Perpetual flower photo thread

[speaklightly]

Over the next couple of days I would like to share with you some excellent flower close-ups from digital cameras that will surprise you. Our first photo is of a Bird of Paradise flower taken in San Pedro, Ca with a Pentax S5i. It will surprise you.

Sarah Joyce

[Rhys]

My flower photos can be found here:
Flowers by Rhys (http://www.sageworld.co.uk/personal/Flowers/Flowers.html)

All taken with an Olympus C200Z in 2002

[Geoff Chandler]

Sarah - I think this will be an interesting study from you. Looking forward to the next few. Maybe after this someone will start a Flower thread. I somerimes wonder if I take too many flowers, then I see everyone else is doing it and don't feel quite so odd.
Thanks

[print-digital]

I somerimes wonder if I take too many flowers, then I see everyone else is doing it and don't feel quite so odd.

I feel exactly the same, now I dont feel so odd knowing that some one else thought the same ;)

Craig

[gary_hendricks]

Thanks a beautiful shot, speakinglightly. Waiting for those flower shots to come ... ;)

[SamuraiJack]

I agree, nice photograph.

Wes

[chrismw2]

wow thats is very amazing, but i think the saturation is very high,still is a good pict, bravo.

[Geoff Chandler]

Here's one I took last year on the Oly C-740 UZ
This shows how well it works in real close up macro.
It was a Lilley from a bunch of flowers (see my Flowers on my Pic site)
which we had for my in-laws 50th WA

[speaklightly]

Geoff-

That is really a great shot. Thanks for posting it.

Sarah Joyce

[aparmley]

I am glad you see, as the others were, that I am not the only macro flower nut. I thought I was odd too, but I didn't let it bother me. I will post one or two here and add a link to my website, after I update it, its been neglected. Great shots by the way!

[speaklightly]

aparmeley-

Perhaps, just perhaps, we can get a permanent flower thread going.

Sarah Joyce

[aparmley]

I will contribute. Infact Im starting now. Any comments welcomed! hit me with 'em! :D Taken with Canon A95. exp = 1/60, apper f/2.8. portrait mode in macro focus mode.

[aparmley]

this was taken at the Missouri Botanical Gardens... sorry about the photoshop framing, I would have to dig for the original. but I like this one myself... no exif, it was shot with my Canon A95 in macro mode and I believe I was shooting in AE mode that day.

[aparmley]

Missouri botanical Gardens, Canon A95, Exp 1/160, apper f2.8, Macro mode AE

[aparmley]

Ok last one for now. Canon A95 exp 1/200 apper 4.9 [3x zoom in macro biggest I could get].

[speaklightly]

Andrew-

Those are great flower photos! Thanks very much for posting them. I love the water drops on the pink flower. Once again it shows how well the Canon A-95 is in the field. You also did an excellent job of controlling your backgrounds.

Sarah Joyce

[aparmley]

Thank very much for your kind words

[Sea_Slug]

I thought I would join the flower theme! Taken with an A70 a while ago... not really sure what I did but I liked the affect! :)

[Bluedog]

Nice photos guys and gals too. Here's one that I've waited for 3 years to finally bloom in my flower bed. The Rebel XT/Sigma combo did a pretty nice job mounted to a tripod:

Peppermint Amaryllis not quite in full bloom

http://img125.echo.cx/img125/2888/img04746br.jpg

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/60
Av (Aperture Value) 11.0
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Selective AF
Exposure Compensation +0.3
ISO Speed 100
Lens 18.0 - 125.0 mm
Focal Length 67.0 mm
Image Quality RAW
White Balance Mode Daylight

[speaklightly]

Bluedog-

That is a great flower shot. The Sigma you are using is the 18-125mm isn't it? The Sigma 18-125mm I got to use on my 20D could never do a photo like that.

Sarah Joyce

[speaklightly]

Here is a flower close-up taken with a Canon G-6.

Sarah Joyce

[Wombat]

Thanks for all the wonderful shots of flowers. They are my favourite subject too - so photogenic and they don't crawl or fly away.

Here is my offering for the flower thread. Taken with with my trusty Canon A80, indoors, daylight in macro mode.

Regards
Wombat

[Bluedog]

Bluedog-

That is a great flower shot. The Sigma you are using is the 18-125mm isn't it? The Sigma 18-125mm I got to use on my 20D could never do a photo like that.

Sarah Joyce

Thanks a bunch. Yea its the 18-125mm and I'm learning its limitations for clarity in closeups.

[BlueGrassGirl]

Here is my flower pic from today... :p

Kodak DX6490, auto, macro mode, handheld, no flash ( I forgot to change it to sharp and it was on soft)

[gary_hendricks]

Bluedog-

That is a great flower shot. The Sigma you are using is the 18-125mm isn't it? The Sigma 18-125mm I got to use on my 20D could never do a photo like that.

Sarah Joyce

Yes it does look like its the Sigma.

[speaklightly]

Wow! Wombat and BluegrassGirl-

Those are fantastic flower close-ups! Can you share with us the digital camera and the exposures? For BluegrassGirl I would guess the camera is a Kodak 6490, though I might be incorrect.

Sarah Joyce

[speaklightly]

Here is a digital photo taken with a Pentax Optio 550. I hope that you enjoy it!

Sarah Joyce

[gary_hendricks]

A macro flower shot from a Canon S1 IS. :)

http://gallery.greatestjournal.com/albums/up3/873/891873/Image007%7E0.jpg

[BlueGrassGirl]

Wow! Wombat and BluegrassGirl-

Those are fantastic flower close-ups! Can you share with us the digital camera and the exposures? For BluegrassGirl I would guess the camera is a Kodak 6490, though I might be incorrect.

Sarah Joyce

Yes mine is the dx6490. That's all I use now. I think I wrote my settings at the top of my post. I used auto mode.

[Bluedog]

Thanks for all the wonderful shots of flowers. They are my favourite subject too - so photogenic and they don't crawl or fly away.
Wombat

but its a challenge outdoors with the slightest bit of wind blowing ... ;)

Here is my flower pic from today... :p

Kodak DX6490, auto, macro mode, handheld, no flash ( I forgot to change it to sharp and it was on soft)

Try taking an exposure shot -1/3 from auto exposure and maybe adjusting the aperture to around f-8 ~ f-11 if you can keep the shutter speed up for handholding.

[speaklightly]

Bluedog-

You raise an excellent point. Even the slightest breeze can move your subject flowers around a bit. I like to shoot very early or late in the afternoon to minimize the breezes and for the best lighting.

Sarah Joyce

[Wombat]

[QUOTE=Bluedog]but its a challenge outdoors with the slightest bit of wind blowing ... ;)
QUOTE]

Very true and then there is the problem of getting creaky joints to manoeuvre the photographer to flower level ;-) and then there is standing up again ;-)

However, just to prove that I do venture forth from my "cardboard box studio" here are some snakes head fritillaries. Canon A80, exp. 1/500s, ap. f/4.5, image cropped quite heavily. Pity the leaf got in the way :-(

regards
Wombat

[Bluedog]

Nice shot with the A80 Wombat. Here's another of mine learning with the Sigma 18-125mm under semi cloudy morning light taken yesterday:

http://img9.echo.cx/img9/5865/img04725ic.jpg

[jeff31]

2 tulips taken today
aperture priority, macro mode (not better than 10cm with the sony V3), f/4.5, 1/80s and 1/100s, spot metring mode

http://sonyv3.free.fr/tulip_macro1.JPG

http://sonyv3.free.fr/tulip_macro2.JPG

Jeff

[gary_hendricks]

Oh, wait I have another one!

http://gallery.greatestjournal.com/albums/up3/873/891873/Image014.jpg

[Wombat]

Here's another of mine learning with the Sigma 18-125mm under semi cloudy morning light taken yesterday

I like this shot of the petunias? especially the composition and the "duskiness" of the whole shot. I suspect this was due to the cloudy conditions and therefore lack of strong shadows - suits the pink of the petunia to my way of thinking.

The tulips are great - socks you in the eye with all those jazzy yellows and reds. The strong light seems to suit these flowers.

