What’s Your Preference?

Kairi · #1 (**permalink**) 01-25-2012, 03:10 PM

This was taken with my Nikon D3100 and a Tamron AF 70-300 F 4-5.6 lens in Macro mode. I don't consider it real Macro, but I love the picture even though I know I should have kicked up the shutter speed. These little things move so fast, you only get a shot or two before they're gone. I have only had the camera a month and am just learning post processing, so all suggestions will be considered gratefully.

Here is the Exif data:

Camera Nikon D3100
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 300 mm
ISO Speed 220
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Auto, Fired, Return detected
Software Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.6 (Windows)
Subject Distance 1.88 m
Metering Mode Multi-segment
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Lens 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.0-5.6 Macro

crockny · #2 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012, 05:30 PM

I'm not sure why you used macro mode -- does it focus closer than in manual mode at 300mm? Anyway, you definitely need to up your shutter speed quite a bit to stop those wings ... exposure looks pretty good, the background is unpleasant and you cut off a piece of the wing at bottom ... not much you can do with this in post processing -- just go out and shoot as much as you can, try 1/1000 for shutter speed and adjust the other variables as needed -- I shoot as high as ISO1000 with my Canon 7D and the photos look good ... also if this is not a crop, try to leave plenty of room around the butterfly to make sure you include everything and have room to crop if necessary ...

crockny · #3 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012, 05:31 PM

Oh and are you sure this isn't a Spicebush?

Hill Country Hack · #4 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012, 05:38 PM

I agree with what crockny said. There may be times when you can't get a 1/1000 shutter speed even with upping the ISO and opening the apeture wide.

When handholding the minimum shutter speed should be a 1:1 ratio with the focal length. You shot your butterfly at 300mm, you should make adjustments to get the shutter speed to a minimum of 1/300, go faster if you can. That will reduce/eliminate camera shake and the added bonus of stopping movement.

Kairi · #5 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crockny

Oh and are you sure this isn't a Spicebush?

Nope, just looked up what I thought was the closest. Is that what you think it is?

Kairi · #6 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crockny

I'm not sure why you used macro mode -- does it focus closer than in manual mode at 300mm? Anyway, you definitely need to up your shutter speed quite a bit to stop those wings ... exposure looks pretty good, the background is unpleasant and you cut off a piece of the wing at bottom ... not much you can do with this in post processing -- just go out and shoot as much as you can, try 1/1000 for shutter speed and adjust the other variables as needed -- I shoot as high as ISO1000 with my Canon 7D and the photos look good ... also if this is not a crop, try to leave plenty of room around the butterfly to make sure you include everything and have room to crop if necessary ...

Thanks crockny. I have been looking at photo that look to me like the colors are really bumped up, and I guess that I have been trying to make mine look like that. I didn't even realize how much the background competed with the butterfly until you pointed out that it was unpleasant. Also, I don't really know why I was shooting in Macro - just for fun I guess, but it makes it very hard to focus, frame a shot, and take the picture when the little buggers are moving so fast - lol! I'm glad that the exposure looks good - that's what I was working on that day.
Thanks so much for your input. I think it's great that you guys take the time to "teach" a newbie like me.

Kairi · #7 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country Hack

I agree with what crockny said. There may be times when you can't get a 1/1000 shutter speed even with upping the ISO and opening the apeture wide.

When handholding the minimum shutter speed should be a 1:1 ratio with the focal length. You shot your butterfly at 300mm, you should make adjustments to get the shutter speed to a minimum of 1/300, go faster if you can. That will reduce/eliminate camera shake and the added bonus of stopping movement.

Thanks HCH. I "know" this stuff, but when I am out, I get too excited about shooting, or I am trying to focus on one thing so I end up forgetting fifteen other things - lol. I can't wait till I can shoot like you guys!