Critique My first macro - Morden Hall Park

[Mauri3205]

Please find below the crème de la crème of my first macro session yesterday for your kind (or harsh, your call) critiquing. Building on some excellent advice by @nandbytes to 1) use extension tubes to get closer to the subject and 2) make sure the background is not too busy and competing with the subject. Below are the finest two shots I could muster handheld around Morden Hall Park, The beetle (Red Headed Cardinal Beetle?) was shot while going through the Wetland Walk, would have liked a better shot but I only had a few seconds between shooting and it moving to the shade where I could not entice it back towards the sun for love nor money. I'm especially pleased with the discolored red patches on the beetle and the fact my manual focus speed is getting better!

Gear: 16mm extension on the 18-55mm Fuji kit lens.

Critique away!

https://flic.kr/p/2m3VVq6

View: https://flic.kr/p/2m3VVq6

https://flic.kr/p/2m3ZQZc

View: https://flic.kr/p/2m3ZQZc

 

[nandbytes]

Ok firstly I got to ask where are you based?

There are definitely better composed, with good amount of separation from subject. More importantly your subjects are in good focus, especially for the beetle the eye is in focus
the light seems a little harsh which is expecting and not really your fault per say... so the next lesson is using flashes
Flash would also help you freeze you subject, for example the antenna but in this case I do like that it has a little blur in your picture. It makes it dynamic and "alive"

If you are close to me which is possible (feel free to PM me the answer to my question above) we could even meet up with appropriate social distancing of course

the rose garden at the MHP is a good place to practice flower shots. Not sure what state it is in at the moment but they have more than roses there btw.