I suspect there is a lesson for me to learn here about different flowers favouring different light sources. I seem to remember that light colours in gardens show up best towards dusk. So much to learn and try. ;-)

Regards
Wombat

[speaklightly]

Bluedog, Wombat, Gary and Jeff-

Many thanks for some fine macro examples. Yes, I agree we can learn a bit from each example that we see and in the process fine tune our own technique bit by bit.

Sarah Joyce

[JTL]

I'm not big on the whole taking flower marcros per se, but it was nice outside, so I took my first flower macro (barely) with my new Canon SD500 just to see how it would do. Kind of a pathetic flower... :D

Auto on marco setting...
http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/19876834-L.jpg

[speaklightly]

Wow! JTL-

That is a great flower macro. It certainly shows how capable the Canon SD-500 really is!

Sarah Joyce

[gary_hendricks]

Speakinglightly, yes I agree. I think soon I need to replace my compact with the SD500. Currently its a Canon S500.

[JTL]

Wow! JTL-

That is a great flower macro. It certainly shows how capable the Canon SD-500 really is!Sarah Joyce
Speakinglightly, yes I agree. I think soon I need to replace my compact with the SD500. Currently its a Canon S500.Thanks Sarah and Gary for the feedback! :)

The SD500 is turning out to be quite a capable little camera. I'm liking it more and more each day. Some people are trying to make it sound as if it's a piece of junk...but I think it's just fashionable for some people to knock new cameras (I'm also noticing this phenomenon with the XT/350D). But, as always, the proof is in the shooting! :)

[MrForgetable]

Speakinglightly, yes I agree. I think soon I need to replace my compact with the SD500. Currently its a Canon S500.

i'm just wondering, am i the only one that sees her name as "speaklightly" instead of "speakinglightly"? seems like everywhere i go, people call her speakinglightly :p

[speaklightly]

Mr. Forgetable-

No, you are correct. My handle is indeed, speaklightly. However, Sarah is just fine. Today I will add another Canon G-6 flower close-up. I hope you all enjoy it and that you will have a great day!

Sarah Joyce

[JTL]

Today I will add another Canon G-6 flower close-up. I hope you all enjoy it and that you will have a great day!

Sarah JoyceNice shot. The G6 produces such film-like results. That's one of the things that makes me love it.

[AllanC]

I took this picture on the top cliffs of Llantwitt Major beach in south Wales a couple of weeks ago with my casio p-600.

camera settings are; Apeture priority, f/2.8, 1/800 sec and manual white balance.

[speaklightly]

Wow! Allan-

That is a very nice digital photo. It show what the P-600 is capable of doing.

Sarah Joyce

[Geoff Chandler]

These have all been great, but one thing - most of them I DO believe!
Here's one that real photographers may not believe so well- I used a Vivitar 24mm wide lens & a Vivitar 2x converter - this just happened to make quite a usefull macro lens. Shouldn't have worked really - hence this is a contender for the title.

[DiJ]

Taken by Canon A80.

[Wombat]

Taken by Canon A80.

Lovely photo - very subtle and taken with my favourite camera, well it is the only one I have ;-). I like the way you have handled the exposure always so tricky with so much white.

Regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Taken by Canon A80.
Excellent photo - really well taken.
I like the way Canon cameras interpret the veiw.
Here's a thought: -
If every camera manufacturer were instructed to make a camera to a very presise specification so that each one did exactly the same - which make would you choose??
I haven't got one - but I reckon I would get a Canon...probably.

[DiJ]

Thanks Wombat and Geoff for the nice comments.

If all did the same in image quality then I would go for one that offers the most control for the least price. :)

[AllanC]

thanks Speaklightly, it did have a little saturation boost and sharpened up the centre blossom a little in photoshop. So unfortunately i cant take all the credit. I am pleased with it though.

Allan.

[speaklightly]

Geoff, DiJ, and Allan-

Many thanks for your contributions. They are all great - high detailed with fantastic colors. Let's hope that we can make this an ongoing thread, as we have so many fine flower macro examples.

Sarah Joyce

[Digideb]

What a cool thread! I bought my new digicam (Olympus C-60) mainly for doing close ups of flowers. I especially like surprising people with the results I can get with this simple little camera.
Being a professional gardener, I have many opportunities to capture blooms of all sorts, both wild & 'tame'.
One of my most elusive 'prey' that I managed to capture recently was the wild Calypso orchids that bloomed during a series of Spring storms we had here on the Calif. coast. I found a small 'window of opportunity' between downpours to 'shoot' this wily 'creature'. ;)
I used my mini tripod, but these orchids are so close to the ground that I mounted the camera sideways & braced the folded-up tripod on the ground to get these shots, so I guess it's sort of semi hand-held. After about an hour & 70+ shots later, I came home muddy, wet & thrilled to have gotten about 10 'keepers' out of the batch.
I guess this is why some people think photographers are 'kinda nutty' sometimes,huh? :D

[AllanC]

Here's another of a very open tulip. Taken handheld, i do have my new tripod though so i cant wait tto get out and see if my pics improve.

[Bluedog]

XT/Sigma 18-125mm @ 125mm (hand held)|ISO 100 TV 200 f/9 ... I believe. Was seeing how the camera handled the white in full evening sunlight:

http://img122.echo.cx/img122/3897/whitepetuniaimg05378iy.jpg

[speaklightly]

Digideb, Allan, and Bluedog-

Many thanks for your great contributions. They look great.

Sarah Joyce

[Bald Eagle]

Here is my contribution to the flower thread. This was taken with my Canon D60. ISO of 100, using a 30-80 lens, hand-held, on landscape setting. hope you like.

[speaklightly]

Wow, Oh Wow! Bald Eagle-

Thanks so much for posting that photo. The colors are so dramatic! Wow!

Sarah Joyce

[JTL]

XT/Sigma 18-125mm @ 125mm (hand held)|ISO 100 TV 200 f/9 ... I believe. Was seeing how the camera handled the white in full evening sunlight:Nicely Done! You've got to be loving your new Sigma! I am extremely jealous! :D

[JTL]

Here is my contribution to the flower thread. This was taken with my Canon D60. ISO of 100, using a 30-80 lens, hand-held, on landscape setting. hope you like.This shot has me speechless! I think it is one of the best macro shots I've seen posted...

Simply fantastic!

[Bald Eagle]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I am greatly encouraged by everybody on this forum. :)

[EWins]

These were shot yesterday using my Canon A510. I used Picasa to adjust the contrast and brightness

1/200 @ f4.5 ISO 50 6mm (effects were added using Picasa)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/EJWin/IMG_0646.jpg

1/500 @ f2.6 ISO 50 6mm
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/EJWin/IMG_0650.jpg

There's not a 'weed' thread, so I thought I'd put these here. :p
1/100 @ f3.2 ISO 50 6mm
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/EJWin/IMG_0662.jpg

[speaklightly]

EWins-

Thanks for posting your excellent photos. The color is wonderful.

Sarah Joyce

[Thalas'shaya]

ewins, i like the composition of the "weed" shot. the two nearly-identical blooms paired that way make it an unusual flower macro. thanks! :)

[Geoff Chandler]

Well this is one as well - when I first got my Oly C-740, nothing done to this at all - except reducing the size and compression the file size - no sharpening or colour, contrast adjustments. One thing the Olympus cameras and it seems the Canons also do well is close ups like this.

[ssljivic]

How do you like this?

[EWins]

Thanks Sara and Thalas. I appreciate your comments, it's very encouraging.

[D70FAN]

XT/Sigma 18-125mm @ 125mm (hand held)|ISO 100 TV 200 f/9 ... I believe. Was seeing how the camera handled the white in full evening sunlight:


So much for questions on the Sigma/XT combo. Nice shot Bluedog. I think you have the hang of it.

[D70FAN]

Another Sigma (18-125) closeup.

f6.3, 1/250sec., ISO200, 125mm

[jeff31]

Another closeup with a surprise (http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl-ins1.JPG)
;)

[speaklightly]

George-

Thanks for the lovely rose picture taken with the Sigma 18-125mm lens. The delicate colors are really pleasing. Thanks for posting the photo.

Sarah Joyce

[Geoff Chandler]

Another closeup with a surprise (http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl-ins1.JPG)
;)
Great photo!
BTW - I don't think I can 'Link' pictures like you have done - I have to reduce them and compress to get them down to size - yours is a far larger image.

