Ida

                                                                                                       Ida
    


I have always found graveyards to be photogeninc, and never more so now as neglect caused by the coronavirus lockdown becomes evident. The usually well kept areas between the graves in my local cemetery are gradually succumbing to nature, at least for the time being.



105mm f/2.8 HSM Sigma macro lens. 1/640 second at f/2.8 Mono conversion in Silver Efex Pro 2. ISO 50



© 2020

Seedy pictures

 

 

I've only been at it a couple of weeks or so, but already I'm beginning to see the limitations of the gear I have for good macro photography. I invested in a focusing rail last week, with the intention of using a focus stacking technique to combat the razor-thin depth of field that comes when things get up close and personal. However, cranking the rail in tiny increments by hand is rather tricky and mistakes are easy to make. I'm already eyeing-up computer controlled focus rails, but they are a bit pricy.

Then there is the software to stack the (numerous) images required to render everything in focus. Photoshop - and other editing software - copes to some extent, but to get quality - and reliable - results a dedicated programme is preferrable. Whether I go that route depends entirely as to how hooked I become.

What I am in full control of is the background. Here, I used some A4 sized coloured cards that I bought from the kids art section in a local supermarket, and waved them around behind my subject as I fired the shutter.

105mm f/2.8 DG HSM Sigma macro lens. 1/160 second at f/11. Tripod and remote release. ISO 100

© 2020

Gone to seed

It is the umpteenth week of the coronavirus lockdown in the UK, and although I am getting out most days for exercise, I am ever increasingly becoming more interested in what I can photograph at home.

The setup I used for the above image easily fits on to a tabletop, and tripod legs notwithstanding, takes up about four square feet of space. The idea of shooting a dandelion seed sprayed with water is nothing new, but it's good practise and the results can be beautiful.



105mm f.2.8 DG HSM Sigma macro lens. 1/250 second at f/14. Diffused flash. Remote release. ISO 100



© 2020 

Easy does it

Getting close up images, especially with flighty subjects such as insects can be rewarding, but more often than not, very frustrating. So, to give myself a chance to start exploring macro photography and get predictable results, today I choose flowers.

I did say predictble, but at least they don't get nervous when the front element of my lens impinges on their 'comfort zone', so that's one less worry.



105mm f/2.8 DG HSM Sigma macro lens. 1/6 second at f/11. Diffused flash. Tripod and remote release. ISO 100