Botanic Garden Shots

Corvette · 27th July 2002

Just came back from Botanic Garden, my very first flower shots. Somehow I feel that these photos are not very special as I can see some of the clubsnapper have already did some similar shots b4. Comments or even critism will improve my next shot.

One of the sharpest flower shots I've taken.

This was taken hand-held, that's why not very sharp. Some how I like the feeling of this photo.

Other Flower Shot.

27th July 2002

In the first and third shot, I think the focus should be more on the flowers itself rather than include so much background, meaning you ought to zoom in more on the flowers, but I suppose depending on the digicam you're using that might be a little difficult without any other equipment like Macro lenses and stuff like that.

Also, the first picture looked a little over-exposed. Maybe next time you could increase the shutter speed to get a sharper picture and reduce the exposure at the same time. Worse come to worse if you feel the picture has become slightly underexposed you could just use a photo editing program to improve the exposure.

ziploc · 27th July 2002

Hi Corvette,

I like the 3rd pic especially the way the light is shining on the leaves forming the dynamic tones. However the subject is vague, in that the viewer cannot tell whether the subject is the leaves or the purple flower (which I think it probably is). If the purple flower is the main subject then the leaves are too strong and are over powering it. Also the small fragments of leaves at the right are a little distracting and cropping them out might be better. Hope it helps.

Corvette · 27th July 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by qhelix
In the first and third shot, I think the focus should be more on the flowers itself rather than include so much background, meaning you ought to zoom in more on the flowers, but I suppose depending on the digicam you're using that might be a little difficult without any other equipment like Macro lenses and stuff like that.

Also, the first picture looked a little over-exposed. Maybe next time you could increase the shutter speed to get a sharper picture and reduce the exposure at the same time. Worse come to worse if you feel the picture has become slightly underexposed you could just use a photo editing program to improve the exposure.

Thank you for your comments, I'm using a A40 that's why got problem zooming in...I was thinking of getting a closed-up filter,does that help? wat's the diff between a closed-up filter and closed-up len? Pardon for my ignorance as I'm still new in photography.

Corvette · 27th July 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by ziploc
Hi Corvette,

I like the 3rd pic especially the way the light is shining on the leaves forming the dynamic tones. However the subject is vague, in that the viewer cannot tell whether the subject is the leaves or the purple flower (which I think it probably is). If the purple flower is the main subject then the leaves are too strong and are over powering it. Also the small fragments of leaves at the right are a little distracting and cropping them out might be better. Hope it helps.

Thanks ziploc ,

Here is the cropped version...
indeed it looks better this way. Thanks.

ziploc · 27th July 2002

Close up filters normally refer to those single glass element type (eg. Hoya +1/+2/+4). Close up lenses refer to those that are multi-elements (eg. Canon 250D/500D, Nikon 3T/4T/5T/6T), and generally produce much better pictures then the single element type since they have corrections for CA. Canon 500D and Nikon 5T/6T are also designed to be used on telephoto lenses.

27th July 2002

I think a polarising filter would have helped tremendously with these shots, as I suspect the overexposure in the first and third shots is mainly due to the specular reflections off the foilage in the scene.

Btw, I personally disagree about cropping the first shot. I think that the unusual background environment in this case helps to give the flower a sense of context, otherwise it will be "yet another flower shot". However, it is usually not recommended to put your subject in the dead centre position because this will overwhelm the rest of the composition. Try following the rule of thirds for subject placement and see how that works for you.

In the end, though, composition is all about the photo conveying the photographer's intended message. Think about what you want your image to say or the emotions you want to evoke, and frame your elements accordingly.

Darren · 28th July 2002

Moved to World of Nature due to content - Critique is for individual photos only.
Please read guidelines if unsure.

Corvette · 29th July 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by ziploc
Close up filters normally refer to those single glass element type (eg. Hoya +1/+2/+4). Close up lenses refer to those that are multi-elements (eg. Canon 250D/500D, Nikon 3T/4T/5T/6T), and generally produce much better pictures then the single element type since they have corrections for CA. Canon 500D and Nikon 5T/6T are also designed to be used on telephoto lenses.