[Geoff Chandler]

Here's another Lilley for the collection.
A200 - I did fiddle with this one! - I got it out of a vase as it was too cluttered. Poped the stem in a long pot, took the photo then cloned out the pot leaving the flower and the crazy paving, dark, behind it. But the flower is more or less untouched. (Obviously reduced in size from the orig @5mp)

[speaklightly]

Geoff-

The lilly shot is wonderful! The black background makes it, at least in my mind, look dramatic and emphasizes the color of the lilly. Thanks for posting it.

Sarah Joyce

[speaklightly]

Many Thanks to all who have both posted and enjoyed this thread-

I just wanted you to know that I will be absent from the forum for about 17 days (beginning at noon tomorrow) as we will be off to do a workshop in the Caribbean.

We have not be able to achieve a "permanent threat" status as yet, but perhaps that will come along quite soon. So please keep up the activity on the thread. Certainly all of your photos have been both beautifal and wonderful. Many thanks to all who have supported and enjoy the flower close-up/macro thread.

Sarah Joyce

[jewallace]

nice composition, DOF and lighting. Makes looking at this thread worth while. :)

[Bald Eagle]

Today's contribution. hope you like :)

[speaklightly]

Baldeagle-

Wow! Again, a very colorful photo. Thanks for posting another great photo.

Sarah Joyce

[Geoff Chandler]

Today's contribution. hope you like :)
Another lovely one from you - thanks for keeping up the pace, love your photos.
Let's all see if we can keep speaklightly's thread going while she's away - so she has a nice suprise of lots of beautifull flowers (she won't believe)...
OK so here's a passion flower taken on the C-740 Oly
ISO 100 (C-740's lowest) F5.6, 1/50sec. Taken back last September.

[speaklightly]

Geoff-

Thanks for as great looking flower macro. I love the detail in the photo. And an Olympus C-740, that sould show the newbie that it can be done with consumer cameras. Thanks for posting the photo, Geoff.

Sarah Joyce

[Geoff Chandler]

Here's another from the C-740...

[Wombat]

Lovely shot Geoff the background really sells the flower. Knapweed? has such interesting flowers.

Here's one of a Freesia with my Canon A80 to add to the bouquet. I think it is probably a tad overexposed - think the white might be blown rather than white - hard to tell sometimes - the histogram looks OK'ish. I also found the flower a really awkward shape to compose it being like a hockey stick.

Regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Wombat - that's an excellent photo of a Freisa! Thanks for sharing it. & Please see if you have some more you can dig out for us!
Geoff

[John_Reed]

All the flowers in this thread are beautiful! Inspired me to take a few shots myself. I was wondering if you flower experts could do a couple of IDs? Taken recently in Southern California, with straight FZ15:
http://john-reed.smugmug.com/photos/20157676-L.jpg

http://john-reed.smugmug.com/photos/20157903-L.jpg

[DiJ]

Lovely shot Geoff the background really sells the flower. Knapweed? has such interesting flowers.

Here's one of a Freesia with my Canon A80 to add to the bouquet. I think it is probably a tad overexposed - think the white might be blown rather than white - hard to tell sometimes - the histogram looks OK'ish. I also found the flower a really awkward shape to compose it being like a hockey stick.

Regards
Wombat

This is beautiful. Exposed just right and not oversaturated. Dont worry too much about blowing highlights a little as long as the you can get the most of the important parts in good exposure.

[Bald Eagle]

These are all fantastic shots, here is my contribution for today. hope you like.

[jeff31]

Lovely shot Geoff the background really sells the flower. Knapweed? has such interesting flowers.

Here's one of a Freesia with my Canon A80 to add to the bouquet. I think it is probably a tad overexposed - think the white might be blown rather than white - hard to tell sometimes - the histogram looks OK'ish. I also found the flower a really awkward shape to compose it being like a hockey stick.

Regards
Wombat
I like a lot this one.

[Wombat]

Here's another one of an Anemone with my Canon A80, indoors, natural light, I think with a Hoya +4 filter but not quite sure.

Regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Does the A-80 lock the zoom in macro? This is a well taken shot - good depth of field as well considering you were indoors! Keep 'em coming, we're really building up a great collection here.

[Q B@LL]

Here's the first flower pic when I got my RebXT out of the box :D

[aparmley]

GReat flower pics guys and gals

Sarah Enjoy the Carribean!

[D70FAN]

One of my favorite shots. Early morning olive branch.

f5.6, 1/200sec., ISO 640, 125mm (Sigma 18-125)

[D70FAN]

Many Thanks to all who have both posted and enjoyed this thread-

I just wanted you to know that I will be absent from the forum for about 17 days (beginning at noon tomorrow) as we will be off to do a workshop in the Caribbean.

We have not be able to achieve a "permanent threat" status as yet, but perhaps that will come along quite soon. So please keep up the activity on the thread. Certainly all of your photos have been both beautifal and wonderful. Many thanks to all who have supported and enjoy the flower close-up/macro thread.

Sarah Joyce

Bon Voyage. Your presence here will be missed.

Have fun.

[Bluedog]

Yea have fun Sarah! And once again excellent results everyone.

Here's one of some type of Iris I have in several hanging baskets that blooms once a year and only for a day at a time for each bloom.

Focal Length 125 mm
Exposure Time 1/50 sec
Aperture f/16
ISO 200

http://www.pbase.com/smith_xt/image/42452015.jpg

add this Red Begonia I planted today. Its cropped from the orginial:

Focal Length 125 mm
Exposure Time 1/200 sec
Aperture f/7.1
ISO Equivalent 100

http://www.pbase.com/smith_xt/image/42461393/large.jpg

[JTL]

Yea have fun Sarah! And once again excellent results everyone.

Here's one of some type of Iris I have in several hanging baskets that blooms once a year and only for a day at a time for each bloom.

Focal Length 125 mm
Exposure Time 1/50 sec
Aperture f/16
ISO 200

Bluedog...please stop posting XT/Sigma pics...they are causing me severe camera envy... :D

[JTL]

One of my favorite shots. Early morning olive branch.

f5.6, 1/200sec., ISO 640, 125mm (Sigma 18-125)I love this photo. I would hang it on my wall...

[Bald Eagle]

Bluedog, i love the Iris, very awesome

[Bald Eagle]

Blue flowers, hope you like

[ReF]

Lovely shot Geoff the background really sells the flower. Knapweed? has such interesting flowers.

Here's one of a Freesia with my Canon A80 to add to the bouquet. I think it is probably a tad overexposed - think the white might be blown rather than white - hard to tell sometimes - the histogram looks OK'ish. I also found the flower a really awkward shape to compose it being like a hockey stick.

Regards
Wombat


wow, that's awesome! i'm really interested in what the settings/lighting conditions were.

[Wombat]

wow, that's awesome! i'm really interested in what the settings/lighting conditions were.

Hi Ref

Thanks for the comments. I am only a beginner but personally find indoor shots much more satisfying as there are less variables for me to worry about like my shakey hands and dodgy knees, wind swept flowers, trying to view the LCD with distance glasses, etc. This shot was taken on my Canon A80, Aperture f/8, exposure time 1/8sec. I usually take shots on cloudy days although this shot was taken in gentle sunshine and the exposure compensation was turned down -2/3.

The attached shot was taken at the same time but using a piece of plastic milk carton as a diffuser - I have to colour adjust afterwards as the milk carton diffuser tends to warm the colours. This shot has less contrast and a softer feel and the centres of the flowers are not overexposed.

Regards
Wombat

[jbcm]

Great Pictures!!

[Bald Eagle]

Wombat, Extremely nice composition and great eye towards placement. Great shots. :)

[ReF]

Hi Ref

Thanks for the comments. I am only a beginner but personally find indoor shots much more satisfying as there are less variables for me to worry about like my shakey hands and dodgy knees, wind swept flowers, trying to view the LCD with distance glasses, etc. This shot was taken on my Canon A80, Aperture f/8, exposure time 1/8sec. I usually take shots on cloudy days although this shot was taken in gentle sunshine and the exposure compensation was turned down -2/3.

The attached shot was taken at the same time but using a piece of plastic milk carton as a diffuser - I have to colour adjust afterwards as the milk carton diffuser tends to warm the colours. This shot has less contrast and a softer feel and the centres of the flowers are not overexposed.

