Noob questions

[abbypanda]

Ok got my first macro: used sigma 105. Like it very much. Posted some pics on another thread and have been reading thru threads here for awhile.

After a week of experimenting with lens and more time than that reading here I have a few questions:
Namely I'm seeing how u guys pose the bugs freeze them hairspray or whatever else. I don't wanna do that. It's cool and all, but I like natural light and just natural stuff.
Going from a wide open 70-200mm and 50mm 1.4 which I've used in past years, to the macro I didn't anticipate how much any breeze or anything would be picked up. I have sat outside for hours with my butterflies. I don't mind, I find it relaxing but also figure surely you pros have some tricks to make this easier for capturing photos in a real setting.

With that said: any tips? Tips on settings, dealing with the elements, tips to improve technique handheld (have a tripod but didn't enjoy messing with it honestly) would a monopod work? Any general tips are appreciated. My next quest is to learn about lighting but I'll save that for another day

[killwilly]

Originally Posted by abbypanda

Ok got my first macro: used sigma 105. Like it very much. Posted some pics on another thread and have been reading thru threads here for awhile.

After a week of experimenting with lens and more time than that reading here I have a few questions:
Namely I'm seeing how u guys pose the bugs freeze them hairspray or whatever else. I don't wanna do that. It's cool and all, but I like natural light and just natural stuff.
Going from a wide open 70-200mm and 50mm 1.4 which I've used in past years, to the macro I didn't anticipate how much any breeze or anything would be picked up. I have sat outside for hours with my butterflies. I don't mind, I find it relaxing but also figure surely you pros have some tricks to make this easier for capturing photos in a real setting.

With that said: any tips? Tips on settings, dealing with the elements, tips to improve technique handheld (have a tripod but didn't enjoy messing with it honestly) would a monopod work? Any general tips are appreciated. My next quest is to learn about lighting but I'll save that for another day

Everything you need to know can be found in the link below.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=807056

[AntonLargiader]

A tripod is really the way to go for planned shots, but a monopod will help a lot. Just having it on the camera can greatly reduce shake three of the six possible motions (roll, pitch and height). For good handheld results, you will probably want a pretty small aperture (to reduce focus variation) which means you need more light to get a fast enough exposure to make it sharp. Start playing with flash sooner rather than later; it can also give a lot more dimension to photos that are flat under natural light.

Here's the same shot with natural light and then with flash from the left:
flash.jpg

[troehr]

For butterflies, try to get them early in the morning when it is colder. They need the heat to move. Also, don't chase them. Sit and wait for them to come to your flower. Never cast a shadow on them, it will make them move. Try to shoot with the sun lighting them from the front.

[abbypanda]

Thanks guys. I have read that first thread. Some of it was a bit too much at the time but did re read it. Thanks for posting the pics Anton. I did decide to get a flash, got a used 430 ex. Gotta start working on that now.
Thank you Troehr for the info on the time of day. I did not know that. Out of curiosity, they are all gone around 4 pm except the yellow ones (yellow cloud) I believe. Where do they all go?
Going to try some caterpillars here soon.