MY VERY FIRST MACRO PICS

Having bought a new DSLR [Pentax K5] I want to learn so many areas of photography, but one of the areas that's "calling" me is Macro photography. So I've bought a set of extension rings to give me a start. They arrived yesterday so because it was bright and sunny, [for a while], and being impatient I tried my "hand" in natural light for the very first time. I didn't realise that macro photography involves a lot of swearing....but it does Flowers don't stay still and move in the breeze just as you're taking the shot and the light fades just when you don't want it. But here's my very first attempts at Macro photography.....it can only get better

Aster - 18-55mm lens with extension tubes






Golden Rod - 18-55mm lens with extension tubes


Japanese Anemone - 18-55mm lens with extension tubes




Considering the weather was breezy and the light not exactly the best I'm not displeased with the results, even though they are a bit soft, but I know the camera can do better and that after a lot of practice with different lenses, different combinations of extension tubes, and flash I might get better shots!!

 

It's puzzle enough for me to get my head around it all, Spruce. All the pics were taken using the full length of the set of 3 tubes with the 18-55mm lens. But I have a 55-200mm lens as well so if the light is good tomorrow I'll have a try with that and various combinations of the extension tubes. With the first lens the camera was right up against the subject, but with the second, longer, lens I should be able to get a bit of separation between it and the subject.......we shall see. I think we already have a Mystery Object Thread anyway!!!

 

Where did I lose you, Spruce?? You'd lose me on Day Lilies and Bees for sure!. If I was to try to take a macro shot of the cats I'd get a set of claws right where I wouldn't want it!!!

Anyway, it was a strange day weatherwise but I tried some macro shots in all sorts of light because I couldn't count on it being bright. These are the first I've taken with the 55-200mm lens and all the extension tubes attached, again in the natural light that I was given.

The centre of a Cosmos [which reminds me of one of those Liquorice Allsorts!!]


Petals of a Trumpeter Rose after it had rained.




Took this shot of a Snapdragon flower


And then this Guy crawled out of the flower so I could take his pic!!




Teasel [mind the Spikes!!]




Verbena [probably smallest flowers so far!}




Because of the constantly changing light and the occasional shower I didn't get chance to try different combinations of lens and tubes that I would have liked.....but slowly, slowly catchee Monkay!!