Regards
Wombat

sorry wombat, but now i'm even more confused :confused:
so i guess what you are saying is that you are using natural lighting, but indoors, right? and the milk carton diffuser is placed in front of the lens?? i've heard of such materials being used in front of light sources such as flashes for diffusion, but i assumed that it would cause too much blur if placed in front of the lens. what are you using for the black background?
sorry for so many questions, but i'm really interested in learning your technique, as the results are beautiful!

[Wombat]

sorry wombat, but now i'm even more confused :confused:
so i guess what you are saying is that you are using natural lighting, but indoors, right? and the milk carton diffuser is placed in front of the lens?? i've heard of such materials being used in front of light sources such as flashes for diffusion, but i assumed that it would cause too much blur if placed in front of the lens. what are you using for the black background?
sorry for so many questions, but i'm really interested in learning your technique, as the results are beautiful!

Hi again ReF

Many thanks for your interest. You've got it - shot indoors but using natural light from a window. The milk carton diffuser I hold between the light source i.e. window and the object. I think its slightly "bobbly" surface scatters the light into different directions and thus reduces the sharpness and intensity of the shadows. I believe parchment used for tracing drawings will work as well. I have even used a sheet of white paper although this probably acts as much as a light reducer as a diffuser.

The black background is simply a piece of black card curved into a cardboard box - thus no corners. I keep this in shadow [the black is a more an absence of light] and shoot the flowers indoors against this. Even light on black card looks very grey. The interior of a cardboard box even in shade isn't black.

I am only a beginner playing and am sure there are much more professional ways of handling light that, I have read, is the raw material for photographers.

If you would like to contact me through a private message I will be more than happy to send some shots of my "cardboard box studio".

Regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Meanwhile ~
Someone or something is nibbling our Pansies!!!
(A-200 today tele macro)

[Wombat]

Meanwhile ~
Someone or something is nibbling our Pansies!!!
(A-200 today tele macro)

Well it ain't me Geoff - maybe this should be on the food thread? Nice shot of what I call "funny faces".

Regards
Wombat

[DiJ]

Not sure what this is called.

[Geoff Chandler]

These 2 pics taken on Tuesday '003' was taken when the light was how I wanted it with the fixed focal length macro on the oly at 38mm liked the back lighting on the leaf showing the veins - but the dof was too much even at widest apperture - resulting in the car in the background distracting from the image. The 002 was taken later on the A-200 on telephoto macro - dof less reulting in blurred background - but the light wasn't what I originally wanted. Also there were some ants running up and down - but they were a bit fast and blurred - I will try again for the ants later.
Anyway - the point was going to be New Growth on the side of the tree.
So - in the light of my dissatisfaction with both I am happy to recieve comments - good or bad.

[D Thompson]

Thought I would add to the thread. 1/500 @ f5.6 ISO 100 Canon 20D with kit lens. Comments?

Thanks,
Dennis

[D Thompson]

I'm not sure what this is called. Shot with 20D, kits lens 1/800 @ f5.6 ISO 100. Comments appreciated.

Thanks,
Dennis

[Bluedog]

Thought I would add to the thread. 1/500 @ f5.6 ISO 100 Canon 20D with kit lens. Comments?

Thanks,
Dennis

Nice job Dennis. You might could have upped the exposure for a little more refined detail, try shooting in RAW for the easy ability of that after taking the shot.

Aren't the Red Dogwoods native to that area. I had one that flourished for 3 years in the South but suddenly got diseased and died.

[D Thompson]

Nice job Dennis. You might could have upped the exposure for a little more refined detail, try shooting in RAW for the easy ability of that after taking the shot.

Aren't the Red Dogwoods native to that area. I had one that flourished for 3 years in the South but suddenly got diseased and died.

Thanks Bluedog. I shoot a lot in RAW, but this was shot in jpeg. Shot is straight from the camera with no PS. I did play with levels and curves a bit which helps, but I thought I would post with no post processing. Thanks for your comment.

Yeah there a lot of dogwoods around this area and they seem to be real picky when transplanted. I lost one a few years ago that had been in the spot for about 5 years. There are 2 colors - white and pink/red.

Thanks,
Dennis

[carbine]

Took these outside the hotel we were staying at when on holidays :p

[Geoff Chandler]

Took these outside the hotel we were staying at when on holidays :p
Nice - but I particularly liked the Blue Moday soft powder blue shade.
Thanks

[Bluedog]

Here's one of a Christmas Cactus blooming in the Spring Time, my flower beds are coming to life:

Focal Length 125 mm
Exposure Time 1/500 sec
Aperture f/11
ISO Equivalent 400
Handheld

http://www.pbase.com/image/42652403.jpg

and one more of my newly blooming Stella Dora Day Lilly:

Focal Length 125 mm
Exposure Time 1/320 sec
Aperture f/9
ISO Equivalent 400
Handheld

http://upload.pbase.com/image/42652765.jpg

[Wombat]

Not quite a flower - but is was. Many thanks to SamuraiJack for the creative inspiration.

Taken indoors, daylight, Canon A80, Ap. f/8, Exp. 1s, exp compensation -2/3.

Regards
Wombat

[Bald Eagle]

Wombat, looks great, i have a similar look, diff. color. hope you like.

[Geoff Chandler]

Is that for real? I've never seen it that colour before.
Nice shot!

[Geoff Chandler]

Here's some miniture Bluebells from my garden today
A-200 ~ 1/60th sec, F3.5, iso50, normal ev

[Geoff Chandler]

Here's another pansy. Taken this morning, this is the third attempt.!
The first was at -0.3ev and the centre detail wash washed out. (Dark colour, dark background - I should have known!!) Shutter speeds were getting a bit slow for the breeze - so I changed from iso50 to iso100 (one stop). Then the final exposure was at -1.3ev, f3.5 and 1/80th sec
This image looks the most like the actual flower - so that for me is target achieved. Comments appreciated.
Camera used KM A-200. macro 200mm

[Wombat]

Lovely shots Geoff and Bald Eagle and in fact everyone - anticipating every new posting.

This image looks the most like the actual flower - so that for me is target achieved. Comments appreciated.


I found the central markings on my viola shots confused me at first as they are actually quite fuzzy and I thought my shots were out of focus.

Here is some cherry blossom - with many thanks to Geoff Chandler for taking the time to educate me regarding the interaction of the zoom and macro functions. This shot uses both which probably accounts for the DOF.

Regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Good detail - these sorts don't always come out so well - the white can wash out and lose detail. Nice shot - keep them coming...

[Wombat]

Good detail - these sorts don't always come out so well - the white can wash out and lose detail. Nice shot - keep them coming...

Thanks Geoff - I was quite surprised by being able to see both the stamens and their shadows. However, it was more by luck than good management as I accidently left the camera on a pre-set I had been using which had -2/3 exposure compensation. Another lesson learned if only by accident ;-)

Regards
Wombat

[Bluedog]

Geoff the Pansy can be a tough one to capture accurately. I was able to with my A95, see PBase Gallery below but mine all died and passed on before trying out with the Digital Rebel XT.

[Geoff Chandler]

Geoff the Pansy can be a tough one to capture accurately. I was able to with my A95, see PBase Gallery below but mine all died and passed on before trying out with the Digital Rebel XT.
Well yours certainly came out well. Nice shots - I also like the A-95, I might have had one in a different life timeline - but I needed the wide angle when I last bought a camera - and the first time around I wanted a big zoom.
Good job with yours - and the other shots.

[D70FAN]

Here's another pansy. Taken this morning, this is the third attempt.!
The first was at -0.3ev and the centre detail wash washed out. (Dark colour, dark background - I should have known!!) Shutter speeds were getting a bit slow for the breeze - so I changed from iso50 to iso100 (one stop). Then the final exposure was at -1.3ev, f3.5 and 1/80th sec
This image looks the most like the actual flower - so that for me is target achieved. Comments appreciated.
Camera used KM A-200. macro 200mm

Third times the charm... well done. It shows that shooting pansies can sometimes take a lot of patience as opposed to impations. ;) Hey, sometimes I think I'm punny.

You and the A-200 seem to continue to get it done. Thanks.

[Wombat]

This one must be "half past the hour". Sadly it has lost a bit of quality in reducing the size - sharp as sharp on the PC. These seedheads are great fun to photograph as long as you remember not to sigh too heavily when the shot goes wrong.

