Macro photography

One type of photograph I would like to develop is the close up or macro. I have achieved passable results occasionally, but not consistently.

So today I have experimented with my lenses and the macro setting. The aim is to produce a focussed image of the half eaten leaf to illustrate its colour and texture.

(447) ISO 1600; 1/20 sec; f/16; focal length 42mm; compulsory fired flash; 14 – 42 mm lens

The focus should be the half eaten leaf – but the focus is wrong and the berries dominate. The leaf colour is washed out.

(489) ISO 200; 1/80 sec; f/8; focal length 42mm; fired auto flash; 14 – 42 mm lens

Here the leaf colour is improved, but the flash has given a harsh image with harsh shadows. Again not all the leaf is in focus.

(503) ISO 400; 1/180 sec; f/8; focal length 150mm; fired auto flash; 40 - 150 mm lens

The leaf focus has improved, but too great a depth of field and too harsh lighting.

(513) ISO 400; 1/5 sec; f/8; focal length 125mm; no flash; 40 - 150 mm lens

Leaf out of focus – beautiful berries!

Problems:

• Focussing 
• Lighting
• Lens – what to use when
• Or is a compact camera with a macro setting better for this since I have no macro lens?