1st try of close ups at Mandai Orchid Garden

[ConnorMcLeod]

Camera is 350D
Lens is either 18-55mm kit lens with +4 closeup filter or 50mm F/1.8
No flash
Some taken with tripod, 4-6PM.

Need CnC on the following areas
- is the composition proper for close up of flowers?
- use of lighting (actually all natural), DOF etc
I choose flowers for its still life (when no wind!) so should be easier for focus & composition.
But I am not sure how to bring out the beauty of the flowers hence this posting.

May try insects in the future but they are fast moving in my view hence difficult.

comments please

 

[acpical]

Good shots for a first try. However, you could have paid more attention to the background. For instance, I can see a concrete kerb in the first picture. In the second set of pictures, the sky becomes distracting, even though you were using a big aperture. Then again, it's not easy to see all these things through the viewfinder. It becomes more obvious when you transfer it to the PC. But it takes practice.

 

[zac08]

Please read the FAQ for this section.

Only 1 picture per week and pls provide a writeup on what you need critique in.

 

[ConnorMcLeod]

Good shots for a first try. However, you could have paid more attention to the background. For instance, I can see a concrete kerb in the first picture. In the second set of pictures, the sky becomes distracting, even though you were using a big aperture. Then again, it's not easy to see all these things through the viewfinder. It becomes more obvious when you transfer it to the PC. But it takes practice.

Thanks for your comments. Fully agree these I need to watch out for them.
I can always check the LCD after the shot and adjust the composition.

Updated first post to request comments on first picture only.

 

[ConnorMcLeod]

Please read the FAQ for this section.

Only 1 picture per week and pls provide a writeup on what you need critique in.

Thanks. I skimmed over the FAQ and hence added the bullets '-' to highlight areas which I am seeking comments. Will limit to one picture in the future. Cheers.

 

[zac08]

Well, that picture shows the focus nicely. But there's some distracting shadows which could be removed either with a reflector or mebbe with careful use of fill-flash.

 

[ConnorMcLeod]

Well, that picture shows the focus nicely. But there's some distracting shadows which could be removed either with a reflector or mebbe with careful use of fill-flash.

Would it work if I do the following - set flash to manual mode and select say 1/16 flash power with bounce card? (I know I can try it out myself but would like to see what setups are used usually).

 

[eikin]

Thanks. I skimmed over the FAQ and hence added the bullets '-' to highlight areas which I am seeking comments. Will limit to one picture in the future. Cheers.

the extra images have been moved to Macro and Close-ups -> http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=302733

 

[zac08]

Would it work if I do the following - set flash to manual mode and select say 1/16 flash power with bounce card? (I know I can try it out myself but would like to see what setups are used usually).

Tat may be possible but depending on the amount of light at that time and the choice of exposure settings. I would rather use mine on iTTL and setting a negative flash EV of say -1.7 to -2.3 depending on the effect I get.

 

[ConnorMcLeod]

the extra images have been moved to Macro and Close-ups -> http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=302733

Thanks.