Usual setup Canon A80, indoors, natural light, tripod, cup of tea, some biscuits.

Regards
Wombat

[jeff31]

Very nice wombat !

[aparmley]

Wow Wombat. Thats amazing. enough said.

[kshoari]

Both taken with Nikon D70 with Sigma 70-300 APO, both handheld, the first one in Normal, and the second in Macro, and no post processing. As always, comments/critique appreciated...

http://cambyses.smugmug.com/photos/20667028-M.jpg

http://cambyses.smugmug.com/photos/20667024-M.jpg

[John_Reed]

Both taken with Nikon D70 with Sigma 70-300 APO, both handheld, the first one in Normal, and the second in Macro, and no post processing. As always, comments/critique appreciated...
http://cambyses.smugmug.com/photos/20667024-M.jpgI love the water drops on the second daisy. Beautiful! I'd quibble a little with placing the "center of interest" so high up in the composition?

[John_Reed]

A red, red rose:
http://john-reed.smugmug.com/photos/20655058-L.jpg
A sunnier rose:
http://john-reed.smugmug.com/photos/20655094-L.jpg

[kshoari]

I love the water drops on the second daisy. Beautiful! I'd quibble a little with placing the "center of interest" so high up in the composition?

Thanks for the comment... actually that was not quite intentional ;) It is tough to handhold this Sigma 70-300 in Macro mode at 300mm with no other support! But after I saw the picture, I actually liked the "center of interest" not being in the center of the frame in this case... But maybe it was just me ;) I think in these situations I should take more than one shot...

BTW, the two roses above are really beautiful... I don't know if it's my eye or what, but the first one seems to be a bit on the soft side...

[D70FAN]

A red, red rose:

A sunnier rose:


John, what's with the flowers? We need your long lens on the bird site (if we ever get them put together). ;) No metaphore intended :o

Also: As always your shots are terrific.

[D70FAN]

Both taken with Nikon D70 with Sigma 70-300 APO, both handheld, the first one in Normal, and the second in Macro, and no post processing. As always, comments/critique appreciated...



Very nice. That pretty well confirms the attributes of the Sigma 70-300 APO. I have to agree with John, but that doesn't mean its not a good shot. It is.

[jbcm]

Tulip Taken with a Canon G6 Comments appreciated. Please let me know what you guys think.
Shutter 1/640
F/4.0
Focal length 14.4mm

[folonik]

my contribution...
(it was blowin in the wind so its blurred...)

http://web.telia.com/~u38011992/IMG_0158_scaled.JPG


http://web.telia.com/~u38011992/IMG_0153_scaled.JPG

comments?

[jeff31]

http://sonyv3.free.fr/300405-f1.JPG
Aperture priority, macro, 1/100s, f/3.2, center average metering mode

http://sonyv3.free.fr/300405-f2.JPG
Aperture priority, macro, 1/100s, f/3.5, spot metering mode

http://sonyv3.free.fr/300405-f3.JPG
Aperture priority, macro, 1/320s, f/4, Center average metering mode

Level adjustement and cropping with Photoshop.

[Geoff Chandler]

Jeff
These a lovely pics from you - aside from the nice framing - how much post processing do you on these shots??
Also - it would be interesting if you could post some settings etc
Thanks for all the great shots
Geoff
PS - how do you attach yours??They seem much bigger than I can post

[jeff31]

Here a new series not the most natural but perhaps not too bad for some illustrations. ;)
They have been taken with a white paper in background. All images have been post processing in Photoshop (cropping, sharpness enhancement, curve adjusting).

http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_bw_1.jpg

http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_bw_2.JPG

http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_bw_3.JPG

[jeff31]

Jeff
These a lovely pics from you - aside from the nice framing - how much post processing do you on these shots??
Also - it would be interesting if you could post some settings etc
Thanks for all the great shots
Geoff
PS - how do you attach yours??They seem much bigger than I can post
All pics have been cropped, shapness enhanced and curve adjusted with photoshop.

I you want to compare, you'll find below a raw pic only cropped:
http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_raw.JPG


My pics are not attached to my post but only linked to my website. :D

[jeff31]

and a last one closeup:
http://sonyv3.free.fr/flower_macro1.JPG
Aperture priority, macro, 1/250 exposure time, f/5.6, illumination +1 ev, 19.7mm focal length, cropped and automatic level adjustement in Photoshop

[jeff31]

2 new flowers taken in their own environment with a blue paper in background. After, the blue color has been simply replaced by the black or the white color in Photoshop.

I don't know the name of the first flower. The second one is of course a tulip at the end of its life.

http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_0105_1.jpg
Aperture priority, 1/250s, f/3.5, center average metering, 16.5mm focal length

http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_0105_2.jpg
Aperture priority, 1/125s, f/4, center average metering, 21.5mm focal length

Jeff

[JTL]

I hope we're counting tree blossoms. Couldn't resist the pink blossoms against the blue sky...:)

Canon SD500, f/2.8, 1/636 sec (that's right...)
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/20943017-L.jpg

[jeff31]

http://sonyv3.free.fr/vivace2.JPG
1/100s, f/3.5, center metering, handheld, not any processing only a framing

[sherlock]

Hey,

Nice shot Jeff. Here's another one, I think its a Rose of Sharon but I definitely could be wrong. EXIF- 1/200 @ f/2.8 Comments welcome...


Andrew S.

[Geoff Chandler]

My pics are not attached to my post but only linked to my website. :D
Jeff - I love what you are posting - these are great. Please don't stop !!
I have a feeling my Yahoo website won't link like that - I haven't worked out what I have to do anyway.
Geoff

[Savannah]

Apple blossom with rebel XT, crop only, no procesing

[jeff31]

Jeff - I love what you are posting - these are great. Please don't stop !!
I have a feeling my Yahoo website won't link like that - I haven't worked out what I have to do anyway.
Geoff
Thanks Geoff !
Does your internet provider not allow you to upload files in your personal space ? With mine i've 100Mo expandable where i can upload what i want by using FTP.
Jeff

[jeff31]

Apple blossom with rebel XT, crop only, no procesing
I think apple blossom is a very difficult subject for digital camera. However your pic looks great.

[Geoff Chandler]

Jeff
Out of my depth - sorry - I have no idea about any of that
What is FTP? My Internet provider is Tesco, but my photos are on Yahoo
Don't worry too much though
Anyway try another Pansy for now - they're quite sweet!
Geoff ;)

[folonik]

Jeff
Out of my depth - sorry - I have no idea about any of that
What is FTP? My Internet provider is Tesco, but my photos are on Yahoo
Don't worry too much though
Anyway try another Pansy for now - they're quite sweet!
Geoff ;)
Nice :)

FTP is a short for File Transfer Protocol, and its what it says. A protocol just like HTTP for webpages (HyperTextTransferPrototol) FTP is for files, any files. (see the http:// before the www... aswell can you type ftp://ftp.sunet.se/ to get to sunets ftp servers, most browsers can browse ftp servers aswell as http and some can news and the old gopher). But there are other programs or clients which do the job better than normal browsers like InternetExplorer and Firefox. For example gftp or lftp on GNU/Linux and FlashFXP or CuteFTP for Windows. With them you can upload stuff to the server.

(A protocol is like a language, specifik syntax, commands to send like this and that to do this and that...)

Most ISP's which give webspace to their costumers use FTP to allow the costumers to put thier webpages, files, up on the webserver. Ofcourse the space can be used for other files and not webpages :)

FTP unlike HTTP is designed to allow anonymous (all public) aswell as restricted or user access. While you have to implement it yourself for HTTP, in the webpage itself. What else.. HTTP goes over port 80 (both commands and data) and FTP over 21 and data over 20 I belive... but thats more technical than needed...

Try browsing ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/ for example (public access)...

/folonik, your local gnu/linux nerd.

