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A Closer Look: Macro Lessons Learned

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Bob S,

Thanks for the look and the comments. Was there a reason for you trying normal/normal? I went to the low/soft after reading the justification for this over on the mean-ole Olympus SLR forum. THe idea that the camera does not subtract anything from the raw data in soft/low certainly makes sense. And since we know the problems of making changes like resize & crop AFTER sharpening can be detrimental to our image, this all started making sense. Also, unlike the UZI, with contrast set to normal, I was having to use the levels adjustment to "tone down" my images! Exact opposite to my experience with the UZI, that need a bump "up" with the levels.

Anyway, still learning every day. I reserve the right to change my mind tomorrow!

Happy 4th and thanks again for looking,

jim

wrote:
Mofongo said:
Real nice stuff Jim! (as usual)...

I see you're using soft/low...funny, I've been trying normal/normal
just to see...I'm sure I'll go back to soft/low on my next shoot...

This one is my favorite...keep 'em coming,
Bob

Click to expand...
--
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3
 
Hide Takahashi,

Thanks very much! I consider this a high compliment! You know how much I admire your work and I sure appreciate this.

jim

wrote:
Hide Takahashi said:
After I read someone's complains in Oly SLR that the E-10 is the
worst camera and that it's the camera that makes you a good
photographer(really?),I just needed to see some good pics by a good
photographer like you,shot by the E-10. It's really the
photographer behind the camera that makes a difference. These are
good examples to prove it.

Excellent shots as usual!

Hide
Click to expand...
--
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3
 
DougT,

Yeah it was a funny thread. For the most part, they are a much rougher crowd than the cordial folks over here, but I take their banter with a grain of salt. Some of the biggest whinners and bullies NEVER show their work! I don't doubt they have a fine camera, I just have my doubts that they can do much with them! As you have certainly seen, the Exx is not a camera to charge the batteries, point and shoot and expect perfection!

jim

--
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3
 
You have taken more great photos - I always enjoy your posts. :)

Since I have a D-40 (which doesn't have the option of adding macro lenses) my macro shots are very challenging, to say the least! I love the portability of my camera but have an eye open to an additional purchase (as soon as I win the lottery!) which will allow for "macromacro" shots. In the meantime I'll bookmark your lessons to save for future use.

Thanks,
Judy
 
Judy,

Thanks for the compliment! Let me know when you win the lottery and I'll help you pick out a camera or two!

jim
 
...finally got to view a few of yer macros, Jim...the colors and detail are vibrant and glorious!...you don't do anythng "half-way", do ya?...
...couple questions, tho...are they all handheld?...
...and did you edit in the black background on some?...examples: 324 & 326...
...oh, and I like yer narrower borders!...
...thanks,
newby
...PS...how much did ya say that E-10's goin for?...
 
newby,

So sorry ole buddy ole pal, I completely missed this! Well thanks so much for looking and commenting! I sure appreciate the compliments and encouragement!

As for your questions, yes they were all handheld! Even the kiwi shot at 1/30 second! I did edit the background in those two images. They were mostly black anyway, so I did not have to do too much work. And thanks for the comment on the borders. These are courtesy of our old buddy on the forum, VOL! He has written an action for the frame that I like better than any other I have seen so far.

Thanks again for looking! Sorry I missed this. Snubbingly yours,

jim
 
RichO said:
I love #3...that's a WOW to me!

I have been trying to help KK with her macro shots...seems the MCON
has a very shallow depth of focus and depth of field.

Your first two shots seem very soft on focus...not tack sharp...is
that because you chose to use the soft/soft settings?

The last shot is much more in focus...but then it is flat on to the
camera too.

And Happy 4th to you jim...may you truly have a wonderful and
joyful day.

--
RichO :)
San Antonio, TX
http://www.pbase.com/richo/
http://www.richo.org/LearningCenter/faq_olympus.htm
'Life is a dance, Love is the music.'
Click to expand...
--
RichO :)
San Antonio, TX
http://www.pbase.com/richo/
http://www.richo.org/LearningCenter/faq_olympus.htm
'Life is a dance, Love is the music.'
 
RichO,

Sorry, I did mean to get back to you and must have been distracted! Those two are rather soft in focus, not because of the camera settings (I got very sharp images using the same settings). It was shortly after I took those two shots that I realized I was hesitating between half-pressing the shutter and following through with the shot. I attribute the softness in these to be due to my moving out of the very sharp focal plane. I do not have the exact numbers, but I suspect that when I am this close (5 or 6 inches from the subject), even with the lens stopped down to as small as I can for an acceptable shutter speed, the focal plane is probably a few millimeters at most! The slightest movement front or back would put me out of this area of sharp focus.

