New found respect

While I have always been in awe of the macro shots I have seen at this forum, I now have an even greater respect to you all since receiving my Canon 100 macro yesterday.
I was outside today trying it out and all of my shots have been horrible! Not one insect in focus and I found the slightest breeze would destroy my focusing. How do you all do it! LOL! BRAVO to all of you and I know I have a long, long, long, long, ways to go to fully understand all I am doing. I have had my Rebel XT for a while, but only recentlly have broken away from the "P" mode and want to know more about all my controls. I need alot of practice and hopefully will be able to take better macros.
Here are two from this morning that are the best of the worse. Any cc more than welcome!!!!

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Those are good first tries. You'll learn techniques that work as you go along.

As for the images themselves, they don't seem to have EXIF, but I think the first one suffers from camera shake. What were you settings? Do you have a hot-shoe flash? If not, get one. It will be your best friend.

The second one seems to have limited DOF (depth of field). Again, you can fix this by either a tripod or a flash. You want the aperture to be about f/8-f/11 for the best clarity and DOF. However, these settings also require a lot of light. This is where a tripod or even better a flash will help you.

Finally, focusing is difficult at macro range. What works best for me is to pre-focus the lens at about 1:1 and then move the camera back and forth until I get a good focus on the subject.

Keep shooting, and keep posting those pics!

Not bad at all for first attempts. The first one especially would be nice if it was focused. Maybe practise on something stationary indoors first so you understand the settings, them move outside and shoot flowers. Insects are the hardest because they move when you least expect it. Learn to hold your breath, don't drink coffee and brace yourself. Try to find things to shoot that are low to the ground so you can rest your elbows on your knees. Enjoy!!!

If you close the aperture, you'll get more DOF. Try using a diffused flash to freeze the motion. Keep practicing!

Thanks all for your comments and tips....I will definitly start practicing more Bea....and stationary items around the house will be my first attempt. I think trying to get the insects outside on my first try was a bit overwhelming for this amateur!! Thanks all for your encouragement!

One tip I use is to shoot insects in burst mode - so I have a 5-6 shots one of which will be (fingers crossed) in focus. Depth of field in macro, even with a smaller aperture, is minimal so any slight movement will lose the focus.

Stephen

I find I like mine alot more at f4.. I find the 2.8 too shallow for if your trying to fill the frame with the object.. also, focus it manually.. its alot faster...lol,lol..

like the bee shot.
-zacker-

oh yeah, tripod, tripod, tripod.. and a remote release!
-zacker-

Stephen - I will definitely try as you suggest, now to find burst mode on my camera!
Zacker - I have an old tripod I'm not sure when I got it, but I have dusted it off and will definitely use it more often now! I think I foresee a new tripod in my future!

You can set the burst mode with the second button from the top next to the small bw lcd screen. It will change from single shot to burst mode to timer

Olga

Here's what Im useing these days, its a benbo, got it from B&H!

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Thanks Olga....I see it now!!

Gosh! That looks like something out of Star Wars.....I will definitely look into that....thanks zackers!

Not bad for first attempts. Simply keep practising. Over time you will get better.

Dave