I'm VERY new to all of this

[starrylaurie]

I hope to be able to learn a ton here! I've looked at so many fantastic shots that I'm quite a bit intimidated, but I'll never learn if I don't try, right?

Okay - this was taken while on a hike a few weeks ago. I don't have photoshop, so obviously that wasn't used. I do have an older version of Print Shop that I use for cropping, but that's about it.




I would love to know what I did right and what I did wrong. Should I just delete it? If so, let me know. Thanks so much! (comments and constructive criticism are VERY much appreciated!

[Saralonde]

No, don't delete it. I think it's a pretty good shot. You got close to the insect, the composition isn't bad and the left wing shows detail. I even like the shadow, gives it a feeling of depth.
I hope you keep working on your macro shots. You might find this article in the DPS blog helpful if you haven't seen it.

[jiminyClickit]

starrylaurie, Welcome

A shot to be proud of, if it's new to you. There are things that could change the look of it, not so much make it better than it is. I like diagonals (usually with the wings corner to corner), and an early morning or late evening lighting. I would have given anything to get that detail some months back. Some saturation in the color would just bring more interest. Well done as is, suggestions are just what I'd try.

[starrylaurie]

Thank you! I was reading in another post that Wulf said the Gimp program was similar to PhotoShop and free.... so I downloaded the program and am now off to try to do something with the picture. I'll post whatever I can do. lol

Saturation, crop... I'll play with it.

Thank you for the link Saralonde!

Jiminy - this was actually the very first day I took my camera along with me on a hike (a month ago). I'd stopped for a rest and this yellow jacket zoomed right up between my legs and alighted on this stone. My first response was to run away, but since I had my camera, I took a few pictures of him. And he didn't sting me at all.

[jiminyClickit]

starrylaurie,

Always a treat to get the unexpected shot. I've had wasps walk on my hand while I was shooting their cousins. I swear it's the attitude you carry that makes the difference.

Have fun with Gimp!

[kippy]

That is actually a really good shot, the wasp is almost perfectly in focus. A great use of macro photography.

I'm interested, what camera was used, and if an SLR, what lens?

If anyone has any good tips for macro lenses for a Canon 350D, talk to me

[starrylaurie]

Okay - I have to be honest... this Gimp program is intimidating! I have no idea if this looks better or not, honestly. lol (I was proud of myself when I figured out to make a border :sigh

Trial and error...

Is the crop too tight? Does the color look any better? Hmm...



Kippy - thanks for the compliment. No it wasn't an SLR - it was an ... HP Photosmart M415. Yeah - a point and shoot. I finally found the Exif data and can't for the life of me figure out how to copy & paste it here.

Jiminy - Can you find the Exif data in Gimp? I'm trying - really, I am!

[Nicole]

You can also see the exif on Flickr. Yours says:

	Camera:	HP PhotoSmart M415
	Exposure:	0.008 sec (1/128)
	Aperture:	f/4.86
	Focal Length:	17.3 mm
	ISO Speed:	200

[starrylaurie]

Thanks Nicole! I didn't realize it was on Flickr. Thanks to you, I found it. Man, it gives a lot of info!

Software: GIMP 2.4.1
Date and Time: 2007:11:20 23:04:46
YCbCr Positioning: Co-Sited
Copyright: Copyright 2003-2004
Exposure Program: Normal
Date and Time (Original): 2007:10:13 12:05:23
Date and Time (Digitized): 2007:10:13 12:05:23

PLUS a whole lot more!

See? I'm learning something new every time I come on site.

[wulf]

The Gimp is more of an image manipulation program than a photo library one; I'm not sure that it does give access to the EXIF data. I must admit that I've not dug around for it as I have other programs to do that locally (and, as Nicole points out, Flickr presents the information very clearly). It does have a fairly steep learning curve but, once you get used to its foibles, is a very powerful piece of software.

BTW, and FWIW, I prefer the first version you posted. In the second, I think you have cropped too close because it is now more obvious that the hoverfly isn't in perfect focus and that you are straining the limits of what that particular shot can do.

Wulf