Standing Out in a Crowd

[tonetta33]

This white flower was the only one amidst the other colors. It grabbed my attention right away. After seeing it on the computer, I realized I should have backed up to capture all of its petals. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

[clockdoc]

Good sharpness and tona detail. The whites aren't blown out. A different angle may have shown it off a little better than the straight-on approach used here. Nice color for the background however the orange in the lower left may be competing for attention.

[Avv604]

concur with clockdoc..
try something different, get on the ground and shoot up... different angle.. etc...
The one petal is blown out... the rest is not bad. If you can, go back in the morning or evening and shot the same flower.

[uvsub]

I agree with above. You captured the flower splendidly! From this angle opening up the aperture should result in some amazing bokeh while strengthening your center of interest.

[tonetta33]

Unfortunately, the opportunity is lost. The flower is just about dead. I tried to get a better angle on it, but it was too low to the ground. Are there any tricks that I'm not thinking of (other than laying on the ground - which I tried ) to getting that angle?

[clockdoc]

What camera/lens are you using? How much have you experimented with the macro setting? Keep shooting and posting. The first 5,000 shots are the hardest. 8-)

[tonetta33]

I have a Nikon D50. I have a standard lens (18-55mm) as well as a 55-200mm zoom. To be honest, I kept switching so I'm not sure which one I had on there, but the EXIF shows 145mm. I bought extension tubes to play with macro photos (my favorite type of photo btw), but am still not comfortable with what settings to use when (for any situation - very frustrating). Two steps forward...one step back I suppose. I'll try not to let it discourage me too much.

[clockdoc]

Thanks for posting the type of equipment you have. It appears that you have a fine system that will provide excellent results. Since you enjoy close-up/ macro photography, the best place to start is with your owners manual. Read up on the closest focusing distances for your two lenses and at what focal lengths. Generally the shorter the focal length, the closer you can get to your subject. Conversely, using the telephoto focla lengths will still allow for macro shots but at a greater distance (a yard or so). The greatest dilema most encounter with macro photography is very small depth of field. You can counter this to a small degree by using a larger f/stop number (smaller aperture). But even this is not enough for subjects with much depth. I may have just told you things you already know. If you wish, please tell me a little more about your experience level in photography. Keep shooting those macro's! I'll be happy to help where I can.

[tonetta33]

Thanks for the advice Clockdoc! I'm ALWAYS open to information. My experience isn't much! Aside from a class 20 years ago I haven't had any formal training. I got the D50 in Nov. 2005 and have been trying to recall all the things I learned in class (a faded memory I'm afraid). I keep trying to grasp all the concepts by reading books, internet, but with 3 young kids I'm not able to get out to shoot as much as I'd like - so when I DO "get it", by the time I go out to experiment - it's unclear again! I guess I have to find more to shoot within my house/yard.