plant in parking lot

Got a pic of this nasty looking plant/fruit/flower/alien in the office parking lot. About 2-3 cm in diameter.

It was more than interesting trying to get the details on the webby strings on a slighly windy but sunny day. Once again my techniques failed me and this is the best one out of the lot after playing with different settings for more than an hour.

Tried to sharpen it in PS and RAW software, I think I have overcooked it too.

F10, ISO 200, 300mm (70-300mm IS), 1/60 taken using a tripod. Pic crop to about 1/5 of its original size. Tried smaller aperture but shutter opened for too long and the wind got the better of those pics.

Any tips to improve? Pleeeaasseeee.......

[Iain]

That's a Thistle, still to flower. If you want a smaller aperture try upping the ISO and/or using the flash or better lighting.

Cheers
Iain.

[allymac123]

Looks like you've blown the highlights a bit. A bit of underexposure should sort that. Apart from that it looks good

Here's one I got last year of the same thing in another month or so...

Was taken before I got my 400d so with my Olympus C770 bridge. It has a much better Macro than the 70-300 IS is capable of.

What a interesting historic story to go with this plant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_thistle

Of course correct name pointed out by a Scotsman. I am just plain dumb when it comes to plants and animals.

Now even more interested to get a good pic.....

Originally Posted by allymac123

Looks like you've blown the highlights a bit. A bit of underexposure should sort that.

Thanks for tip and example.

Now played with RAW image a bit, it does look better. Will have to learn to nail the exposure in the first place though.