Macro Mania (1 Viewer)

[Sam Posten]

Love the second one! The eye is sharp and the leading lines of the background make an interesting sweep of the image. You might consider putting a subtle vignette around that to tone the background down slightly, I think that would make a very slick but classic looking image.

 

[Citizen87645]

Thanks Sam. I've been doing more vignetting in general, so I'll give that a try. Still considering whether to submit some of these to a lavender festival photo contest. I guess there's nothing to lose (except the $20 entry fee).

 

[Sam Posten]

I'm not a fan of competitions, tho I know others get a kick out of them. I especially don't consider for-fee entries my bag. But my philosophies about my shooting and why I shoot aren't mainstream I guess.

 

[Citizen87645]

A mini calla lily seems like a suitable macro subject.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ygx/7617050562/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ygx/7617050840/

 

[Scott Merryfield]

Not really macro, but this preying mantis was on the side of our house today. I had a difficult time finding a lens that could focus close enough to get a shot. This was the best one, using a 24-105mm f/4 L lens. I cropped the shot a little.
One of these days am going to buy a real macro lens. It will provide lots more opportunities to shoot just around the house.

 

[Sam Posten]

I like it! I'd juice the contrast just a bit and maybe add a bit of vignette to make him more of the 'star' of the shot! His face has personality tho!!!

 

[Scott Merryfield]

I like it! I'd juice the contrast just a bit and maybe add a bit of vignette to make him more of the 'star' of the shot! His face has personality tho!!!

Thanks for the constructive feedback, Sam. I am still new to this "macro" stuff. How is this?

 

[Sam Posten]

That looks terrific on my retina iPad! I'm on travel this week but wouldn't mind taking a cut at how I would edit it if you are interested when I get back to the ranch. LMK!

 

[Scott Merryfield]

You are welcome to give it a try, Sam. I have the original RAW file if you want it. I'd just have to figure out how to get it to you -- I do not think my free Dropbox account can handle files that large -- it's probably over 20MB. Also, the file is from the Canon 5D3, so you would need the latest version of Lightroom or ACR to edit it.
I did just buy Lightroom, as Newegg had a deal on it. I only played with the program for a few minutes, though, and was confused on how everything worked. I've had no time to spend on learning the tool yet, so this was edited with Canon's DPP application.

 

[Sam Posten]

Yup, Lr 4 here. Email would work or I could give you FTP access! More when I get home, thanks!

 

[Scott Merryfield]

Sam, I sent you a PM with a link to the RAW file.

 

[Sam Posten]

Sorry Scott, I saw that when on travel, will try to nab it tonight.

 

[Sam Posten]

Pretty happy with how this one came out, NEX-5n plus 35mm fixed macro.
12-BeeMacro-04064 by Kadath, on Flickr

 

[Scott Merryfield]

Is that shot cropped, Sam? If not, that's impressive to get that close with a 35mm lens and not scare off the subject.

 

[Sam Posten]

Yes, it's cropped but still was only about 6-8 inches away. They were doing their own thing gathering pollen and so long as I didn't touvh their flowers I was no concern to them.
I am tempted to spot out the other insect in the flower, what do you think?

 

[Scott Merryfield]

The other insect isn't really adding anything to the photo. I didn't notice it at first, but now that you pointed it out I do find it a little distracting.

 

[Sam Posten]

Will play with it and see if I can do a spot heal!

 

[Citizen87645]

A 1:1 crop might also be effective.

 

[Sam Posten]

The problem with 1:1 is that Costco will only print them at 8x8. I have hoped that they would add a polaroid-esque 4"x4" but so far no luck.

 

[Citizen87645]

You can use the Lightroom Print module to create a 4x4 image in a 4x6 area and then trim it by hand. That's what I do if there's not a size I need. You could even create a Polaroid type framing with a thicker bottom border if you want.