Hi everybody! I'm trying to improve my Macro Photogrpahy skill. Here a few examples, what I have done so far. I shoot with a Sony A7r III and the Sony 90mm Macro lens. I'm doing all the shots freehand, which is sometimes really challenging in the Swiss mountains, because of the wind. The spider is my first try to stack handhold pictures (only 3 pictures). The pictures are by far not perfect, but I hope you enjoy them... ;)
Looking great! Ants and grasshoppers are hard to get they they never stop moving. Same with Lady bugs, and I assume the cucumber beetle. I feel like the spider would be better if I could see more of the face, also I think the plant looks sharper than the spider. You're doing great keep it up!
Thank you very much, much appreciated. I was lucky with the ant. it stopped in that position for 10-15s. So I had time to focus properly. With the spider you are right. I also struggle a little with the flash power... ;)
Frustrating is a common word used to describe Macrophotography as you usually take 300-400 shots just to get a decent one........not a good one tho, that usually takes 600-700 shot and an excellent takes a 1000+ shots!..........or at least it seems like it. I guess what I'm really trying to say is take as many shots as your subjects and conditions allow(read as much material you can find on techniques). As far as focus stacking...........trying to stacks hand held shots is damn near impossible unless your name is Don Komarechka.........
Thank you very much for your comment. I know what you mean. The bad images are around 99%... and the 1% is okay... ;) I try not to get frustrated. Photography is something that calms and slows me down, Macro Photography even more. I don't have to make a living out of it, so I don't have any pressure. I've never thought that I have the patience for Macro, because I don't have the patience for Wildlife photography. But this tiny universe is amazing!
I'm not the guy who is reading much, but the big advantage in our time is, that there are so many good videos available. :)
In that case........just for giggles, type in Don Komarechka in YouTube. This kid is very knowledgeable and doesn't mind sharing that knowledge..........
I will do! Thank you!
I checked out hist page... wow! Really amazing what he is showing there! Thanks for the recommendation!
Nice
The Ant and the grasshopper are my favourites
good work.
Thank you very much! I like the ant too. So many bad shots of ants and then it "poses" for the shot! ;)
Nice work! My fav is the ant shot! Handheld stacks are the way to go. Especially since you are shooting fast moving critters, a tripod would only get in your way. I hear so many photogs saying you need a tripod but I'd say quite the opposite. All my shots are handheld. The more you do it, the better you will get at it.
Great setup! I have the same lens and really love it! I use the Canon mp-e 65mm as my main macro lens. Once you get used to shooting 1:1 you will want more magnification. It is highly addictive lol...
Thank you very much! Your work's amazing! How do you get that much magnification with the 90mm? Extension tubes?
I already tried to use a tripod, and it's not my thing. Placing the tripod can/will scare away the insects. I think with static subjects, it's a great solution.
It's hard to get good pictures to stack them. I think I have to practice more. What software do you use for stacking?
I'm also already addicted to higher magnifications. ;)
Thanks a lot! The more closeup shots you see are with my Canon mp-e 65mm lens. Before switching to the mp-e lens I did use extension tubes first. I would highly recommend playing with extension tubes or even getting the Raynox to add onto your 90mm lens. A lot of pros use Raynox. I mostly use Adobe Photoshop but for really large stacks I recommend Zerene Stacker or Helicon Focus. You can download trials of both.
Happy Shooting! :)
Thank you very much. Yes I saw that you are using the mp-e 65mm. I have tubes, but only 26mm. Yesterday I played around with the Marumi Achromat +5 Lens, attached to the 90mm. Great result, close to 2:1. With my tubes, I can get slightly past 2:1.
I tested both Zerene and Helicon. But my last attempt was with Affinity. Not a bad result.
I also consider the Laowa 25mm 2.5x-5x as an option. Very good quality for a reasonable price. I will also look into Raynox.
Thanks again, much appreciated!
Nicely done! Love the ant. Your plan to focus stack pictures while handholding is certainly quite courageous ;) Keep it up!
Thank you very much. Yes i realized already, that my courageous (<- love that) project is almost impossible.... XD
Hey, maybe you grow from the challenge and become the best handheld shooter there is ;) being more on the lazy side of things, I just lug around a tripod ...
Maybe... ;) I don't like to use the tripod outside. I tried it, but it's not thing. In my opinion, it has nothing to do with "lazy" if you use a tripod.
Sure, just lazy in regards to the effort of developing otherworldly handholding skills ;) probably no one really enjoys bringing a tripod, but then again it has been worth it more times than not.
I'm to lazy to bring a tripod with me, most of the time. It's beacuse im to clumsy to handle it, without making my subject flee.... ;)