Well well well…
Look what i found about myself with the new Lightroom update (v1.1) and its improved metatada browser :
- Most used focal length i like: 70-300mm, followed closely by 35mm!
- Most used aperture is f5.6 followed very closely by f1.4!
- Most used shutter speed is 1/60s followed closely by 1/125s
- Most used ISO is ISO200 followed by ISO800!
Anyways, love the new sharpening tool – its awesome! way to go Adobe!
Macro thoughts…
Since i took a macro refresher today (pun intended) here are a few of my thoughts on the subject:
- While a fast lens is not a requirement, the fast lens buys you extra fast focusing time, which is a good thing. Try shooting butterflies – they rarely stay in a spot for more than half a second (sometimes not enough for a sharp focus)
- When using an extension tube, you lose infinity focus.
- You can really stack up lenses like this: Camera+extension tube+dedicated telephoto macro lens+reversed 50mm and the whole contraption still works (although i was crushing the flowers with the lens tip). I am sure other combinations work as well.
- If using a reversed 50mm AF lens, you will need to use that small lever on the reverse side of the lens to open the aperture with your left hand
- A few people i know prefer to use a super long telephoto instead of a dedicated macro (some with extension tubes as well) – This combination gets you a better working distance (i remember someone using 600mm f4 lens and the working distance was at least 50 feet! – a great way to get those dragonflies)
- Using a reversed macro is like killing yourself – I had the whole thing on a tripod with focusing rail and focusing was still difficult. The DOF was definitely thinner than paper.
- My Sigma 105mm f2.8 looked like a puny lens – kinda shameful.
- I enjoyed using my SIMA SF 100mm f2 lens – This cheap lens produced the most artistic macro shots.
Lightroom ratings
Here is how i rate images:
- One star for all those images that i think are documentary/candid/journalistic types – These are just record shots.
- Two stars for all those images that are duplicates of good ones – i often shoot multiples when i especially shoot people – the simple reasoning is due to avoide issues from camera AF and/or capturing the right/wrong moment – open mouth, closed eyes etc.
- Three starts for all those images that i think are good and would be happy to present them to the public.
- Thats it -i am reserving 4 stars and 5 stars for future.
- I also color code images:
- RED for all those images that are shot in FILM
- YELLOW for those images that are ready for WEB
- GREEN for those images that are PRINT worthy (usually for the portfolio or the album).
- Finally, i use the Reject Flag to flag all those images that i dont like – either blurry ones, eyes not in sharp focus, wrong focus point etc. I remove these once a month or so.
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By N2H
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