Hellllup! Macro Tips Needed...

[nwdetectorist]

Hellllup! Macro Tips Needed...

...Hi all

Would someone be so nice as to help me out with some pointers on closeup shots (macro) of coins and rings and such.
I just got a macro lens for my Canon S3 IS camera a few days ago and have a sample picture attached.

The picture is of a lead tube cap that either says L-1 or says C-1, or maybe even L & I, or ???

Thanks,

nwdetectorist
TOO MUCH DIRT, NOT ENUFF TIME!

 

[Gord SW Ont]

Once you have the equipment, taking macros is more a matter of good lighting, a little post processing and lots & lots of practice.

I think you have done well. With just a little post processing I got the following which cleans up the details a bit:

[attachment 116495 tubecaprev1.jpg]

Better lighting depends on the subject but soft diffused outdoor light (overcast or shade) is often good. For a coin try and get a little side lighting to give the details some shadow for more of a 3D effect.

Post processing can add a lttle extra "POP" to the pic, color corrections, allow front and back views in the same frame for coins, rings, etc, taking out distracting objects and many other improvements. For example:

[attachment 116498 dime1a.jpg]

or

[attachment 116497 ring_md.jpg]



Looks like you're well on your way. Good luck!

 

[nwdetectorist]

Thanks Gord SW Ont,

I am just 3 weeks into a digital photography class and way over my head in using photo shop.
But I am learning that post-processing is king in this new era.
Not that I ever owned a nice camera back when

Thanks,

nwdetectorist
TOO MUCH DIRT, NOT ENUFF TIME!

 

[Gord SW Ont]

... now all I have to do is wait for all the snow to leave so I can get in some quality detecting and make some good finds to take photos of.

Looks like it'll be a while as we're getting much more snow and freezing weather than usual. Oh well, I guess I could always clean up my Minelabs and other equipment???

Take care and HH ... Gord SW Ont.

 

[stevecoleccs]

Get a clean background, go to home depot & look at some 12x12 tile, find one that is simple, or - go to your local art supply store & find a few poster boards that come in different colors, etc... no patterns because a pattern will be distracting & will look different with different sizes of rings & coins.

 

[evildave]

The S3 has two macro modes, macro & super macro. You might have better results not using the extra lens. As close as about one half inch with super macro. If you need a manual I think you can download one on line at the cannon site.....Good luck Dave

 

[nwdetectorist]

Thanks Steve,

Great Idea

I am going to have to get back to trying to make those macro shots.
I just found another piece of gold jewelry a week ago.
Its a 14K bracelet which should be fun to photograph.


nwdetectorist

TOO MUCH DIRT, NOT ENUFF TIME!

 

[nwdetectorist]

Thanks Dave,

I am finding the online manual for Canon to be much better than the micro-print and severely abbreviated POS (piece of shit) manual that came with the camera.

Well, they used to have an online manual. I guess my camera is now obsolete because its a broken link and not available.

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/pss3is/index-e.html

Thanks and I will check into using the Macro modes by themselves.

nwdetectorist

TOO MUCH DIRT, NOT ENUFF TIME!

 

[evildave]

Try here.......
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=DownloadDetailTabAct&fcategoryid=322&modelid=13077
Lots of info. HAGD Dave

 

[Sodbuster27]

You can also get some interesting tiles from your local hardware store. They make some very good backgrounds/bases for macro photography.

Another point is to always make sure of the character of your lighting. You want to have some contrast from the lighting so it doesn't come up as being "flat" (so evenly lit that you see no shadows at all). Shadows give the image depth and contrast. Same rules of lighting outside during the golden hours (2 to 3 hours after sunrise/before sunset) apply to your in studio photographs. Directional lighting that will give contrast to your subject will help out a great deal. Don't forget to use bounce cards to illuminate the other side of your subject as well.

Sodbuster

 

[nwdetectorist]

n/t