Macro practice; could I get some pointers please?

[Culann]

I just picked up a new flat of petunias two days ago, so I decided I would get some practice doing macro shots. How could I improve in my macro work?
I have slightly tweaked the contrast, but the saturation has not been touched. The only other editing is dust removal.

[Tamlin]

The middle shot is the best. I think the contrast on the other two is too extreme, leading to blocked shadows. I suppose this highlights (pardon the pun!) one of the aspects of macro photography: lighting is very important.

Here's a random grab-bag of links that may be useful:

Macro Photography Hints Tips Insects Matt Cole's Wildlife Photography
Macro Photography, a how-to from Photo.net
Macro Photography for Beginners
Lesson 3 - Macro Photography

[foggyrain]

Great question, thanks for asking! And thanks Tamlin for providing excellent resources-- as always. I learn so much from everyone

[supertackyman]

I will have to agree with tamlin about the middle one being the best.
my reasoning is a bit different, though not to say that I disagree with tamlin's points as they are valid.
shot 1, I will say that it is too dark (pretty much what tamlin said)
shot 3, and maybe it's just me but "dead things don't photo well" of course there are exceptions.

[Tamlin]

Originally Posted by supertackyman

"dead things don't photo well"

Hmm...that sounds like a challenge...!

How about this? Memento Mori 2 - BioRUST.com :: User Gallery

[Culann]

Thanks, all.
What do mean "blocked shadows"? Lost detail?
I shot those in late afternoon light. What timing would work right?
It was also really windy, so I had trouble getting a long depth of field to work, because of the constant motion. I will tweak that first one according to their suggestions and post it a little later.

[Tamlin]

Originally Posted by Culann

What do mean "blocked shadows"? Lost detail?

Sorry: a bit of photographer's jargon creeping in there. Yeah, basically "blocked" shadows and "blown" highlights mean that the detail in those areas is missing, either from overexposure of the initial shot or through over-processing in Photoshop. If it's happened in the camera, there's not much you can do to rescue them but I think you said you "tweaked" the contrast so you might be able to improve them by further tweaking.

Originally Posted by Culann

I shot those in late afternoon light. What timing would work right?

Not sure it's so much to do with the timing - more the amount and direction of light. It looks like you shot these in strong sunlight: shooting on an overcast day or out of direct sunlight would give you a softer light. Alternatively, you could try some fill-in flash - and try bouncing it or using a diffuser if you're getting in real close - or use a reflector disk.

Originally Posted by Culann

It was also really windy, so I had trouble getting a long depth of field to work, because of the constant motion.

Once again it comes down to the tricks of the trade - collapsible reflector disks also double as handy-dandy wind shields.

[supertackyman]

as I said tamlin- there are exceptions. and thats not really a dead thing. its a sculpture.
but if you want a challenge how 'bout a roadkill FFA?
or a winner takes all, no holds barred one on one?


SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY! at the biorust vomitorium, two protographers will meet in a head to head decomp showdown! All the way from U.K.: "es huevos el nino" TAAAAAMLIIIIIN! and the challenger: (who is probably going to get his arse handed to him) SUPERTACKYMAN! Get your tickets today.
(tamlin, please take this in the humorous nature in which it was intended)

my original post was going to mention Stalin but i wasnt sure if they allowed photos.

[Tamlin]

Originally Posted by supertackyman

but if you want a challenge how 'bout a roadkill FFA?
or a winner takes all, no holds barred one on one?

Heh heh - that certainly would be a challenge! I'm not sure we could get away with it, although there's a surprising number of images of that type out there if you've got the stomach to look for them: roadkill photography - Google Search

Anyhoo...back on topic:

Culann: I had a few more thoughts. Unless you absolutely have to go out "in the field" to take your shots, you could always try setting up an indoor studio like this:

Home made studio - BioRUST.com :: User Gallery

This would give you a lot more control over lighting and there would be no problems with wind or other adverse weather conditions.
I have often set up a makeshift "studio" of this type in my kitchen (which has a nice big south-facing window for lots of available light). Here are a few examples of stuff I've shot there:

Japanesque 1 - BioRUST.com :: User Gallery
Bead - BioRUST.com :: User Gallery
Domestic Nightmares: Evil Ted - BioRUST.com :: User Gallery
Blue Nails - BioRUST.com :: User Gallery

[supertackyman]

there have been many times where I have reached over and held my subject in place off camera during windy conditions.

[Culann]

you could always try setting up an indoor studio like this:

I do that for my cake photography. (bangs head on desk) Why didn't I think of that for the flowers? The first image here is the original raw file w/o editing. The second has slightly reduced saturation and the original contrast.

[Tamlin]

The second image is a great improvement.

When you refer to "the original raw file", do you mean raw as in unprocessed or are you referring to Camera RAW format? If it's the latter, you could try playing around with the Fill Light slider in the Camera RAW dialog to improve the detail in the shadows.

[Culann]

Sorry, for some reason, this never showed up in the "since your last visit" stuff.
Anyhoo, I mean raw as in the .NEF file from the camera.
Is the "fill light" slider a new thing in Photoshop CS3? I have Photoshop and Imageready, both CS, but that's it.
Thanks,
C

[Tamlin]

Originally Posted by Culann

Is the "fill light" slider a new thing in Photoshop CS3?

Yes, it's one of the enhancements in Adobe Camera RAW 4.x that comes with CS3.

[Sun Dragon]

Using a diffuser has saved many macro shots for me before. Lighting is the limiting factor here IMO. Make sure you take the time to set up properly when you are wroking on macro shots, they are well worth the time.