Still working on my macro skills.

[Spriter]

All comments are welcome. Trying to get it right.

This is a very small Tulipa. Taken at near 1:1 ratio. I think that a red background would have helped. Your opinion?

[Marko]

Hmmm - I like the bkgd the way it is but the background is not the problem.
My comment is (as it often is) about the focal point. What is the focal point?

Seems to me the focal point is the drops on the leaves since they are the only element in the shot that is sort of sharp. That said I have to wonder why you included so much tulip.

The way it is now, for me the shot is too busy and has too much tulip. Cropping the stalk going out of the frame on the left about 2.5 inches (all the way to the blurred larger leaf at left middle) might help.

Hope that helps
Marko

[EJC]

Hi Sprinter. I agree with Marko. I like the magnification of the skin texture under the drop. Perhaps that could be a focal point.

cheers

[Spriter]

Each time it's hard and refreshing that you are so honest and willing to help. Thanks for your comments.

I still have trouble to understand when I have to expand the sharpness areas, by reducing aperture, and reduce it in order to minimize dof.

With your help, I guess I will be able to grasp it. Maybe a good podcast sujbect?

On white widow, I had he impression that my dof was too large.

I then did this one. (included) I had some success on flickr with it. However was it right? yours to comment.

Thanks for your sincere contribution. Altough at time difficult, I know these are honest and I will eventually learn from these.

Thanks

[kat]

I really think that second shot is neat!

[Iguanasan]

Thanks for your sincere contribution. Altough at time difficult, I know these are honest and I will eventually learn from these.

Thanks

I promise that you will. I've already been down that road, and continue down it, as karate has taught me, it's not the destination but the path that matters. There is also a balance. Remember, photography is YOUR art. Marko is wonderful at pointing out the technical flaws but its your voice that needs to be heard. Work on the technical issues and your message will come through.

(Sheesh, that sounded kinda mushy :o )

[Iguanasan]

Oh, and by the way, I love the second shot. It very obviously has a focal point of the flower, however, it is rather interesting the way only certain parts of it peek into focus. :D

[Marko]

I like this second shot. It has an abstract quality that I really dig and shows great playing which I love. It also has a clear focal point :)

In terms of my critiques...although it's never great fun to work hard on something and then see other people point out flaws...it is such a good way to learn. Not just my critiques, critiques in general. What Iggy said is true though, it's your shot. Take what you feel is good about any critique.

Although it feels good when we get raves, we learn WAY more when people point out the 'bad'. Then we can stop doing the 'bad' or be more aware of it. I am going through this exact same thing in another discipline altogether where I am a novice. The hardest thing is putting yourself out there and you've already done that so you are well on your way.

[Spriter]

Although it feels good when we get raves, we learn WAY more when people point out the 'bad'. Then we can stop doing the 'bad' or be more aware of it. I am going through this exact same thing in another discipline altogether where I am a novice. The hardest thing is putting yourself out there and you've already done that so you are well on your way.

I agree so much. This is why I am posting here! I need these comments and I am looking forward to them. Nothing easy can be great. Please keep up the good work.

[F8&Bthere]

Nice photos. Looks like you set maximum aperture on that 2nd shot, too bad you didn't have more light. Ring flashes are nice for macro stuff. Was it handheld? A tripod with a macro arm/extension, if you have one, can get you a slower shutter speed so you can stop down a bit to increase depth of field and get more of the flower in focus. That is unless you are outdoors battling a breeze. If that's the case maybe bump up to 400 ISO or higher (if your camera is good at higher ISOs or if you can apply some noise reduction in post processing.)

[Spriter]

Nice photos. Looks like you set maximum aperture on that 2nd shot, too bad you didn't have more light. Ring flashes are nice for macro stuff. Was it handheld? A tripod with a macro arm/extension, if you have one, can get you a slower shutter speed so you can stop down a bit to increase depth of field and get more of the flower in focus. That is unless you are outdoors battling a breeze. If that's the case maybe bump up to 400 ISO or higher (if your camera is good at higher ISOs or if you can apply some noise reduction in post processing.)

In fact I had everything needed to increase dof. Mini studio setup with additionnal light and a sturdy tripod. I produced multiples shots at different aperture from 2.8 to 32. This is the one that I liked the most.

Thanks for your comment.

[F8&Bthere]

In fact I had everything needed to increase dof. Mini studio setup with additionnal light and a sturdy tripod. I produced multiples shots at different aperture from 2.8 to 32. This is the one that I liked the most.

Thanks for your comment.

I guess that comes to exactly what was said earlier, its your photo, your taste. I sometimes am... lets call it amused... by critiques that point out the obvious, like spewing rule of thirds stuff, when I have considered it and chosen a given composition based on my taste and vision. Sorry if my contribution was somewhat pointless in a been-there-done-that kinda way. Sounds like you are much more thorough in your approach than I ever was. Good on ya!