I do a lot of macro pictures.
I am frustrated getting my subject lit.
Far too often to best angle for the light also means I have a huge shadow from the lens in frame.
They make light rings that fasten to the front of the lens that provide onboard illumination.
Prices range from "what the heck, I'll get two" to "I've bought GOOD cars for less than this!"
I'm definitely in the realm of realizing that I don't know what I don't know about them.
Experiments are doubtlessly going to be coming.
I went through this buying a tripod too. Buying the cheap one illustrated why I wanted to spend a bit more money when parts started to break and I got to deal with a sloppy head. <- See what I mean about not knowing what you don't know? Prior to this I would have thought sloppy head was a good thing!
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Two cents worth. 40 years ago, I used to do a lot of table top macro with a 35mm film SLR. Lighting depends on how much control you have. If you're not in a place you can make a studio, you're going to grab snapshots.
ReplyDeleteIf you are in a place with control, get some cheap, hardware store reflectors like these and daylight balanced LED bulbs. The higher the Lumens the better. The reflectors clamp onto chairs, or ladders, room dividers, anything handy. The more time you have to set up a shot, the better you can do.
I'm still playing with the idea of getting or making one of those ring lights, but have two different lenses I do macro with, and of course they're different sizes.
I don't have a spot I can dedicate to pictures and leave set up. I know me well enough to know that I'd not bother if there was too much setting up to do every time I wanted a pic. Especially since I tend to realize I need a different angle or additional shots when I start to compose a post.
DeleteMy biggest problem lately has been the shadow from the lens. While the SX20 is a step up from the old S5 in most respects, the shorter lens on the old camera let me get in there better for macro.
I don’t know if it’s any cheaper than what you’re looking at, but bounce flash can get around the shadow of the lens. I use a Sigma flash for most macro now. TTL auto metering and all that cool stuff.
DeleteMight have to try that too. I'm learning about takin' pitchurs, but every time I learn a little I discover how little I know and sidetrack myself reading up.
DeleteGetting some of those clamp-on lamps and angling the heads to provide diffuse light rather than direct light is a cheap and easy way to fill the area with, well, light, and help avoid the over-flash. Plus two or three knock down to a relatively small package. SiGraybeard is right, get color-correct lighting as bright as you can get. Shouldn't cost you more than $10 a light, maybe cheaper if you can find them at a flea market or garage sale.
ReplyDeleteIf the light is still too harsh, hang a thin white sheet up. That works with halogen shop lights, those ones on stands from Harboring Fright or such.
If your light has an adjustable flash, increasing the background will help cut down the need for too much flash.
Have fun and check out some of the 'professional light kits' they sell out there. Most of that can be duplicated on the cheap using these methods and other easy-to-figure-out cheats.
Used to piss off the stupid Forensics lady at work that I, a mere desk-jockey, could take far better pictures than her. But then again, I have a functioning brain...