Macro - Wine Taster

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leeko
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p.1 #1 · Macro - Wine Taster

Hi all,

After too long a break, I picked up my camera again tonight and had a play around with my macro lens. I came to realise 2 things:

1. I know nothing about macro photography
2. I have no idea how my flash works....

Anyhow, after a lot of experimenting, I came up with 3 pictures I like. They're not technically perfect though, so if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them. Specifically:

1. How do I avoid the "big bulb" appearance on reflective subjects? e.g. the reflection of the tungsten lamp in the glass thingy.

2. I'm shooting on a black velvet surface/background. No matter what I do, the surface comes out with incredible detail (including the weave of the fabric and all the tiny dust specks!). What's the best way to avoid this effect? As it stands, I've been ramping up the blacks in pp to mask it.

Thanks in advance,

Leeko

Shooting info:
All pics: D70, Tamron 90mm f/2.8, Calumet tripod, Pistol grip head, No-name macro rail (wobbly!), 2 tungsten desk lamps and 1 SB600 flash.
Pic 1: f/8, 1/60sec, +0.5 exposure (aperture priority)
Pic 2: f/16, 1/20sec, -0.5 exposure (aperture priority)
Pic 3: f/11, 1/60sec, +1 exposure (aperture priority)

All 3 pics exif states "no flash". Not sure if this is actually the case, though.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

p.s. the subject of the photos is a one-dose wine decanter "Centellino", given to us by the owner of the villa we recently got married in (Hence the card in the picture). I was thinking I might surprise the wife with the photo

Edited on Nov 25, 2007 at 11:19 PM

Nov 25, 2007 at 04:31 AM

Scott Stoness
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p.1 #2 · Macro - Wine Taster

Congratulations on your marriage.

I like the last one best. It shows a complete object with good depth.

The first is too blurred with card cut through for my liking. The 2nd is too dark with bad reflections in light.

The last has good focus throughout. I would like better if you got the corner of the card. It seems to have brown cast that I would try to remove.

I am not that good at lighting - I don't think a flash is the right way to do this because of the strong reflections. I would try daylight through window.

Edited on Nov 25, 2007 at 11:19 PM

Nov 25, 2007 at 09:05 PM

leeko
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p.1 #3 · Macro - Wine Taster

Hi Scott,

Thanks for posting. I agree that the 3rd image is best

I realise that diffuse daylight would probably give me a more technically correct image, but a large part of the reason behind the image was to try to understand my flash a bit better. No joy there!

Cheers,

Leeko

Nov 25, 2007 at 11:19 PM


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