Some Recent Macros

[Jim B.]

All shot handheld in natural light.
Canon 60 macro

Canon 60 Macro

Canon 60 Macro

Canon 100 Macro

Canon 100Macro

Sigma 150 Macro

[Dave Humphries]

Nice series Jim,

May I ask; are these manually focused?

In terms of feedback, beyond sayin No.1 and to a lesser extent No.2 are a little dim, I can't fault them.
Good compositions, etc., etc.

Thanks,

[Jim B.]

Hi Dave,

Yes,all are manual focused shots.I can boost #1 a bit but #2 I'm right on the edge of blowing the yellows on the in focus bud.I'm still on the low end of the curve with PP.Any suggestions on how to protect the highlights and boost the exposure a bit? I use Elements7 and I also use DPP at times.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the answer.

If shooting RAW and importing into PSE7 with ACR, then while you are in ACR, you can up the exposure, but also raise the Recovery slider, that will flatten off the highlight end from the boost given by upping the exposure slider. It should protect the highlights in the red/green channels and you can get warnings on the histogram and picture (clipped areas go 100% red).

So set the Exposure to give a general boost and ignore the clipping, then set the recovery slider to bring all areas out of clipping. If you can't, just drop the Exposure slider a bit. I find once I have done this (and used the Blacks slider to not clip those), a check of levels in PSE usually shows everything is fine and no further adjustment is necessary.

Colin may well be able to improve upon this advice.

The beauty of doing it ACR is you have access to all the 12 bits you shot with, because, as you probably know; in Elements, many of the things don't work in 16 bit mode, so you end up going to 8 bit sooner than ideal if you want to clone, dodge, burn or sat/desat anything with a brush.

Hope that helps,

[John C]

I really like the second photo. There something about that sharp flower hanging in front of the background flower that makes my eyes jump.

[batman44]

Wow, these are awesome! Even the yuky spider one!
Now I really need to save up and read up on macro lenses! sigh!!!!!
Nice and crisp...and hand-held too!
NICE WORK!!

[Keith]

Nice macro shots Jim, very detailed!

Wow, these are awesome! Even the yuky spider one!
Now I really need to save up and read up on macro lenses! sigh!!!!!
Nice and crisp...and hand-held too!
NICE WORK!!

Its a minefield Kori, I am looking for one, but getting loads of differing advice and preferences when you are trying to keep costs down but need to have an effective lens to cover 'most' occasions.

Keith

[Jim B.]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the instructions.I'll give it another go.

[batman44]

Its a minefield Kori, I am looking for one, but getting loads of differing advice and preferences when you are trying to keep costs down but need to have an effective lens to cover 'most' occasions.

Keith

I'm finding that out!!!! The advice so far is for Canon and I'm a Nikon... But I just keep researching.... hopefully will come up with something soon!

[Jim B.]

Thanks for your comments.

[Jim B.]

I just checked prices on Nikon 105 micro.For less money you could get a Sigma 150 macro Nikon mount.More working distance and a really good lens.

[Keith]

I am looking at those two already Jim....decisions...decisions.

[Jim B.]

I know what you mean,Keith.As far as I can tell from experience and research any macro dedicated lens is going to be a good one.I have the Canon 60 and 100 macros and the Sigma 150 and they all have outstanding IQ.It comes down to what you like to shoot.For me working distance is important so the 150 gets used the most.It's also light enough to handhold in many situations.

[batman44]

I am looking at those two already Jim....decisions...decisions.

Let me know what you decide and post some picts! I'm so confused right now I need a break from macro lens! LOL.... Not sure what size to get...
While money isn't a huge issue...it's still an issue!
I don't want to break the bank on a hobby. While I have sold some pictures...it's not enough money to quit my day job! ha ha