dahlia

susanbarton (e2 Member)

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8 Jun 2012 - 7:35 AM

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Hi this is a very good macro image with good DOF. Using a tripod for images like this is always a good idea as there is less shake though you have managed to keep the camera very still. You can increase the ISO for a faster shutter speed this always helps as long as it dosent get too noisy

I am not so very knowelgable but if you mark your upload as a critique you will get professionals from this site giving you advice better than I can give you

Happy snaping

Susan

Constructive Critique!

pamelajean (Critique Team)

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8 Jun 2012 - 4:54 PM

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I had a look at your portfolio a few days ago, Joseph, and think your Fuji produces some fine macros, so keep practicing with it. Look at your image "Breaking Out" and see how sharp it is.
Your insect here was a good subject. You can see that you managed to get a small part of it sharp, but that sharpness is in the centre of the body, whereas it would be better on the head, allowing the rest of the body to be blurred. This just means getting your focus point in the right place before the insect decides to head somewhere else. Focus on the head, half depress the shutter, recompose your shot so that the whole of the insect is in the frame, then shoot.
You may like a shallow depth of field, but if not, and if you want more of the insect sharp, you will need to use a smaller aperture/higher f-stop. This will slow your shutter speed, so a tripod or a steady hand are necessary. You may be interested in this article about Depth Of Field, and one thing it says is that "for various technical reasons, the closer you get to the subject the more limited the depth becomes. In fact, when shooting close-up subjects it can extend to just a few millimeters in front of and behind the subject." This article about Insect Photography may also be of help.
I have mentioned getting the head in focus, and you may also like to consider the angle from which you photograph an insect. If it stays where it is for long enough, go around it until you can see its eyes and "face". This may be from the front or from the side, but if you can include them, it makes a far better image. We, as humans, communicate through the eyes and face, and therefore your picture will help the viewer to engage with your subject.
So, getting your insect in focus and your background blurred is a case of trial and error, because all insects are different sizes. Macro photography isn't easy, as you have no doubt discovered, but practice makes perfect.
Pamela.

Constructive Critique!