Mums macro shot cc please

Ok, here's a photo I think is a macro shot. CC please.

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I think it's awesome.

I like how you've got a pre-open bloom, semi open bloom and open bloom all in the same picture. The background is easy on he eyes, too. BTW, what type of flower is this? Oh yeah, Mum.

Your set up?

Nice work.

Nice composition, good focus and dof on the main subject. Nice contrast between the flowers and foliage. White balance is just a tiny bit off -- it is too cool. Difficult to tell with such a small version, but I think it would tolerate a bit more sharpening. That would bring out the tiny beads of moisture on the petals and the spider web on the very left side (they really sparkle and are quite delicate).

Not a macro, but its a closeup//for me, it just misses the focus on the main flower...the bottom on the opening for the petals is sharp, but the petals soon become soft...

Flo wrote in post #11601557
Not a macro, but its a closeup//for me, it just misses the focus on the main flower...the bottom on the opening for the petals is sharp, but the petals soon become soft...

I'll have to be more careful about how I focus. Hopefully I can do better next time. Can you explain how to tell the difference between a macro and a close up? I'm really new at this so I assumed that macro meant a photo taken really close to the subject.

Rimmer wrote in post #11601498
Nice composition, good focus and dof on the main subject. Nice contrast between the flowers and foliage. White balance is just a tiny bit off -- it is too cool. Difficult to tell with such a small version, but I think it would tolerate a bit more sharpening. That would bring out the tiny beads of moisture on the petals and the spider web on the very left side (they really sparkle and are quite delicate).

I usually have to resize to 800 x 600 to get my photos under the 150 kb restrictions. You have a good eye Rimmer. I didn't even notice that line of spider web till you mentioned it. I'll have to try sharpening it just a little to see what I get.

august95 wrote in post #11601468
I think it's awesome.

I like how you've got a pre-open bloom, semi open bloom and open bloom all in the same picture. The background is easy on he eyes, too. BTW, what type of flower is this? Oh yeah, Mum.

Your set up? At the time I took this shot I was using a Sony point and shoot in macro mode. I had to just about lay on my stomach to get down low enough for this shot. I took several which I usually do just in case 1 or more don't turn out.

Nice work.

Thanks so much for your feedback. Glad that you liked this photo.
By the way I am now using a Canon T1i with a 18-55 mm lens and a 55-250 mm lens. Can't wait for better weather so I can get out there and practice some more.

Rimmer wrote in post #11601498
Nice composition, good focus and dof on the main subject. Nice contrast between the flowers and foliage. White balance is just a tiny bit off -- it is too cool. Difficult to tell with such a small version, but I think it would tolerate a bit more sharpening. That would bring out the tiny beads of moisture on the petals and the spider web on the very left side (they really sparkle and are quite delicate).

Ok, I played with the settings a little bit. Tell me what you think.

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I thought about this last night ... reaching back in my memory, I think the classical definition of a macro image is one in which the image on the film is at least as large as the actual object; in other words, 1:1 magnification or greater.

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Macro_photograp​hy

Gotta get some Sunday morning coffee -- will take a better look at the new image you posted a little later.

Lonestarlady61 wrote in post #11602547
Ok, I played with the settings a little bit. Tell me what you think.

OK, honestly I don't see any difference. I downloaded both versions and compared them side by side. Please take a look at this version and I'll explain what I did using Photoshop Elements.

First I used Enhance > Adjust Color > Remove color cast and sampled some of the gray at the top of the bud on the left (circled). This warmed the image slightly, which is most noticeable in the color of the dappled sunlight and the color of the leaves. Then I did an Enhance > Adjust Sharpness > Amount 60, Radius 1.0, Remove Gaussian Blur, More Refined. I think you can probably see the "sparkles" on the petals that I have circled.

(I might normally use an Amount in the 80 to 120 range, but on such a small image that would be too much. It's probably crazy to try to sharpen such a small image, but I wanted to illustrate the point; sharpening your original will no doubt give much better results.)

Regarding getting your file size down, if you resize and save from Elements you may have better luck. After resizing and doing a Save As, you get the JPEG Options dialog box. There you can reduce the image quality as needed, and the dialog box tells you exactly what the file size will be. You can keep dialing down on the quality until you get below 150k.

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Rimmer wrote in post #11603595
OK, honestly I don't see any difference. I downloaded both versions and compared them side by side. Please take a look at this version and I'll explain what I did using Photoshop Elements.

First I used Enhance > Adjust Color > Remove color cast and sampled some of the gray at the top of the bud on the left (circled). This warmed the image slightly, which is most noticeable in the color of the dappled sunlight and the color of the leaves. Then I did an Enhance > Adjust Sharpness > Amount 60, Radius 1.0, Remove Gaussian Blur, More Refined. I think you can probably see the "sparkles" on the petals that I have circled.

(I might normally use an Amount in the 80 to 120 range, but on such a small image that would be too much. It's probably crazy to try to sharpen such a small image, but I wanted to illustrate the point; sharpening your original will no doubt give much better results.)

Regarding getting your file size down, if you resize and save from Elements you may have better luck. After resizing and doing a Save As, you get the JPEG Options dialog box. There you can reduce the image quality as needed, and the dialog box tells you exactly what the file size will be. You can keep dialing down on the quality until you get below 150k.

I downloaded your version too Rimmer. I can definitely see the difference between your version and mine. Much sharper and a little brighter too. I was afraid that I would sharpen the photo too much but your explanation helped a lot with how to do that correctly. I do use Elements 7 to resize, not sure why I have to take the photo size down so much and the quality too for that matter. Especially if I did any layer work on the photo. Thanks again for all your help.

Lonestarlady61 wrote in post #11602168
I'll have to be more careful about how I focus. Hopefully I can do better next time. Can you explain how to tell the difference between a macro and a close up? I'm really new at this so I assumed that macro meant a photo taken really close to the subject.

Take a gander at the MAcro section here, some stunning posts.

Flo wrote in post #11605198
Take a gander at the MAcro section here, some stunning posts.

took me a little bit to find it. Once I did I got hung up looking at all the fantastic shots. Some of the little insects are unbelievable.

Flo wrote in post #11601557
Not a macro, but its a closeup//for me, it just misses the focus on the main flower...the bottom on the opening for the petals is sharp, but the petals soon become soft...

I didn't notice that until you mentioned it Flo. The focus does get softer towards the top of the open Mum. That's why I need the CC I get here. Helps me see things I missed and teaches me how to do it right. I finally got a really good book about photography that teaches from the ground up. So far, the guy does a great job teaching the art of photography. He has lessons in the book too and I think that will help me learn a little faster.