Backyard flowers

[rjbell]

Hello to Everyone,

I'm new to this forum and relatively new to the world of photography. We have a large garden at our home and I really enjoy all the opportunities it provides for macro work. I'd love any comments/criticism you may have, I still have a lot to learn!

Thanks in advance.

[DigitalScape]

Welcome to the forum, Rebecca. Macro work is addictive and can be frustrating. Your having a garden of flowers makes it a great place to practice.

I like the colors you captured and it looks like you nailed the exposure. On the first image I think you need a bit more depth of focus (DOF) - higher f/stop - to bring more of the flower into focus. I would also crop about 1 inch off the bottom of the image.

Nice composition on the second image, but it looks just a bit out of focus.

[TheFantasticG]

Composition definitely goes to #2.

I love the colors in #1 though.

[stephges]

I really like the composition of the second image! :-)

[rjbell]

Thanks everyone for your comments! I agree that the first needs to have more of the flower in focus, still working on perfecting DOF.

I'm expecting my first Nikon micro lens to arrive this week (very excited!), I think that will help with the focus in shots like the second one.

[tomhooper]

Nice colors. I too agree that they appear slightly OOF. You really have to work at DOF on macro shots. Just remember to shoot as small an aperture as you can (within reason, I wouldn't go over f/16 on a regular basis). Of course doing this forces you to shoot a slower shutter speed. That's when a good tripod or lights come in handy. If you have a macro lens coming you are in trouble. You will become like the rest of us. Hopelessly addicted to macro. Oh well guess you can consider yourself in good (well, maybe kinda good) company.

[TheFantasticG]

Which lens did you end up deciding on Rebecca?

[rjbell]

Thanks for the advice, Tom, I'll definitely keep that in mind! My husband actually ordered me a tripod today (he's feeding my addiction because I take pictures of his fruit growing addiction!).

Garret, I'm getting a Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX Micro ED. Not the fanciest but it fit the budget. Anxiously tracking the shipment online and scoping out things in the backyard that I want to shoot!

[tomhooper]

Might as well go ahead and order some extension tubes. Sounds to me like you are an addict.

[jfoureyes]

I think you are off to a fine start with these photos! I use the old AF 105 2.8D on almost all my flower shots. You'll quickly learn about DOF and closeup photography...it can get tricky. I usually shoot several frames at different f stops and then pick the one I like best...using digital it doesn't cost anything for the extra frames and you can always delete the ones you don't like. Have fun!