bigmikevee Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 (edited) Hey Gang, Just wondered if some of the great photographers I see on the forums could offer some tips for people, well, like ME. My close-ups never seem to look quite right, have ready several articles, tried experimenting with setting, distance, F-stop, lighting, camera owners manual, on-line tips, etc. and there always seems to be something missing. I know I am being a little critical of myself, but there are some people here who's photos (combined with their wonderful modeling talents) just knock me out, and my efforts always seem to fall short. If you get really motivated, maybe you could highlight the differences for indoor and outdoor shots. Any tips would be appreciated, and thank you in advance for anyone who cares to reply. I love this place!! Mike Edited March 20, 2011 by bigmikevee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highway Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Mike, I can't really offer too much help other than with my point and shoot HP camera I have is to make sure you have the macro setting on. I use the macro setting on almost every pic I take for posting here, just like this one. Here is one from about the same distance as the engine, but this was before I learned about the macro setting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 The best thing you can do is to read your owners manual on all the various settings and decide which ones you'll need. For closeups, you definitely need a macro setting. This setting and allows you to be able to get close to your subject and take a clear picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I use a Kodak EasyShare M753 and turn the dial to the tulip. That's my macro. It automatically shuts off the flash at that setting. It appears that you should use a tripod or other item to steady the camera. I've of some folks taking a pic and then editing & cropping the pic so you can get an even closer view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMc Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 (edited) I use a Kodak EasyShare M753 and turn the dial to the tulip. That's my macro. It automatically shuts off the flash at that setting. It appears that you should use a tripod or other item to steady the camera. I've of some folks taking a pic and then editing & cropping the pic so you can get an even closer view. LIGHTING The #1 issue I help people with all the time.You cannot have too much light!!! As Jim pointed out the Macro setting does not work well with flash (if at all) The easiest trick is to BACK UP and ZOOM IN...use your flash.If you shoot with enough light , focus , shutter speed , aperature..do not make much difference with todays auto exposure cameras.I set mine to AP (Aperature Priority @f8) A tripod will hold things tight...needed for macro use..this eliminates camera shake or movement...#1 cause of fuzzy images Here are some examples: This was shot hand held @f8.....30 " away with flash, outdoors this was shot in macro mode...no flash outdoors: this was hand held macro...lots of light to prevent shake....I've been shooting for 30 + years...use a tripod in macro..... I could spend hours teaching photography, but today as we do not use film, looking at your results when shooting will show you what you have, hit delete and reshoot. Practice is the key, look at pictures that you like and see what was done... Edited March 20, 2011 by Stasch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonoPed Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 You don't need anything fancy to take decent pics. I use a cheap Kodak Z712is: For bench shots, I break out this mini tripod I picked up at a yard sale for a buck: For "studio" shots, I setup the redneck photo studio, a piece of poster paper taped to the kitchen counter, with the Kodak mounted to a full size tripod (crappy phone pic): My camera has the PASM dial, which I set to M for manual mode. I keep the flash off, set the aperture to f-8.0, ISO 100, then adjust the shutter speed to get the exposure value to + or - 3, depending on how the first shot looks. All I'm using for light is the overhead fluorescent lights. Try to frame your shot in camera, and if you can't, frame it with a photoshop fix in mind. The results: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte's Motors Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 LIGHTING The #1 issue I help people with all the time.You cannot have too much light!!! I AGREE 200% !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slant6 Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 My wife got me a new camera for Christmas and I havent come close to figuring it out. There are way to many settings and not enought buttons to make it easy to turn them on and off. It takes great pictures, but I had to get a tripod to steady it, apparently my hands are shaking even when I dont feel them. I know there is a macro setting, but for the life of me, I cant find it. If all else fails I just have my wife take the pictures, half of what you see posted from me was shot by her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmikevee Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 (edited) Hey Gang, Thanks for all the replies so far, it is appreciated. Brian, I have exactly the same camera, but my micro must need a different F-stop setting. I am still practicing, thanks everyone!! Mike Edited March 20, 2011 by bigmikevee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlguy Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I agree with prior posts. Having enough light is most important. Stabilization is second, so using a tripod or in-camera stabilization is important. I use a Canon Sx 10, which has a super macro in AV mode. It's not super duper, but it adds a bit to regular macro. This shot was done at F4, 1/60 second, hand held. Bill Barrett Tri-State Scale Model Car Club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I usually use the macro setting, step back 3 to 4 feet, zoom in a moderate ammount and, using Photoshop, crop the image down to just a little larger than the subject. If your camera has a high enough resolution, you can even get quality shots of smaller details like wheels and license plates by cropping your image accordingly. David G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony T Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Only thing I would add is to use a remote shutter button, or use the timer with the tripod - no shake at all! I've been using the macro setting, tripod and timer for most of the pictures I take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonoPed Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Hey Gang, Thanks for all the replies so far, it is appreciated. Brian, I have exactly the same camera, but my micro must need a different F-stop setting. I am still practicing, thanks everyone!! Mike You gotta put the camera into manual mode and macro mode to set your f-stop and shutter speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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