My First "Proper" DSLR shot

Mr Jones · 2 Jun 2008 at 02:13

Since I've gotten my Canon 20D, I've been busy learning it with guides and tips e.t.c and yesterday afternoon, I tried my first macro shots.

I'm a total newbie to such photography since I sold my Fuji F30 point and shoot so C&C welcome.

On another note, all my photos uploaded into Lightroom is 16bit and AdobePro? colour settings. When I edit it in photoshop and save it as 8bit AdobeRGB, on my desktop it look the same but when uploaded, they seem to lose the colour saturation, am I doing it wrong?)

Paul11 · 2 Jun 2008 at 08:17

well, i wouldn't really call that macro (not close enough)

c&c. nice first attempt. one comment, the background seems to distract me slightly, if there would have been a way to move to a different angle to try to get a lighter background and lose the dark green bit on the right ?

GTRacer · 2 Jun 2008 at 08:22

Dr Jones said:
On another note, all my photos uploaded into Lightroom is 16bit and AdobePro? colour settings. When I edit it in photoshop and save it as 8bit AdobeRGB, on my desktop it look the same but when uploaded, they seem to lose the colour saturation, am I doing it wrong?)

Set your colourspace to sRGB, many browsers don't support AdobeRGB.

TwoSaints · 2 Jun 2008 at 08:33

I don't know if i'm right but it looks as though there are some dead leaves in the background, it would have improved the shot if you had removed them, but technically the photograph is pretty good, it had a nice depth of field.

Mr Jones · 2 Jun 2008 at 09:24

Thanks guys; I'll sort the colour space to sRGB next time on.
As for the dead leaves, I would have loved to remove it but it's my mum's potted plant and she doesn't want me touching it. Might try a different subject next time as that was abit limited - only really did it because there was good light yesterday afternoon.

So how "close" would it have to be before a shot can be considered macro?

Mr Jones · 2 Jun 2008 at 10:27

Updated the first shot with the correct colours this time;

Another shot taken last weekend.

Also, anyone know what's a good place to upload pictures fast and easy? I've got photobucket but uploading into there is a PIA! (More often than not, it freezes on me)

TwoSaints · 2 Jun 2008 at 11:02

Personally I use Deviant Art, a lot of people use Flickr to upload their photos

Mr Jones · 2 Jun 2008 at 11:19

Jonny_no2 said:
Personally I use Deviant Art, a lot of people use Flickr to upload their photos

Thanks - I've just signed on to Deviant and I', starting to use Flickr lately, took me awhile to find the links to load onto forum - they don't have a 800pix wide settings tho (thus the bigger photos above)

Paul11 · 2 Jun 2008 at 11:24

Dr Jones said:
So how "close" would it have to be before a shot can be considered macro?

i dont know the technical answer to that, maybe someone else has the correct forumla for what does and doesnt make a macro

for me, personally, its zooming in to see something small to be full screen, blown up and detailed.

Joe T · 2 Jun 2008 at 11:25

Technically macro should be 1:1, i.e. an object the same physical size as the sensor will fill the frame.

Mr Jones · 2 Jun 2008 at 12:53

Joe T said:
Technically macro should be 1:1, i.e. an object the same physical size as the sensor will fill the frame.

Does that mean if I'm using the nifty fifty, at 0.45m from the focal subject - it is 1:1, thus a macro shot?

Messiah Khan · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:01

Dr Jones said:
Does that mean if I'm using the nifty fifty, at 0.45m from the focal subject - it is 1:1, thus a macro shot?

Nope. Not quite sure how you came to that calculation (Unless im misunderstanding you). Its mans that if you take a shot of a ladybird that is say 5mm across, it will appear as 5mm wide on the sensor. So if the sensor was 10mm across, the ladybird would fill half the shot.

Mr Jones · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:08

Messiah Khan said:
Nope. Not quite sure how you came to that calculation (Unless im misunderstanding you). Its mans that if you take a shot of a ladybird that is say 5mm across, it will appear as 5mm wide on the sensor. So if the sensor was 10mm across, the ladybird would fill half the shot.

OH!
Thanks for clearing that up - now that makes more sense, I was thinking more along the lines of the lens and its focal (n00b!) Hmm... that means my shot definitey wasn't macro, will attempt it again soon with a more fitting subject.

Any more C&C on my shot, in general? I need to learn from my mistakes.