Brandmic Loc: Alabama

I would appreciate anyone's opinion on a couple of photos. I'm new doing macro and just trying out some techniques.

Nikon D7100 at ISO 100, Tokina 100mm macro lens, 1/100-sec at f/22, SB-700 flash @ 1/4 power with soft box.

Pencils

(Download)

Pencils

(Download)

Bobbee

Nice shots. I was just playing around in macro and with the help of some people here looked into Photo Stacking. Really Helped. You can take the pictures manually with a rail, I brought one for $22. Or you can invest in ControlMy<Nikon><Cannon> software for $29 which controls either your Nikon or Cannon from a laptop and among it's other great features has Photo Stacking where it manages the focus point across a range. Then you use PS or another software to combine the photos like you do in an HDR merge but this time for focus. In macro you DOF is so small you get only maybe .12 DOF. Read up. It was interesting.

saxkiwi Loc: New Zealand

They look a bit soft in places. f/22 should have given a good depth of field but keep in mind that after f/16 sharpness starts to fall off even though you will get a better depth of field with f/22. Focus stacking is a good idea if you want everything pin sharp. I don't think you need flash where you don't really need it. with a close up like this you should be able to set it up in some nice diffused window light and get a more flattering light. For this kind of subject you may need a tripod though if you're not already using one for slow shutter speeds. also another good idea to use a tripod is so you can see if the lens is parallel to the subject, if its not at this close up type of shot then it will render unsharp areas of the image. I see you were shooting at 1/100th shutter speed if you're hand holding it, this slow speed can cause a bit of blur.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

Increase contrast slightly, reduce brightness

Brandmic Loc: Alabama

Thanks

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

You are learning the major, inherent drawback to close-up & macro photography: narrow DoF. In both photos, the closest pencil is just slightly OoF. Remember that DoF increases as apertures become smaller, increasing 1/3 in front of "wide open" focus point, and 2/3 behind focus plane.

When you re-shoot this scenario on a tripod, focus in manual halfway down, take you photo, then slightly turn lens collar to focus just slightly closer. Do this a few times, and you will find the 'proper' focal plane that captures top pencil on down.

Also, this is technically a close-up. A macro captures is only possible when lens is set to Minimum Focusing Distance (MFD). A bit of cropping of either of these images will also render true macro proportions.

On my monitor, color, contrast & brightness look fine.

Brandmic Loc: Alabama

Thanks. Any input appreciated. That's the best way for me to learn. I take positive critisim well.

Brandmic Loc: Alabama

I reshot. ISO 200, 1//250 @ f/32 on tripod with remote trigger. Flash from soft box at manual full power. Macro lens fully extended, then fine tuned for focus. Any better?

Nikon d7100 with Tokina 100mm f2.8

Pencils

(Download)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Sharp! Detailed. Interesting.

More, please.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I suggest that you read this article:
FAQ: Why are my Digital Images Sharper at f/8 than f/22?
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-59819-1.html

Brandmic Loc: Alabama

I appreciate your comments on my photos. This is how I learn. I plan on posting more when I get my camera back. I would be happy for you to critique any of them when you have the time. I tried to implement what you told me and it really seemed to help. Your right, focus is really much more difficult with Macro.

Michael