Out of focus or too much flash or something else?
Jan 8, 2013 10:25:37 #
f4.5
exp 1/160/sec
iso 100 (forgot to change it)
focal length 50ml
I am disappointed with this wee tulip, it is a real flower but has a waxy look to it and i was trying to capture the very fine subtle detail in the petals, there seems to be some detail but most of it is lost. Is this because my focusing is rubbish or is it the use of the in-camera flash or something else entirely? I want it to be on a black background so i was taking it in a darkened room so the flash is essential, i so have an external flash but i don't know how to use it. I have heard about bouncing the flash but the ceiling is brown wood and wondered if i bounced the flash would the colour of the wood discolour the tulip?
All comments welcome.
exp 1/160/sec
iso 100 (forgot to change it)
focal length 50ml
I am disappointed with this wee tulip, it is a real flower but has a waxy look to it and i was trying to capture the very fine subtle detail in the petals, there seems to be some detail but most of it is lost. Is this because my focusing is rubbish or is it the use of the in-camera flash or something else entirely? I want it to be on a black background so i was taking it in a darkened room so the flash is essential, i so have an external flash but i don't know how to use it. I have heard about bouncing the flash but the ceiling is brown wood and wondered if i bounced the flash would the colour of the wood discolour the tulip?
All comments welcome.
Jan 8, 2013 10:41:00 #
the down load shows alot of detail, looks fine to me, the reqular pixture at 2.5 x 2.3 inches is mush to small to show that detail. try a 5 x7 or 8 x 10 inch picture and I thinkyou will see much more.
let's see what the pros have to say.
I just did a 4 x 6 inch 300 bpi and it shows a lot of detail I think it is a great photo.
let's see what the pros have to say.
I just did a 4 x 6 inch 300 bpi and it shows a lot of detail I think it is a great photo.
Jan 8, 2013 10:55:29 #
I agree with Dan that this is a very good shot with a lot of detail, but if you want to soften the effects of the in-camera flash you could try diffusing it with a tissue, or something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/hot-Pop-Up-Flash-Diffuser-Cover-For-Canon-Nikon-DSLR-Camera-D5000-D3000-D700-neu-/360501496910?pt=Camera_Flash_Accessories&hash=item53ef904c4e
http://www.ebay.com/itm/hot-Pop-Up-Flash-Diffuser-Cover-For-Canon-Nikon-DSLR-Camera-D5000-D3000-D700-neu-/360501496910?pt=Camera_Flash_Accessories&hash=item53ef904c4e
Jan 8, 2013 11:18:31 #
alycrom wrote:
f4.5 br exp 1/160/sec br iso 100 (forgot to change... (show quote)
I agree there is a lot of detail, do you have live view on your camera?
If so magnify your image 5 or 10X then critical sharpen before returning to normal size; either set to timer to expose or use an extension cord. If you are lucky you may have a pocket wizard remote.
Jan 8, 2013 11:41:46 #
Wow, the downloaded photo shows great detail!! Where do you think the detail is missing from? I think it's beautiful!
Jan 8, 2013 12:33:20 #
alycrom wrote:
f4.5 br exp 1/160/sec br iso 100 (forgot to change... (show quote)
Yes, you have lost some detail, but that comes from over exposure. I worked on the image and took the brightness and exposure down a notch or two and more detaile showed up, but not all that might have been there if properly exposed. The waxiness might be a result of the over exposure.
Jan 9, 2013 01:48:45 #
alycrom wrote:
f4.5 br exp 1/160/sec br iso 100 (forgot to change... (show quote)
Shoe-mounted or pop-up flash is not the ideal way to light flowers like this one that have a glossy surface. If you have access to a tripod, this is a time to use it. Try to position the flower so as to use available light, preferable from a window at a 45 degree angle. Directional, available light is softer and should help emphasize the texture of the flower. Use live view to get the look you want. Stop down the lens to f/11 to f/16. ISO 100 is ok, with the camera tripod-mounted. A white card on the opposite side (from the window) held close to the bloom will help provide fill light to balance the exposure.
