Macro Photography !!(Pic Heavy)

BigBassMan · 11-28-2010, 07:58 PM

I custom paint fishing baits part time and as a hobby, getting the best picture of them I can so that people wanting to look at them can see all of the detail. This is my first batch of lures I photograghed with my pentax kx. I took these in macro mode with the 18-55 lense. I think they turned out pretty nice, but I am sure I could have done even better with some of yalls advice. Any advise is welcomed .

Bluegill with small scales

Same bluegill image without the small scales

Winter Gill

Summer Gill

Here are the crappie :
Black Crappie

Crappie

Pumkinseed

Pumkinseed Two

Gizzard Shad with scales

Here is a couple of regular airbrushed lures:
Citrus Shad

Spanky

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-28-2010, 10:09 PM

One thing about those "fish" - they stay where you can snap their pictures. Good depth of field throughout.

wedgetail · 11-28-2010, 10:10 PM

Love the pics and subject is my other passion great looking lures

yeatzee · 11-28-2010, 10:15 PM

Either take the pictures in sun, or take them in the shade, not half of both. Also, the exposures are off on most of them.

Good looking lures though!

Last edited by yeatzee; 11-28-2010 at 10:31 PM.

Pentaxor · 11-28-2010, 10:25 PM

nice looking lures.

BigBassMan · 11-29-2010, 03:47 AM

Originally posted by yeatzee

Either take the pictures in sun, or take them in the shade, not half of both. Also, the exposures are off on most of them.

Good looking lures though!

It seems as if I take them in full sun, it puts to much shine on the clearcoat to be able to see the bait clearly. I also thought of using a tripod next time I shoot them, would that help the exposures? When I get a chance, I will post some pics in full sun.

Thats why I posted these here, I knew someone would have something for me to get the best shots possible.

Thanks Guys for the comments on the baits !!

**Ahab** · 11-29-2010, 10:02 AM

Take them in the sun at noon with a lightbox and tripod or rig a white loose weave sheet overhead to soften the light. The background is too busy for me to enjoy your painting. Maybe remove some of the objects?

gnaztee · 11-29-2010, 10:34 AM

The lures look beautifully done! I agree with other replies...lighting is uneven, background/surroundings are distracting, a couple out of focus.

Try this:

Strobist: How To: DIY $10 Macro Photo Studio

The results really come out looking professional when using it (you don't need flashes even, you can use desk lamps on either side)

Here's one I did using this setup with a cheap sheet of white plexi (I used CF lamps on both sides, then tinted it blue in processing):

Blue #2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I think this setup can give you professional results and really show off your work (lure-making AND photography). And yes, use a tripod for this kind of work.

BigBassMan · 11-29-2010, 08:36 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks guys for all of your information !! Next time I get to paint, I will post a few pics using yall advise and see the difference. I really appreciate your help !

e-bar · 12-02-2010, 03:41 PM

Nice looking lures BigBassMan :-)

some ideas:

Might be a good idea to try taking some (or all) of the random stuff away from the background and see if it's any better. Too much different stuff in the picture usually distracts the eye from the main subject. Good background surfaces what I could think of might be (old grey)wood or stone.

example I found: Dan Routh Photography: More Fishing (the lower pic)

Nick Siebers · 12-02-2010, 08:26 PM

My experience with macro was that I was never really happy with my macro photos until I started using a tripod. Camera shake is magnified by close-up shots, and to get enough depth of field one often needs to stop down a fair bit.

The other advice above for evening out exposure and removing distracting items is also good. I find the kit lens is not its sharpest in the macro range, although 1:3 is nice; a manual 50 on some extension tubes can be a nice upgrade.

