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Macro flowers & Composition
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Apologies I’ve been away from the site and haven’t posted in a while.
I’m hoping to submit an ‘A’ panel http://irishphoto.ie/index.php/distinctions/associatship/ in May – and have chosen macro flowers as my 15 image subject matter.
The way I’d like to approach it is a very shallow dof, impressionistic and extreme close-ups – rather than full flower images – but I’m struggling with composition. I’ve been at it three weeks – and I seem to constantly revert to typical landscape composition ( thirds, triangles, lead-in lines etc).Here’s some so far – none of which i feel are worthy of an A panel.
All 1200x800px
All at home, with Canon 5DMKII, Canon 100mm f/2.8L, Canon Extension Tube EF 12ii & 580exii flash in soft box mixed with window light.Any tips or inspiring photographers welcome.
Thks for looking
brenGerebra
Crocus
Leucospermum
Helleborus Niger
Yellow Crocus
I think you may be on the right track Brendan. I have sat through a few A panels and i think they have a strong theme running through them. Yours is different from the norm. I do think that you need to set up the panel with the colour theme in mind and balance them, so far you have a flower in the foreground and even though the background is OOF, they have a strong colour . You also should consider maybe one or two in portrait an slot them in between( you probably have thought of that anyway), my guess will be 8 images on top and 7 below??
If you can visualize this reds, yellows ,whites and bues. Red and yellows on top panel and blues and white on bottom
Thks John – I’ll keep at it – and post up some more in the next week or so.
cheers – Bren
Nice….just wanna ask you something, I’m interesting in getting the same Len as yours BUT what is this Canon Extension Tube EF 12ii ? Is it important?
Hi Johnny – The extension tubes from Canon are useful for the project i have embarked on…but not essential for general Macro work….but useful nonetheless.
Canon make 2 sizes – 12mm and 25mm. Basically they allow the lens to get nearer the subject , decreasing the minimum focusing distance – thereby increasing the magnification – without any loss of image quality.
However – if the lens has any blemishes/faults/CA/ etc – these will also me magnified.The EF12 on a 100 macro lens will give me 12% more magnification – and the EF25 will give me 1.25x magnification.
(EF25mm divided by 100mm lens)I had a loan of the older Canon 100mm (NON IS) USM – but decided on the more expensive L version to buy as it has Image Stabilisation – and for the butterfly season ‘IS’ is important for me. For this studio flower project – ‘IS’ is not important as i use a tripod and remote – so it doesn’t matter how long the shutter remains open.
Here is a review of the ef25
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-25mm-Extension-Tube-II-Review.aspx
There are other generic brands on eBay including a triple set from Kenko. I would NOT recommend extension tubes that have no electronic connection….as you have no AF, no exif data and the aperture will be stuck at max aperture ( f/1.8, 2.8, 3.5 etc)
I have the Canon EF12 – but have just ordered this much cheaper EF25 to add to my collection. Its only air as the review says!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180954624054?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Another very useful function of this extension tube is that it can be combined with a 1.4x converter and used on all lenses that would not normally allow a 1.4x to be used on it – as the glass elements are not receded. The extension tube makes ‘space’ for the converter elements.
finally the extension tube can be used on any lens – making macro possible with say a 24-70 or 70-200.
Here’s a YouTube demo of how it works with a 50mm and a 70-200. He is physically moving the Lens closer to subject with the extension tube added….increasing magnification. The minimum focus distance is decreased.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxP1zGz-ozs” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
[youtube:dpvmmn9g]TxP1zGz-ozs[/youtube:dpvmmn9g]I’m only a novice when it comes to macro work – and hope all this info is correct.
Bren
Wow, that is something I’d learn today! thank you so much for sharing!
Are the extension tubes achieving the same thing as a bellows. I have a bellows at home, I have tried using a few times. The problem is that you can end up getting in nearly too close. I use it with a 50mm 1.8 so you end up with problems re lighting and DOF as the DOF even at f22 is EXTREMELY shallow.
eg from this (taken with phone.
to this with bellows.
http://www.skramshots.com/view-through-a-bellows” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
Nice shots by the way…..sorry for hijacking the thread.
Mark S
Hi Mark.
I’m certainly no expert when it come to macro – but i have learned a few things the last few weeks.
I’m not sure about how a bellows functions – but a feature of macro photography is the DOF is very very shallow indeed – even at narrow apertures – sometimes micrometers. I’d never dream of using any lens beyond f/16 – as the loss of quality will become very apparent.
The other problem you will get – as you have noticed – is that at a narrow aperture – (f/11-f/22) – the shutter speed will drop significantly – making handheld shots in medium to low light nearly impossible at ISO100. You can always up the ISO – but again – loose quality.
So the solution is a tripod and a remote trigger. I use window light and very often a reflector. A flash is another undesirable option.
On to the extension tubes – and especially for you – i did a small experiment a few minutes ago.
The gear used was a Canon 5DMKII, Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro & Canon 50mm 1.8mm.
Below is a link to the exact extension tube i used. I also have a Canon 12mm tube – which i can add to it – or use separately to get closer. You can get a 35mm also. – and even join up all three. If you decide to get one – make sure it has the electronics – the non-electronic version is useless. Some sell all three as a kit.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180954624054?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649
All pics taken at the minimum focusing distance the lenses would allow – using a tripod and a macro rail, AV mode, f/5.6, ISO200 – no editing or sharpening – straight out of camera.
I was very surprised with the 50mm plus the 25mm tube – and how close i could get with it…approx 7-8 inches from the subject.
Hope this is informative.
click to enlarge and read the description.
This is the shot on its own using the 50mm + 25mm extension tube. Using an extra tube or two would get you even closer – with no loss of quality.
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