Nature' s Puppet Master
Elosu, Euskadi (Basque Country), October 2008.
Nikon FM3. Tamron SP, 90mm - f/2,5 macro.
Fuji Velvia 50.
Obviously, the feeling I got when I saw this ...jewel, is far from what was actually impressed in this photo and evedence my lack of knowledge on shooting similar subject. I really need your feedback on how could I improve the result.
Light conditions were very poor (I think I had 1/30 or 1/15 @ f/2.5)
Jose Hadad Neto 24/08/2010 18:58
Nice shot, despite the unfavourable light conditions you had there. Thank you for your comment to my page.SAMIRAN PAUL 15/05/2009 18:56
Well seen. right title. About the photo: the photo is not sharp. you could have increased ISO. Could have used flash. Could have used black/white/dark blue paper at the back and use flashregards
samiran
MWPhoto 21/04/2009 17:45
Konstantinos,I am replying to your "critique request" in the forum ...
The qualities of a "jewel" are diffraction of light and sharpness. The conditions you found here make such a picture impossible. Without extra light, the camera cannot recreate what your eye saw that day. If you examine Leonid's image (above) you will see that he was fortunate to have bright light diffused by mist over a river behind his spider web.
You might consider (next time) changing position so that the background is only sky, or only the vegetation - the contrast in the background limits your exposure. You did a good job blurring the background with DOF, but even more diffusion or a uniform background would be better still. In this image of mine, the background has been blurred even more:
ikebana
MWPhotoEven at f2,5, you cannot make a sharp handheld image at 1/30 sec shutter speed. I don't usually attempt hand held shots at such long exposures (but my hands shake more than yours!). You must have a tripod and a cable release, and even then, the mirror movement may create blurring (many cameras have a mirror lock setting option to stop this). Also, at f2,5 it will be difficult to have the entire web in focus unless you are perfectly flat and parallel to it. At an angle, part of it will be out of focus no matter what you do.
A flash might help, but would change the "feeling" that you wanted to capture.
The problem is not your skill. The problem is that some conditions are beyond the limits of the camera. Keep looking, and one day you will find the right "jewel".
Sergio Pessolano 14/04/2009 18:43
Excellent mood!Müslüm Yasargun 22/03/2009 8:46
+++Kaith Kakavouli 21/03/2009 19:58
fonto, kai statherotita....Fantasy of the Great jeweller
Leonid Dombrovsky