My first shot with a macro lens.

[Mariette]

Playing with my camera with my new lens... Some tips to give? =)

[mbrager]

Welcome to the forum. I like your first post. Pretty colors. I also just posted some macros of flowers today. What I noticed about your photos is that the water drops aren't too sharply in focus, even though they are the focus of the photos. Perhaps you can tell us how you took the photos, if you handheld your camera or used a tripod. That can make a difference to the sharpness of the image. I do like the out of focus areas in your compositions, like in the last photo. Also, is there a way you can eliminate the date stamp on your photos? It's distracting for the viewer, and unnecessary since the date is included in the exif data anyway. Hope to see lots more of your photos on this forum.

[Mariette]

thank you for your respond =) I need all help I can get =)
it was handheld and I dont know why I cant get the drops more sharper, maybe my hands is to shaky?.. Have you any tips to give me how to make it sharper?
and yes, you are right about the date stamp I take pictures of dogs and the owners want to have the date. And I never change the settings on that one...

//M

[mbrager]

Well, definitely keep trying. For sharper photos, we need to minimize camera shake, especially with macro photos where the slightest camera movement is magnified when you are closer to the subject. Try bracing yourself against something, or holding the camera with your arms braced to your body. A tripod is a great solution, but I find macros hard to shoot using a tripod. Another possibility is that the wind is shaking your subjects. For that you would need to increase your shutter speed as much as possible. You can probably raise your ISO setting to 400 or so, and increase your aperture somewhat, and that will give you higher shutter speed options, maintaining good enough exposures. It's worthwhile reading Marko's booklet on exposure: Exposure exposed - Easily master camera exposure and make stunning photos | Photography.ca for all things "stupid camera" related. There are many other books available on basic camera controls I'm sure. Good luck.

[Runmonty]

Lovely colour in these Mariette, and I like the composition in 2 & 3 in particular. The light is nice in these too.

MBrager gives good advice. It looks like the shutter speed was 1/125 which would be hard to handhold with a focal length of 105mm and macro as well. I agree about the date stamp too.

Keep them coming I like what you have shown us so far.

[Marko]

These are nice comps and I encourage you to keep going!!
For macros, most of the time....you'll want a tripod. Seems to me like shutter is too slow here.
Hope that may help

[Mariette]

thank u =) I need all the advice I can get.
I have now changed the date stamp so no more pictures with those things on =) I am going to buy my first tripod during the week. Very exciting.

[Marko]

If you have a good budget - spend the cash on the great tripod and it may last you forever.

A great tripod is steady and easy to use.
If you travel, or street shoot it should be light. Light = expensive just as an FYI.
Here's a podcast I recorded a while back on choosing a great tripod in case u want to take a listen.
Tripods for photography | Photography.ca

thx!

[Hillbillygirl]

Very well done for first time use, and lovely compositions.
Can't really add to all the excellent advice. Just get out and shoot. (especially once you have a tripod)