Beginner Newbie macro advice, critique, comments welcome

[Deakin23]

A couple of weekends ago decided to try a bit of macro photography. Basic kit, old manual lens with cheap extension tubes, wireless flashes etc. I've had the bug since and the kids have become pro bug hunters! I have now made a mini studio and yesterday rigged up an outdoor hand held rig from old brackets, ball heads etc. heres some shots from the past couple of days with a borrowed nikon 105mm.... advice welcome...

1:



2:



3:



4: today with mobile rig outdoors and nikon 105mm @f16



5: day 2 shot with cheap extension tube and nikon 35-70mm @ f11 stacked

 

[FishyFish]

Very nice shots. 2, 3 & 4 are my faves. To say you've only been at it for a few weeks, it certainly doesn't show!

 

[Deakin23]

Thanks Nige, its pretty addictive. loads of good info on here, youtube etc. Kids love it too. looking at all the details, finding bugs etc. need to find a way of identifying them lol

 

[kendo1]

They're ugly looking things! Any chance of some pretty bugs?

 

[Tintin124]

If you truly are a beginner which is something I'm doubting but it's no matter and nothing to get worked up about.

These are excellent for the 1st or the 100th go.

#4 is my favourite and has been excellently edited.

Focus is slightly off on #1 but your lighting looks well controlled.

So bring us more.

 

[Deakin23]

Thanks Bryn. Really appreciate that! Just been out in the garden spotting more bugs just been editing them so will upload some now.

 

[Deakin23]

been experimenting with lighting setup inspired by shot 4. Not sure an improvement (and pretty crude edits) but have an idea of what i want. finding it quite hard to get the contrast between subject and background with lighting alone.

 

[Tintin124]

Not keen on either of those two can see what your trying to do and it is harder than it looks but the focus seems off on both.

Keep trying

 

[Deakin23]

Yeah i know was it was more experimenting/an example of lighting. by no means a finished product. Did a couple yesterday but still to get the lighting as i want. Advice welcome.

 

[Tintin124]

You certainly got a good eye for mono... and the type I like....

#2 on this new set is superb and lit perfectly ... would clone out the vertical leaf in the background.

#1 again great conversion just to much neg space and fly positioning and POV not great.

Hope you dont mind will take down if you do

 

[Deakin23]

No no. thats fine. all good advice. although i'm pretty sure it's a leg and tail, it was a woodlouse i think. was tucked in between the leaves on a flowering sage plant... took these shots on the outside of the plant, framing with clear backgrounds (not near enough for the flashes to have any effect. (3-4m).