Photography assignment

Jul 18

Photography assignment - Macro shots

Photography, Assignments, Tips Add comments

I’ve done a little test shooting yesterday to show you what you can do, even when you don’t get all too close.

I’ve used my Nikon D300 and a Nikkor VR 18-200mm for this shot. I’m getting the hang of it a bit better by now.
Which leads me to the point again: Don’t get frustrated too easy, keep shooting, trying and learning.

Up front I’ve made one big mistake, I didn’t use a tripod, like I suggested in the tip section here. I guess the shot could be crystal clear even after major cropping, if I had done that.

This is the shot I took with full zoom length and getting as close as possible. I still have to get the hang of focusing and framing correctly with this (for me) big Baby, but like mentioned before, I’ll keep trying

(Click on the picture to see a larger version)

This is the shot after serious cropping. Just to show you what you can get out of a shot with small toys on your computer.

You don’t need Photoshop for that. A simple free program will do the trick here. All of them do cropping, most even offer some editing along with it.
Here are the ones I’ve tested:

Picasa (my favorite program to sort my pictures - I couldn’t lay my hands on Lightroom in Kuwait

Gimp

(ouh, there are more, but I forgot - let me know if you know some and I’ll add them)

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List of participants for this assignment:

Annie - assignment post 1

Lceel (Lou)

NicoleB

Pandi Merendeka

Ramblings by Reba (Rebecca)

Momisodes (Sandy)

Tags: art, artists unite, artwork, assignment, assignment2, assignments, fotografie, macro, makro, photography

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13 comments

§ Kontan said on : 2008-07-18 @ 04:15
Love Picasa and thanks for the other recommendations. I'm not good at them, but I love macros. Will have to see if I have any on my computer to share.
§ NicoleB® said on : 2008-07-18 @ 04:21
Hehe, you're welcome.
Just go out and shoot some new ones when you need a break from packing
§ Sparkling Red said on : 2008-07-18 @ 09:44
Nice shot! I have iPhoto for cropping. It works well enough. I have Photoshop but never yet learned to use it. We got a relative's extra license for free. Now if only I had around 100 hours free to master the basics...
§ sandy (momisodes) said on : 2008-07-18 @ 11:43
Wow! I've been tagged with a photo assignment. I'll do my best to try and snag some. I have been playing a bit with my macro setting and tweaking in iPhoto.
§ lisaschaos said on : 2008-07-18 @ 18:24
Lovely! I just love macros!
§ Bashar said on : 2008-07-18 @ 20:33
Wonderful. Where are these pic taken?

P.S: PICASA is one hell of a good program I say
§ NicoleB® said on : 2008-07-19 @ 02:24
Thanks, Mrs SR
I have PS CS3 since Kuwait and I only do the basics. I also got Paintshop Pro 9 in Korea - again, only know the Basics. Sigh.
I hate manuals

Actually, Sandy, I did it, because you said you wanna get better

Thanks, Lisa

Thanks, Bashar, this was taken here in Hungary.
And yes, Picasa is a hell of a program
§ pandi merdeka said on : 2008-07-19 @ 14:41
wow nice pic... :lol: but seems i must make 1000 photo first.. right Nicole :wink:
§ Kristi said on : 2008-07-19 @ 23:34
Depending on WHAT your shooting you dont always need a tripod. In fact most professionals will tell you that only "beginner" types will use a tripod lol. I dont believe in that line at all but if your shooting stuff that will stay still for long periods, you dont need a tripod.

If your photographing things like bugs and stuff its nice TO use a tripod but not really necassary.

I use my tripod when i know my arms are going to get REALLY tired. Like when im doing 200 shots of a sunset/sun rise or when Im taking pics of the moon.

I would like to get a really nice macro lens for my cam for when I do stuff like goto the Botanical garends, or flower exhibits around here.

Good job on the pics!
§ NicoleB® said on : 2008-07-19 @ 23:41
@ Pandi - just keep shooting I've not heard a Pro say that yet, Kristi, but most I virtually "talked" to did mostly Studio shots anyway. Not my kind of cake. An yepp, except for when shooting La Luna I HATE using that damn tripod. You are so inflexible with that darn thing And I sign the petition for the Macro lens, grin
§ Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said on : 2008-07-20 @ 19:37
I've NEVER used a tripod on any of my macros. I'm glad you reminded me about this... I keep forgetting that I said I'd do this. Are we just supposed to be putting up macros all month? In July?

I will do better. Sorry about that.
§ NicoleB® said on : 2008-07-21 @ 01:14
You just put up what you want us to look at.
Like something you are not clear about, something you want a tip on or something you are proud of
You can do your own "How to" as well and I'll link to it - or let us know about certain programs, etc.

And using tripod or not, whatever works best for you
§ BioTecK said on : 2008-07-22 @ 22:02
A very nice photo! I don't know if I can make such photo with my Canon Ixus 430, but I'm going to try it soon!