Testing Camera

flyinghigh · #1 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 08:37 PM

Just testing new camera to see what its like.
Set it to Super macro is this right?

All comments welcome.

benlikestofish · #2 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 09:29 PM

Super Macro is right, but your images are not in focus, are you using a tripod?

A pile of books with a beanbag or bluetack or something to keep your camera still is very important for macro photography.

Lighting seems ok. There is quite a lot of noise in the image, what camera are you using?

Hope this is helpful and not to critical.

Scratch · #3 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 09:58 PM

Yes, agree with Ben... Noisy, grainy, soft etc. Not very appealing to be honest mate. Something tells me it's more than just technique. The lighting looks on the low side to me, so if those shots are hand-held, then that'll explain some of the blur/softness. Something tells me though that even good light and a tripod ain't gonna improve things a whole lot. Can't quite put my finger on it though. Hope I'm wrong.

Which camera is it? And what were your settings? Could be worth checking your ISO

stuartpengs · #4 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 11:11 PM

It's an OLYMPUS FE46., ISO was at 1600 which would explain the graining. No flash so the auto ISO increases to compensate for the lack of light which introduces noise in the photo. If you add a little extra light the auto ISO should decrease which will lessen the grain.

Hope this helps.

mancfly · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 11:19 PM

flyinghigh, your pics look just fine to me, and a lot better than some on here, OK! However, do pay some attention to the "experts" on here!

weight_forward · #6 (**permalink**) 12-01-2010, 08:14 AM

There is some really good information here.

I'm no expert but here's my 2p worth, As the above comments really, you need to get down to a faster ISO number to reduce the noise I use ISO100. Drop the exposure compensation down a bit. Both the high ISO number used, and the large amount of exposure compensation (+0.7) indicate that you're struggling for light. I use 2 lamps one above the fly and one to the right both with daylight bulbs and really need a bit more. If you can shoot outside in daylight it's much better. If you can get more light then the picture will be less grainy and the colour saturation better. I don't always use super-macro, sometimes using just macro and a bit of zoom gives a better depth of field and more space to get a bit of light to the fly.

Last tip, I would re-size down a bit, just to make the picture more accesible to people viewing on mobiles etc. I go to 500 pixels wide and 72DPI and the pictures are OK (until you try to zoom in and they get a bit pixelated).

I hope that helps. Steve