[Bluedog]

Apple blossom with rebel XT, crop only, no procesing

You'd be surprised at what a inexpensive Tripod and the Canon RE-60E3 shutter release could do for you. being able to slow down the shutter and stepping closed the aperture to around f/11, even applying a little UnSharp Mask. That image would near perfect ... however its still very good to start with .. ;)

Geoff, you got the Pansy's down pat ... :)

[Savannah]

You'd be surprised at what a inexpensive Tripod and the Canon RE-60E3 shutter release could do for you. being able to slow down the shutter and stepping closed the aperture to around f/11, even applying a little UnSharp Mask. That image would near perfect ... however its still very good to start with .. ;)

Geoff, you got the Pansy's down pat ... :)


Thanks Bluedog....points well taken. I appreciate the feedback

Stacy

[Savannah]

Jeff
Out of my depth - sorry - I have no idea about any of that
What is FTP? My Internet provider is Tesco, but my photos are on Yahoo
Don't worry too much though
Anyway try another Pansy for now - they're quite sweet!
Geoff ;)


Great pic. The colors are incredible

[Q B@LL]

a rose :cool:

[Geoff Chandler]

Thanks to everyone who commented on yet another Pansy from me.
folonik - I will try (again) to see if I can work it out Thanks for the tech explanation- so I guess I go into the browser and try to copy the pic - then paste it in here or something it's all completely alien to me - having never managed it I can't visulise how to actually do it ~ but don't worry - if I can't make it happen i will get one of my whizzy friends round to show me - but I have a feeling it doesn't work with Yahoo

[Geoff Chandler]

I have fiddled and faffed but can't seem to find a way to upload this Yellow Rose from my site
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/geof777/detail?.dir=46b2&.dnm=d5c9.jpg&.src=ph
So
I guess it doesnt work with Yahoo.
I will have to reduce the orig and manage attachments as usual instead

[Bluedog]

Beautiful shot Geoff. You need to set up a PBase account for 200MB of storage @ $23.00 a year.

[jeff31]

Certainly not taken at the best time of the day :cool:

http://sonyv3.free.fr/rose.JPG
program mode, 1/25s, f/3.2, 200 iso, 10.8 focal length, pattern metering, color adjustement

[D70FAN]

Beautiful shot Geoff. You need to set up a PBase account for 200MB of storage @ $23.00 a year.

Another annual fee alternative is smugmug.com. For $30 you get unlimited gallery space and a very elegant, easy to use, site.

http://www.smugmug.com

If you decide to use smugmug and mention my name when subscibing I receive a $10 credit for next years fee.

Geoff: If you copy the picture to your desktop and then use manage attachements to upload to this thread it should work.. as follows:

[Bald Eagle]

Beautiful flower shots. heres a couple of mine and one that I'm not sure what thread to post it in, Bird or Flower. ;)

[Geoff Chandler]

Another annual fee alternative is smugmug.com. For $30 you get unlimited gallery space and a very elegant, easy to use, site.

http://www.smugmug.com

If you decide to use smugmug and mention my name when subscibing I receive a $10 credit for next years fee.

Geoff: If you copy the picture to your desktop and then use manage attachements to upload to this thread it should work.. as follows:
That's similar to what I am already doing. I choose a pic - downsize it to a suitable size for here - compress to get the file size down - 'save as' new name - then manage attachments and upload the new version of the pic - it's not a lot of hassle really - everything else seems too complecated and involves opening another web photo site - My Yahoo is free, (and apparently unlimited!) I'm not sure about commiting to yearly payment as I don't know for sure how much or how long I would use it. Apparently, I am told I can upload to webspace with my provider - Tesco - so I am going to give that a try.
Now look - you made me type all this in - now I'll have to find another picture to share - and I haven't taken any more flowers just recently - here's an early A-200 experiment - not quite enough light and a pretty small flower - so it could be a bit sharper - I have slightly brightened it.

[jeff31]

Geoff, i've the same small flowers in my garden :) I've try to shot them but without good success. :(

[John_Reed]

Just thought I'd add some red to the beautiful yellows preceding in this gallery. Lovely shots, folks!
http://john-reed.smugmug.com/photos/21128390-L.jpg
Taken about 5 cm away from the rose with my FZ15 in macro mode, manual focus, ~70mm equivalent focal length.

[Maddox]

Grey day..

MJ

[Geoff Chandler]

Geoff, i've the same small flowers in my garden :) I've try to shot them but without good success. :(
I am amazed - as you always produce such amazing pics - must be bad luck or something. Give it another Try
Geoff

[Wombat]

Hi Folks

So many great shots on ALL the threads - thanks for sharing them.
Here is another "was a flower shot" from my cardboard box studio. Canon A80, indoors, natural light, exp 1/3s, ap f8, exposure compensation -11/3 [surprisingly shiny subject]. Some definition lost on reducing for post.

Regards
Wombat

[Bald Eagle]

Wombat, very nice photo. heres one that used to be also. hope you like.

[natsuki]

Hi,

I have some pics to share. I used Casio Exilim Z55 with mode Snapshot + Macro.

[Wombat]

heres one that used to be also. hope you like.

Like the red against the green foliage. What is this thing? a flower off a tree that fell to earth or does it belong to the green leaves?

Regards
Puzzled Wombat

[Bald Eagle]

It is a flower that fell off of a bush, I liked the contrasting colors, so i took a shot. glad you liked. :)

[Geoff Chandler]

Jeff31 ~ first rose pic very good - unusual looking.
Bald Eagle ~ I Never thought of taking a flower after it's
fallen to the ground before!
Wombat ~ Like the 'Was a Flower' pic - that's another good idea.
natski ~ nicely presented - great shots. Snapshot & Macro worked well for you.
_M_A_D_D_O_X_ some pink on a grey day - ;ooks almost like the water is frozen on
the flower - really nice!
John - really like that rose emerging
Hey - everyone's pics are looking great on here. Speaklightly's going to be
SO pleased when she gets back.
Thanks everyone for such great flower Photos
Oh - here's mine from earlier this evening in the back garden - actually a low light pic but I liked
the more even lighting this evening.
Whoops - almost forgot: - A-200, 50asa, 100th sec, F3.5, equive focal length 181mm macro, anti shake. 0ev
I lied, I lied!! - It was the FRONT garden - sorry!, another dyslexic slip.

[Bald Eagle]

Excellent photo, I'm jealous of your garden. Love the soft lighting. :)

[Bluedog]

very nice Geoff!

First shot with my new Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8:

Focal Length 68 mm
Exposure Time 1/250 sec
Aperture f/4
ISO Equivalent 400

Shot in RAW|handheld|unedited straight from camera and very overcast late afternoon.

http://www.pbase.com/smith_xt/image/42964953.jpg

[DiJ]

Strange looking flower. Not sure what it is.

[Geoff Chandler]

Excellent photo, I'm jealous of your garden. Love the soft lighting. :)
Probably best I only show the close up shots - that way you'll stay jealous!! :D
Thanks for the comlent.
BTW - just edited - it was the FRONT Garden.

[Wombat]

An outdoor shot for a change. In partial shade and has come out a bit soft but at least the white's not blown. It was a blowy day and I this shot is a bit out of focus. Anyone got any tips about shooting moving flowers??

Canon A80, handheld, macro and zoom modes combined, exp 1/125s, ap. f/8, exposure bias -1/3.

regards
Wombat

[DiJ]

Nice shot. You captured the colors and texture of these flowers.

For moving flowers setting iso to 100 or 200 helps to gives a faster shutter speed. The A80 is quite clean up to iso200. You can remove any noise with Neat Image easily.

[jeff31]

I've found and old 50mm lens. I've put it in front of the sony V3, the results are very specular. In the continuity, i've try also to get some other shots with an eyepiece of my telescope. You'll find below some variations around the same flower. What do you think, interesting isn't it ?

http://sonyv3.free.fr/var2.jpg

http://sonyv3.free.fr/var3.jpg

http://sonyv3.free.fr/var4.jpg

http://sonyv3.free.fr/var5.jpg

[jeff31]

http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_var1.jpg

http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_var3.jpg

http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_var4.jpg

http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_var5.jpg

[jeff31]

http://sonyv3.free.fr/tul_var2.jpg
50mm lens in front of the V3

http://sonyv3.free.fr/tul_var1.jpg
32 mm eyepiece in front of the v3 (it's a microscope :D )

[jeff31]

In my garden i've a lot of small marguerite:

http://sonyv3.free.fr/smacro4.jpg

[Thalas'shaya]

neat shots, jeff! super-macro... i like the composition of the marguerite shot very much.

and now, my contribution. actually, my girlfriend shot this... but i did the processing, so i guess we each get half credit. shot with canon a95, full auto. at the b&b we stayed at in maui. our hostess was quite the gardener.
http://users4.ev1.net/~kmd1776/flora.jpg

[jeff31]

http://sonyv3.free.fr/smacro1.jpg

[Wombat]

Nice shot. You captured the colors and texture of these flowers.

