[Yandros]

I'll happily admit to being down at the novice end of the photography ladder, but I think I might be moving up the rungs slowly

I've been out snowdrop hunting, and thought it might be interesting to compare against previous efforts.

Firstly, here's one from a few years ago, taken with my old Nikon 5700, on a cheap nasty tripod...

Out of focus, poor composition, fussy background, flat lighting - really not much going for it at all.



So I've just had another try...

Kit upgraded to a D200, Nikon 105VR 2.8 macro, a uni-loc tripod (amazingly versatile), and a Manfrotto geared head. More importantly though - I've had to raise my game to justify the huge cost of my new toys !

It isn't perfect - I sacrificed DOF to get the creamy bokeh, so the focus on the lower part of the flower is a bit off, plus I blew the white out a tad, but it aint too shabby though I say so myself

I strongly suspect that the 105 macro is an amazing hunk of glass, limited only by a hamfisted owner!

[bowenjones]

That is a lovely image mate. Makes me want to rush out and get a macro lens myself
Have you tried recovering the blown highlight in photoshop. It doesn't look that bad on my monitor and I thought that there might be enough detail there to pull back. It doesn't distract it from being a superb shot though. Definately a wall hanger

[tony79]

very nice shot mate. It seems you've skipped up a few rungs of that ladder! I reckon with just a little pp as bowenjones said you'll have a seller!

[stevegreen]

Vast improvement from what was essentially a snap to an image that has been well thought out and presented well. It's good to see for yourself exactly how much progress you have made at times, especially as this forum is so full of excellent photographers that it becomes a bit depressing at times.

[wabbitt]

Wow. What a difference between the two.

I'd be very happy if I were you. I've never really gotten into close up (and possibly macro) photography, but shots like the last one is really inspiring.

[ush flynn]

superb shot and what an improvement! if anything its good motivation for other to keep at it. Another one here now more interested in macro! how much did you get your 105mm for?
(even though i have a 105mm 2.5 manual lens i bet the AFD has closer focusing)

[senu]

Originally Posted by Yandros

I'll happily admit to being down at the novice end of the photography ladder, but I think I might be moving up the rungs slowly

Yeah.. right : You mean you are zooming fast to Semi Pro

After all the theory and great kit it really boils down to taking the picture : something you are doing remarkable well. One of the best things about digital is that you can take 20-30 shots, use only one or 2 keepers , and not be out of pocket
Well done

[vulkan75]

yup,marked difference.

Love the way you isolated the one snowdrop instead of the whole bunch.Bokah Is spot on and the frame adds to the end result.


up up up Mr Yandros.

[cedmondson]

I initially thought the first was pretty good .... till I saw the second. I'd be really delighted with that. The fact you can still see scope to take it further still is the true testament to your progress.

I'm usually not a fan of frames but I think you've done a great job there too. Well done.

[Holowlegs]

Hi there


Yandros your first picture is were I think I am at the moment, and your second one is were I am trying to get to. Very nice indeed.


Cheers Holo

[Liquid101]

Really love your recent shot - simple but very striking.

Not a fan of fussy frames though - it just doesn't need it IMO.

[Yandros]

Originally Posted by senu

Yeah.. right : You mean you are zooming fast to Semi Pro

After all the theory and great kit it really boils down to taking the picture : something you are doing remarkable well. One of the best things about digital is that you can take 20-30 shots, use only one or 2 keepers , and not be out of pocket
Well done

Awww shucks!! Thanks everyone

I suppose I should come clean as not being exactly an SLR newbie, since I think Senu has rumbled me . I actually got my first SLR over 20 years ago (feeling old now) - a manual Praktica and a 50mm lens, mainly for photographing my cactus collection, and I got to play with some closeup filters and a cheap macro converter. After a long gap, I got back into photography with the Nikon 5700, but was never entirely happy with the results. Now I'm back in SLR land, with a proper budget rather than my pocket money

I'm a little stuck for subjects until my spiney friends start flowering in the spring, but then I hope to be posting some more exotic macros than snowdrops in my gallery then. If the results this year are any cop, I'm toying with the idea of submitting to some stock agencies to help fund my lens addiction, but I know there's no market for botanical microstock. I might aim high and try to mix it with the pros in the conventional stock market

Ush flynn - I'm afraid I paid full price for the 105VR. I think it was about £575 from Grays of Westminster. I'm not sure if the situation has improved, but Nikon were drip feeding them to select dealers in ones and twos - about as bad as the dreaded 18-200VR fiasco.

[ush flynn]

575 isnt bad i would have thought it would be more. ill keep an eye out! thank you