Pink Rose & Damp leaf

[David.]

All advice welcome, finally got around to buying an SLR and am enjoying getting familiar with it. Here is one photo I have recently taken with the Macro setting.

[David.]

Canon 500D
f/ 4.5

[Vivis]

Hey,
I really love to colors, specially the contrast. However I think that if you underexpose it by maybe a stop or two the pink wont be so bright and the flower will be more defined.

[David.]

Thanks for the reply. I am very new to photography and the different terms, with this photo all I adjusted was the aperture leaving ISO and shutter speed auto, can you please explain what you mean by underexpose? Thanks

David

[bruceliv]

If an image is overexposed, too light, one can either pick a faster shutter speed or close the aperture more (move to a higher number f-stop). Conversely, if an image is underexposed, too dark, one chooses a slower shutter or open the aperture (move to a lower number f-stop).

Your image is really not too light. With a little post-processing, you can improve the picture by controlling brightness, contrast, color, shadow detail, highlight detail, etc...

Now for some comments:
Overall a pleasant picture. But it is not a macro, it's close focus. There really isn't a macro setting on a dSLR. That setting will help with correct exposure when shooting very close. It's the lens you're using and how close your subject is that determines the "macro."

I have two issues with this shot.
1. I'd like to see at least some of the area in focus. Yours is blurry.
2. I'd suggest you get really into your subject, perhaps shooting from ground level! IMHO, looking down at a flower can get boring.

Keep practicing. You seem to have a good eye!