11-28-2010, 07:58 PM	#1
BigBassMan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 27	Macro Photography !!(Pic Heavy) I custom paint fishing baits part time and as a hobby, getting the best picture of them I can so that people wanting to look at them can see all of the detail. This is my first batch of lures I photograghed with my pentax kx. I took these in macro mode with the 18-55 lense. I think they turned out pretty nice, but I am sure I could have done even better with some of yalls advice. Any advise is welcomed . Bluegill with small scales Same bluegill image without the small scales Winter Gill Summer Gill Here are the crappie : Black Crappie Crappie Pumkinseed Pumkinseed Two Gizzard Shad with scales Here is a couple of regular airbrushed lures: Citrus Shad Spanky

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
POST A PIC TO OWN THE PIC ABOVE! (Game)	ll_coffee_lP	Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories	788	08-01-2015 01:01 AM
Post a pic of your DIY Macro rig/flash	TOUGEFC	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	64	04-17-2013 01:31 AM
Macro Photography	niyogisg	Welcomes and Introductions	8	10-18-2010 05:42 AM
Options for macro(or near macro) photography	dinneenp	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	05-09-2010 01:26 PM
Iso 1600 pic and a Butterfly Pic...	Eastern Shore Charlie	Post Your Photos!	5	07-06-2008 10:27 AM

11-28-2010, 10:09 PM	#2
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	One thing about those "fish" - they stay where you can snap their pictures. Good depth of field throughout.

11-28-2010, 10:10 PM	#3
wedgetail Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: adelaide Photos: Albums Posts: 211	Love the pics and subject is my other passion great looking lures

11-28-2010, 10:15 PM	#4
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	Either take the pictures in sun, or take them in the shade, not half of both. Also, the exposures are off on most of them. Good looking lures though! Last edited by yeatzee; 11-28-2010 at 10:31 PM.

11-28-2010, 10:25 PM	#5
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	nice looking lures.

11-29-2010, 03:47 AM	#6
BigBassMan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 27 Original Poster	Originally posted by yeatzee Either take the pictures in sun, or take them in the shade, not half of both. Also, the exposures are off on most of them. Good looking lures though! It seems as if I take them in full sun, it puts to much shine on the clearcoat to be able to see the bait clearly. I also thought of using a tripod next time I shoot them, would that help the exposures? When I get a chance, I will post some pics in full sun. Thats why I posted these here, I knew someone would have something for me to get the best shots possible. Thanks Guys for the comments on the baits !!

11-29-2010, 10:02 AM	#7
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	Take them in the sun at noon with a lightbox and tripod or rig a white loose weave sheet overhead to soften the light. The background is too busy for me to enjoy your painting. Maybe remove some of the objects?

11-29-2010, 10:34 AM	#8
gnaztee Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 772	The lures look beautifully done! I agree with other replies...lighting is uneven, background/surroundings are distracting, a couple out of focus. Try this: Strobist: How To: DIY $10 Macro Photo Studio The results really come out looking professional when using it (you don't need flashes even, you can use desk lamps on either side) Here's one I did using this setup with a cheap sheet of white plexi (I used CF lamps on both sides, then tinted it blue in processing): Blue #2 \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! I think this setup can give you professional results and really show off your work (lure-making AND photography). And yes, use a tripod for this kind of work.

11-29-2010, 08:36 PM - 1 Like	#9
BigBassMan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 27 Original Poster	Thanks guys for all of your information !! Next time I get to paint, I will post a few pics using yall advise and see the difference. I really appreciate your help !

12-02-2010, 03:41 PM	#10
e-bar Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 35	Nice looking lures BigBassMan :-) some ideas: Might be a good idea to try taking some (or all) of the random stuff away from the background and see if it's any better. Too much different stuff in the picture usually distracts the eye from the main subject. Good background surfaces what I could think of might be (old grey)wood or stone. example I found: Dan Routh Photography: More Fishing (the lower pic)

12-02-2010, 08:26 PM	#11
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	My experience with macro was that I was never really happy with my macro photos until I started using a tripod. Camera shake is magnified by close-up shots, and to get enough depth of field one often needs to stop down a fair bit. The other advice above for evening out exposure and removing distracting items is also good. I find the kit lens is not its sharpest in the macro range, although 1:3 is nice; a manual 50 on some extension tubes can be a nice upgrade.