1st time macro shots

[puka]

Just got the nikkor 105 macro af-s vr and this is my first time using it and trying to take some macro shits. Please be light on me >< any tips on how to make the pics better will be great.
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0013-1.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0021-3.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0019-3.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0031.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0034-1.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0026.jpg

[Reef Bass]

Good start. Nice corals.

For some reason, maybe simply a lack of sufficient coffee, I'm not seeing an ISO value listed with your EXIF info.

All the shots have a super low aperature / high fstop value (like f32-40). You can get better detail resolution with a more midrange fstop like in the f11 range.

You can probably go with longer shutterspeeds if you want as your subjects are fairly stationary.

How are you white balancing the shots? They look fairly blue to me.

Compositionally, the subject in all your shots is fairly centered which makes for a decent depiction of the subject but results in less interesting photographs.

Putting a carriage return or two between your IMG tag pairs would help to separate the images a bit in your post.

[kb27973]

I would love to help you out but you are a Nikon shooter and Canon code of ethics prohibits it. Kidding. I posted the same size as yours my first post here and they told me bigger. So blow them puppies up!

Ken

[puka]

I'll take some more pics later but as far as the ISO and WB and everything else i don't have a slight clue of what i am really doing lol.

[puka]

Here is some new pics
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0001-2.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0002-3.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0003-3.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0004-2.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0005-2.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0006-2.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0007.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0008.jpg

[kb27973]

You are using a tripod right? Most look a little out of focus. What kind of Monti is the yellow with blue polyps?

Ken

[puka]

yea i am using a tripod but i still can't get it to focus sharp like the other macro pics i have seen. The yellow coral is actually not yellow but green base and purple polyps and its called the reverse poker stars i think.

[Reef Bass]

If you're already using a tripod, are you using a remote shutter release or self timer? You may be jittering the camera while pressing the shutter release and using a remote trigger or self timer can overcome that.

[puka]

using a remote release. I think its just my level of photography. Been trying to take the pictures from the front of the tank. I don't know how to set the WB, ISO, etc...

[kb27973]

Don't know your level so don't take offense if some of this is below you. Some quick tips:
Take the shots from straight on
For coral shots don't worry about ISO, I usually use 200.
WB can be fixed in post processing.
Pumps off.
Tripod, self timer when taking the shot.
f8 at least.
Autofocus.

If they are still blurry I would raise the ISO so you can set a faster shutter speed and still keep your f8 or above aperture.

You have a good lens so if you are doing all of the above you should be getting clear, sharp shots.

LOL - I just caught the typo in your original post. Made me laugh.

Ken

[puka]

the only part that i don't understand is the f8 and things like that. thanks for the help everyone

[puka]

Some new pics with the 105vr
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0028.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0063.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr267/phuie748/DSC_0084.jpg

[TitusvileSurfer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14963500#post14963500 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by puka
the only part that i don't understand is the f8 and things like that. thanks for the help everyone
I just explained all of this stuff like...last night. So I'll be lazy and link. :) http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1634659

[puka]

wow nice thx for all the info and the time you took to explain it all in detail. I'll try to get some shots in when the light is on.

[olemanwinter]

You look like you are progressing as a photographer in the span of this thread. Comparing your first photos to the ones in the last post and it looks like two different people would be taking them. Congrats on being a fast learning. Keep working at it.

[puka]

thank you for the respond. Getting the camera thing down is crazy i tell you lol. I always thought it was just point and shoot but there is so much much to it just to get a nice and very clean shot.