Newbie trying out Macro! Suggestions Please:)

[kdemak]

Hello,
I have been interested in learning photography for a really long time but now just starting out to figure out how my camera works and what it takes to take a great shot. And the learning process is coming very slow! Practice makes perfect I guess!
Trying to remember DOF, aperture, and shutter speed while trying to get the right light is often frustrating!

EXIF

Canon Rebel Digital Rebel Xsi
w/Canon Macro lens EF 100mm 2.8 USM
F-stop: f/5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
ISO 400
No flash -or at least I can't remember!
Bright sunny day
Auto White Balance
Manual mode
Hand held- no tripod

My basic concern with my photos are lighting! Achieving the correct light is hard for me at times so any suggestions would be of great help! Also, is it correctly focused? What might have you done to make this picture "pop"?

Thanks in advance!!
-Katie

[LeeR]

In your EXIF data you say you don't remember if the flash fired but it looks to me like it did which may be the cause of the flatness of the image. The colors already pop, but the flat lighting is what is hurting you. Usually good shots come from great sensitivity to what the light is doing and making the most of it.

[Gaurav Prabhu]

Try around from other angles. Avoid flash when doing macro photography.

[kdemak]

Makes sense! Do you have any ideas/guidelines for lighting (indoor and outdoor)? I know this knowledge will come with time and by practicing pictures but did you do anything special when you first started out learning photography?

Thank you for the critiques! Truly appreciated!

[Gaurav Prabhu]

Originally Posted by kdemak

Makes sense! Do you have any ideas/guidelines for lighting (indoor and outdoor)? I know this knowledge will come with time and by practicing pictures but did you do anything special when you first started out learning photography?

Thank you for the critiques! Truly appreciated!

Try NOT shooting macros(any photograph for matter of fact) at noon time when the sun is very strong. Always do it just before the sunset or sunrise when the light is diffused. Indoor you can use light from table lamp & you'll also need a tripod to get better pics.