Possible causes of poor/soft focus in this setting would include:
1. the above mentioned movement out of the focal plane.
2. very narrow DOF.
3. movement during the shutter release (hand-held vs tripod)
4. inadequate shutter speed (movement of the subject too, like wind)
4. missed/confused autofocus.

If I were giving advice on coaching KK, I might suggest starting with a subject that is fairly flat and in bright light (like a broad leaf, or tape a quarter on a leaf). Use aperature priority, stopping down as low as possible to keep a shutter speed of no slower than say 1/200 second. Try handholding the shot, brace, frame, half-shutter then shoot immediately after getting the autofocus indicator. If a series of these come out to your satisfaction, build on the complexity.

Certainly there are many approaches to getting better macros, but this would be one way to start. You are might nice to help sister KK with her macros.

Hope this is helpful,

jim
 
Didn't mean to be a pest, but I have found macros to be challenging at best.

I saw a contraption in a mag that helps to align and measure the distance from the camera to the object....it attaches to a tripod.

I love these shots...and actually prefer the soft focus with flowers or plants that have a smooth soft surface...insects on the other hand need a sharp focus to get a dramatic effect.

Photography is soooo interesting and challenging....certainly all the shots have been taken, but we continue to shoot. :)
Sandman said:
RichO,

Sorry, I did mean to get back to you and must have been distracted!
Those two are rather soft in focus, not because of the camera
settings (I got very sharp images using the same settings). It was
shortly after I took those two shots that I realized I was
hesitating between half-pressing the shutter and following through
with the shot. I attribute the softness in these to be due to my
moving out of the very sharp focal plane. I do not have the exact
numbers, but I suspect that when I am this close (5 or 6 inches
from the subject), even with the lens stopped down to as small as I
can for an acceptable shutter speed, the focal plane is probably a
few millimeters at most! The slightest movement front or back
would put me out of this area of sharp focus.

Possible causes of poor/soft focus in this setting would include:
1. the above mentioned movement out of the focal plane.
2. very narrow DOF.
3. movement during the shutter release (hand-held vs tripod)
4. inadequate shutter speed (movement of the subject too, like wind)
4. missed/confused autofocus.

If I were giving advice on coaching KK, I might suggest starting
with a subject that is fairly flat and in bright light (like a
broad leaf, or tape a quarter on a leaf). Use aperature priority,
stopping down as low as possible to keep a shutter speed of no
slower than say 1/200 second. Try handholding the shot, brace,
frame, half-shutter then shoot immediately after getting the
autofocus indicator. If a series of these come out to your
satisfaction, build on the complexity.

Certainly there are many approaches to getting better macros, but
this would be one way to start. You are might nice to help sister
KK with her macros.

Hope this is helpful,

jim
Click to expand...
--
RichO :)
San Antonio, TX
http://www.pbase.com/richo/
http://www.richo.org/LearningCenter/faq_olympus.htm
'Life is a dance, Love is the music.'
 
Sandman said:
Hey Gang,

Happy 4th! Took these yesterday and learned a few macro lessons!
I posted the macro tip on the intro to this new gallery. As
always, love to hear comments, suggestions, and critiques on these.
All were taken with the E-10, and the MCON macro lens.
Click to expand...
I am so glad I didn't miss your post. Jim, you constantly amaze me. Now what macro lessons did you learn??? I have never used a macro lens, but plan on purchasing one when my D60 someday arrives.

I am now in the process of enhancing some of my photos from the last 2 days. I am frustrated right now with my 2100; many of my images are slightly blurry. Sometimes that camera just doesn't focus well.
--
Barbara (pbase supporter)
C2100uzi
anguishly waiting -- backordered Canon D60
http://www.pbase.com/barbarabreits/galleries
 
Barbara B,

Well that D60 will be here soon! I can't wait till you get it. I'm almost as excited about it as you are, particularly since we shoot a lot of the same kinds of pics. THe macro tip is written at the into to the pbase gallery for the macro shots. Here's the link: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3/more_mcon_images

If you have the time, scroll down through the images and check out the one of the back of a sunflower. I have gotten quite a few nice comments on PhotoSig on this image. Sometimes you get lucky!

jim
 
...who thinks to take a shot of the back of a flower!?...

...glad ya brought this one to our attention, Jim...I didn't notice it yesterday...

...absolutely great!...looks like little ant-people dancing between the petals at the top...cool DOF...

...and I thought the little winged green bug was a water droplet 'til I opened the larger image...
...you da man!...thanks,
newby
 
newby,

Thanks! Like i was telling Barbara, every once in a while you luck up and get a decent one. I walked past this view of this flower a dozen times before I "saw" this image. Just makes me wonder how many "missed shots" I walk past every day!

Glad you liked it,

jim
 
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