Various

[Robbug]

Well I have been lurking here for quite some time. I figure I would share a few of my photos that I think are o.k. I need to improve my technique. One thing I am having an issue with is getting that focus down. I think I am getting too old because when I "think" I am in focus, I seem to always be just a bit off. Nothing completely crystal like some of the other photos here. It gets a bit frustrating at times. Anyways here are a couple of photos:

1. This particular insect's head was about the size of a ball on a pen. Very tough to focus. 100mm macro 1/60sec f/4.5 tripod
http://www.refractivephotos.com/images/20080904183155_bugs3.jpg

2. Mt. Rainer Nat'l Park - windy day. Kit lens 55mm 1/2000sec f/5.6 handheld
http://www.refractivephotos.com/images/20080903185716_ladybug.jpg

3. Backyard. 100mm macro 1/50sec f/3.5 tripod
http://www.refractivephotos.com/images/20080902175330_macro%20photos-1%203.jpg

4. My nod to LordV. 100mm macro 1/15 f/8 tripod
http://www.refractivephotos.com/images/20080902170644_macro%20photos%207.jpg

5. Finally my avatar. 100mm macro 1.50 f/2.8 handheld - this guy was about the smallest frog I have ever seen - smaller than my pinky.
http://www.refractivephotos.com/images/20080902173904_macro%20photos%205.jpg

Any comments or critiques are welcome. Any suggestions on that whole focus thing is also welcome. I perform the shoot through while rocking technique - except for tripod work - but either way I am missing the focus. Even the auto-manual focus (camera beeps at you tellin you you are in focus) does not seem to get me there.

Thanks everyone,
Rob

[Lord Vetinari]

LOvely series of shots .- welcome to the forum.
The focus is not bad in most of these. I think your main problem is shooting natural light with wide apertures giving very shallow DOF. I normally try to get to at least F6.3 shooting in natural light by taking the ISO as high as ISO800 and prefer to get F8-F11.

Many of us use flash with the camera in manual mode a lot which solves the aperture problem but also helps by giving high apparent shutter speeds (ie the flash duration) which helps stop any movement.

Brian V.

[Robbug]

Thanks for the feedback. Seems I have some work to do today. I will try that out and see/post what I get. Thanks again.

[GOLDENORFE]

welcome to the forum, like #1 good focus.
rain drops on flower great, best shot of this series.:clap
remember all the sharp shots you see here, you dont get to see the hundreds of delited frames that are out of focus, its part of high magnification & the dam things moving!
keep practising.
phil
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenorfe/

[ritewinger]

I think your technique is just fine, I am actually inspired by number three very much. Nice work and welcome!

[Robbug]

Thanks for the comments Goldenorfe. True on the many other shots no one sees. Will think about that when I am setting up and selecting :D

Thanks ritewinger for your support.

Gonna head out early in the morning to possibly nab some good photos.

[teamracephotos]

Great composure, light, colors and a wonderful Variety but I am with Brian (MMMF) Manual Mode Manual Focus, F11. Can’t wait to see more! MM

[Skippy]

Well I have been lurking here for quite some time. I figure I would share a few of my photos that I think are o.k. I need to improve my technique. One thing I am having an issue with is getting that focus down. I think I am getting too old because when I "think" I am in focus, I seem to always be just a bit off. Nothing completely crystal like some of the other photos here. It gets a bit frustrating at times. Anyways here are a couple of photos:

1. This particular insect's head was about the size of a ball on a pen. Very tough to focus. 100mm macro 1/60sec f/4.5 tripod
2. Mt. Rainer Nat'l Park - windy day. Kit lens 55mm 1/2000sec f/5.6 handheld
3. Backyard. 100mm macro 1/50sec f/3.5 tripod
4. My nod to LordV. 100mm macro 1/15 f/8 tripod
5. Finally my avatar. 100mm macro 1.50 f/2.8 handheld - this guy was about the smallest frog I have ever seen - smaller than my pinky.

Any comments or critiques are welcome. Any suggestions on that whole focus thing is also welcome. I perform the shoot through while rocking technique - except for tripod work - but either way I am missing the focus. Even the auto-manual focus (camera beeps at you tellin you you are in focus) does not seem to get me there.

Thanks everyone,
Rob

That first little fella looks like he could be a tad nasty .

I love your Lord V shot :clap soon as I saw the daisy reflection in the water droplets I thought of him too :rofl ... he'd be pleased for sure :thumb

How precious is that little Frog :lust

You've done a really nice job of these Rob :thumb ... Skippy :D
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