Macro photography

[stevenicks]

Wow, truly amazing photo's Phil. I have just bought myself a detailed, pictorial camera book. I'll take my time, go through it slowly and see how it goes .

[Phil]

Thanks very much Steve.
It's a truly rewarding hobby. I'm still learning though which is all part of the fun.

Post your photos as you go so we can see your progress.

[Phil]

The weather has been awful this weekend but managed 45 minutes out and about..

Not entirely pleased with these, but keeping in mind that it was windy and cloudy I guess I can't expect too much...
I don't know what this is... by Philip Davies, on Flickr
Bee by Philip Davies, on Flickr
Bee by Philip Davies, on Flickr
Bee by Philip Davies, on Flickr
Damsel fly by Philip Davies, on Flickr
Damsel fly by Philip Davies, on Flickr
Spider by Philip Davies, on Flickr

[Rocket]

Good stuff. You got it nailed now.

I find cloudy days better. If it is too sunny the flash gets overpowered by the sun and instead of using the flash duration (1/5000 sec or faster) the picture will expose using the shutter speed with sunlight. So the pictures become less sharp.

Of course if using no flash - the sunnier the better and get the shutter speed as fast as possible.

[Phil]

Thanks Paul,

What you say makes sense.
I've got tomorrow afternoon off work so will go and spend a few hours there again and see what I can see..

When reviewing the images on my computer I worry that they look fake.
I guess it's because you are seeing another creature from an angle you'd never seen before.

[Phil]

I'm sure there was another post here before I hadn't gotten around to replying to?

Here are some taken yesterday.

I've been playing with different aperture and dropped it down to F8 for a couple of these...

IMG_9836 by Philip Davies, on Flickr

IMG_9818 by Philip Davies, on Flickr

IMG_9733 by Philip Davies, on Flickr

IMG_9668 by Philip Davies, on Flickr

IMG_9573 by Philip Davies, on Flickr

[Rocket]

Originally Posted by Phil

I'm sure there was another post here before I hadn't gotten around to replying to?

Here are some taken yesterday.

I've been playing with different aperture and dropped it down to F8 for a couple of these...

I thought I posted there also. Oh well it was not important.

Some good shots there. Playing around with the settings is a great idea. You will learn how your gear performs in different conditions and with different settings. When I bought my last camera I changed a few things in the way I shoot because it behaved differently.

[coolcat]

Originally Posted by Phil

A few from today.


Finally, because of the rain, these were taken indoors.
My two boys:
This is Oscar, he's Ten next year, still a puppy though.. My best mate.
Springer Spaniel by Philip Davies, on Flickr


This is Bertie, Oscar's apprentice. He is seven years old and a rescue dog.
Oscar dotes on him like you wouldn't believe. They are inseparable.
Retired Greyhound by Philip Davies, on Flickr

These were taken with my macro lens.
I'd appreciate some pointers to better my photography of my dogs, I've seen some of Jeff's awesome cat pictures and I'd like to achieve the same.

Sorry for the late reply Phil.

Was so busy looking at the photos I missed your question

The one thing I would say makes the biggest difference in portrait photography, be it animals or humans is to get down to the same level as the subject you are shooting, get the lens and the subjects eyes level with each other.
With cats that usually means laying prone on the floor unless your lucky enough to have an articulated screen on your camera

Also, with your flash I would bounce it to avoid the 'green eye' effect.

P.s. I use my macro lens all the time for portraiture, makes a brilliant prime lens for such photography.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by coolcat

Sorry for the late reply Phil.

Was so busy looking at the photos I missed your question

The one thing I would say makes the biggest difference in portrait photography, be it animals or humans is to get down to the same level as the subject you are shooting, get the lens and the subjects eyes level with each other.
With cats that usually means laying prone on the floor unless your lucky enough to have an articulated screen on your camera

Also, with your flash I would bounce it to avoid the 'green eye' effect.

P.s. I use my macro lens all the time for portraiture, makes a brilliant prime lens for such photography.

Thanks Jeff, I will keep practising.
Maybe something to hone up on when the weather isn't so good.

[Phil]

Kisses for sale, form a queue!!

Macro shot of Fly head by Philip Davies, on Flickr