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[RbnDave]

Hello Everyone,

Please tell me what you think of this picture. I took it a couple months ago and can't decide whether it is good or too out of focus.

www.pbase.com/image/4171417

I like how the bright colors contrast with the dark background. The colors are all natural, no editing. To get that effect I had to use a slow shutter speed which caused the butterfly's wings to blur. Also, it was hard to get sharp focus because I couldn't use a tripod and get a picture of the always moving butterfly.

Let me know what you think. I've been looking at this photo too long. I don't know what to think of it.

Thanks,

Dave
www.pbase.com/rbndave

[gucio321]

IMHO the shot is too soft, it actually makes me dizzy when I look at it... however if you do not use it at 50% magnification and use USM in PS with following settings radius 0.5-3 treshold 1-3 and vary the saturation until you like it you can make it more pleasing to look at... I have no idea how it would look when it was printed but you can try... hope this helps :) (also for the future when shooting macros outside make sure you have a lot of light and use very fast shutter speed, I would say 500, and when ever possible you can use lower shutter speed but use a tripod and use a timer as well so your hands do not affect the shot at all)

[RbnDave]

Paul,

Thanks for the reply. I've taken some macro shots with more light and had clearer results. I took the above picture in late afternoon on a cloudy day. It wasn't ideal conditions for taking macro pics, but I like how soft the colors came out. Here is another pic taken the same day. I was able to set the tripod up for this one and got clearer results.

www.pbase.com/image/4171525

I went back to the same flower garden on a sunny day, but all the nice flowers had already wilted. This is the best result of that trip....

www.pbase.com/image/4462496

What editing software were you referring to? Paint Shop or Photo Shop? I have heard good reviews of both. I'm planning on buying some editing software in the next few weeks. Any suggestions?

Dave
www.pbase.com/rbndave

[gucio321]

those two are much better, but the focus is still a little soft (it could be the camera)... as for the software I have both, but I mostly use photoshop, paint shop has more stuff that's automated but I think photoshop gives you a lot more control, you can recover photos that would normaly be destined for the jank yard (or wherever it is the bad shots go :) ) try this for some tutorials (http://www.bbdigital.co.uk/tutorials/ps5/photoshop_page_1.htm)

[henkbos]

Forget the butterfly. The other 2 shots are better but need editing as well. Colors are very soft.