What do you think of these (from a p&s) and a question...

I am trying to learn everything I can about my camera

Pics are not too bad. Suspect you may need to use manual focus on the camera when doing closeups/macro with it.
Brian V.

thank you, I really appreciate the input!

Not too bad for getting used to shooting macro. Be sure to make sure that your AF point is set to center, and adjust the AF point size to its smallest size. AF points are not precise indicators of the point of focus; they're more like guidelines for where the camera will grab focus.

Thanks! I love all the tips. That was literally my first time ever using macro.
You're right, it wasn't set on center, I just found those options on the camera..I didn't even know I had them!

Also, were you actually using the Macro (flower icon) setting? or just shooting in as close as you could get?

Yup, I was using the macro setting. I had switched it over and tried in auto for a few pics because I was getting frustrated that they were blurry.

O.K. I took the suggestions and tried again today. Are these any better? (I included a really close cropped version of each pic)

Definitely looks like that helped. Can you simply get in closer on some subjects before taking the shot? If you have set the Macro mode on, you *should* be able to get right down within a couple inches and still get focus with one of those (or, I could on my G series Canons anyway).

Also, remember that you have a very narrow depth of field when shooting in close like that. You can kind of see what I mean on the ladybug climbing the green plant; its shell is nice and crisp, but it's "head" is out of focus. This part is going to be tricky to get down using a P&S, which is getting the focus the major detail you want. And, generally, when shooting living things the main thing you want to get is face/eyes...not always with insects, but still frequently enough.

Looks like you're going the right direction, though.

thank you so much. I really do appreciate the comments! I will keep practicing.

reneefk wrote in post #10517942
thank you so much. I really do appreciate the comments! I will keep practicing. Maybe I need to try on some things that aren't moving.

I did try to get within a couple inches and every time I would get that yellow square/exclamation mark symbol (which according to the manual means the camera can't focus) so I backed off until it went away. Which doesn't make sense to me because the book says on macro it will do: 1.2 in.-1.6ft from the end of the lens and I know I wasn't that close.

You'll also need to make sure that there is some contrast on your subject within the AF frame for the camera to focus on. For example, if you are trying to focus on a solid color object you may not be able to get focus.

ah, ok..that makes sense.