This is my first attempt at low light macro

[paollus]

I have been struggling to improve my low light photography and would really appreciate any advice regarding how to improve. This shot feels a little 'soft' to me.



Canon 7D
f 32
Shutter speed 0.2 sec
Focal Length 100mm

[mrteacherdude]

What were you trying to achieve with this particular photo? What did you intend to be the focal point and sharp? My eye is having a strong tendency to focus on the globular appearance of the end of the wick within the flame. And while it seems like it may be a little soft, I'm not sure of a method that would help that other than using a little extra light from a flash to help expose that a little more.

In my experience this is a very tricky type of photo to get. The flame of the candle is bright enough compared to everything else around it, that proper exposure for the flame leaves everything else dark and underexposed and "soft", while proper exposure for everything else is going to leave you with a large white spot where the flame is supposed to be. The relatively slow shutter speed compared to how much the flame is moving around it is going to smooth out the edges of the flame and make it appear soft.

[Weird Girl]

Isn't that a pretty high aperture setting- especially for "low light"? I would think you would want to open your aperture a lot more to allow more light in but then really hit the focal sweet spot since a wider aperture gives you a much shallower depth of field. I like the end of the wick (what I assume is the focal point) so I would try this again by opening up your aperture (smaller f stop number), increase your shutter speed a bit (unless using a tripod), and see what you get!