Happy shooting.
Jan 9, 2013 07:04:05 #
Lone ranger is right...on-axis flash tends to remove detail...side flash tends to accentuate detail.
If you want to see details; get your light source and camera on two different axis'.
The same idea works with faces and wrinkles. :)
If you want to see details; get your light source and camera on two different axis'.
The same idea works with faces and wrinkles. :)
Jan 9, 2013 07:13:08 #
Thank you all for your replies, i tried again using a tripod and a tissue over the flash which did improve it slightly. i shall try with white card and see if my flash will work off camera.
Jan 9, 2013 07:13:08 #
Thank you all for your replies, i tried again using a tripod and a tissue over the flash which did improve it slightly. i shall try with white card and see if my flash will work off camera.
Jan 9, 2013 09:49:27 #
for all questions concerning flash photography go to strobist.com.
Jan 9, 2013 13:46:39 #
Out of the Fog
Loc: Eastern Edge of North America
Hi, You did quite well with a light source on the same axis as your lens. You managed to capture a lot of fine detail and it is a very good picture.
I do have some suggestions you might like to try....first of all, fine detail and shadow detail go hand in hand. You need shadows to show depth. Side lighting will do that but you will still have hot spots. Bouncing the flash off a white ceiling or large white card may eliminate the hot spots and still provide good shadow detail. A makeshift white light tent can also work well.
How far were you from the subject because at f4.5, you will have a narrow depth of field. That means your focus mode, distance and focal point can also have very differing effects. If you didn't use a macro lens, you may have been very close to your minimum focal distance.
Photos can always be criticized to death so I like trying different techniques for each subject. Find what works for you and have fun doing it.
I do have some suggestions you might like to try....first of all, fine detail and shadow detail go hand in hand. You need shadows to show depth. Side lighting will do that but you will still have hot spots. Bouncing the flash off a white ceiling or large white card may eliminate the hot spots and still provide good shadow detail. A makeshift white light tent can also work well.
How far were you from the subject because at f4.5, you will have a narrow depth of field. That means your focus mode, distance and focal point can also have very differing effects. If you didn't use a macro lens, you may have been very close to your minimum focal distance.
Photos can always be criticized to death so I like trying different techniques for each subject. Find what works for you and have fun doing it.
Jan 9, 2013 14:01:37 #
jdubu
Loc: San Jose, CA
if all you have is a built-in flash, you might try rigging up a dual flash reflector. Kinda like the Indiana Jones set up with multiple mirrors. Use white boards to move the light to the side and then back to the subject. It'll take more power but the light should be softer and less contrasty, especially if the second reflector is large.
Nothing to lose, and you may learn something about manipulating light to your advantage. If you come up with some interesting photos, who knows what kind of gear you'll want to add to your collection.
Nothing to lose, and you may learn something about manipulating light to your advantage. If you come up with some interesting photos, who knows what kind of gear you'll want to add to your collection.
Jan 9, 2013 20:37:01 #
alycrom wrote:
Thank you all for your replies, i tried again using a tripod and a tissue over the flash which did improve it slightly. i shall try with white card and see if my flash will work off camera.
There are many excellent examples of DIY flash diffusers in the MacroPhotography Setups section of UHH. There's no reason why these same techniques cannot be used for closeup floral shots. A sync cord which allows the removal of the flash from the hot shoe may be the answer. I made one of these using a 4" plastic plant container (like one would get from the local nursery). I cut a hole for the flash in the bottom, lined it with aluminum foil and covered the opening with the thin white packing sheets and then taped it secure. Check them out.
Jan 10, 2013 06:53:19 #
sinatraman wrote:
for all questions concerning flash photography go to strobist.com.
Thank you for sharing this site (I think). Just another site to prove to me how little I know and how much I have to learn.
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