How To: My Macro Shoot

How To: My Macro Shoot

I was wanting to take some photos so I went out and bought a Daisy to do some macro photography with.  This was the first time I have done "serious" in-door macro shoot and I like my results.  so I thought it would be helpful to explain how I got the shots that I did.

So the gear I used was:

- Camera (Captain obvious)
- Tripod
- Macro lens (105mm VR Macro f/2.8)
- SB-600 (Since I lack a Macro flash/ring)
- Light stand (To hold said flash)
- Wireless Shutter Release

- Stool
- Flower (Gerbera Daisy)
- Vase

So what did all that look like?  Well I decided to take a photo of the setup with my phone to show yeah.  However as I mentioned there, it was with my phone so sorry for the quality:

My Macro Shoot Setup

So I had my SB-600 left of camera pointed at the daisy which was mounted on my light stand.  The D90 with the 105mm VR Macro lens on my tripod.  I had a lamp lighting the flower however I had my flash set to overpower the lamp so it didn't effect my photo.  The lamp was just so I could see the flower so I could focus on it.

To the right side of the photo you can see the light getting by my black curtain which is what I used as a black background to get this effect:

Gerbera Daisy - 105mm VR Macro

Where as I used my wall for the white background however it wasn't white enough for what I wanted so I used a sheet of printer paper.  So I held a sheet of printer paper behind the flower to get a white background as seen here:

Gerbera Daisy - 105mm VR Macro

As for other details, you mostly get the shots you want after experimenting.  I didn't really have an idea of certain photos I wanted, I just tried different angles, lighting and backgrounds.  As for camera settings, you have a lot more control over them inside than you do out in a garden.  I was continually changing my aperture and shutter speed to see what effect it had on that on the photos.  Usually I am restricted by aperture when I do shots outside since I want a very fast shutter speed to freeze any motion from wind or my hand shaking since I mostly shoot handheld.  Another tip I can give is keep checking your histogram to make sure nothing is too far off the left or right side.  As well it helps to have the most information in the centre of the histogram and as close to the top of the of the chart as possible without going off the top.  The larger the area in the histogram the more information in the photos usually.  

Also I just thought of one thing I did that was extra was I washed off some pollen of the petals.  I was doing some 1:1 shots so I wanted to make sure I didn't have extra pollen on the flower. 

I hope that helps and again any and all questions are welcome.  Just send me an e-mail at tomhouston7@gmail.com and I will gladly answer your questions.

Review: Manfrotto 190PROB Tripod with 488RC2 Ball Head

Review: Manfrotto 190PROB with 488RC2

Thoughts and Opinions:

This is a very sturdy and well built tripod and ball head.  I really do enjoy the time I have used it.  To be honest I have not used it too too much however when I do need it, it is nice to have.  

The weight is on the heavy side for taking it on a hike and what not however I want heavy because of stability.  So the tripod wont blown as much in the wind as well the chances of knocking it over is less as well.  

It is nice to have the ability to have a horizontal center column for taking macro shots with this tripod.  The extendable legs work well and are sturdy.  The material is used for the construction is good.  

Overall a very good quality tripod.

Usage:

Long exposure photography was my main use, I sometimes use it for Macro work but my 105mm VR is usually fine without a tripod and I usually find it does more harm than. good having my tripod there for macro work.  But I did cover that with my 105mm review.  I have used my tripod for macro work it is stationary like flowers in my mom's garden.  Sometimes I use it for portraits. 

Pros:

- Well built

- Good material

- Sturdy

- Good weight

- Great cost for performance

Cons:

- None come to mind

Sample Images:

Fireworks, July 1st, Sault Ste Marie - Tripod

Tokina 11-16mm

Milky Way, Ermineskin, AB - Tripod

Tokina 11-16mm

Long Exposure, Ontario - Tripod

18-105mm

Conclusions: 

This is a good tripod and does it the trick.  I am very happy with it and I am glad that I got it.  As I said it is sturdy and well built from good materials.  If you are looking to get a tripod, Manfrotto does, from my experience, have good products.  My buddy also has a Manfrotto tripod and likes it as well.  

Sorry this was a semi-short review but it is fairly straightforwards that it is a good tripod and such.  If you have anything you think was left unanswered from this review feel free to comment on this post and let me know.  I would not mind at all in answering your questions.