A closeup of some Jaws

[rflower]

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?

[the foto fanatic]

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.

[Mr Darcy]

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

[rflower]

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.

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