Ants on a Peanut

[Thinking_Mommy]

Another shot I got while camping. Again, Im trying to do better with my composition, but will take tips on anything, especially dealing with macro.

[klew]

I like the distortion/fuzziness in the fore- and background, though I wonder if it would be more humorously dramatic if there was a spotlight (say, from a small flashlight) highlighting the action (though kind of tough to pull off during daytime).

[jiminyClickit]

Thinking_Mommy,

Some Macros look better shot more overhead, showing all in focus, and more ants. Better chance for a composition balance, depending on ant migration.

[clockdoc]

Good suggestions provided by Jiminy and klew. Looks like the camera focused slightly in back of the action. Can you tell us what aperture was used and about how far away you were from the subject? Try using the telephoto end of the zoom range and moving farther away from the subject at it may provide a bit more depth of field.

[Thinking_Mommy]

Here are the specifics used in the shot!

Exposure Time = 1/350"
F Number = F3.6
ISO Speed Ratings = 80
Shutter Speed Value = 8.5 TV
Aperture Value = 3.6 AV
Focal Length = 42.8mm
Metering Mode = Pattern

thats all the exif information I could get from the photo! So what is it that changes to show me Im in telephoto zoom???

[clockdoc]

Originally Posted by Thinking_Mommy

Here are the specifics used in the shot!

Exposure Time = 1/350"
F Number = F3.6
ISO Speed Ratings = 80
Shutter Speed Value = 8.5 TV
Aperture Value = 3.6 AV
Focal Length = 42.8mm
Metering Mode = Pattern

thats all the exif information I could get from the photo! So what is it that changes to show me Im in telephoto zoom???

If your lens is similar to mine (9.7mm to 48.5mm) then the telephoto end would be at the 48.5mm end. Typically most folks set their camera to the 'macro' mode, pull the zoom back to the wide angle position and move in as close as the lens will allow. What I have been experimenting with is using the telephoto end of the zoom (48.5mm) and having to shoot from about 40 inches away. I feel this gives me a little more depth of field because of the distance from the subject. Your camera may not allow this option. Not knowing the make or model, I can only refer you to your owners manual and see what it says about the 'macro' mode focusing distances.
I tried to pull some EXIF data from your shot and it appears that you may be using a Kodak Z740. If that is correct and you were shooting at 42.8mm then you were at the wide angle part of your zoom lens. I also found the following on a web review of that camera:
Lens • 38-380mm equiv.(10x zoom)
• F2.8 - F3.7

Focus • TTL-AF: auto, multi zone and center spot
• Normal: 0.6 m - infinity (W) 2 m - infinity (T)
• Macro: 12 - 70 cm (W) 1.2 m - 2.1 m (T)
It appears that in the telephoto position and in macro mode you can focud from 1.2 meters to 2.1 meters from your subject as compared to the wide angle setting where the focus range is from 12-70cm. Of course you can also play with any focal length in between those extremes. Let me know if you have any more questions. Hope this wasn't too confusing.

[Thinking_Mommy]

Golly...maybe I should wait on all that until I get my new camera tomorrow...looks like it will be either a Canon A630 or Canon A710. Im just not decided as of yet! But I will work on that more when I get it!