Macro fun

[Guest]

Hey people. I finally got my hands on a decent camera to take photos with. It's a canon S3 IS 6mp cam with a super macro mode that allows for picture taking at 0.0" from the lens. This makes for some pretty sick shots, but lighting them is a pain. Difficult getting light to shine between the bud and lens when they are practically touching.

Anyway, I've been toying around with it for a few days now, and I wanted to post some more of my shots, and put some that are in my gallery into a thread in one place.

I would like to hear from other macro enthusiasts what types of equipment you're shooting with, lighting tips, and any other input I can get. Please feel free to show off gooey macros as well.

Currently I'm shooting off a tripod in full manual mode to try and get these shots. It takes a ton of shots to get one or two good ones, but I really enjoy it.

I have a pro super wide angle 0.45X lens w/ macro on order too. Suppose to help a good bit too.

So, without further adue. Some of my first attempts at macros:

Skunk #1

 

[Lucky 7]

nice pics; can I borrow yer cam??

 

[Sinfuldreams]

Glad you got your self that camera.

Remember to move the camera in close, try not to depend on the zoom alone.
You can buy close up "Filter Lens "as well.

Try to shoot with floros of a balanced light spectrum...if you can, or you might want the yellow cast of the HIDs.

I try to focus on the middle part of the shot, brings more of the foreground and background in focus.. "Stop Down" slow shutter speeds will give you sharper images.

Good Luck
Your well on your way! Have a Blast.

Sin

 

[Sinfuldreams]

oh!
Try not to let your lens or filter.. you better use some kind of filter to protect your lens!
Trichs are sticky buggers!
Almost touch the trics with the lens for some real nice close ups.
Get in close! but watch them sticky buggers.

Sin

 

[Guest]

Lucky 7 You can borrow it any time man!

Sinfuldreams Thanks for all the input! I am definitely going to get a UV filter lens to protect my camera lens. A shot at 0.0" means almost touching, and moving the subject around under the lens could cause scratches.

What do you have to say about focal length?

I'm guessing I'll have to get a ring light or a lighted stage if I want the lighting perfect. For now, I make temporary studios on my desk with a couple sheets of white paper.

Here's a couple more recent skum widow haze shots. Skum Widow Haze is a (Sk#1xBubblegum) X (WWxHaze) cross from a local friend.

Anyway, I'm working hard on understanding shutter speeds, aperture, lighting, ISO, flash timing/intensity, blah, blah, blah....Oh well. That's what interests me is there is so much to learn. Keep the tips and pics coming! :friends:

 

[EA$Y420]

If you could get them a bit closter to show bigger trycomes, but for first time that is good! keep up the good work

 

[Guest]

Thanks EA$Y420....I'm definitely working on it. You can rest assured I can't get the lens any closer at 0.0" though, lol! I just have to figure out how to work with things like the focal length, etc. I do have a new wide angle lens w/macro coming that should help me get a wider field in focus up close.

Can anyone tell me what other types of lenses or combinations of lenses will give the ultimate in macro photography?

I'm a sponge, so pour on the knowledge, heh!

 

[Sinfuldreams]

I don't suggest you try this

I don't suggest you try this

With your NEW CAMERA, but I tape a small 10X Loop to the front of my lens... it's a Video Camera with poor qulity. But it gets you in close, but you got a nice camera don't scratch that beautiful Lens!

You Paper Idea is a good one. I use it when I do this.
You are a bit over exposed ( like the top portion of the photo ) making the other part under exposed. Some times your hand can block or add light to an area.
Your meter will try to balance out the exposure.. so you need to either FOOL the meter or learn to compensate for that balancing act.

Try a Photo at the Meters recomended Exposure, then do a Step up and step down on the aperture, by say 1/2 stops. Then you can get an idea of where the exposure should be. ( Take the SAME SHOT under the same lighting for this )

Doing great. Keep it up.

Sin