Canadutch
Last week our photo club held a macro and still life evening for us to practice and learn a bit more about it. They set up some tables and we were all asked to bring something along for ourselves and others to photograph. This was one of the nights I was most looking forward to as I don’t have a lot of experience with macro and wasn’t sure what the lenses that came with my camera were capable of.
As the night went on I started to get discouraged because so many people had all this great gear. Really expensive cameras with really expensive lenses, big flashes and most importantly, experience I didn’t have. For some reason the photos I took looked really crap on my LCD screen so I didn’t hold out a lot of hope for the results. While I tried to suck it up and get over it, I busied myself by taking photos of other club members enjoying the evening.
One good thing about evenings like this is that you can interact with other members a lot more than meetings where there are speakers or other events that cut down on the ability to mingle. A few of the other members were really sweet and helped by giving me tips on white balance, how to set up the lighting and different settings I could try on my camera.
When I got home I was surprised with the results, my photos didn’t turn out too bad after all! Granted, I got a handful of good ones out of a mountain of attempts, but that’s what learning is all about, right?
There are a few more photos in my Flickr set.
Obviously, still some room for improvement but not bad considering I’ve never tried this before. I just saw that Xenos has a light box set on sale, so I might go pick one up tomorrow so I can practice a little more. Even though taking photos of people appears to be what I enjoy most, I quite enjoy this as well and am keen to learn more about it.
They look so sharp! Although, my favorites are the kiwi shots! Probably because of the pretty green! :) The first flower looks pretty darn awesome, too. :D
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Gaby, I was actually worried when I was there because the kiwi wasn’t looking so green on my LCD screen. Turns out I was worrying for nothing :)
very kewl shots, tammy! looks like you’re not the only one who enjoys these evenings with the photo club…i love the gerberas & the grapes, you’ve truly got a great eye!
Oh I think everyone had a really good time :)
Those really turned out well! I particularly like the last two. I’ve been thinking about rigging up a light box; I hope the Xenos one works out well!
I thought about rigging one up too but then though bah why bother when I can get this one that comes in a handy little bag and probably won’t fall apart like mine will haha
I think they look great. I really like the second one and the way part of the kiwi is blurred and part of it is in focus. It gives it a really nice depth.
Thanks Stu :)
Those look awesome! I am so jealous – I want a toy that will do that too!
Your point and shoot can probably do some macro if it has a macro setting (usually a little flower on the dial)
Tammy you did awesome! the shots of the kiwi are fantastic and those grapes look like you can reach out and grab one! It takes lots and lots or pratice. Whenever I go somewhere to take photos, I see all these people with ginormous lenses and then I start feeling really small..lol
Edwin actually built me a lightbox and I love it. However I need a special light for it to make everything pop. The one I have in there now is to dark. I plan to use it more when I get the bulb. I so wish I lived closer. I would love to the photo club with you!
What kind of special bulb is that? I’m going to pick up the light box at Xenos today. I’ll have photos of everything in the house by the weekend I’m sure. I wish you lived closer too! Edwin needs to start searching for jobs in the Randstad!
I think they look AMAZING!
Thanks Barb! :)