Newbies First Macro Shots

[MikeHerod]

New Nikon D50 less that a week old. Nikkor 60mm macro lens. F22, aperature mode, center weighted autofocus, 800 iso, and cleaned the glass. Applied USM mask created from ron bigelows article with some fine tuning.

Please be honest on your critique. Maybe too much sharpening? Subject is a Pregnant Cherry Red Shrimp.

P.S. Do you guys/gals run any types of filters on your lenses for aquatic photography? Polarizer? Haze?, etc.

Thanks,

Mike
http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery//files/2/1/4/9/CherryandSnailsWeb.jpg

[Travis Bickle]

I Think it is great. :)

Sharpening looks ok to me, if you have cs2 play with smart sharpen. It is supposed to replace USM, though I still use it from time to time.

Only thing is... do I see spots on the glass? Helps to wipe it really really good.

I wana macro lens :( heheh

[MikeHerod]

Thanks for the comments Paul. I wiped it down but apparently not good enough. Yea the micro lens is great. I have had it for about 7 years as a lens for my Nikon 8008 I used for underwater photography. Taking pictures of aquariums and occupants is much more difficult.

Mike

[Travis Bickle]

Ohh also, most people here will tell you to use a slave flash, and a lower iso, 200. It should help with noise and focus.
Aquarium shooting is hard for me also.. takes a bit of patients and practice. I'm saving for a slave flash and lens.

[Ibn]

Nice first shot. BTW, welcome to APF.

What's causing the dark foreground area?

[phishphorphun]

The 60mm works great on the D50. You did a nice job with this. Super sharp with some excellent dof.

I'm guessing the shrimp is in front of the main light. A suggestion, when shooting your aquarium subjects, move the light all the way forward. It will create less light in the background and provide more light for the front of the subject.

[MikeHerod]

Thanks everyone. I shot some pictures last night and moved the light forward and it helped. I also think when I get too close with the 60 lens, the built in flash doesn't cover the bottom of the frame. The SB800 is next on my purchase list.

Mike