A newbie at macro

Started having a go at macro a couple of weeks ago. I'm using a Pentax M50 f1.7 plus extension tubes. Here's a few images.










They can be viewed full size in Flickr, but what do you think


Regards

Jeff

Hi Jeff, thanks for uploading these, I'm an enthusiastic macro shooter and have been practicing at this for a couple of years now. They are a very good start, I hope you don't mind me giving you a few tips / observations:

- Colours are good
- Focus / sharpness are a little off - I think you need to use a narrower aperture (you haven't mentioned what aperture was used)
- It may make it easier to use a supplementary light source? Diffused flash is good and you can make a diffuser out of Pringles tubes - there have been several posts on here about this
- Take care with composition, particularly not to cut the edge of the frame with parts of the image that are important - sometimes it's best to sacrifice some magnification to get the framing you need - i.e. pull back a little

Keep practicing - macro is difficult and a lot of effort is needed to get good results. All the best and keep posting the images - you should find you get plenty of encouragement and constructive comments on the Forum.

Best wishes
David

Mornin' Jeff. Us newbees at macro must stick together. I must admit your flies are better than my spiders. But we must keep trying. At least yours are natural whereas mine were indoors after being (FRIDGED)???. BUT we've all got to start somewhere. I like No. 2 on the fruit.
CHEERS Vic.

Thanks Vic. We'll learn together.

I have been thinking of getting the same lens as you, as it might give a longer working distance, and better control, as with the M50 plus tubes the lens is only a couple of inches away from the subject. I have got a Tamron 28-75 so I might try that with tubes first.

I want to thank David for his comments. I pretty sure I was at f16, ISO 800, shutter between 1/45 & 1/90. I am going to try to set up a flash, maybe with a Pringles tube. Also I have been shooting with all my extension tubes on so I will try different tube set ups to reduce magnification and get more background in.

I think it very rewarding to get images like ours with no experience.

And we'll get better

Cheers

Jeff

Oh by the way Vic

Spiders eat flies

Pringles tubes and on-board flash is the most convenient way to go. You may need to slide one tube inside the other to allow for different lens lengths.
The 50 1.7 and tubes is an awesome combination only lacking the ability to turn around and shoot the dog if the occasion arises
I rarely go over f11, nothing wrong with a bit of shallow DOF, but the sharp bit MUST be pin-sharp
Oh yes, and get down lowwwww. make like another insect and the drama will improve ten fold.

All good advice above. I think you've done well for you first attempts and with practice you will only get better. The best tip above is to get down low - if you are on the same level as the subjects it transforms a macro image completely. Hope you don't mind me posting a few that illustrate both the low angle and more of the composition:










All of these are with natural light, first and second are with a Sigma 105 macro, K-5iis/K-x, third one with a K-5 and SMC Pentax K55 F1.8 and extension tubes.

Regards
David