Yellow Jacket on Fence Post

[AutumnEdragonfly]

Critique:

I finally got my digital camera and this was one of the first pictures I took with my camera. It was on Auto Focus and would like to learn all about the manual focus. Any comments about this photo is welcomed.

[auddii]

I'm not sure what level you're at, so forgive me if I end up talking down to you (I don't mean anything by it).

I really like the depth of field (often abbreviated here as DOF) that you achieved with this photo. The background is blurry and less distracting while the fence post and wasp stay in focus. I kind of wish that the wasp wasn't directly in the middle of the photo, but it in no way makes it a bad photo (see the digital photography school link for tips on rule of thirds). Definitely a great first photo!

You mentioned that you were in auto focus and want to learn about manual focus. Did you mean focus or modes. I know lots of photographers use auto focus although depends on the person. Not sure how to help with manual focus except switch the lens to MF and give it a shot. Personally I suck at MF, and the only think I've found that helps is to keep both eyes open while looking through the viewfinder.

Lots of photographers shoot in manual mode, which gives them control over shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. However, lots of advanced photographers use some of the other modes such as aperture priority (often the photographers who shoot in manual consider this evil or at the very least lazy).

There is lots of info her on this site, and elsewhere on the web. A good source I found for getting into photography: Digital Photography Tips and Tutorials. There is also a great cheat sheet that Sonny and Abel put together: Pixtus Photography Cheat Sheet. And some more good info and links: FAQ for New TPF Members.


EDIT: I mentioned rule of thirds and then realized the link I provided doesn't actually have the links I thought it did. So, here's some tips on composition: http://www.digital-photography-schoo...mposition-tips

[AutumnEdragonfly]

auddii,

Thank you so much for the links and information. I am a beginner in photography, but ever since I was little I have loved taking pics. I would like to get more serious about it.

As far as the manual focus and manual modes, I guess I was wanting to learn both. I tried a little bit today with manual focus on a dragonfly, when I couldnt get the auto focus to do what i wanted. With the manual focus, it didnt do anything different for me, but I know I must have been doing something wrong. I would like to learn about manual modes and being able to control more about the photo I am about to take, seems like it is the way to be more creative with photos?

[auddii]

If you can't get your lens to focus, you may have been too close to the subject. A lot of photos of insects on this forum (and I'm sure around the web) are with specially macro lenses or equipment that shortens the focal distance of a normal lens. Each lens has a defined minimum distance that it can focus at, and anything shorter than that distance will never be in focus no matter what you do. That may have been your problem.

Manual mode proves you know how a camera works and you understand exposure. However, you can get creative shots even when not shooting in manual mode. Call me lazy, but I almost always shoot with my camera in aperture priority mode. I like lenses fairly wide open (small aperture number, and shallow DOF) because it allows for the subject to be isolated in the photo.

If you want to get creative, my suggestion is to play around with different settings and different modes. However, playing is easier if you understand what each of the modes does and how ISO, aperture, and shutter speed work together.

[SpeedRacerSlots]

Originally Posted by auddii

If you can't get your lens to focus, you may have been too close to the subject. A lot of photos of insects on this forum (and I'm sure around the web) are with specially macro lenses or equipment that shortens the focal distance of a normal lens. Each lens has a defined minimum distance that it can focus at, and anything shorter than that distance will never be in focus no matter what you do. That may have been your problem.

TRUE!... also just because a lens says "macro" doesnt necessarily mean it is either. Most of the cheaper 70-300 f3.5-6.3 lenses say "macro" on them and do have a macro setting, however with a minimum focal distance of 6ft @ 300mm for example... it may be macro, but its not going to get you anywhere near as close to where you want to be when doing macro shots.

Keep clicking and always experiment!

[AutumnEdragonfly]

Thanks auddii and speed racer for your information. It makes sense that the reason why i couldnt get the lens to focus was because didnt and dont have the right lens for the detail I was wanting to get. Ill have to save up for more lenses. Right now only have the lens that came with the camera.

[Stargazer77517]

You could always pick up some ext tubes. They will help, but as stated a true macro is the lens of choice.

[AutumnEdragonfly]

I am a baby newbie to photography, so a lot of terms I am not familar with or know what it means. But I am learning... What are ext tubes?

[auddii]

Extension tubes are tubes that have no glass elements in them that fit on your lens between the lens and the camera. They move the lens farther away from your sensor, which in turn decreases the minimum focal distance of your lens (you can focus closer to the end of your lens). This mimics macro lenses, although you lose light and quality (though not too much quality since there is not glass in these elements).

Basically tubes are an inexpensive entry way to macro work. True macro lenses are expensive, but tubes are only ~$100. If you get some, you can mess around and decide if you enjoy macro enough to purchase the dedicated lens.

[jfoureyes]

Originally Posted by AutumnEdragonfly

I am a baby newbie to photography, so a lot of terms I am not familar with or know what it means. But I am learning... What are ext tubes?

Here you go... nice reading and about all the info you'll need.
Macro FAQs

[TheFantasticG]

You know Jim, that's a great link but I have to disagree with the guy about quality of glass. For instance, the Promaster 100mm is of lesser quality than any of the other modern macros I have seen. Top of the heap there are three lenses: Canon 100mm 2.8L, Nikon 200mm AFs F4, and Ziess 2 100mm macro. After that is the Nikon 105VR, Sigma 150, and Tamron 180. Of course, that is just my opinion after looking at many hundreds (if not thousands) of macro/close-up images.

[Stargazer77517]

heres the ones I have. Boy they sure have increased in price, When I bought mine I paid 100.00 or so. Thats been several years ago tho.

kenko extension tube - Adorama.com

[jfoureyes]

Originally Posted by TheFantasticG

You know Jim, that's a great link but I have to disagree with the guy about quality of glass. For instance, the Promaster 100mm is of lesser quality than any of the other modern macros I have seen. Top of the heap there are three lenses: Canon 100mm 2.8L, Nikon 200mm AFs F4, and Ziess 2 100mm macro. After that is the Nikon 105VR, Sigma 150, and Tamron 180. Of course, that is just my opinion after looking at many hundreds (if not thousands) of macro/close-up images.

I didn't actually post the link for the quality of lenses used... that is an endless debate... it was for some of the terminology used for macro/closeup photography which a lot of new folks don't know or understand and I think it covers that pretty well... I started out by reading John Shaw's book "closeups in Nature" and I was hooked...

[AutumnEdragonfly]

Thank you all for you comments, they really help a baby newbie with starting learning photography.

[jfoureyes]

Originally Posted by AutumnEdragonfly

Thank you all for you comments, they really help a baby newbie with starting learning photography.

We were all new at one time...for me it was 1968 and there was no Internet