Welcome
to the middle of the week!
Today
I would like to share a theme I have been working on for my current course in
Digital Image Management PH124. In week one of the course, students were asked
to select four themes. The themes once approved by the instructor would be our
primary focus in shooting next to learning how to organize and manage images in
Lightroom.
The
four themes I’m working on are Nature, Historical, Reflections, and Macro. The
first two themes are in my comfort zone to shoot, but the last two themes was a
challenge I purposely imposed on myself. I had never shot macro, and
reflections have never been my strong point when shooting nature.
I
decided to treat myself with a new lens, specifically the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8
Macro USM. Knowing that I really have no idea to what I’m jumping into in
regards to macro photography, I started to watch video tutorials. Of course
when the lens arrived the best way to learn anything is to get out and shoot!
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| Corina Scoggins Week 1 Macro "Holly Berries" Feb 2014 |
In
the first week, I tried to handhold the camera a lot. Guess what in macro
photography any camera shake in magnified. Lesson number one, use a tripod or
try to stabilize your self by leaning against a solid object as much as
possible. Lesson two for myself was not to have high hopes in achieving the finest
of details the first week in using this lens. Just like anything we shoot,
practices makes perfect. I tried a few moving subjects, and realized I needed
to jump back and focus on subjects who were stationary to better myself using
the lens.
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| Corina Scoggins Week 2 Macro "Algae Bubbles" Feb 2014 |
In
week two, I focused on understanding the working focal length of the lens.
Basically how close can I get to the subject and maintain a good amount of
focus. I have realized now that when using a macro lens, the full frame will
never be in complete focus. A light bulb went off in my head, to research why?
We have all seen the macro images of insects and flowers in which everything is
in pristine focus. Once again the video tutorials lead me to understand that
macro images could be many frames stacked in post editing to achieve the clear
full frame focus we have come to see. Of course this is a very small
explanation in achieving full frame focus, as I have come to learn macro
photography is beyond just clicking the shutter button. There is a lot of
science involved first in understanding the subject, lighting, depth of field, and angle.
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| Corina Scoggins Week 3 Macro "Vivid Carpet Fibers" March 2014 |
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| Corina Scoggins Week 3 Macro "Snowflakes on Blackboard" March 2014 |
The
blog today won’t solve the issues, but it’s an example that we as photographers
are always learning. I like to think I opened up a can of worms when I selected to shoot macro? I knew
Macro was a challenge. Something I haven’t mentioned was lighting, because I
haven’t used anything additional. Another aspect I need to read into as I’m
learning that external lighting is very much used even in full natural
daylight.
Sometimes
I need that reminder that I’m truly a student, and far from being a
photographer shooting for National Geographic. Critiques can be misleading, if
the viewer is not honest. Of course honesty starts with one self, and honestly
this is a work in progress. After all it takes a lot to write about issues and
post it to a blog for all of the Photography Student Professional Network to
read.
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| Corina Scoggins Week 3 Macro "Blue Sleet" March 2014 |
Today
I ask the viewer to share your comments, stories, and suggestions. This
response does not have to be related to the subject of macro photography.
Before
I forget, tomorrow is Photo Live: Get Connected! Every Thursday Faculty host a
live webinar for students to attend free of charge. Check out the event’s page
on PSPN for upcoming Photo Live and Artist Talk events. Depending on the
current course you are in, attendance in the event’s can earn you extra credit.
More importantly you can connect with Faculty and fellow students, ask
questions and learn something new.
*Note:
In order to attend the webinars, software will need to be downloaded and
installed onto your computer in addition to registering for the event. Once
again this software is at no charge and it’s a very simple install.
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| Corina Scoggins Week 3 Macro "Chert Rock of RBX" March 2014 |
From
my camera to yours,
Wednesday
Student Ambassador Corina
A video I really liked this week in regards to Macro Photography
Youtube Channel: Mike Howard
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