Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Day 411 - Minature roses, a re-run

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/20, 20 sec

I had a few questions from my miniature roses last night and I thought I would re-shoot with the primroses so that you could see what I did.

It is the same set up, different settings for my final selection.

My trusty iPhone

I set up on the kitchen counter with the original 1950's flourescent lighting as my only light source (I'm having a few lazy moments here.)

Camera is on a tripod and I am using my beloved 100mm macro lens. I have the new IS version now, but before this I had the original non-IS and it was just as good as this one. I've seen it on Craigslist recently for anywhere from $375 to $450. Very much worth the investment if you ask me.

I am using the bud of an orchid that is taking it's sweet time to bloom to hold the water drops. I spray it with a fine mist of water until they start to collect along the bottom of the bud. This can take an amazing amount of patience since they frequently drop off before collecting.

Lining them up so that they are parallel to the lens is the biggest challenge and I set them about six inches in front of the lens, as close as I can get and still focus.

I placed the reflected flowers about two feet behind the drops and slightly lower.

My aperture is f/32 so that I have the most depth of focus and since I am using ambient lighting (the kitchen lights) my shutter speed is 30 sec. I manually focus on the water drops, another challenge by itself.

Any movement in the house can cause movement in the drops, so everyone (dogs included) are ordered to sit still and not breath.

It's a very easy set-up, just remember no caffeine and bring on the patience.

4 comments:

  1. That's.... still amazing. In fact, knowing how you do it only makes it that much more amazing. (Particularly that part about ordering the dogs not to breath.)

    Thanks for the details!!! (and a lovely shot)

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  2. Thanks for all the details on the setup, I was wondering how you got those amazing macro shots you have been posting!

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  3. Great shots, and the details just make them all that more amazing!

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  4. Amazing! Thanks for the pull back - a macro is next on my list.

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