For moving flowers setting iso to 100 or 200 helps to gives a faster shutter speed. The A80 is quite clean up to iso200. You can remove any noise with Neat Image easily.

Many thanks DiJ for the detailed help with ISO and shooting moving flowers. ISO is something I haven't altered yet - I have only had the camera a year. I am a bit inept with all these functions - when I do try them out I then forget to change the settings back DOH. There are just so many things to think about and get wrong ;-)

Jef31 - Liked the experimentation photos - sounds awfully clever thing to do. I imagine you lugging telescope and camera round your garden - or perhaps you have a cart? How do you fasten the camera to the telescope?

Regards
Wombat

[jeff31]

Sorry i've not very clear. The most of these pics don't have been taken with the telescope but only a 130mm lens handed up at reverse in front of the sony v3 lens. Some others are taken with an eyepiece at the place of the lens always at reverse. An eyepiece is only the small part of a telescope that you put your eyes. So no need to lugg the telescope round my garden. I've only a lens in one hand and the camera in other one.
Try it if you have an old lens. It remplace advantageously a positive supplementary lens.

[emalvick]

Sorry i've not very clear. The most of these pics don't have been taken with the telescope but only a 130mm lens handed up at reverse in front of the sony v3 lens. Some others are taken with an eyepiece at the place of the lens always at reverse. An eyepiece is only the small part of a telescope that you put your eyes. So no need to lugg the telescope round my garden. I've only a lens in one hand and the camera in other one.
Try it if you have an old lens. It remplace advantageously a positive supplementary lens.

Jeff31, do you have to focus the camera and the reversed lens both? I suppose I'd have to try it. Only, I only have a manual lens from my old manual slr.

Does the size of the lens matter? For some reason I have a hard time imagining the physics that make it work so well.

Erik

[jeff31]

No Erik you have only to focus the camera. My camera is in autofocus mode. On the reversed lens you have only to adjust the aperture. The camera focus very well in these configuration when the reversed lens is very near of the subject.

Jeff

[emalvick]

No Erik you have only to focus the camera. My camera is in autofocus mode. On the reversed lens you have only to adjust the aperture. The camera focus very well in these configuration when the reversed lens is very near of the subject.

Jeff

So, are you going for a wide open aperture, or is there a specific reason for using certain aperture settings?

.... I'm going to try this out real soon. I'm sure I'll figure it out through practice.

-Erik

[aparmley]

Jeff-

very interesting work, turned out very well!

[jeff31]

So, are you going for a wide open aperture, or is there a specific reason for using certain aperture settings?

.... I'm going to try this out real soon. I'm sure I'll figure it out through practice.

-Erik

Wide open aperture to have a lowest vigneting. I've vigneting in all configuration that i've tested. The eyepiece give me the best result and after the 130mm. With a 50 mm reversed, i've a lot vigneting but a bigger magnification. I must have also the higher focale length (zoom 4x) on the camera to have the less vigneting.

[emalvick]

Thanks, I'll keep that all in mind. That is why I figure you would want the largest aperture. I'll have to test things out. I have a Panasonic FZ15, so depending on how well my autofocus works, I may be able to zoom in quite a ways. That could make for some cool shots.

I have to say, your setup isn't the first time I've heard of it. I imagine it is used more than I realize, but your photos are perhaps the best I've seen with that setup.

Erik

[StanStan]

I have a problem with my camera. It shoots at anything I point it at:

[Bluedog]

Really excellent work on everyones part.

Using the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8|100% Crop of Peppermint Amaryllis showing focus detail on the flower Anther (yellow pollen sacs). Not a Macro but pretty good closeup cropped I thought.

http://img55.echo.cx/img55/5138/100crop08061ts.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

Bluedog, That is an EXCELLENT shot. fantastic job.

[the bald eagle`s chick]

I`m back!. Had a little computer problem that kept me off the site for a few days. I did still practice. Took this one last sunday. I liked the color contrast.

[Bluedog]

Bluedog, That is an EXCELLENT shot. fantastic job.

Very nice the bald eagle`s chick ... ;)

Thanks a bunch Bald Eagle. I was hoping to take an evening shot but had to settle for high noon. Thats a RAW converted image with no Photoshop USM (unsharp mask) applied, straight from the XT/Tarmon combo. That same image with my Sigma needed a little USM to bring out the detail.

[jeff31]

I give you a link to keep all details:

geranium flower (http://sonyv3.free.fr/ger_macro_1.jpg)
(recorded in raw format)

Jeff

[Geoff Chandler]

[QUOTE=Bluedog]very nice Geoff!

First shot with my new Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8:

Focal Length 68 mm
Exposure Time 1/250 sec
Aperture f/4
ISO Equivalent 400

Shot in RAW|handheld|unedited straight from camera and very overcast late afternoon.

Like the Tamron Lens - very nice!!!
Now what have I got here...?

[Geoff Chandler]

It's one of these.!
Growing in my back garden - hopefully to cover the fence soon...

[Bluedog]

Very nice Geoff ... what kinda vine or flower is that?

[DiJ]

Now what have I got here...?

Wow. How did you manage to get so close? Is this with the A200?

[JTL]

It's one of these.!
Growing in my back garden - hopefully to cover the fence soon...That A200 is the most surprising camera ever. But we all know, it's the photographer, not the camera...but a great camera never hurts!

[Geoff Chandler]

Bluedog,Jtl Dij - thanks for the comments
- the Flower is a Clematis (Elsa Spath) just checked in the garden - cos I'm no expert!!
Both taken on the A-200 colour etc just about spot on - depending on your monitor...On the large one I clumsily cloned out the label, nothing more at all other than the resize. On the close up I cropped it a little but it was about as close as I can get, hard to gauge at the telephoto end. Getting used to it though. It's a mixed bag really - it feels wrong not going so close, however - it's really useful for low depth of field to isolate your subjet and blur the background. At the wide angle end it's still very clear - but everything is in focus - which might be handy sometime...
Edit. PS Re the 'How did I get so close bit - bear in mind it's a pretty big flower. G

[AlkaPhunk]

here's my small contribution to the galery...

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5399/macrofleur48dw.jpg

http://img257.echo.cx/img257/7724/macrofleur37hq.jpg

http://img257.echo.cx/img257/2644/macrofleur11da.jpg

Nikon Coolpix 5900, (macro mode)

[Geoff Chandler]

AlkaPhunk _ thanks for your contribution - one of very few we've had from the Nikon fold as well. Nice pics, got any more...?

[AlkaPhunk]

Thanks Geoff.
I'll hang around to see what pics i could add in any galery here, but i just got my 5900 a few weeks ago, so i didn't have that much time to use it yet.
But sure i'll had more asap.
Thanks again ;)

[Bluedog]

Red Daisy
Edited using Lighting Effects in Photoshop Elements 2.

Canon EOS 350D ,Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD (IF)
1/500s f/6.3 at 75.0mm iso100
ISO Equivalent 100

http://www.pbase.com/smith_xt/image/43077270.jpg

[Thalas'shaya]

this is something that grows "wild" in our yard. i assume it was planted by a previous resident, i simply try not to mow it down. my girlfriend took the photo with our canon a95 (told y'all she had a thing for flowers). settings: auto, shutter Speed 1/30, f4.9, no flash.

http://users4.ev1.net/~kmd1776/yardflower.jpg

[aparmley]

Program AE - Tv 1/800 - Av 7.1 - ISO 800 - Lens Canon 50.0mm 1.8 - New XT... still learning it... Something I took so I could post something..

[Bluedog]

Nice job aparmley ... ;)

[carbine]

Took this when the sunrise i was waiting for was ruined by clouds :(

[carbine]

Same flower but with a slight Hue/Saturation and lighting change :)

[Jonathan]

One of my first pics taken with the D70, while learning to use it.

