New to Macro

[CheaperKings]

Ok. I took this shot of my watch with a macro lens I picked up on eBay for about $15 shipped. I know, I know; "what did you expect?!". My question is pretty simple; why does this pic look like crap?! I mean, I didn't think there was much to macro's except getting in real close...evidently, I was wrong.

EXIF:
Nikon D40x
f/11
ISO 100
Flash: Did not fire
Focal Length: 18mm

[jiminyClickit]

Hi, CheaperKings

Tell me more about what part or in what way it looks like crap to you.

[CheaperKings]

It just looks horrible. I mean, the exposer seems ok for being out in direct sunlight but, the way the background is, is funky. Did I just get a bad lens for macro's?

[jiminyClickit]

I shoot with a magnifying glass over my Fuji S3100 fixed lens, so I'm not going to say your lens is bad. I do plan a background, and I do use f2.8 or f5 most often so the background is usually just a mottled color instead of identifiable stuff. Try moving things around and open your aperture some, then see how much you like your new lens. You can make a sunscreen out of cheesecloth if the glare on the metal bothers you.

[Bluenoser]

Just curious, but why did you leave your lens cap in the background? It's a distraction for sure.

[CheaperKings]

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

Just curious, but why did you leave your lens cap in the background? It's a distraction for sure.

I was just trying out the new lens so, I didn't really plan anything. Basically, I just took my watch off, set it on the deck rail and snapped a few pics.

[SusanH1970]

I'm curious...what lens is it?

[superduperwesman]

Not and expert on macro but it seems like the lens has some pretty good distortion everywhere besides the focal point.... is this what you're talking about? I know with most macro's deep of field can be an issued depending on your aperture but typically where you'd just have unfocused picture you have distorted picture???

If I didn't know otherwise I'd think it was taken with a lensbaby with macro attachment

[woogiekids]

It looks like it was taken with a Lensbaby. You didn't buy one of those by mistake, did you?