Thank you Chris
It was shot with the DA*300 and there isnt much about technique hee actually. Just followed some tips and advice from fellow members here, mirror lock up and sturdy tripod and just shot a few with different settings and got this one looking best

I have on occasions divulgued setups and techniques and on many occasions written extensive emails and PMs to fewllow members to help them shoot bubbles, smoke etc. You might have missed quite a few of my posts then.

With regard to PP of this moon all I did was open up different layers of curves, contrast and levels and just adjusted till it looked like this. My request for CC was also to know whether it looked ok the way it is. I am after all an inexperienced person when it comes to lots of aspects of photography and I am going through a learning curve. Sometimes something that looks good to me might not in the end be technically good or there might need some improvement.

But I am really glad the image is reasonably good, it means I am starting to learn to keep things under the right perspective and use the controls of PS with more confidence.

thank you again for your kind comments

Thank you John, appreciate that. Leaves me with a huge grin

Stefan, I must admit reading your posts always gives me so much pleasure , not demeaning other forum member's posts but yours really come frequently with such beautified terminology that is an absolute blast for me to read. Often I fall off my chair reading your posts with laughter. , but all in a good sense, . So keep them coming,

Mike do you realise that me you and Stefan are the only three members in that list that have joined in 2008 and have such a huge post count? If the average was to be calculated based on the registration time since we joined we would be on top there.

definitely need to get away from the screen and lock myself more often in the shed

Would greatly appreciate C&C on this one, particularly on the post processing and editing aspects of the image. I have been trying my hand again at improving some images so would greatly appreciate any tips.

Didn't do much to this one except using curves levels contrast and sharpening. It was a balance between all the above and trying to keep the highlights to not overblow.

Desperately seeking to improve my crude photoshop skills

Thank you

Because at certain angles it will reflect light and that will interefer with the exposure.

Well, that is my understanding at least but there might be another one or the more technically correct one. Sorry Ken if I jumped in the middle I think the questin was directed to you.

By the way, James you know the best way is really experimenting. That way you will get to the conclusion pretty quick and leave you with a great understanding.

If you have to really use vinyl as black BG try to put it at an angle from the spot you will be exposing, so any reflection won't be directed to the lens.

This is so absolutely true John. I still remember the first time you stressed this point and I went out and got myself a proper sturdy tripod and immediately I started noticing a huge difference in the outcome of the images. Its amazing how when doing macro work even a soft touch of the shutter release button affects the focusing. When you called my attention to these details I started putting my efforts on these little things and brushed up my technique and the difference was totally amazing.

Not that I have many shots to prove it but I could definitely see where I was going wrong. Even my moon shots were getting affected by this.

So a big thank you for that. One of the most important advice I have received here amongst quite a few that has helped me improve my technique.

Now whether I am ready for a D700 or not that is a different question, and may be left for some other time. Ooops, just joking guys, please hold your guns.

Seriously this is just a joke, please do not misinterpret it. Couldn't help after the last couple of days's furore in the forum

Oh yeah yeah, you guys teasing my smoke and wine huh? I have been thinking of getting an airgun now to grab some shots in the shed of shattering objects, I wonder what jokes they are going to originate

Yes, I agree fully. Not owning the 77mm but just the 50mm I do feel that it falls a bit short and I do struggle to compensate that distance.

And yup, the part about being kinder to skin is absolutely spot on. Macro does strange things to the skin when using as a portrait lens . I almost got whacked on the head by trying to show someone images that I had taken of hers with the 100mm Macro, and from that day onwards swore never to attempt to use a Macro lens again on a lady . Ended up locked up in the shed with cold sandwiches for the whole day and puffing smoke and bubbles

Nathan I apologise if I was a bit blunt and my comment sounded a bit off the top. But I got carried away and wanting to really stress the point of that term used I got carried away

Apologies for that, and Gwyn, apologies for diverting your thread but I think this was also part of the topic.

Sorry George, can't beat your three, I had only two to appologise to. But hang on, isn't that a bit cheating? Why three in your comment?

A few reasons Aiki.

Distance from the subject one of the reasons.
Its very difficult for me to use the 50mm on kids because they never sit still. Having said that when I use it specially indoors without flash light the ones that come good are really great.

I rarely use the 100mm Macro on grown ups, only rarely, unless the person has visibly very soothing skin or I am prepared to do some smoothening during post processing. I just like the 1:1 magnification of the 100mm Macro, so I have used it often for portraits. On the kids its just so stunningly nice, but again you might argue that I am addicted to the 100mm Macro so I am biased.

With regard to 50mm Macro(if that's what you meant) and 100mm macro it just has to do with subject also. I doubt you would be able to photograph insects with the 50mm, that's where the longer range comes handy. And also the reason why I am in the market for a 180mm Macro