Macro set-up

[Dave A]

My plan today was to do a little macro work inside so I got set up and was going to shoot some frost killed flower buds but I wasn't happy with the images so into the bin they went. That funny looking thing with all the arms and clips is something I picked up to hold what I'm shooting when indoors. It has 8 arms and is for airbrushing. Lots of experimenting these days.

Dave

[Shadowman]

Nice setup.

[Stagecoach]

Very good Dave, but I would not recommend using a tripod set up like that. Far too easy to knock over.

[DanK]

I like the gizmo with clamps. I'd be interested in seeing how well the lighting works. I would expect it to be a little harsh and flat, at least for flowers. That's just a guess, however.


I most often use indirect light from an umbrella and diffused light from the side to give shadows etc. The setup ends up being different for each flower, but the general idea is the same. Here is what it was like for one shot:

[rpcrowe]

Dave, I might suggest that you elevate your camera by extending the tripod legs rather than the center column and then only use the center column for small adjustments. That way the camera will be safer because it should not topple over as easily as it could as you have it set up. The tripod being extended by adjusting the legs should also make the camera more solid.

I have a small tripod something like yours and mine is far more solid when the legs are extended to adjust the height. In fact, that is the way that I use any of my tripods. They are more solid when the center column is not extended to any great degree.

[Dave A]

Thanks for pointing that out Richard, good advice.

Dave