Psygmorchis pusilla - Orchid Board

LauraN · #1 10-29-2007, 01:33 PM

Not the best photo...this tiny flower is so hard for me to photograph...if I would finally break down and use a tripod or monopod it might help, but alas I am a lazy.

Toddybear · #2 10-29-2007, 02:07 PM

Reminds me of Lockhartia blooms!

Dorothy · #3 10-29-2007, 02:30 PM

Very nice!

Sweet and delicate!

cb977 · #4 10-29-2007, 02:58 PM

Very cute...how big is it?

Ross · #5 10-29-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LauraN

Not the best photo...this tiny flower is so hard for me to photograph...if I would finally break down and use a tripod or monopod it might help, but alas I am a lazy.

Laura, can you control the f-stop on your camera? Just wondering.

LauraN · #6 10-29-2007, 03:36 PM

The flower is 1/2 x 10/16 in.
Yes Ross, I can control my f-stop and I should probably try opening it up some. I always think of that after I'm in the house and looking at the photos.
Are there setting that you would recommend as far as the f-stop and the ISO that I should use ?

Ross · #7 10-29-2007, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LauraN

The flower is 1/2 x 10/16 in.
Yes Ross, I can control my f-stop and I should probably try opening it up some. I always think of that after I'm in the house and looking at the photos.
Are there setting that you would recommend as far as the f-stop and the ISO that I should use ?

By "open up" presume you mean a lower number? Wrong answer! I would try f11 or f16. Any number higher (like f22) will create too much softness. If the plant is steady (no breeze) then try bracing your camera on a shelf or other support. If you need higher ISO to get good exposure at f16, then do it. All you'll get (negatively) is higher iso noise. But sharpness is better. Depthe of focus comes from two things: great depth of focus (not all that easy) and focussing in a plane parallel with the greatest depth. Try going higher with the camera and shooting downwards.

LauraN · #8 10-29-2007, 04:31 PM

Ok Ross, I shot the photo at f2.8 iso 400 and, the shutter speed was a pathetic 1/30! I'm surprised that any of it was in focus...

I will try again tomorrow if the sun will participate and shine a little for me and I'll shoot at f16. I'll post what I get and I might even drag my trusty monopod manfroto out and see if that will steady things up a bit.
Thanks for the advice. I'll also try your suggestion of shooting from above. I usually just snap them as they sit, but now that I know you'll be critiquing me...

I'll try and do a better job

My husband will get a kick out of this, as he's always telling me the same thing...Darn you men with all the answers