Macro Help

[TNEmily]

I tried to attach the photo before, but looks like the forum will only take a zip file.

Hopefully someone can guide me on this. I tried to take some photos of a ladybug on a tree bud today. All were out of focus and instead focused on the bud directly behind it.

I have noticed that many on this site take great photos of insects and flowers, using macro I assume. Maybe I was just too close and screwed up the focus? Or is there another trick I do not know? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I did take two successful photos of a dandelion, one of which can be seen in my gallery. If anyone wants to take a look at this, or any other photo, and offer their critique, I would truly appreciate it. A couple of members have provided invaluable advice already.

Thanks -- Emily

[ponder]

Emily,

Macro shots can be difficult to shoot at first especially with a digital camera. I started taking macros years ago with a 35mm and received very good results after many, many failures. The same can be said about macros with a digital. If your camera allows you to focus manually, then you will be better off doing it this way. Otherwise if your camera only allows autofocus, you just have to find out what your effective macro range is for your specific lens. The camera manual will tell you what your closest range should be especially on the macro setting if you have one.

Digital cameras have a tendency to focus behind the subject as I have ruined a few shots because of this fact.

A trick I've learned is to center the subject in the viewfinder and then press the shutter half way down to lock the focus and then reframe your photograph, so that you don't break the rule of thirds and then shoot the picture. Macros take a lot of practice, so keep shooting and posting.

Also, BytePhoto will allow you to upload .jpg files and they don't have to be zipped, since I don't zip my photos when I upload them.

Check out these macro shots in my gallery and see what you think of them.
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/s...pe=2&si=ponder

I hope this help you?

Ponder

[TNEmily]

Thanks for the tips. I've been trying to figure out manual mode (I keep taking white pictures - not sure what that's all about - trial and error I guess!). Auto-focus keeps doing what you said - focusing behind my subject.

I will keep shooting and posting (feel free to check out my gallery (http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/s...hp?ppuser=4775). It seems like I have some pics with a lot of views, but no comments. However, I have had some great comments from some in this community that have been very helpful - including your reply to this thread today. Thank you.

By the way, I'm sure you saw my comment, but I LOVE your recent "Looking Down to see the Sky" - reminds me very much of some of Escher's work. Great photo.

[ponder]

Emily,
I'm not sure why your photos are coming out white in manual mode, but if your camera has shutter priority and aperature priority, you might try those settings for awhile until you get the hang of the range of settings. With manual mode you are pretty much on your own although the camera will tell you what it thinks is a good exposure, which doesn't always work out that way.

Some cameras will allow you to focus manually even when you're shooting in one of the priority settings like those above.

Also, it's good to post in the contest section every week, since it doesn't always seem like some people get around to all of the albums that are contained on this site and there are many. When I first found this site I browsed and commented on the album categories I was interested in, but never seemed to get any response from the photographers, so I started posting and commenting mostly on the contest part of the site.

Good luck!

Dave (Ponder)

[TNEmily]

I did some playing in macro mode yesterday and got some pictures to come out. They're kind of funky but at least not all white!

Thanks for your comment on my Biltmore pic. If I ever go back (not sure if we will - we were not that impressed with Asheville, NC) - I will try to re-shoot. Even if I don't, I will keep your comments in my head in general!

Regarding the tilt you saw - I see what you mean, and I'm not sure if it's a tilt you're seeing or if I was maybe at an angle. It was actually a difficult shot to get - aside from the people there touring the estate, I was on some stairs, so was trying to get a decent shot without going ABOVE the greenhouse.

Hopefully I'll get to re-shoot someday, but even if I don't, I really appreciate your comments to keep in mind for any photo I take.