Went back up to the sunflower field with Rich V this morning. The field we went to was full of irrigation water so we couldn't get into the field for the most part. I wasn't as inspired by the front lighting as I was last week by the backlighting so I concentrated on abstracts. Found this unusual(?) comp of a stalk.
Posted by Don Grall on August 23, 2010 at 11:18 AM
That's definitely using your imagination and compositional talents!
Posted by Erik Aagaard on August 23, 2010 at 12:56 PM
I like your fresh take on the subject!
If you're willing to share, I'd be curious to learn more about the technical details on this one. Normally I don't care much about that, but there is way more DOF here than I can usually squeeze out of my macro lens!
EOS 40D
70-200 f4L IS (set to manual focus with the IS turned off)
12mm ext tube
ISO 100
Shot at f22
I'm kind of a dinosaur and when I shoot stuff like this I follow 2 principles:
Hyperfocal distance focusing (point of focus is about 1/3 in from the near point to the far point of focus)
Once it's focused I use the depth of field preview and stop down till everything I want sharp is sharp.
I shoot everything AP and rarely record shutter speed data but it's always in the back of my mind if there's any subject movement. I always use a tripod and cable release so camera movement isn't an issue.
Minimal sharpening in LR3.
Hope this helps. I was talking with Rich V this weekend about Live View and will probably start using that a lot more for my close up stuff. I like that it automatically locks up the mirror which I rarely do but should do more often.
Posted by D J Kuklinski on August 23, 2010 at 10:47 PM
Looks like a (hairy) pretzel to me.
Nice!
Posted by Erik Aagaard on August 24, 2010 at 3:10 PM
Thanks, Bill. One of the things I like here on this forum is that everyone is extremely willing to share!
Posted by Bill Bean on August 25, 2010 at 12:20 PM
I agree, Erik. I'm always puzzled by the refusal to share shot data or location information by some folks. In my case, the techniques I used for this image are consistent with what I learned in the 70's when I was learning photography and despite advances in equipment since then, the physics of focal distance, focal length, and lens opening and the way they all affect depth of field haven't changed. Why safeguard something that's out there for anyone to learn? Hmmmmm....I sense a new blog rant here somewhere.
For my part, there are no secrets to anything I am doing equipment or technique wise and I'm always willing to share. Heck, I'm headed to the Black Hills for Labor Day weekend and I'll even tell you where my favorite fishing hole is. (You won't be able to get there cause it's private property owned by my wife's family) The only exception is if I've asked a question of someone and been blown off then that person comes to me with a question. Ya gotta bring some to get some.
Posted by Dan Walters on August 25, 2010 at 11:21 PM
Very unique comp. and I really like the details in the plant.
Discussion
7 repliesIf you're willing to share, I'd be curious to learn more about the technical details on this one. Normally I don't care much about that, but there is way more DOF here than I can usually squeeze out of my macro lens!
Erik
Here is the data:
EOS 40D
70-200 f4L IS (set to manual focus with the IS turned off)
12mm ext tube
ISO 100
Shot at f22
I'm kind of a dinosaur and when I shoot stuff like this I follow 2 principles:
Hyperfocal distance focusing (point of focus is about 1/3 in from the near point to the far point of focus)
Once it's focused I use the depth of field preview and stop down till everything I want sharp is sharp.
I shoot everything AP and rarely record shutter speed data but it's always in the back of my mind if there's any subject movement. I always use a tripod and cable release so camera movement isn't an issue.
Minimal sharpening in LR3.
Hope this helps. I was talking with Rich V this weekend about Live View and will probably start using that a lot more for my close up stuff. I like that it automatically locks up the mirror which I rarely do but should do more often.
Nice!
For my part, there are no secrets to anything I am doing equipment or technique wise and I'm always willing to share. Heck, I'm headed to the Black Hills for Labor Day weekend and I'll even tell you where my favorite fishing hole is. (You won't be able to get there cause it's private property owned by my wife's family) The only exception is if I've asked a question of someone and been blown off then that person comes to me with a question. Ya gotta bring some to get some.