Need tips, have a look

[ff151]

Heya Guys,

I feel a little embarrassed posting amongst you guys, the photography here is so well done, I don't feel I am worthy enough to post amongst you guys. However, I will never get better or improve if I don't ask for help :wink:

This is a fly for flyfishing that I tied.

I used my D200 with the 80-200 F2.8 lense adapted with Kenko 68mm extension tubes. This is my first attempt at Macro photography, let alone using my new DSLR. I played around with aperature, ISO and shutter speed. I could not use a flash, as I don't YET have an external flash, and the long lense and extension tubes blocked the flash light !

The first pic is direct from the camera, the second is from basic editing through Corel Paint X3. Any and all constructive comments are welcome. Either by what you see, or what I could have done better, but I also could use tips on lighting for Macro. Thanks guys, have your way with me

[R.E. Smith]

Looks good but the back ground is a bit distracting, try blacking out the back ground and shine the light on the fly from below and see what that looks like. Play around with diferent colors of light too!

Richard

[jiminyClickit]

ff151,

There is a high contrast problem, if you wanted a very detailed complete record of your fly. More experimenting, raise your shutter speed, close down the aperture, whatever you decide for your setup. It would not hurt to go to a warm gray b/g; your metering may be adjusting for the black as well as the fly colors.

The edit has brought out blue on the left. Again, a different contiguous b/g is desirable. If you can't get sunlight on this, find a camera shop (or hardware) that carries Daylight bulbs. Lots of ways to set these up, one on each side, one higher, further away. Experimenting can get you a pro-look. A light tent (or box) would also give good results.

[ff151]

Thanks guys,

I was playing around with lighting, but it was very poor in the room I was shooting. Jiminy, you mentioned a light box, do you have an article or thread on this subject?

Thanks guys,

FF

(P.s - I have only been here a few weeks, but thankyou so much Jiminy, you have replied with very constructive comments to my posts. I am new to photography and am truly thankful for people like you)

[mysticeyesx]

here is an article i came across for making a light box.
http://www.wikihow.com/Create-an-Ine...raphy-Lightbox

maybe try a lighter background.also look for the advanced manual for your new camera i learned a lot about my camera that way. even a few tips about macro.

[jiminyClickit]

ff151,

Here's Nicoles comprehensive list:

http://digital-photography-school.co...0&postcount=11

(Take some time to go back for a look at some of the December/January/February posts. Most of us started right where you are, learning. If I've helped, it came from those before me showing their accumulated information and experience, and from any experience/knowledge I think may make a photo look a little better, balanced, lighted, whatever. Thanks for kind words: soon someone may say the same of your posts.)