Gladiolus - close-up test

[Kris V]

Last year I bought a fairly cheap close-up filter to fit on the kitlens of my Nikon D5000.
Didn't use it much, but just rediscovered it and gave it a try on my gladioli (?) who are just starting to bloom.
Here are 2 close-ups that I took with this filter:





I did not use a tripod - should I have?
Any other way I can improve on this?
My budget currently does not allow for a dedicated macro lens.

Here is the actual flower:

[Geoff F]

A tripod will always help with close up work, and would have allowed you to cut the Iso by half.

I also like the full flower; although I think I would crop tighter; maybe something around 5 x 4 ratio or square?

[SilverYeou]

I think they are great photos, principally taking in to consideration you did not use a tripod and that was not a macro lens. I would not crop them either, I liked the angle and the light on the first picture the most, though. Nice ones!

[Downrigger]

Hard to know what more you might achieve with a macro lens. Maybe more depth of field? But these are wonderfully sharp in the plane of focus. Mainly, though, what lusciously intense hue!

[Kris V]

Thanks all. I'm pretty happy with these pictures too.
Guess even a cheap screw-on filter can be useful. I'm planning to play a little more with it.
I've never done much in the line of macro photography - but I'm retired, so I got plenty of time to experiment.

[Geoff F]

But remember this warning 'Macro photography is addictive and can seriously damage your wealth'!

It all starts innocently enough, then you want a better lens, and a better tripod, then different lighting, plus . . .

[Kris V]

But remember this warning 'Macro photography is addictive and can seriously damage your wealth'!

It all starts innocently enough, then you want a better lens, and a better tripod, then different lighting, plus . . .

Noted.
Thanks for the warning.