ShieldMantid1997
Well-known member
What do you think? any suggestions?
tips on improving this macro on my violin?
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ShieldMantid1997
Well-known member
thanks a lot. But i am looking for more detail on the mandibles and its raptorial claws. Any suggestion Precarious?
Precarious
Well-known member
Good job! The lighting is good and that's the hardest part.
The second consideration is setting the focal plane. Since the depth of field is so shallow with macro you're forced to decide what elements will be in focus. Looks like you settled on the eyes which is the obvious choice. Unfortunately that takes the mouth slightly out of focus and the raptors completely out. No getting around losing focus of some portions so it's really an artistic choice. One thing you can do is change your angle until you find one that keeps all the pertinent portions of your subject within the focal plane. That can turn a good photo into an exceptional photo.
A simple rule to remember is that unless you focus on the closest part of your subject those closest parts will be out of focus, so try to make the important part the closest part.
The second consideration is setting the focal plane. Since the depth of field is so shallow with macro you're forced to decide what elements will be in focus. Looks like you settled on the eyes which is the obvious choice. Unfortunately that takes the mouth slightly out of focus and the raptors completely out. No getting around losing focus of some portions so it's really an artistic choice. One thing you can do is change your angle until you find one that keeps all the pertinent portions of your subject within the focal plane. That can turn a good photo into an exceptional photo.
A simple rule to remember is that unless you focus on the closest part of your subject those closest parts will be out of focus, so try to make the important part the closest part.
Precarious
Well-known member
Haha! You posted as I was writing my response.
What I do to catch all the details of the face is try to maneuver into a position so the face is as level as possible to your perspective. Sometimes it means hunching down or standing taller or leaning to one side, but that little difference can have a huge effect.
You're doing really well so I'm sure you'll pick up on all the little tricks in no time.
lunarstorm
Well-known member
I dig the pic SM97! You're an inspiration to me, I'll try to remember to follow suit and post for feedback if/when I get a decent dSLR and macro gear.
At any rate, I also wanted to say: Precarious your tips were awesome, well said. You offered solid guidance while being encouraging. Gave me something to think about and now I'm eyeballing the Canon 5d Mk II...
At any rate, I also wanted to say: Precarious your tips were awesome, well said. You offered solid guidance while being encouraging. Gave me something to think about and now I'm eyeballing the Canon 5d Mk II...
Precarious
Well-known member
Thanks, man. I try. ^_^ <-(I never really make this face but I like the emoticon.)
You should just do it. You only live once (or so they say) and money is an evil abstract intended to hold you back from exploring till you find your true purpose. Besides, the US dollar will soon be next to worthless so investing in hardware could be a smart move. If you can take a decent photo with a point-&-shoot, and have the drive to learn, you deserve a good DSLR. I only got mine in December and it was a life-changing decision. You definitely need to lay the money down to get what you need but the results are well worth it.
ShieldMantid1997
Well-known member
+1 , also getting the right lens can make a huge difference too, just got the macro lens so still playing around with it, it's amazing how much better the picture is with it compared to a lens with .31 magnification (my old one)
ShieldMantid1997
Well-known member
i took a new shot on manual free hand, with a light above and a lights coming from the sides (i was having shadow issues with the above by its self).
What do you think?
What do you think?
ShieldMantid1997
Well-known member
oh and are these premature buds or sub adult buds?
Sorry very bad photo but it's the only full body shot i took last night (i accidently moved my had when taking the picture):
But this one i like:
Sorry very bad photo but it's the only full body shot i took last night (i accidently moved my had when taking the picture):
But this one i like:
Last edited by a moderator:
Precarious
Well-known member
I think it makes me miss my Violins.
If you had moved a little higher you could have kept the arm on the same focal plane as the face. Face looks great.
I know you're limited to what modes will work with the existing light but what mode and settings are you using? Experiment with Av and Tv on still subjects to get a feel for the setting and lighting. If you're forced to use a long exposure it will be very difficult to hold the camera steady. That's how I started out and I got maybe one good (useable) photo out of 10 or more. Once I got the flash unit everything changed. You may want to experiment with some flash even if it's not macro specific. That would allow you to use shorter exposures and increase your success rate.
Not sure on the wing buds. I only ever had Violins once and they were the first mantids I owned so it's all a blur, but I'd guess pre-sub female.
ShieldMantid1997
Well-known member
Ok guys, thank you all very much.
ShieldMantid1997
Well-known member
I have a nikon d40x, (with default flash) and the lens is a AF-S Micro NIKKOR 40mm 1:2.8G
sounds expensive!!!!
ShieldMantid1997
Well-known member
yeah digital photography can get pretty expensive.
Nice, My camera is a Canon 10D and I either use extension tubes with a Sigma 28-200mm lens or extension tubes reverse mounted with a 50mm Canon EFII 50 mm F/1.8 lens. DOF kind of sucks with these setups but ah well. I still am aiming to buy a macro rail & a tripod to do some focus stacking. I still need to figure out the camera's settings because some of my images are either too bright or too dark with the same lighting.
ShieldMantid1997
Well-known member
i had the ame problem with lighting, i just played around with setting, brightness, and ISO sensitivity and such.
