Posted by Arne Myrabo on August 30, 2009 at 9:27 PM
How do I get the "whole enchilada" in a macro? These were shot today:
http://myrabo.com/4images/details.php?image_id=383
http://myrabo.com/4images/details.php?image_id=384
http://myrabo.com/4images/details.php?image_id=385
I could back off a little, but I lose the details. I could use a "longer" lens (but then I'd lose the detail). I've seen shots that accomplish this. How is it done?
Arne
Posted by Ramamohan Pai on August 30, 2009 at 9:32 PM
The only normal way you can do this is to back-off and reduce magnification . Yes, it reduces the details also.
The one other way I can think of will require a co-operative subject. You can take several photos (that is one of the antennae, one of the head, another of the thorax, and another of the tail etc etc), of the insect with high magnification and then merge them in Photoshop or any panorama stitching software and make a big file with tons of detail.
Hopefully someone is more knowledgeable about this subject and will step in soon to help you with other techniques.
You can change the f stop to give you a greater dof but you risk gettin unwanted background. If it is something that is not moving you can take multiple shots changing the focus each time then merge them with a program like Helicon Focus. I use this frequently when shooting flowers and stationary bugs. This give you excellent control of the dof and allows you to control what is in focus. My in your face shot used posted on 8/1 used this technique.
Posted by Ramamohan Pai on August 31, 2009 at 12:04 AM
The technique Philip mentions is useful for higher magnifications and/or conditions which prohibit using narrower apertures.
My understanding of your question was that you wanted to fit the insect wholly into the frame and yet have great details visible.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on August 31, 2009 at 12:09 AM
With a macro lens, you should be able to change the fstop and still have the background out of focus enough. You can alos use a longer focal length and still have a nice OOF BG...I've done it numerous times with my 80-320 lens. Check my last Monarch posting in this forum and you'll get a good idea of what I am talking about.
Posted by Arne Myrabo on August 31, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Thanks for the advice. I was focused (pun intended :) on shutter priority due to the troubles I had getting a hummingbird moth wings. http://myrabo.com/4images/details.php?image_id=225
Slow moving subjects clearly don't require so much attention to speed. Need to experiment/practice some more. Thanks again!
Arne
Discussion
5 replieshttp://myrabo.com/4images/details.php?image_id=383
http://myrabo.com/4images/details.php?image_id=384
http://myrabo.com/4images/details.php?image_id=385
I could back off a little, but I lose the details. I could use a "longer" lens (but then I'd lose the detail). I've seen shots that accomplish this. How is it done?
Arne
The one other way I can think of will require a co-operative subject. You can take several photos (that is one of the antennae, one of the head, another of the thorax, and another of the tail etc etc), of the insect with high magnification and then merge them in Photoshop or any panorama stitching software and make a big file with tons of detail.
Hopefully someone is more knowledgeable about this subject and will step in soon to help you with other techniques.
Phil Schwarz
E2311 530th Ave
Menomonie, WI 54751
e-mail: schwarzp@uwstout.edu
web: http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/
My understanding of your question was that you wanted to fit the insect wholly into the frame and yet have great details visible.
Slow moving subjects clearly don't require so much attention to speed. Need to experiment/practice some more. Thanks again!
Arne