuff all the f-stop stuff right now. Think he/she need to get the compositon stuff right first!
The_Cheat said:Eh! Well, it's true that macro is something like 1:3 or 1:4 lah... but, on the picture, the subject should be treat in such a way that there's sort of isolation of the subject to make it stand up, and have the illusion of larger than life! ;p
You really want micro shots? Well, I do that quite a bit, and it's not actually 2:1 lor! It's more like 400:1 plus plus plus... I shoot fungal spore for you information lah!
Anyway, I don't think you should stuff all the f-stop stuff right now. Think he/she need to get the compositon stuff right first!
Well, he/she asked for some suggestions, so I gave some...
Wah, you do microscope photography? Think Leica and Nikon both have some sort of equipment for such stuff? Post some pictures of bacteria leh, it would be quite interesting (if this does not violates any terms and conditions of your research work..)
ps: Anyway I might be a bit wrong in my definition of my limits of Closeup/Macro/Micro, so if anybody knows a hard definition, feel free to correct me.
Hi Chebishev,
I am quite a novice too in this field but I know how to appreciate a bit lah.
First Photo is nice but your focus is on the flower. The leaves just take too much area.
Should go for bigger flower. Torn leaves is not so nice.
Second Photo has nice bluring on the background. But still subject is small.
Third and Fourth slightly dark. But I do like the 4th.
I am quite a novice too in this field but I know how to appreciate a bit lah.
First Photo is nice but your focus is on the flower. The leaves just take too much area.
Should go for bigger flower. Torn leaves is not so nice.
Second Photo has nice bluring on the background. But still subject is small.
Third and Fourth slightly dark. But I do like the 4th.
shutter_kcg
New Member
Macro 100 is a must if you are into Macro photography
Pls consider shooting early in the morning when the air is more still.
You may want to consider getting equipment such as : extension tube + Macro 100 to further enlarge the pics
And to try to take pics parallel to the insects so that the pics will be sharp
Pls consider shooting early in the morning when the air is more still.
You may want to consider getting equipment such as : extension tube + Macro 100 to further enlarge the pics
And to try to take pics parallel to the insects so that the pics will be sharp
chEbyshEv said:hi! took some close-up shots. feel free to post your comments, criticisms and suggestions. :sweat: thanks!
outdoor shots
indoor shots
The_Cheat said:There's a trick in macro, and that's to crop. Most of the impressive macro shots you'd seen are actually tight crops of the subject. This would give the subject a larger than life feel, which macros ought to have. Alternatively (and of course ideally), you should go as close as possible, and yet stay in the minimum focal length of your camera. Go and find out what's the minimum focusing distance of your camera, and see whether you can do a close-up with the subject still in focus.
Get the composition right first, and maybe we can talk about the technicalities later!
I was thinking of adding a +4 filter to my macro lens in the first place. Thanks. U just enlightened me. Come to think of it, the sharpness and focus must be good in the first place huh?
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