I would not have believed the improvement a tripod makes if I had not used it.

**JBW** · 2nd February 2014, 06:40 AM

**gregj1763** · 2nd February 2014, 07:49 AM

Welcome to the world of sharp photo's Brian

What sort of tripod did you get.
Nice image BTW

**pnodrog** · 2nd February 2014, 08:12 AM

The next problem you have is to keep the subject matter still....

You will begin to love windless days.

**JBW** · 2nd February 2014, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by gregj1763

Welcome to the world of sharp photo's Brian

What sort of tripod did you get.
Nice image BTW

Myra got me a SLIK U8000 the legs don't go straight out to get really low but then neither does my back.

**JBW** · 2nd February 2014, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by pnodrog

The next problem you have is to keep the subject matter still....

You will begin to love windless days.

we don't often have windless days. But there are lots of rock walls, with short plants in our yard.

**Colin Southern** · 2nd February 2014, 08:37 AM

And with some levels adjustment and sharpening in Photoshop ...

**JBW** · 2nd February 2014, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Colin Southern

And with some levels adjustment and sharpening in Photoshop ...

actually photoscape and or gimp but that is being pedantic

**Stagecoach** · 2nd February 2014, 09:45 AM

Brian,

Yes a tripod is a massive bonus when your subjects are static but can be an absolute pain when they are not.

This morning when shooting the mantis ROT series I was laying on the ground full length, elbows supporting the weight of the camera with my eye pressed against the viewfinder which gave the perfect support for moving the camera forward slowly very controlled and the moment the eye was sharp clicking.

Grahame

**Colin Southern** · 2nd February 2014, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by JBW

actually photoscape and or gimp but that is being pedantic

I was talking about what I used to adjust it

**JBW** · 2nd February 2014, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Brian,

Yes a tripod is a massive bonus when your subjects are static but can be an absolute pain when they are not.

This morning when shooting the mantis ROT series I was laying on the ground full length, elbows supporting the weight of the camera with my eye pressed against the viewfinder which gave the perfect support for moving the camera forward slowly very controlled and the moment the eye was sharp clicking.

Grahame

not sure that would work for me. over the years my reaction time is way too slow.

**bnnrcn** · 2nd February 2014, 10:21 AM

More images with the new tripod please,your image seems good:-)

**gregj1763** · 2nd February 2014, 10:56 AM

http://www.slik.co.jp/slik_com/UFS-U8000.html

Just in case you haven't had a look.
Have fun mate

**JBW** · 2nd February 2014, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by bnnrcn

More images with the new tripod please,your image seems good:-)

**Shadowman** · 2nd February 2014, 12:50 PM

Nicely done.

**bnnrcn** · 2nd February 2014, 02:02 PM

Very nice,thank you:-)

Originally Posted by JBW

**JBW** · 2nd February 2014, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Colin Southern

I was talking about what I used to adjust it

you softened the overall effect?

**FrankMi** · 2nd February 2014, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by JBW

we don't often have windless days. But there are lots of rock walls, with short plants in our yard.

You might welcome the benefits of a Plamp (Plant Clamp) Brian. These can be made at home quite inexpensively but to give you an idea of what they look like and how they can help in this situation, take a look at this link... http://www.tripodhead.com/products/plamp-main.cfm

**Manfred M** · 2nd February 2014, 02:33 PM

No surprises here Brian. For a (relatively) static subject, your tripod gets you two key features; you can eliminate motion blur due to camera shake and you can nail your framing right on.

**JBW** · 2nd February 2014, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by FrankMi

You might welcome the benefits of a Plamp (Plant Clamp) Brian. These can be made at home quite inexpensively but to give you an idea of what they look like and how they can help in this situation, take a look at this link... http://www.tripodhead.com/products/plamp-main.cfm

I could create something like that.

**rpcrowe** · 2nd February 2014, 03:32 PM

Congratulations Brian, you have taken the next step in achieving good close up imagery!

I have a friend who is quite into close-up work of flowers. He has fabricated two wind breaks, each made of two pieces of very light wood that are hinged together He uses piano hinges running the length of the sides that are attached together. The two squares of wood with a hinge between them can be set as a wind break. They will stand independently.

I don't know the exact sizes he has fabricated but it looks like one is constructed of two pieces that are about 18-inches square and the other about 36-inches square, give or take.

He has painted one side of the wind break white and the reverse side black. He can additionally use his wind breaks as a black background or a reflector. He does some very nice work with these simple gadgets.

If memory serves, 1/8 inch plywood (often mahogany) is readily available in the Philippines at a rather low price.

He also uses an umbrella (his is a white photo umbrella) but any small umbrella would work to provide a diffused shade in which to shoot his images. He normally adds some flash to his images.

Sorry about the quality of my quick drawing but, this might give you an idea of what I am talking about...

Another thing my friend carries on his flower shooting jaunts is a small spray bottle containing a water and glycerin mix. Spraying this on flowers and foliage gives a wet and alive look. He adds the glycerin because in our very dry desert areas, water will evaporate very quickly. In the more humid Philippines, I would guess that water alone would be suffifient.

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