1st Macro Post (abstract flower)

[Trankonia]

Overall I would like to get feedback on the composition and if the brokeh is too busy. I am having real challenges with DOF in Macro since it is so shallow to work with. Would F8 or F9 smoothed out the background more?

Nikon D5000, Shutter 1/160, F11, ISO 200, Lens Nikon 85mm 3.5 Macro

[Laurenbiz]

A wider aperture would have smoothed out the background more, yes. I don't mind the background here. In fact, I really like this photo and the colors, but the purple petal right in front of the subject is what bothers me. Perhaps if you got at a slightly different angle, or if you just pulled off that petal, then your subject would be even stronger!

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by Trankonia

I am having real challenges with DOF in Macro since it is so shallow to work with.

Have you looked into photostacking? This would allow you to use a shallow f stop and have as much of your subject in focus as you want. The subject must not be moving, and you will need to use a tripod, at least till you get used to how it is done, most of my 1:1 to 3:1 stacks are handheld.

This is the program that I use and have had very good luck with it. I have been using it for around a year on my iMac, but it works on PC's as well.

Zerene Stacker -- The Basics

[Trankonia]

Originally Posted by Laurenbiz

...but the purple petal right in front of the subject is what bothers me. !

Thanks for the feedback. I totally agree. I realize that was an issue when I reviewed it. I was mostly curious about the background and if the brokeh worked.

[Trankonia]

Originally Posted by Thunder_o_b

Have you looked into photostacking? Zerene Stacker -- The Basics

Thanks for the tip. I will definately check this out. So do you simply "bracket" with 3 or so shots with various F-stops and then merge them? This would be real challenging for most "live" subjects since they are likely to move between settings. Still...it sounds very interesting!

[LoveDSLR]

My quick play. I like a smoother defocus background. The foreground petal can be incorporated into the composition.

[Trankonia]

Not bad, I like the additional bluring but that petal in the front is an issue. I tried to clone it out but to no avail. Anyway, I appreciate all the feedback and suggestions.