macros round 2

[boodlefish]

Well a couple of weeks ago I posted some macros and got some great advice on some improvement techniques.
1. Turn off all circulation
2. Use the tripod you bought
3. Lower ISO
+ I figured it would be worth it to shoot in RAW

1st try for reference (my own mostly)

as always critique is more then welcome, so here we go

An FTS so you all can see what I'm working with

 

[AquaAgua]

I really like #2. Sorry can't help with the critique

 

["Umm fish?"]

I like #2 as well. I find that it really helps shots like #3 if at least one of the corals' mouths is in sharp focus. It's kind of like shooting people or other animals and not having the eyes in focus.

 

[Recty]

I also like #2.

On #1, I'd crop out the right side of the picture, it's just out of focus and distracting. Instead I'd crop in tighter on the main part of the coral that is in focus, get rid of the distracting stuff.

It's still a good shot

 

[boodlefish]

Thanks for the positive feed back.

Andy- i agree with trying to get at least one mouth in focus, i just couldn't seem to get both the mouth and polyps in focus and with out the polyps in focus the shot seemed really distracting.

Recty- perhaps because i am still new to the awesome world of dlsr's and controllable depth of field i have a tendency to like the in focus to out of focus look, i am probably overdoing it to the point of becoming a distraction.

Thanks again for the feed back guys, i'm not trying to make excuses but just becoming aware of possible improvements.

 

["Umm fish?"]

But, it's funny. As with animals' eyes, polyp mouths seem to just automatically draw the eye. And, if they are in-focus, the viewer's brain will sort of automatically register the whole image as in-focus, even when the depth-of-field is really shallow. I really have no clue why that works, but it does.

Look at the overall image again (not just details). The whole image just comes across as out-of-focus, despite the fact that on some of the polyps the tentacles are sharp.

Now look at images #4 and #5. It's a completely different feel, and the difference is that one's polyp's mouth that's sharp (or close to at least) in both of them. It just draws the eye right to it and in such a way that your brain kind of shorthands the rest of the image.

 

[boodlefish]

Andy- i totally agree with you. it would be pointless to take a pic of any coral with a mouth and not have it in focus. OK no more excuses i will fix this issue next time

prepare for round 3 lol

thanks for taking the time to give me feedback it is deeply appreciated.

 

[Aquafred]

Nice Shots.
Can you please ID the 1st and 2nd.

 

[boodlefish]

thanks aquafred
the first one is a maze brain coral and the second one i forgot the exact name but it is an ora monti that is supposed to grow like a monti confusa. if any one else knows what it is chime in please.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

HAR! These are fantastic, #2 is great but I love the zoas

 

[boodlefish]

Wow thanks titusvilesurfer, you just made my day

 

[boodlefish]

Aquafred- i am fairly cretin that pic number two is ORA Jeremy's Green Montipora.

 

[sailfish2]

Nice zoa pics.

Joe

 

[Aquafred]

Thanks

 

[drgabe]

My simple take... your first three shots are very good. However, I'd crop them a bit tighter. I think you are trying to show some good depth of field, however the extra bits tend to distract the viewer from your main subject- those awesome looking corals.

You have an excellent looking tank- very simple and filled with obviously gorgeous looking corals.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[joe102]

Wow.. I really like these macro shots!

 

[redsea reefer]

great pics