Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Forums · UKNP

My First Macro

Discussion

12 replies
Posted by Phil Ellard on June 16, 2013 at 11:42 AM
My First Macro
:wavey:

Cheers for the fox feedback...

My first ever go at insect photography, very obliging moth... i will post a top on picture if anyone can id ....

i took several using different extension tubes even tried a focus stack but i think that was only about 80% there.... this is 1 shot with a 20mm extension tube on a 105macro almost full frame.... the head and eye at 100% look spot on....

Comments welcomed :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Phil Ellard on June 16, 2013 at 11:43 AM
For ID help.... not a "serious" attempt....
Posted by Ian Hutchinson on June 16, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Hi Phil

Nice first attempt at macro, the moth is an Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulous, a common immigrant

:toast: :toast:

Ian
Posted by Phil Ellard on June 16, 2013 at 1:57 PM
Thanks Ian :toast: :toast:
Posted by Elizabeth Arellano on June 16, 2013 at 4:02 PM
Nice
Posted by keith mitchell on June 16, 2013 at 4:25 PM
Agree Phil the head and the eye looks spot on never had a go at this so don't think I'm much of a judge :wavey:

:toast: Keith. :smile:
Posted by Sandra Hendrikse on June 17, 2013 at 4:25 AM
I think it is a good first attempt. Works well for me. What aperture did you use?
Posted by Andy Astbury on June 17, 2013 at 11:52 AM
It won't be your last either! As you get more practised you will get a better understanding of DoF too - that'll spill over to your landscape work as well Phil.

Just watch your apertures on that D800 :biggrin:

Nice job :toast:
Posted by Bob Johnson on June 18, 2013 at 7:44 AM
You could practice on that old tractor Phil :biggrin:

Bob :wink:
Posted by Phil Ellard on June 18, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Cheers all, Sandra F8, Andy has scared me off anything more with tales of diffraction :biggrin: :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Paul Whippey on June 18, 2013 at 4:06 PM
Nice photo Phil, welcome to the world of macro! :wavey:

I learned a huge amount from Matt Cole. Its worth reading his site as much as you can, loads of great tips on there.

:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Andy Shepherd on June 19, 2013 at 8:41 AM

It's good start and a great subject matter too. Keep em coming, Phil.

Andy... :smile:
Posted by Nick Mckeown on June 22, 2013 at 6:51 AM
Great start Phil. When working in Macro the DoF can literally be measured in millimetres so it is critical to get as much of the subject matter parallel to the sensor or camera back if you like. If you have a DoF preview button you can use that. Obviously most subjects are not flat so you will need to increase the f stop depending on how bulky the subject is. Legs and antennae on insects are the problem areas as they are often partly out of the DoF you have chosen. Some photographers stack to increase the DoF substantially but you will need a perfectly still subject and that rarely happens in the field as a light breeze can seem like a hurricane in macro! :eek: :biggrin: I have said it before on this forum.......macro is quite a demanding discipline requiring copious amounts of patience and can be the most frustrating at times but the results will be worth it. As Paul has said Matt Cole's work is very good and inspirational and there are several good books on the market.

Nick. :wavey: :toast: :smile: