C&C please

[u8myufo]

My very first live macro shot of my sons Mantis. It was done very crudely with a 50mm 1.8 with some add on close up lenses, the damm thing kept looking around the room, I was thinking of getting it to watch the cockroach instead of the birdie:)

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o125/u8myufo/8000811024x683.jpg

[LordV]

Very good for first try :)
Brian V.

[u8myufo]

Thanks Brian, it amazes me how a lot of these things are photographed especially the more wild variety of bugs and flies. They must be user friendly, I only have to get within six feet of something and its off like a shot, you guys aint sticking their little feet to the floor are you?:lol: The milder climate in the UK has brought a few odd species to our shores, hopefully I can capture a few images this year. Obviously I still need a lot of practise and a greater understanding of macro, but would you suggest I carry on with this setup? or purchase extension tubes or bellows? Thanks

[FatAlbert]

I will first say that I don't have a lot of experience with macro, but I think that this shot is a bit soft overall. The edge of the backshell apprears quite sharp but the antennae aren't. Also neither of the legs appear to be in focus. To my eye the antenna nearest the lens should be the one in focus rather than the rear one. To me a shallow DOF. If I've got this wrong I will stand corrected. I can't see any EXIF data so can't comment on exposure etc.

[Hatch1921]

I think you are off to a good start. A little post processing would bring the image out of the shadows..a little. I bumped up the levels and changed the crop some... the dead space to the right was drawing my eye away from the mantis. I applied a little sharpening to the head and that was about it.

Keep shooting... macro isn't easy...but it sure is fun!

Hatch

[u8myufo]

Thanks Hatch, all remarks taken on board and will try it out at the next chance I get.

[LordV]

Thanks Brian, it amazes me how a lot of these things are photographed especially the more wild variety of bugs and flies. They must be user friendly, I only have to get within six feet of something and its off like a shot, you guys aint sticking their little feet to the floor are you?:lol: The milder climate in the UK has brought a few odd species to our shores, hopefully I can capture a few images this year. Obviously I still need a lot of practise and a greater understanding of macro, but would you suggest I carry on with this setup? or purchase extension tubes or bellows? Thanks

Approaching bugs without scaring them comes with practice :). You will get sharper results with extension tubes on your 50mm lens and a full set (eg Kenkos) will give you higher magnification at minimum focus (about 1.36:1) but the focus distance will be about 2" in front of the lens.

brian V.

[Mike4BekA]

I think you are off to a really good start and do agree that getting some extension tubes would really make your pics that much better

[u8myufo]

Ok thanks for the advise, I will be back :)