MACRO blues w/pictures

[maple]

I am a great fan of the macro mode because I usually aim to focus on the subject and blur out the surroundings. I must mention that my shots are not confined to super close-ups like bees on flowers and the like. Sometimes the pictures turn out just as I want them to but the success rate is merely 10-20%. I figure that I either (1) do not understand the purpose of the macro mode or (2) do not know how to use the macro mode proficiently, or perhaps it's a very sad combination of both possibilities.

I took the first picture at the Juste Pour Rire Festival currently being held in Montreal. The subject is an unmoveable object hence there is no question about movements after the focus half-lock position. I attempted to focus solely on the man in the blue attire, and to attract attention to it by blurring out the background. Sometimes this can be achieved using the macro mode, which I assume is the function of macros to begin with - to focus on one object and blur out the rest. However, as evident, the macro mode turns out a horrid picture in most cases, whereas the AF mode gives me yet another fine, sharp G2 shot.

The second picture taken on Canada Day shows, to an extent, what I usually aim to achieve. In this picture, the two subjects in the foreground are more or less focussed while the background is clearly blurred out. Needless to say, the result is still not 100% satisfactory as the focus on the two guys is still not super sharp. All pictures were taken with the G2 at ISO 50 without tripod.

I have followed the relevant thread on the G1 board but it doesn't help much. Are there any experts out there who can show me what I have been doing wrong and point me towards the right direction? Thanks!

http://www3.sympatico.ca/geppetto/focus.jpg
http://www3.sympatico.ca/geppetto/focus2.jpg

[jim9tan]

Hi maple,

I think that there are two issues.

The macro mode allows you to get close to a small subject (bee, flower etc) in order to get a larger image magnification. This is called close up photography.

One side effect of the image magnification is a loss of depth of view (DOF). This means that your flower is in focus and the background is not.

The macro mode cannot be used to blur the background in normal shots. In fact, you cannot focus in macro mode at a subject more than 3 feet away. You should check your manual for the specifics on your camera.

The proper way to get the desired effect in normal photogrphy is to change either the focusing distance, or the f-stop on your lens.

If the subject is closer to you than the background, the subject's DOF will be narrow enough to blur the background. If the subject is close to the background, the DOF around the subject will keep the background in focus. So, if you can, move the subject or yourself around in order to get the effect you want.

Another way is to change the aperture on your lens. A smaller f-stop (say f/4) will have a narrower DOF than a largel F-stop (say f/8). The trick is to change your camera to an aperture priority mode and set as low a f-stop as your camera will accept.

The two methods can be used together. Give it a try.

[slejhamer]

Maple,

As jim9tan noted, "macro" refers to close-up photography, not "macros" as in a set of actions that your camera takes to achieve a certain effect. (As I wrote that, I realized that that could be why Photoshop uses "actions" instead of "macros." One of those "a-ha" moments.)

Here's dpreview's definition of macro:

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/Glossary/Optical/Macro_01.htm

By the way, with the G2 (and G1), the macro mode should be used if the camera is between 2.4 inches and 2.3 feet away from your subject, using maximum wide-angle. You can't get quite as close if you are zooming in, but you should still be within 2.3 ft. for best focus.