Topic: Close-up shots

Hi,

I'm new to photography, but it's something I'm interested in. I especially like close up shots, I've seen some of water dripping on leaves on here which are very good, sorry I don't recall who took those.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone could help me achieve similar effects, though I think my camera may not be up to it.

I have a Konica Digital Revio KD-310Z (3.2MPix) and I'm pretty sure "macro mode" is to be used when taking close ups, but I can never get the detail to come out, not much detail at all really.

Any tips / pointers / guidance anyone can offer will be gratefully received.

-Dave

My advice on macro shots would be...make sure you have a tripod or hold your camera VERY steady. Light will also help as it gives you a fast shutter speed. You have enough MegaPixel with your camera to get a good macro photo.

Thanks for the info, I'll give it a shot (excuse the pun) and hopefully I'll be able to share what I've done...when I've done it.

The macro mode on my ol cam aint that great... I usually put the cam too close to the subject for it to focas... so make sure you are giving yourself enough room.

Yeah, that seems to be the most common problem in macro shots.

A good way to do it:
Find out how your camera confirms focus (usually a light turns green or something)
Set up for your shot, and half-press the shutter button
If the focus confirmation doesn't confirm, move back a bit and try again.

After a while, you get a feel for your camera's macro focus range.

Thanks Das, that's almost exactly how my camera works, I half press the shutter button and it'll focus itself, then a green light will come on and then I press the shutter-button down fully to take the picture.

I had a few goes last night, but the light wasn't the best, I was just getting a bit of a feel for it, a couple came out not too bad,

I want to experiment more, but I have to go to work

macro photography is probably my favourite type - i love the effects and amazing detail that can be achieved.

i use an olympus camedia c2500L digital camera - it has a super macro mode that allows the camera to be held as close as 1 1/2 - 2 centimetres from the subject. i usually hand hold my camera when taking shots but steadyness is the most important thing - i usually hold my breath as I press the shutter button which makes me very steady.

regarding focus - when working close up you will always have a very shallow depth of field - meaning only a small area will be sharp - when you allow for this you can get beautiful photographs by playing with the focus.

experimenting is definitely the best way to learn

hope this info is useful

from peter "morpyre" turner

peter "Morpyre" turner

thanks morpyre,

i read somewhere, probably in the manual, that 3cm is the recommend minimum distance from the target in macro mode for my camera.

i really need a free weekend to take some shots as by the time I get home from work there's not much light/i'm too tired to concentrate on much and my next 2 weekends i'm spending with my girlfriend. so maybe after then i can get to work