Macro Photography help

[ChiliPepper093]

I recently purchased my first digital camera, a Canon SD850IS. I took some macro pictures of flowers. When I posted them in the Photo Critique, I was told by around 5 people about the blurriness. I was able to focus on the main objects but everything else in the back was blurry. How do I fix this when taking close ups of flowers whether in macro mode or not? Thanks.

[Frog]

Sorry, Chili, but your main objects were also not in focus. Macro focus has to be exact because of the lack of depth of field so don't worry about the back being blurry as that's usually a good thing.
I'm not familiar with your camera but when I had a p&s closeups and macros were more challenging. One thing you have to watch is how close you are to the subject and if the light isn't good enough for a fast shutter you will have to use a tripod.
I sometimes had to let the my camera,(nikon 8700) think it focused and then move back or closer in fine increments to actually get it in focus.
Others with more expertise will probably be able to give you more info.
Others with more expertise will probably be able to give you more info.
Don't quit trying!

edit....just looked your camera up and you have a macro focus range of 2cm so I doubt you were too close and since you have IS you shouldn't need a tripod usually.

[ChiliPepper093]

Hey Frog, it's fine. I thought they were but I guess not. I'm new to this only started when I got my camera 3 days ago, and I'm only 14, so I can take all the critique. I keep playing around and see if I can figure it out. Thanks.

[another view]

I have a Nikon Coolpix 5000 which has a manual focus option, but it's really trial and error. I'll set it to the minimum distance and then try to get it right from the little LCD monitor, but will take a few different shots moving it a little in and out. One will usually be right...

With image sharpness, especially in a case like this, the shot will tend to 'jump out at you' if it's right. If you have to take a second to look at it and decide if it's sharp or not, it probably isn't. Just based on past experience - but keep at it!

[freygr]

You have to be able to use manual focusing at a minim. The get good result you need 1 to set the camera in Micro mode, set your ISO to 400 or higher on a nice sunny day and that will give you good depth of field. Then us the manual focus to focus the scene.