My first attempt at Macro Shots
Feb 9, 2017 14:21:51 #
I was using Canon T5i with Canon EF 100 f/2.8 USM Macro Lens. This was my first attempt at using the macro lens since receiving it this week. Photos were taken at Clark County Wetlands Park Yesterday. Wasn't a lot around due to a lot of brush clearing in the park. Advice on how to get better, closer, etc., would be most appreciated.
Long Legged Ant
Blurry Bee on concrete walk
Unknown Flower
Pretty Yellow Flower
Red Throated Flicker?
Yellow Warbler?
Feb 9, 2017 14:45:57 #
your going to love macro, just need practice. Set your lens at 1:1 and move your camera to focus. With flash and diffuser for macro shot: ISO 200, 1/200-sec at f/11 to f/16.
Feb 9, 2017 15:12:57 #
The primary secret of macro-photography is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
True macro capture is with your lens fully extended to Minimum Focusing Distance. This will be difficult at first, but you will soon develop the instinct of when to click the photo.
Your ant looks pretty good, but hard to critique without Exif info. For future posts, check the box (store original), so we can enlarge to see resolution and image detail.
Try using A-F to help keep your subject in focus as you learn macro. Remember that you can always crop in Post Processing to remove unwanted area around subject.
You are off to a good start.
True macro capture is with your lens fully extended to Minimum Focusing Distance. This will be difficult at first, but you will soon develop the instinct of when to click the photo.
Your ant looks pretty good, but hard to critique without Exif info. For future posts, check the box (store original), so we can enlarge to see resolution and image detail.
Try using A-F to help keep your subject in focus as you learn macro. Remember that you can always crop in Post Processing to remove unwanted area around subject.
You are off to a good start.
Feb 9, 2017 15:14:46 #
Your yellow flower looks like a dandelion. Don't ask us for bird IDs, 'cause most macro-photographers have no clue!
Feb 9, 2017 15:58:12 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
I resemble that remark... most macro-photographers have no clue!
Feb 9, 2017 16:57:21 #
A good start Zuzanne. Listen to these guys in this section. They help us novices loads and loads with goodwill and kindness.
Feb 9, 2017 17:57:31 #
The flicker is a red shafted northern flicker. The bird in the last pic might be a yellow warbler but the image is too small for a definite answer.
Feb 9, 2017 20:27:17 #
When you set the lens for closer focus, toward, 1:1, you will find it challenging to have critical parts of the target in focus. It will be easy to practice on stationary objects like flowers. Use manual focus rather than automatic focus, since for macro AF is easily confused about where you want to focus, and at this scale focus must be controlled very carefully.
Looking thru the viewfinder, lean in and out of the plane of focus, focusing on the part that is nearest to you (at least that is what I strive to do).
Practice balance, breathing, and pressing the shutter without jerking the camera. I often use a $2 quarter inch wood pole to help stabilize the camera, kind of like a monopod. This reduces shake.
Your camera body is the same as mine! Your lens is also like mine, except I have IS, but that only helps a little in macro. Good luck!
Looking thru the viewfinder, lean in and out of the plane of focus, focusing on the part that is nearest to you (at least that is what I strive to do).
Practice balance, breathing, and pressing the shutter without jerking the camera. I often use a $2 quarter inch wood pole to help stabilize the camera, kind of like a monopod. This reduces shake.
Your camera body is the same as mine! Your lens is also like mine, except I have IS, but that only helps a little in macro. Good luck!
Feb 9, 2017 21:34:23 #
Thank you all so much for your advice and comments. I will do as you all suggested for settings, holding and focusing. I will also practice, practice, practice to get better. I think I already have the macro bug.
Feb 9, 2017 22:50:20 #
It is a lot of fun. Like being on safari. I remember my first efforts, and how I got better without even noticing it. I actually envy you right now.
Ants are really hard, btw, because they runrunrun. So if they don't work out, try something less active.
Ants are really hard, btw, because they runrunrun. So if they don't work out, try something less active.
Feb 9, 2017 22:57:23 #
Ants love pizza and sugar water. Set some out and you'll have enough subjects to occupy an afternoon of practice.
Feb 10, 2017 16:39:05 #
Thanks for the info on the 1:1 ratio. I went into the camera menu and reset it to this for my next practice session. It was set on 3:2. It made a huge difference. I just shot a ceramic bird in bookcase to see what the difference looked like.
Feb 10, 2017 19:50:39 #
The 1:1 ration we are recommending is NOT in your camera menu. Set you lens to Manual Focus, then extend lens to longest length. Now your digital photo will be 1:1 capture ratio, meaning image is exactly same size as subject. I suggest that you practice with a coin or a metric ruler. Read: FAQ: How to Document Field-of-View of a Macro Lens at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-36370-1.html
Your Canon T5i has a sensor size of 14.9mm x 22.3mm, and with your Canon EF 100mm macro lens, a 1:1 capture looks like this:
Your Canon T5i has a sensor size of 14.9mm x 22.3mm, and with your Canon EF 100mm macro lens, a 1:1 capture looks like this:
Life-size capture of a 24-mm diameter Quarter, and a 16-mm diameter dime, on a Canon APS-C sensor
Feb 10, 2017 21:29:56 #
Thank you so much. I have to admit this is all confusing to me right now, but I am determined to get the hang of it.
Feb 11, 2017 18:22:12 #
Thank you so much. I tried your advice and this is what I got with my first attempt. Can't believe the difference.
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