First macro shots I have been happy with

[neevo]

Thought I would share the first 2 macro's that I have been truely happy with:





Critique would be appreciated. Also does anyone out there use an external flash for macro work. I am looking at adding a SB-600 mainly for macro stuff and would appreciate anyone's thoughts on the idea.

[FDB]

Hey there.
i just shot a spider (see new thread Small Spider).
Shot the first without a flash, and the second with one.

Great shotes these.
I like them!

[prrs4me]

Nice macro work. Very sharp and the colors are perfect. Can you post the exif data with the pictures?

[wulf]

If you want critique, please post them (in turn, no more than one a day) in the appropriate critique section. This area is more for discussion of particular techniques, talking about gear used for macro photography and to allow people to ask how to get round some of the problems of macro work.

Wulf

[ArghMonkey]

Heres a question, any tips on being able to get that close to a bug without it flying off?

[Elmo]

Originally Posted by ArghMonkey

Heres a question, any tips on being able to get that close to a bug without it flying off?

Not hard with this but if all else fails capture and put in the fridge for a while. I refuse to do this, other options are longer lenses adding convertors and extension tubes. I often use an old OM style zuiko 180 mm 2.8 with extender and extension tubes.

Neevo: as for flash I never leave home without it. (see below)

[jiminyClickit]

Early morning (insects are warming up) and late evening (insects are tired from feeding all day) are good times to find slower moving bugs, and gives wonderful light.

[ArghMonkey]

I can probably add my own tip in here too, it seems my floor lamps collect lots of critters, moths, flying bugs, a few ladybugs even and because im such a miserable house cleaner when I finally do go to clean the floor lamps out they seem to have a few bugs nicely heat preserved, they make it really easy to get macro shots ...

One shot I did with a scorpion that was encased in plastic as a paperweight, gave a neat colour and was a very captive audience to snap, though I was only moderately pleased with my results in this case, still need to learn more about lighting.

[neevo]

Originally Posted by wulf

If you want critique, please post them (in turn, no more than one a day) in the appropriate critique section. This area is more for discussion of particular techniques, talking about gear used for macro photography and to allow people to ask how to get round some of the problems of macro work.

Wulf

Oops... sorry about that. I will pay more attention to the rules in future.

Originally Posted by ArghMonkey

Heres a question, any tips on being able to get that close to a bug without it flying off?

I go for the "pretend I am hunting a lion" technique. This involves lots of small and slow steps slowly reducing the distance to bug. Having said that both these sat still for a good 5 - 10 minutes.

Exif 1st pic:

Shutter: 1/320
Aperture: f14
ISO: 1250
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Bias: +2/3
Flash: Flash fired, auto mode, return light detected

Exif 2nd pic:

Shutter: 1/160
Aperture: f13
ISO: 1250
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Bias: 0
Flash: No flash

All my close work is done with my trusty old Nikon 70-210mm with a mountain of extension (about 90mm off the top of my head). It is taking me a while to get results that I am happy with. The biggest step has come from using the flash even though it is the onboard flash. I cannot wait to get an external flash and start dropping the ISO.