Extension tubes and a ring-flash or even a flashlight. focus manually on a specific area and shoot in bursts.
Extension tubes...to get closer to your subject. Shoot at a lower angle instead of shooting directly above. Use a tripod. a necessity of macro shooting. Don't worry about the depth of field, just shoot for a location and shoot a lot of pictures.
maybe 2 stops under ambient and hit them with a speed light...
here is a couple of postprosessing tries done on Arcsoft photostudio 6. A lack of contrast in the subject is part of the problem
Mile
Loc: Crescent City Calif
alycat wrote:
here is a couple of postprosessing tries done on Arcsoft photostudio 6. A lack of contrast in the subject is part of the problem
that is really a big improvement thank a million. amazing. Going to take a look at Arcsoft thanks so much
Arcsoft is easier to use, but not as comprehensive as Photoshop, and reasonably priced.
Some have been saying to zoom in, but if you want more DOF you need to go wider. And as suggested earlier, you need to be more perpendicular to bring more of the scene nearer to the focal plane. If you can go totally perpendicular you'll find that the wide aperture isn't a problem, especially if the scene you are shooting is properly flat. In fact you should be able to go wider and bring your ISO down. What you will find is that getting into position and getting close enough at a wide angle are the problems.
Insects tend to dislike petroleum products, so maybe you could try Wellington boots that are coated in paraffin or diesel or petrol ("gas" to you). I haven't tried that myself, so I can't guarantee that it'll work.
Seeing well enough to focus is a huge problem for me as I am 20/200 and I pretty much have to rely on my auto focus. Are there other means of focusing that may help?
Morning Star wrote:
Mile, your exif also says you are using Manual.
While others said DoF issue (and I don't disagree with that), I also wonder about Manual focusing. There really is not a "tack-sharp" area in your photo, not even in the area you (probably) focused on.
First: (because I have an issue with that myself) can you see well enough to focus to have a sharp image. Either using the viewfinder or the LCD screen.
Or, if it is not your eye, and you DO use the viewfinder, is the dioptre set correctly for you?
I may be missing the target altogether, but thought it would be worth checking out.
Mile, your exif also says you are using Manual. br... (
show quote)
I just went on a birding field trip last week. It was held up by Tillamook, OR. It was an overcast day. I saw this ant colony. It looked like a cool thing to photograph. This was hand held. I have a canon 7D. I did some post processing. I should have upped my ISO and then changed my F-stop. I will remember the next time I see them again...
Mile wrote:
that is really a big improvement thank a million. amazing. Going to take a look at Arcsoft thanks so much
joer
Loc: Colorado/Illinois
Mile wrote:
I have been trying to take pictures of these ants and every time I take them look soft, is there anyway to make them more in focus?? Do I need to use a different lens??
I have a Nikon D-7100
F/9 1/500 ISO 640 70-300@155mm
Thanks
I did crop too.
Lower you ISO and use the flash.
My solution would be ISO 800 f16 or 22 @200
Mile wrote:
I have been trying to take pictures of these ants and every time I take them look soft, is there anyway to make them more in focus?? Do I need to use a different lens??
I have a Nikon D-7100
F/9 1/500 ISO 640 70-300@155mm
Thanks
I did crop too.
As already suggested, I'd recommend working with flash.
The issues are IMO
1. DOF - the top and bottom of the image is clearly out of focus.
2. Check min focus distance as some have indicated.
3. Crop out distracting objects, fill the frame with just the ants. Get closer, much closer. Change the perspective from overhead to a much lower and side angle.
4. Post process to bring out colors and details.
5. Invest in a macro lens and ext tubes if you enjoy this photography
6. I don't see issues with highlights or shadows- likely shot in overcast which is actually ideal.
7. Try a polarizer as others suggested that will also bring out colors and contrast.
8. I am not inclined to think a flash would help ... additional PP would .
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