Lens: 18-70mm F/3.5-4.5 G, 1/800 sec - F/8

[jeff31]

1/125s, f/4, spot, zoom 4x + 130mm lens reversed

http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_macro09.JPG

[speaklightly]

What an absolutely fantastic job you have all been doing while I was gone to the Caribbean doing a workshop. The digital photos are all wonderful, with great composition, some unusual shots and as always, when shooting flowers, with great colors.

Please give me a couple of days to unpack and do the laundry. This will be a quick turn around at home this time, as we will head off late this month to China for 21 days, then to Russia in late June for another 16 days. I enjoy teaching and helping folks, and it is how we pay the bills.

Sarah Joyce

[EAP]

Wildflowers off the Rising Sun Trail in Solstice Canyon, one of the most beautiful coastal canyons in the Santa Monica Mountains.

http://bethsadventurepics.smugmug.com/photos/21656669-L.jpg

[speaklightly]

Beth-

Thanks for the nice wildflower photo. The colors are great.

Sarah Joyce

[aparmley]

Thank you blue! I have a few more to resize from Sunday so I can post them up.

Great shots everyone...
Jeff---love that flower picture!

[D Thompson]

Thought I would add another.
ISO 400 1/1000 @ f10.0 Canon 20D 18-55 kit lens.
Comments appreciated.

[Geoff Chandler]

Was the soft focus effect intentional? - gives it a wonderfully dreamy feel... lazy days in the sun and meadows...Nice shot!

[D Thompson]

Was the soft focus effect intentional? - gives it a wonderfully dreamy feel... lazy days in the sun and meadows...Nice shot!


Thanks Geoff. The soft focus is probably due more to the 18-55 kit lens and resizing to fit here. I'm still not sure of the settings to use when I resize.

Dennis

[StanStan]

Thanks Geoff. The soft focus is probably due more to the 18-55 kit lens and resizing to fit here. I'm still not sure of the settings to use when I resize.

Dennis
Set your image size to say 750 pixels for the horizontal then it will fit on an 800 x 600 display

BTW what is 18-55???

[D Thompson]

Set your image size to say 750 pixels for the horizontal then it will fit on an 800 x 600 display

BTW what is 18-55???

Stan - thanks for the suggestion. I never know what to resize to as far as width, height, and resolution to get under the size limits.

The 18-55 is a Canon EFS 18-55mm f3.5 - 5.6. It is the kit lens that came with my Canon 20D.

Dennis

[aparmley]

The camera exif for the following pictures in order are as follows:

1.Shooting Mode: Aperture-Priority AE | Tv: 1/250 | Av 1.8 | ISO 100
Digital Rebel XT w/Canon 50mm EF F/1.8

2.Shooting Mode: Aperture-Priority AE | Tv: 1/800 | Av 3.2 | ISO 100
Digital Rebel XT w/Canon 50mm EF F/1.8

3.Shooting Mode: Aperture-Priority AE | Tv: 1/800 | Av 3.2 | ISO 100
Digital Rebel XT w/Canon 50mm EF F/1.8

4.Shooting Mode: Aperture-Priority AE | Tv: 1/1250 | Av 3.2 | ISO 200
Digital Rebel XT w/Canon 50mm EF F/1.8

All pictures have been cropped and/or saved to 600x400 pixels and quality reduced for web showing...

[jeff31]

I've experiment small aperture (f/8) with super macro on flowers. Here a sample :

http://sonyv3.free.fr/fl_macro_08.JPG

[StanStan]

Stan - thanks for the suggestion. I never know what to resize to as far as width, height, and resolution to get under the size limits.Dennis
Dennis:
More: Let the height fall where it may. There is a file size limit of 117kb on this site. So to get a decent picture post get near this limit without going over. In Photo Shop Elements I set the width to 750 pixels; ignore width in inches, ignore the pixel height and when saving I look at the file size and up or lower the picture quality till I get near the 117 limit. It would be nice if they allowed more resolution.
Easy to get the hang of it. BTW Did not get good results when saving to the web option.
Stan

[Savannah]

Not impressed with this lens..... Focusing is a big issue. But this is the first shot with it.

[AllanC]

since daisies seem to be popular here's some more.

[Bluedog]

Not impressed with this lens..... Focusing is a big issue. But this is the first shot with it.

I'd really like to see more results with this lense. Maybe you could post some samples in the Lense Forum. Remember its probably not the sharpest wide open and outa' curiosity take a manual focused shot.

[jeff31]

So big, no need to use macro mode.

[emalvick]

So big, no need to use macro mode.

Those look like some type of Iris... Are they?

I grew up with a lot of Iris's around, but I don't recognize the interior coloring on the petals nor the way the core of the flower seems to radiate outward as well. It is a fascinating looking flower. Nice shot.

-Erik

[jeff31]

Yes emalvick this flower is an Iris.
A macro shot give that :

http://sonyv3.free.fr/iris_macro1.JPG

[StanStan]

My flower:http://www.dcresource.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1672&stc=1

[D70FAN]

Not impressed with this lens..... Focusing is a big issue. But this is the first shot with it.

What were the settings? We have seen some really nice shots with this lens, so don't give up on it yet.

[EAP]

Anyone know what this flower is called?

[Bluedog]

Looks like some type of weed bloom, EAP.

This ia another one of my Stella D'ora Day Lillie's that are really starting to bloom daily. Handheld straight from the 350D/XT in RAW converted to .jpg in PSE 2:

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di
Focal Length 68 mm
Exposure Time 1/400 sec
Aperture f/8
ISO Equivalent 200

http://upload.pbase.com/smith_xt/image/43222467/large.jpg

[Geoff Chandler]

Anyone know what this flower is called?
Looks like some kind of thistle to me - lovely shot!

[speaklightly]

BlueDog, EAP, and StanStan-

Thanks so much for the great digital photos! They are wonderful! I especially liked the soft quality that BlueDog had in his photo. Is that the Sigma 18-125mm lens again, BlueDog? It is a great Canon 350XT photo.

Sarah Joyce

[Bluedog]

BlueDog, EAP, and StanStan-

Thanks so much for the great digital photos! They are wonderful! I especially liked the soft quality that BlueDog had in his photo. Is that the Sigma 18-125mm lens again, BlueDog? It is a great Canon 350XT photo.

Sarah Joyce

Thanks a bunch but thats using my new Tamron 28-75mm XR Di, purchased while you were away ... ;)

[speaklightly]

Bluedog-

Thanks for the info. I love the sharpness in that lens. It is a lens that I considered and then thought that it was to mid range. I will have to look at it again.

Sarah Joyce

[Savannah]

I'd really like to see more results with this lense. Maybe you could post some samples in the Lense Forum. Remember its probably not the sharpest wide open and outa' curiosity take a manual focused shot.


Hi Bluedog..........I will post more next week. Unfortuatley I will be too busy to take photo's for the next few days/weeks. Look for some posts with pics sometime around the first of June. I just found out I'm being laid off from work July 1 and its also the end of the school year. Not much time to play with my new lens. :(

[Geoff Chandler]

Back when my Kitchen was Yellow, a couple of months back, - I took this from a bunch of yellow flowers (yellow on yellow!) Now slightly cropped.
Olympus C-740UZ 1/30th sec F3.2 ISO100

[Bluedog]

Hi Bluedog..........I will post more next week. Unfortuatley I will be too busy to take photo's for the next few days/weeks. Look for some posts with pics sometime around the first of June. I just found out I'm being laid off from work July 1 and its also the end of the school year. Not much time to play with my new lens. :(

Sorry to hear that and no problem on the pics will be looking forward to seeing more. Remember to step that lens down some, a few apertures for probably best results and think steady in the longer zoom range ... ;)

[Canonfan]

:o One of my first photos ever with my 350D and 50mm f1.8 lens.
Is this a flower?

[speaklightly]

Geoff and Canofan-

Those are wonderful digital photos! I especially like the softness in Geoff's Olympus C-740 photo. Keep up the great work folks! We never get tired of flower digital photos.

Sarah Joyce

[Geoff Chandler]

I struggled with these a bit - the whole vase full are hard to capture - indoor lighting is all wrong - and outdoors is too windy at the moment - but I got a couple of close ups.
Anyone know what these are??

[Geoff Chandler]

& here's a less mature bloom.
(BTW - A-200 - first shot MF to get it where I wanted ASA100 f5 & 1/40th sec tele macro )