Tiny Dancers

I took this image on a hot and breezy August day in 2012. We were

at my favorite Garden Centre in Lindsay, Ontario. I had been having

problems getting good images with my Macro that day. I have no

idea why. I just have days like that every so often. There was quite a

bit of shade where the Hibiscus Plants were that I was wanting to

capture. I didn't want to bump up my ISO, afraid of noise. When I

tried Shutter Priority and set my Aperture to F2.8, for some reason,

my images were dark. I opted to set the Camera to Program and

chose Spot Metering. When the Camera is set to Program Mode, it is

on Autofocus and I really dislike it for any Macros. I have found that

once the Lens focuses Automatically, I tweek the lens a bit till I get

more exacting focus. I've heard of others who have this same lens

with IS, and have no problem with Autofocus. But on my Lens, if I

use Autofocus I am never satisfied with what the camera 'decides'

on. When it comes to my Macro shots, manually focusing is always

the best. This day however, I was getting very frustrated and opted

for Program Mode. (any suggestions and comments are always

welcome, warm regards, Gail)

Nicely done Gail. This type of macro is very difficult to judge the color balance but i imagine it looks exactly the way you want to present it.  I look at those circular and oval shapes and i think I am seeing wedding jewelry or maybe even a golden ring and then on other occasions i see something quite different. For me this is a very natural abstraction subject to interpretation and sometimes, I see it for it is, which is a wonderful design by nature.

A beautiful result with very nice lighting and colors, Gail!

Stamens are a very interesting subject and this close up creates a strange world but very good looking,my compliments Gail.

Hi Gail,

This entangled plant makes for a wonderful view the way you composed the shot.

Shooting this scene at either F/2.8 or F/4 was a very good choice, as your lens performance was not compromised for this subject.

When you set the aperture to F/2.8, you need to manually adjust the shutter speed until the meter indicator shows the scene to be properly exposed. On close ups, the light meter reading should provide a good level for the exposure used. If you are unsure, then take a few other exposure settings (bracket) such that you obtain a useful exposure.

For post processing purposes, I always under expose a scene to have more available dynamic range to work with. Noise is not an issue unless the ISO becomes 3200 or greater.

Warmest Regards, Mike

Hi Gail...i really like this image...great color combo's and imagery...i think the yellows work well with the reds here...regards....David

Thankyou very much for your visit and sharing your thoughts with me. I find it very valuable.

warmest regards, Gail

Your information is always so valuable. I never even thought of 'bracketing'. I am going to do more of that this year. I should get some cut flowers from the florist and start practising while it is still cold. So much still to learn! But your guidance is so helpful in steering me in the right direction.

My sincere thanks, Gail

Many thanks to you both for your visits, always enjoy hearing your input.

Thankyou for sharing your thoughts with me. Your input and support is always appreciated.

Gail,

  Wonderful macro with beautiful colors, lighting & details.  Take care, Patsy

Great macro! perfect dof and brilliant colours!

Thankyou both, your support is very much appreciated.

very dynamic picture with wonderful colors.

Many thanks for your visit Ranga!

Hi Gail,

Wow, this just pings right out at you! Love the vibrant colours and details of the stamens - this would be great on canvas! Best wishes. Sarah.