Inspiring Photo: Turned Tulip #3185142

Turned Tulip

Uploaded: December 24, 2006 00:47:54

Description

I had a very difficult time getting this image to be as sharp as I would have liked. Used a tripod with the macro lens but didn't use an off-camera shutter release. Still, maybe the softness is ok...I have mixed feelings about it.

Comments

Donald K. Cherry December 24, 2006

Very pretty floral image, Mary! I really like your PoV, color and lighting! Nicely done! Merry Christmas! #576803

Mary B. McGrath December 24, 2006

Glad you like it, but I am very critical of my work, and would like to improve on this image. Happy Holidays! #3736217

Vladan D. Djordjevic December 24, 2006

Great perspective, colors, effects! Merry Christmas to you and your family! #3737558

Theresa M. VanderStaay December 24, 2006

This is beautiful Mary...The color and clarity is great...I like the POV in which you have taken this one...Shows a different view of this beautiful tulip...I think you've done a great job on this one....I am glad you posted it! :o)Tessa #3737609

Mary B. McGrath December 24, 2006

Thank you all for your support of my macro efforts. It's all a work in progress, and thanks to digital, you can always erase and start over! #3737646

Robert N. Valine December 24, 2006

Nice image! Actually Mary, I think the softness is kind of appealing. If you wanted to improve on overall sharpness, I would suggest trying a longer lens that would flatten perspective a little. What length macro are you using ? It looks like a short focal length. Maybe 60 or 90mm ? Try 200 or 300mm and pull back a little. More of the image will be sharp. I like the 75-200mm zoom length for macro flower shots.What was your aperture setting? Try your smallest aperture setting on the lens to give you maximum depth of field. #3737771

Mary B. McGrath December 24, 2006

It's a 100 mm macro lens. I think the depth of field was 2.8, as I was trying to keep the shutter speed high to avoid camera shake. Thanks for the suggestions! #3737985

Robert N. Valine December 25, 2006

I kind of figured it was a 90 or 100mm. That lens may be fine for what you are doing. If you are using a tripod you shouldn't have any trouble with camera shake. A shutter release would definately help though. I shoot a lot of my flowers at f5.6 This gives a good combination of sharpness and softness. Usually I'm using an 80-200mm zoom for quick easy framing. This lens works well in combination with close up diopters. I also use 35,50 and 135mm primes on occasion. I took a look at your gallery and your photos are very nice. Your Bio is very impressive. Good Luck in the contest and have a Merry Christmas! #3739134

Laurie Daily January 25, 2007

A beautiful image, Mary! Congratulations to you on this finalist! I understand your frustrations at times with sharpness. It is something I continue to work on. Thank you Rob for some of your insight...I will definitely re-evaluate how I am shooting my flowers and try some new things! #3870554

Mary B. McGrath January 25, 2007

I need to use my tripod more, especially the larger one, but I'm sometimes too lazy. I wonder where my shutter release is? Hmmmmmmmmm.....thanks for visiting! #3870577

Ivan Chacon February 25, 2007

Very beautiful, congrats Mary! :) #3990873

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You & 1

Love It!

Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Mary B. McGrath.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer. Contact photographer via gallery
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.

My Profile

My Photo Shows

My Photos

My BetterPholio

My Messages

My Courses

Description

Comments

Get Constructive Critiques

Did You Know?