Beginner Morning Macro.

[Orangecroc]

Tried to do some with my 50mm prime and extension tubes, but just can't balance the flash extender with the short lens so I grabbed the 18-55 kit lens and had a bit more success!
Bee pollen 250817 by Ben Gray, on Flickr
Tiny Hoverfly 250817 by Ben Gray, on Flickr
Dying Budleia 250817 by Ben Gray, on Flickr

 

[Graham]

Now we`re getting somewhere, these are very good, No 3 is not one I can reply too though.
No 1, Still a few hot spots but the detail is lots better than I have seen in the past.
No 2, Same again and to add that the eyes are lacking light.
What software are you using for your PP work?

 

[Orangecroc]

Tried recovering the hot spots but it looked a bit grey.
I'm using rawtherapee because I bought a screen for now. Software will be later.

 

[Orangecroc]

Finding the kit lens a bit better than the old MF lens but have to get really close.

 

[GardenersHelper]

I like the composition as well as the detail in #1.

As to the hot spots, you might want to try (greater) under-exposing, especially when there are light coloured petals involved.

 

[Orangecroc]

I like the composition as well as the detail in #1.

As to the hot spots, you might want to try (greater) under-exposing, especially when there are light coloured petals involved.

I will try that in future.
Both of these little guys are flying around next to me again this morning but I'm too hungover to pick up the camera this morning haha

 

[Orangecroc]

bee reprocess by Ben Gray, on Flickr
A little bit better working on the new screen.

 

[Orangecroc]

It definitely looks like a lot of data was clipped on the highlights on the hoverfly one but I had another go at it anyway.
hoverfly reprocess by Ben Gray, on Flickr

 

[Orangecroc]

I think this might be a true improvement. I actually took my time with it a bit more.
hoverfly reprocess(2) by Ben Gray, on Flickr

 

[Orangecroc]

The difference between the laptop screen and the new monitor is stark.

 

[GardenersHelper]

I think this might be a true improvement. I actually took my time with it a bit more.

It looks better to me. Rather nice in fact.

 

[Orangecroc]

It looks better to me. Rather nice in fact.

Thank you. I did change a few settings on the monitor, it was in some vivid showing off mode type setting so everything was a bit OTT

 

[Orangecroc]

Had another go at the bee while trying out LightZone for raw processing.
Bee flower re edit by Ben Gray, on Flickr

 

[alfbranch]

Ben
That last hover fly looks much better

You need to get a monitor calibration tool at some point IMO it makes a real difference
http://www.xrite.com/categories/calibration-profiling/colormunki-smile

 

[Orangecroc]

Ben
That last hover fly looks much better

You need to get a monitor calibration tool at some point IMO it makes a real difference
http://www.xrite.com/categories/calibration-profiling/colormunki-smile

I don't think the colours are out though.

 

[alfbranch]

I don't think the colours are out though.

Its not just the colour it adjusts Ben its the brightness, contrast and temperature and will match that to your printer.

 

[Orangecroc]

I don't have a printer. And I've calibrated the gamma, brightness and contrast. I have a feeling it's my preferences for the look of the pictures is the problem lol

 

[alfbranch]

I don't have a printer. And I've calibrated the gamma, brightness and contrast. I have a feeling it's my preferences for the look of the pictures is the problem lol

Have a look here
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/monitor-calibration.htm