First Macro shots ever, yay or nay?

Hey! thanks for taking the time to look at my photos, I used a Pentax Mz-M 35mm with a Phoenix 100mmf3.5 1:1 macro lens with a macro'd filter (forgot the proper name)

What do you think? Any and all criticism or appraisal would be much appreciated. Thanks!

(P.S) Is there a way to get a better Clarity on the ant picture? with more flowers in focus? thanks! :D

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Originally Posted by OttawaGoa

Hey! thanks for taking the time to look at my photos, I used a Pentax Mz-M 35mm with a Phoenix 100mmf3.5 1:1 macro lens with a macro'd filter (forgot the proper name)

What do you think? Any and all criticism or appraisal would be much appreciated. Thanks!

(P.S) Is there a way to get a better Clarity on the ant picture? with more flowers in focus? thanks! :D

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Welcome - if I'm not mistaken this is your first post. I looked at these yesterday and again today. I like #3 quite a bit in color and composition, although I would have liked to see it even closer with the ant bigger. #1 is too unfocused and undetailed for my taste. As you get more into macros, you'll find that the closer you get, the less is in focus. You really have to use f/16 or higher to get maximum detail, which I think you need in a shot like you have. # 2 is sort of average.

Hope you'll post more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OttawaGoa

Hey! thanks for taking the time to look at my photos, I used a Pentax Mz-M 35mm with a Phoenix 100mmf3.5 1:1 macro lens with a macro'd filter (forgot the proper name)

What do you think? Any and all criticism or appraisal would be much appreciated. Thanks!

(P.S) Is there a way to get a better Clarity on the ant picture? with more flowers in focus? thanks! :D

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Yea, definately. I really like the abstract result of the butterfly wing.

Thanks Lava Lamp, Chunk.

The first image of the butterfly was a complete fluke, I chased it for a good 15 minutes around my yard until I finally had time to randomly take pics (about 4 seconds worth) and that was about the only one that came out ( I love the left side how you can see the individual dots of the coloration, but if the right side would have been the same it would have made it that much better)

Thanks guys!

Hey,
Welcome. The third shot could have been better a little closer with more dof, and better lighting on the ant.
The 2nd one I like but as Lavalamp mentioned, you have to really focus properly and stop down to get some better detail. The second shot is nice though, a bit grainy however, but colors are soft and pleasing. Try using some unsharp mask on the third shot, it may help bring out some clarity on it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OttawaGoa

Hey! thanks for taking the time to look at my photos, I used a Pentax Mz-M 35mm with a Phoenix 100mmf3.5 1:1 macro lens with a macro'd filter (forgot the proper name)

What do you think? Any and all criticism or appraisal would be much appreciated. Thanks!

(P.S) Is there a way to get a better Clarity on the ant picture? with more flowers in focus? thanks! :D

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My gosh, I hope my first macro shots come out like this! (I still have to get them developed but have about 20 rolls of film to have developed after vacation, including macro shots, so it may take a couple of weeks!) I love the detail! I especially like the 2nd and 3rd pictures. The first was kinda made me focus on it at first in order to determine what it is. :) Actually tilted my head back a bit when I first saw it without thinking. I think that is due to my eyes? Great shots!

Betty