Macro and mushrooms

[johanmw]

Hi everyone,

I was out taking a walk in the forest around my village, along with my girlfriend.
We brought my camera, and were having fun, taking pictures of all kinds of things. Although a lot of them turned out bad, i got to like a bunch of the shots.

I would like to get som CC on this picture. The mushrooms were on the end of a beam, which were stacked all over the forest.
I would like critique on both the composition and the "macro feel" of it.
I can't find out if i like that the focus is in the middle or if it should have been somewhere else.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/13666445@N05/2276918378/" title="Grib Skov by johanmw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2276918378_139ebc8cbf.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Grib Skov" /></a>

Here are some EXIF data:
Camera: Canon EOS 350D Digital
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 55 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0/2 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

[wulf]

I don't think the angle is right. The blurry mushrooms in the foreground detract from the image and there are some large dark spaces that seem more accidental than part of the composition. The shot is also a little underexposed (although you might be able to rectify that with post processing).

Out of interest, how larger were the mushrooms in real life? I am wondering if they were tiny or if this is more of a "close-up" shot than getting right down to the macro range.

Wulf

[johanmw]

First of all, thanks for the CC.
Personaly i can't really figure out, what i think of the pciture. In some way it looks good to me, but, well, i'm just confused i think.

The mushrooms are actually tiny, and as it was taken with my kit lens (55mm), it maybe doesn't really qualify as a macro shot, there aren't as much detail as i would have wanted in it.

[wulf]

I think it is probably close-up enough to fit here (although I would love to see what you could get using your Tamron 70-300mm on the same subject in macro mode).

Looking at the other pictures you took on the same session on your Flickr account, I prefer the one next to it (http://www.flickr.com/photos/13666445@N05/2276126089/). However, I would say that all the shots suffer from slightly blurred foreground elements - I think you would find it helpful to concentrate on on either different compositions in a flatter plane (so that everything is in focus) or stopping down beyond f/5.6 to get a wider depth of field.

Of course, that will mean more light is required - perhaps a slower shutter speed (and tripod / camera support), a small ISO bump or using your Speed Lite flash.

Wulf

[jiminyClickit]

johanmw,

For comparison, a more straight-on position. Branch is 1 inch wide:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/2279463516_89a37be5ff.jpg

[johanmw]

Thank you so much for your critique, and help, on how to get the same subject, in a better view.

I like the last picture, it's a cool take on the mushrooms.

I was thinking about bumping up the f-stop, however i first saw it, when i got home from the forest.

[wulf]

It is worth checking your photos before you leave the scene. The LCD is not great for making firm judgements but will let you spot things like obviously out of focus or over / under exposed results.

Wulf

[wulf]

macro mode mushroom. please comment
If you want critique on your own picture please read the rules (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10889) for this section (one picture, no more than 600px on the longest side along with key EXIF info and some background on the shot) and post as a separate thread.

Thanks,

Wulf