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Another macro set, this time of pipe wrench with some interesting markings. 18-135mm Various Macro Extension rings. Pop-up Flash









What could I do to make these better?

Hi Russell
I don't like to see a thread like this go unanswered, so here goes:

- I think the DOF is very shallow. This is always an issue with macro photography, so you need to control lighting and camera settings to give you a deeper DOF. A tripod is usually recommended for macro photography, as this allows you to use a lower shutter speed.
- The pop-up flash is not ideal for this type of work. It gives a very flat result, and in pix like this one where there is texture involved, you need a larger light source to give a more wrap-around effect.
- Choose your subject carefully. Some things are just not that interesting, and unfortunately, this pipe wrench is one of them. I think you may have to either step back and photograph it in the context of a work-bench (in other words, not macro), or alternatively, go even closer and highlight smaller sections to portray shape and texture.

Hope this is helpful.

I tend to agree with CricketFan, but I DO find that #2, #3 work for me.
Lack of context makes #1 fail, and the flash highlights detract rather than add to the exposure in #4

cricketfan wrote:Hi Russell
I don't like to see a thread like this go unanswered, so here goes:

- I think the DOF is very shallow. This is always an issue with macro photography, so you need to control lighting and camera settings to give you a deeper DOF. A tripod is usually recommended for macro photography, as this allows you to use a lower shutter speed.
- The pop-up flash is not ideal for this type of work. It gives a very flat result, and in pix like this one where there is texture involved, you need a larger light source to give a more wrap-around effect.
- Choose your subject carefully. Some things are just not that interesting, and unfortunately, this pipe wrench is one of them. I think you may have to either step back and photograph it in the context of a work-bench (in other words, not macro), or alternatively, go even closer and highlight smaller sections to portray shape and texture.

Hope this is helpful.

Thanks for the comments CricketFan. I have a SB-800 on my wish list, but popup flash was all I had available to me, and having only recently got the macro tubes, I am still practising / playing with them.

I think you are right about the subject. It looked interesting with different textures and colours, but to either go closer or further away would perhaps be more interesting.

Mr Darcy wrote:I tend to agree with CricketFan, but I DO find that #2, #3 work for me.
Lack of context makes #1 fail, and the flash highlights detract rather than add to the exposure in #4

Thanks also Mr Darcy. Appreciate the feedback