In my last blog, https://photorogr.com/2016/07/23/working-on-getting-closer/, I discussed my continuing exploration into macro and close up photography with specific emphasis on using a flash to help with sharpness. Since that post, I procured a set of close up filters. These filters screw on the end of the lens, and come in values of +1, +2, and +4. Like many filters, they can be stacked. These filters allow a photographer to get closer than the normal minimum focusing distance, but they impact light coming into the lens less than other tools (such as extension tubes) and are less expensive, too. In effect, I can set the camera closer to a subject for greater detail.
I’ve been working with the close up filters but, like any new technique, it requires experience with the technique to truly master it. One of the actions I’ve tried has been focusing at the minimum distance and then moving the camera towards or away from the subject. With a zoom lens, I can simply change the focal length to achieve best focus. Things get a little more complicated with a prime lens, especially when I set the tripod on uneven surfaces (such as the river rock in my backyard). It’s a fun part of the journey, however, and you’ll hear more about it in future blogs.
On to this week’s images!
This image was made before I got the close up filters, so it provides a basis for comparison.
I found this guy on a Candy Tuft in my back yard. I need to work on the chromatic aberration in this image (the blue edges of the petals).
Same Wasp as the above image, but he sat still long enough for me to use the in-camera HDR to create this image.
I got photobombed by this little guy hiding in the rose petals. After I noticed him, I tried to make him part of the composition.
This little guy (literally, he’s maybe 3/16″ in size) really photobombed me. I didn’t notice him until I downloaded the images on my computer.
But, he looks good even when cropped closer.
This guy was too busy to give me a full face closeup.
My lovely bride’s Blackberry bush is looking good this year.
We were going to pick the black one, but the bunnies got it first…
I played with the flash on this one. I like the result!
Susan’s Crab Apple tree is also full of fruit…
…as is the Peach tree, although we are finding a lot of pits on the ground around the tree…
…and the Pear tree is very heavy with fruit. We didn’t get much fruit last year, since we had smoke in the air during the prime pollenation season.
I found this Anderson Thistle on the west side of Lake Tahoe.
Walking in my back yard one evening and I saw this lonely Day Lily bloom. The surrounding plants had old, shriveled blooms, but this guy waited to be recorded for posterity.
This bloom from the front yard, also a Day Lily!
This is the first bloom of the year on our Hibiscus plant. When fully open, the petals measure 6-8″ across. I have to be quick with this plant, as the flowers only last a day or so.
Our Black Eyed Susans aren’t blooming in great numbers this year, but this one is very pretty.
This Rose bloom seemed luminous when I shot it. This is an attempt at an HDR to bring out the full color of the flower.
Another Rose from our back yard.
Finally, my photo world wasn’t all bugs and flowers, I took a drive to Glen Alpine Falls to see how they were running. The Falls has changed much since my shoot last April.
Well, as many have accused me, I’m having wayyy too much fun – and I’m enjoying every minute of it! Thanks for following me.
Enjoy – PHOTOROGR
The PHOTOROGR Project 
Lovely shots. Like you I like doing close ups especially of insects. In the second and third shot you have a bit of chromatic aberration (color fringing on flower leaves) also watch out for diffraction (softness in fstops past about f14 e.g. F16). Points I hope that will be helpful.
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Wow, looks like you got the “BUG”, pun intended. good work!!!
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Mighty fine work!
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Great stuff Roger! 🙂
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