How much is a close up filter and close up len cost?? Might consider getting the close up len if not too ex

ziploc · 29th July 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Corvette

How much is a close up filter and close up len cost?? Might consider getting the close up len if not too ex

The price of the close up filters depends on the filter thread size. If I remember correctly, 52mm Hoya +4 is around $20+? For close up lens, the Nikon 3T/4T are +1.5 and +3 diopter strength respectively, and both are 52mm while the 5T/6T are +1.5 and +3 at 62mm. The 5T/6T are available from CP for $70+ each. Note that magnification = 1000 / (diopter strength x lens focal length), so you'll get higher magnification using a long lens (eg. tele zoom lens of 80-200mm) with close up filters/lenses, and you get more working distance and narrower view angle to the background too. If you do intend to use a long lens, then it is advisable to pay a little more and get the Nikon close up lenses, as they are optically optimized for long lenses (Hoya close up filters are optimized for 50mm lenses).

shawntim · 29th July 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by ziploc
Close up filters normally refer to those single glass element type (eg. Hoya +1/+2/+4). Close up lenses refer to those that are multi-elements (eg. Canon 250D/500D, Nikon 3T/4T/5T/6T), and generally produce much better pictures then the single element type since they have corrections for CA. Canon 500D and Nikon 5T/6T are also designed to be used on telephoto lenses.

But do they fit different equipment ? Closeup lens fit only SLR isit ? how much roughly is a close up lens ? can fit digicam?

ziploc · 29th July 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by shawntim

But do they fit different equipment ? Closeup lens fit only SLR isit ? how much roughly is a close up lens ? can fit digicam?

Close up filters/lenses work just like normal filters and they screw on to the filter thread of your lens/camera, and will fit any camera/lens that accept filters (you need to match the size, of course). For the price, see my reply above.

Corvette · 29th July 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by ziploc

Close up filters/lenses work just like normal filters and they screw on to the filter thread of your lens/camera, and will fit any camera/lens that accept filters (you need to match the size, of course). For the price, see my reply above.

Thanks ziploc, will get the close up lens once CP got the stock for A40 lens adapter...

27th July 2002	#1
Corvette Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 70	Botanic Garden Shots Just came back from Botanic Garden, my very first flower shots. Somehow I feel that these photos are not very special as I can see some of the clubsnapper have already did some similar shots b4. Comments or even critism will improve my next shot. One of the sharpest flower shots I've taken. This was taken hand-held, that's why not very sharp. Some how I like the feeling of this photo. Other Flower Shot.

28th July 2002	#8
Darren ClubSNAP Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: ClubSNAP HQ Posts: 7,473	Moved to World of Nature due to content - Critique is for individual photos only. Please read guidelines if unsure. __________________ Tweet?

27th July 2002	#2
qhelix Guests Posts: n/a	In the first and third shot, I think the focus should be more on the flowers itself rather than include so much background, meaning you ought to zoom in more on the flowers, but I suppose depending on the digicam you're using that might be a little difficult without any other equipment like Macro lenses and stuff like that. Also, the first picture looked a little over-exposed. Maybe next time you could increase the shutter speed to get a sharper picture and reduce the exposure at the same time. Worse come to worse if you feel the picture has become slightly underexposed you could just use a photo editing program to improve the exposure.

27th July 2002	#3
ziploc Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Snoopyland Posts: 3,185	Hi Corvette, I like the 3rd pic especially the way the light is shining on the leaves forming the dynamic tones. However the subject is vague, in that the viewer cannot tell whether the subject is the leaves or the purple flower (which I think it probably is). If the purple flower is the main subject then the leaves are too strong and are over powering it. Also the small fragments of leaves at the right are a little distracting and cropping them out might be better. Hope it helps.

27th July 2002	#7
Midnight Guests Posts: n/a	I think a polarising filter would have helped tremendously with these shots, as I suspect the overexposure in the first and third shots is mainly due to the specular reflections off the foilage in the scene. Btw, I personally disagree about cropping the first shot. I think that the unusual background environment in this case helps to give the flower a sense of context, otherwise it will be "yet another flower shot". However, it is usually not recommended to put your subject in the dead centre position because this will overwhelm the rest of the composition. Try following the rule of thirds for subject placement and see how that works for you. In the end, though, composition is all about the photo conveying the photographer's intended message. Think about what you want your image to say or the emotions you want to evoke, and frame your elements accordingly.