Tips for a novice please

[valdf]

I've recently bought a 100m macro lens for my Canon EOS 1000D and am just getting to grips with the AV mode.

The photos of newly-emerged Large red damselflies below were all taken at f/9 1/80 sec and ISO 200. I was about 1-2 feet from the damsels and cropped the pictures quite heavily to get the upper part of the bodies.

I'd be very grateful for any advice on how these could be improved.







Thanks,
Val

[wizzo]

Hiya Val! I like the 1st and 3rd shots. The middle one is the least sharp I'd say. I'm not an expert on Macro photography, but keeping the ISO as low as possible, the aperature as small as possible and the camera on a sturdy tripod whilst using ringflash, remote release and keeping the mirror in the locked-up position, will all help. Well done though, on some cracking shots. Wizzo

[Gaza]

Hi Valdf

Firstly! I think you did well here!

You will get good and varied advice here.

I personally use 400 ISO for macro.
This will help you particularly if you are not using a flash, as it will help you use a smaller aperture. I usually like to use f16 - f22 for macro.

A good tripod is a must.

Keep practicing and try diferent settings



Example 1/80 f16 ISO 400

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar.../size/big/cat/

[Geoff F]

I agree with most of what has already been advised but I normally do things slightly differently.

If necessary, you can go up to ISO 800 although 400 is better if you can manage with it.

A small aperture is something of a trade off. Most lenses are sharpest at their mid point range which is usually around F8 to F11 and can get a bit soft towards the extremities. So I prefer, when possible, to use F14 as the maximum aperture setting.

Smaller apertures mean a deeper area in focus but this can be offset by losing lens sharpness. It is a bit of a compromise all round.

Mirror lock up, when using a tripod, is good for landscapes but I find that with insects I need to constantly readjust focus and position on a subject which can move and wind rock also causes problems if photographing flowers or insects sitting on plants. This I find difficult to achieve unless I am constantly looking through the view finder.

But for anything which can't move, mirror lock up is worth trying.

A good tripod is essential. I find that manual focus works best as auto can give false focus by focusing on the background/foreground instead of the intended subject.

At one time, I always used a cable shutter release but after a few experiments I realised that if you have a sufficiently high shutter speed, say 1/200, this isn't necessary and I find it simpler to just use my finger on the shutter.

But if you are taking slow speed shots, a cable release can be worth having. For static subjects, using the auto timer can be a substitute.

One thing to experiment with is using flash. To start with, try your camera pop up flash and remove the lens hood if you get problems with this causing a shadow.

My method, although normally with an external flash unit, is to set everything manually. For example, aperture F14, shutter speed 1/200 and an ISO around 100 or 200.

Take a few test photos and adjust the flash output compensation to give a suitable result. It will take a few experimental shots and you will have to make a few adjustments to the flash compensation to suit the conditions. But I find that once you get used to it, this can give good results.

And one simple tip on composition. If you are photographing a 'long' subject try to get absolutely square with it so that everything will be in focus.

What editing software, and how experienced are you in the finer points of editing?

There are many other suggestions, Val, but I would just say, keep experimenting and come back here with any more questions which arise.

[Ollie]

Hi valdf

The photos aren't bad by any means. Slightly over exposed I would have said but pretty good all the same.

I would certainly put the ISO up to 400. Macro work tends to produce slow shutter speeds and having the ISO at 400 will help get the speed up a bit. Use AV mode on the camera and an f stop of around f14/f16

For something as small as these I would use manual focus as well as auto focus will often hunt a lot on small insects and not always make focus exactly where you want it.

A good sturdy tripod always benefits macro work but I'm assuming you have the Canon 100mm lens with image stabilisation. If so and you are hand holding upping the ISO will certainly be a good idea.

[valdf]

Thank you all for very helpful replies - and especially to Geoff for taking the trouble to write at such length.

I'm looking forward to experimenting with different settings and using flash. In the meantime, I tried some shots yesterday at ISO 400 and f/14 and was quite pleased with these 3 below. The first was 1/640 sec, the second 1/320 sec and the third 1/250 sec.

Geoff, I use Paint Shop Pro but basically just crop, sharpen and adjust contrast. I realise I need to read up on editing - another steep learning curve for me there!







Val

[Geoff F]

There are a few editing tips that you may find useful on this site Digital Photography Tutorials

Those last shots aren't too bad although from a photographic perspective they are a little on the harsh side. That is where using Curves, etc, for adjustment will produce a smoother finish; and I like to selectively sharpen the main subject but leave the background a bit blurred.

The basics aren't too difficult - eventually!

[Hobjob]

Very pleasing shots.

Originally Posted by valdf

Thank you all for very helpful replies - and especially to Geoff for taking the trouble to write at such length.

I'm looking forward to experimenting with different settings and using flash. In the meantime, I tried some shots yesterday at ISO 400 and f/14 and was quite pleased with these 3 below. The first was 1/640 sec, the second 1/320 sec and the third 1/250 sec.

Geoff, I use Paint Shop Pro but basically just crop, sharpen and adjust contrast. I realise I need to read up on editing - another steep learning curve for me there!







Val

[valdf]

Thank you Geoff and Hobjob.

Val