Wick

[Manik]

Hey guys, this is my first post here, I just thought I throw up a photo I took to see what you guys think.

It was taken with a screw on macro lens.


<a href="http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9383/img0296800x600yg3.jpg"><img src="http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9383/img0296800x600yg3.jpg" width="600"></a>

Also, I currently own a 28-80mm as well as a 75-300mm, both by Tamron. I know that they aren't suited for this kind of thing, but which one should I doing for close ups? As the macro screw-on attacthment works well with some things, but when attempting to shoot water droplets it isn't exactly easy...

Exif

Exposure: 1/125 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 61mm

[wulf]

I think this would be helped with a bit more sharpness on the areas that are in focus (end of the wick, edge of the candle). If you can't eke that out of your equipment (was this handheld or tripod mounted?) some post processing might allow you to add that in. I like the overall composition but think that extra sharpness would give the image a bit more "zing!".

Wulf

[Manik]

Yeah I think you're right, I sharpened it a bit with Photoshop but I really didn't do anything special with it.

I was holding the camera and it was not tripod mounted.

[wulf]

At macro distances you have a very minimal depth of field unless you go for a narrow aperture; working against that, tiny movements are magnified so you also need a relatively fast shutter speed. Both measures reduce the amount of light available, which is why a tripod (or at least some kind of support) is often useful equipment to have, allowing you to get away without having to open up the aperture (I like the DoF in your shot but don't think you want it narrower) or push the shutter speed too fast for the available light.

You could try the shot again with a more firmly braced camera but I think you could probably also push this shot a bit further with some selective sharpening (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10236).

Wulf

[Manik]

Wow, that selective sharpening method it quite interesting. I think I will give it another shot.

Oh, and btw, is there a good type of screw on macro lens...or does it really matter?

[wulf]

Do you mean a magnifying filter? I haven't used that type of device but I suspect that part of the difficultities you find with it are just due to the nature of macro photography. A dedicated macro lens might get you closer or give clearer results but probably won't make the shots that much easier to get.

Wulf