more macro practice

[Rita]

Tried some more practice with my macro lens. I do see some improvement but I still have a long way to go.
I am really trying to concentrate on my focusing as this has been one of my biggest issues with the macro.
Feedback, comments, & critique are always welcomed

1. I need to fix the PP on this one.


2.


3. While trying to capture a decent image of this guy......


4. company came.

[deetheturk]

Very nice series Rita, I can definitely see an improvement When you say you are having problems with focusing, do you mean with autofocus?
99% of the time I use manual focus, set to what you want then move back and forth until your subject comes into focus, then release the shutter, it takes a lot of practice and a lot in the trash but it works for me

Cheers David

[Rita]

Thank you David. I am so used to using auto focus that I forget to turn it off when I am trying macro. I have been half pressing the shutter for autofocus and then using manual assist, and moving back and forth to try for the good focus. Life would be easier if I just turned AF off and went 100% manual focus. Old habits die hard but I will get it

[Nicks Pics]

They all look well focused to me. There is some good detail on some of those!

[Shadowman]

Hi Rita,

Definitely doing well with your insect shots. Nicely done.

[IzzieK]

Rita ...I envy your shots...you are getting good at this whilst I was still on the fence thinking about whether I will get a better rig than what I have right now. DanK changed my mind.

[Stagecoach]

Great series Rita. Time to move on you have passed the focus test

Love the little guys on the yellow flower.

Grahame

[bnnrcn]

Nice series Rita

[DanK]

Very nice captures.

Re this:

I am so used to using auto focus that I forget to turn it off when I am trying macro. I have been half pressing the shutter for autofocus and then using manual assist, and moving back and forth to try for the good focus. Life would be easier if I just turned AF off and went 100% manual focus.

My suggestion is that you put AF on a back button and leave it there until you are used to it. IMHO, this is the ideal: AF is there if you want it, but you never trip it automatically with the shutter button, and you don't have to bother turning AF on and off on the lens. If you have full time manual focusing on any of your lenses, it is better yet: you can move back and forth between AF and MF instantly, whenever you want.

[Rita]

Thank you Nick.

Thank you John, I am working at it

Izzie, I thought you were looking at getting a d800?

Thank you very much Grahame. Next step coming up

Thank you Binnur.

Dan, thanks for your suggestion. On my camera AF and MF are done in camera, my lenses don't have that option. I do know that I can program it to another button but I don't know how. After work I will look into how to assign the AF to another button and try it out.

[Suzan J]

Hi Rita.

This is quite a nice bug series and the focus looks quite sharp to me. What settings did you use? I use a Nikon 105 and find the shallow depth of field is always a challenge.

[Rita]

Hi Suzan,

I am using a 60mm macro lens on an Olympus E-m5. These were all taken at ISO 200 f8 SS 250 with a diffused flash. The depth of field is a challenge for me too. I just keep practicing, posting, and learning from the feedback that I receive here. Keep at it and it will come together

[wilgk]

look good, particularly the last

[Rita]

Thank you Kay.

[IzzieK]

Izzie, I thought you were looking at getting a d800?

After dragging my feet, I got the D800e recently. I am using it currently for my food photography and styling. It is a good camera but very tiring for my small hands. By the time I finished cooking and reserving a plate for my shot, sketching my styling and preparing my lights and shooting a few, I usually run out of steam to shoot another thing. (I need to pre-plan my shots... I always end up playing my piano to get everything out of my mind about photography.)

I saw a dead fly near my orchid the other day so while I was still thinking about it...it ended as a fertilizer for the orchid.

[chauncey]

Read and learn "My Pretty"...http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=807056

[ajsmith]

Rita those are awesome. So sharp, what camera and macro lens are you using?

[Kodiak]

You are doing very well in the last three takes… the light, in the first,
is too harsh… but is a great subject!

[Rita]

Chauncey, thank you for the link. I will read through it.

Ali, I am using a 60mm macro lens on a E-m5 which is a four thirds camera.

Kodak, thank you for commenting. On the first one the sun was shining on the subject like a spotlight. It looked really nice but didn't quit come out as nice on the image.....something else for me to practice

[Slipper]

Do like the first one, as said, good subject.
The insects are sharp with good DOF, especially like the fly.