jasm
newbie
Reged: 11/12/2006
Posts: 27
Loc: east renfrewshire scotland
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I am trying to develop close-up views of plants at Glasgow Botanic gardens without any skill knowledge and I find it pleasing but would welcome skilled critique.
http://www.photoblog.com/jasmorgan/2008/05/21/
jasm
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sjaszczak
A Real Gentleman
Reged: 08/06/2005
Posts: 1122
Loc: York
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Whereas there are far more knowledgable people on this forum to comment on the technical aspects of macro photography....I can happily say that I really enjoyed looking at the photos on your site...they look fantastic to me!
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Steve
My Flickr
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jasm
newbie
Reged: 11/12/2006
Posts: 27
Loc: east renfrewshire scotland
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Thank you very much I would be pleased to hear criticism that way is to be forward looking and learning even in my old age.
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John Baker
he can
Reged: 07/03/2003
Posts: 1547
Loc: Teignmouth, Devon
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I think the pictures are very good; the only thing I would suggest is that the backgrounds on some are a little distracting. Taking along some coloured paper/card (green, black, white, etc) would allow you to place the card behind the object & will then hide the distractions; you can also use them as reflectors to bounce some extra light into the frame, plus they can act as a bit of a wind break when working outside. I did read a good tip about someone who takes a couple of clothes pegs, these can be simply attached to stalks/stems which are not needed and they will gently bend out of the way, need more weight add an extra peg...
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jasm
newbie
Reged: 11/12/2006
Posts: 27
Loc: east renfrewshire scotland
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Well now we are cooking all good tips so thank you for that,this was the stuff I was hoping for thanks again.
jasm
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john_g
Pooh-bah Hoo-ha
Reged: 09/05/2007
Posts: 2536
Loc: Surrey
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You obviously have a really good understanding of the plants you're photographing, and that shows in your images because they all have a powerful graphic element but, as the other John said, the backgrounds often detract from the subject.
I guess my advice would be to look around the frame and along all its edges and make sure that everything in the picture really belongs there. If not, then can you remove it in post-processing or, if push comes to shove, can you remove it before you press the shutter release.
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John
Who could suppose that angels move the stars, or be so superstitious as to suppose that because one cannot see one's soul at the end of a microscope, it does not exist?
R.D.Laing The Politics Of Experience
http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_gass
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jasm
newbie
Reged: 11/12/2006
Posts: 27
Loc: east renfrewshire scotland
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Thanks again Macro is an area I would like to spend more time on ,today because it was so hot I was limited but hope there is some reflection on what is being said. http://www.photoblog.com/jasmorgan/2008/05/25/
jasm
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Malcolm_Stewart
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/2005
Posts: 2583
Loc: Milton Keynes, UK
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Nice pics - how are you managing white balance? They look too good to be auto.
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Malcolm Stewart
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jasm
newbie
Reged: 11/12/2006
Posts: 27
Loc: east renfrewshire scotland
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They are all auto raw files sometimes but rarely tweaked in PP.I really like the lens Sigma 50mm f2.8 ex macro and would really like to expand Macro images.
this is main gallery http://www.pbase.com/jascm/start although I am 72yrs old i started in my mid 60s so very inexperienced.
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Malcolm_Stewart
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/2005
Posts: 2583
Loc: Milton Keynes, UK
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I asked the question because the last time I shot under similar conditions, I was visiting the Botanic Gardens in Birmingham and whilst many of my shots were fine using AWB, I did need to go down the Custom WB route using an Expodisc when the plants were not lit directly. (And I nearly always use jpeg, so I need to get it right in camera.)
Has anyone got any good colour (using AWB) on a cloudy day from the National Botanic Gardens of Wales? I visited them some years ago before understanding how important this matter is, and all my shots (Coolpix 4500) in their glass-house look as though they were taken through a battleship grey filter.
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Malcolm Stewart
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pottyesq
newbie
Reged: 21/06/2008
Posts: 12
Loc: Greymouth,Westland,New Zealand
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I take a lot of macros in nature,and nearly always have my white balance set to sunny.It may be our non existent ozone layer down here in New Zealand,but I find that on any other setting there is just too much UV glare.
When you are composing your shot,try to make sure you get as much in your shot that is within your focal range.
Out of focus parts tend to distract ... they can be cropped or cloned out,but nothing beats a good composition to start with.
Of course,having a wider aperture (F8 or more) will give greater DOF but you may need to use a tripod (or mini tripod as I do)
Cheers
Steve
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How can I shoot this tiny thing in the dark ?
Edited by pottyesq (21/06/2008 07:42)
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