Share your Macro Photos

[lindam]

Have you captured an awesome macro photo? Post it here and share the story behind the shot. Be sure to include the Canon gear you used. This photo was captured with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens at f/5, 1/160 sec, ISO 100.

[diverhank]

This is really nice, fatcat.  Was this with the 50mm f/1.8 also?  If I may suggest, if you'd follow the rule of third and put the bee on the 1/3 line instead of right smack in the middle, it would look nicer (move the bee to the left more).

An extension tube will allow you to get closer to ghe subject.  The cost is that you will no longer be able to focus on farther subjects with the extension tube on.  For a 25mm extension tube on a 50mm lens, you will get an additional 0.5x magnification, making the lens a 0.65x instead of 0.15x...still not quite as close as that 100mm macro with a 1x magnification.

[RobertTheFat]

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@fatcat wrote:

I had a little better luck today. What do you think? F6.3 iso200  1/160  higer fstop seemd to help w/ field of focus.  I tried to crop on pixlr, but wouldn't save it at that size for some reason, I could see his eyelashes and pupil. (in focus)

What about an extention tube w/ the 50mm?  would that still put you at 3" away to focus?  L.

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I think you need more DoF. Too little of the bee is in focus. I'd definitely go to ISO 400 and f/9.5, which ought to help some.

[ebiggs1]

You should be pleased withthat shot.  It's really good.  

There is a so-called Ten Golden Rules of Macro

The 10 Golden rules of Macro Photography

1. Be Steady – Use a tripod to keep the camera shaking to a minimum.
2. Wind – Macro photography is nearly impossible in the wind, be prepared with a wind break.
3. Props 
4. Sharpness – Use aperture like f/11-f/22 so you can maximize your DOF. Keep the camera parallel to your subject.
5. Close up – Remember the 1:1 life-size photo is the best. A focal length of 100-200mm offers a good working distance.
6. Focus Manually – Switch to manual focus. You want to have more control as you shoot your macro photos. 
7. Background – Try not to have a background the same color as your subject.
8. Fill in Flash 
9. Get the white balance right 
10. Diffuse light for Capturing Details – A diffuser will help on those very sunny days.  The best time to shoot outdoors is on an overcast day.

When doing macro the Rule of Thirds isn't as important because the subject is the photo.

[fatcat]

ty everyone,

It's getting better.  originally it was on the side a little, thought it looked off....I was trying to line up the wings with the corner to draw in the eye from the edge, I still don't get that rule of 2/3..... (I understand it, but don't get it, not clicking) still learning.

ty for info on e.t.  It may be something to consider, it's less expensive, but many drawbacks, as u seem to think also.

yes, I am trying to get used to this new 50mm.  It is VERY different than the old lens (old camera 35mm film days)  In some ways much easier, some not so much. That AF is AWESOME, but not real tight.  Probably due to the fstop I was on. I am still fumbling thru the processing part too, which is where I re-framed it. (incorrectly) trying to crop.  Maybe, I can re-do that part.

Those bees were still for about enough time to focus and    Poof......gone.  got ALLOT of empty frames...lol practice practice.

I always learn something when I come to this site.  More than watching yt instruction videos...

Biggs, that is SUCH great info to keep in mind.  I should copy and memorize it!  (if that's possible anymore)lol

I DID move the fstop up, looks like need to do more to open the DOF more, (thats the term I was looking for) I agree, but didn't want to Over compensate, you know how that goes. Theres always tomorrow

I really appreciate ALL the help.  Before ya know it, you guys are going to have me convinced on the 100mm/180mm lens.

Of course to justifiy the cost, I better get REAL excited about it.  ha ha...So far, really loving the challenge (and the help)

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH,

Liz 

[diverhank]

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@fatcat wrote:

ty everyone,

It's getting better.  originally it was on the side a little, thought it looked off....I was trying to line up the wings with the corner to draw in the eye from the edge, I still don't get that rule of 2/3..... (I understand it, but don't get it, not clicking) still learning.

ty for info on e.t.  It may be something to consider, it's less expensive, but many drawbacks, as u seem to think also.

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Yeah...most people starting out don't get the rule of third, myself included.  To me, to this day,  it's not a hard and fast rule and is one that is made to be broken.  For me it took a while but I started to see it now...it makes sense...this rule started out not in photography but in art hundreds of years ago...the theory is that your eyes instinctly focus not in the middle but to the 1/3 lines...I often wonder about that myself...one thing for sure, for main subjects that have eyes...like this bee, I like to see where its eyes are looking at so I look in that direction...for a bee looking to the right of the picture, it's natural to have it slightly to the left so there is more room in the direction it is looking at.  In your picture, I feel that all that space to the left and above the bee is wasted space (they call it negative space).  If that picture was mine, I'd crop all of that negative space out...

The key is do what you think is right...it is your creation...all I offered was my version of it... Now if the object of your creation is to get as many people as possible to like it and perhaps buy it...I think it's safer to follow known rules...rules are there for a reason...I think only the masters can break them and get away with them...Most of us might not... You might want to do a self experiment, google images and pick out a few you really like and see where the main subjects are located whether they follow the rule of 3rd or not...if they all are smack in the middle then that is what you like, you should stick with that.  I've done this experiment myself and most pictures I like have the subjects on the 1/3 lines...that's why I always try to follow the rule of third...

[fatcat]

that was well said. I totally get what you're saying re: the top being neg. space. I'll try that exercise with the photos.. Everything else I've tried from here has improved my confidence, and understanding something can only improve ones abilities. After you explained that, it made so much more sense, Ill have to see if I still have the original and re-try. Thanks so much for helping me. Good thing these cards hold so many "practice" shots. lol

[ebiggs1]

" I still don't get that rule of 2/3....."

It is not as important or desirable in macro as it is in other photography.   Essentially you draw a tic-tac-toe diagram on your photo and place the subject where the lines cross.

However in macro the subject can be and is centered if it is the main most thing. You need to decide if it is better one way or the other. But I am sure some of the 'art critics' here will decide for you!  

[ebiggs1]

BTW, there are more ways to compose a photograph.  The dynamic symmetry grid rule is one.  The Law of Proximity determine things like negative space, counterpart, greatest area of contrast, breathing room, direction of gaze, horizontal balance and more.

So is the rule of thirds that important?

[fatcat]

I guess you can look at composition like this. A diamond in the right setting shows its brilliance. In the wrong setting it doesn't show the beauty of the stone. With any art form, there are rules. If you learn them and understand them, the chances of turning out pleasing to the eye are better. Otherwise you can look at it, know it's mediocre, and not know why. Those that don't care should stick to their cell phone cameras. I haven't learned all the things you mentioned yet, some of it is just feel. Like music.
the more you understand it the more you can appreciate it. I think photography is similar to that, you are trying to convey a feeling.

[Waddizzle]

Here are two shots taken with a Rebel T5, EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM, 1/800, f/8, ISO 320.