035 Misc Photography Crew

[steffo99]

Wall of text incoming......

Failed a bit last night, slept on it and came back for more tests today.
Seems to be this way with these type of things as a beginner.


Today I did some stacks with raynox 250 close up filter and the tamron 90 mm macro lens. Measured, calculated and checked some things. Closest working distance is 5.5 cm (2.44X), and longest 12.5 cm (1.2X.)

Earlier I did an approximate calculation (since no official number avail.) that based on nikons recommended numbers in a table, I need to limit myself in this combo to 1.9X max to stay inside the safe step distance I calculated that the focus shift function in the D850 has.

Based on this I just made a simple wooden stick to bring out in the field with 3 markings for quick set-up and no guesswork/time spend adjusting. 1 mark for close focus, one for longest working distance and then one for the limit of the focus shift distance (1.9X.) - about 9 cm.





Focus shift is a function in camera (D850) that sets it up to take up to 300 images, shifting focus with each shot at calculated 0.195 mm minimum at level 1/smallest increment setting.

Then setting it all up at home. F5.6 – sharpest setting for my lens, give fairly small increments/safe steps, but also keeps the effective aparture at f20 or below to avoid degradation. Have camera on silent setting/electronic shutter etc to reduce vibrations. No flash, Led lights to bring it to base iso 64 at about 1/25s.

Bought license for the lite version of helicon focus to stich the images together – shot stacks of about 100 this time.Noticed I get some ugly outline of the subject, so need to research editing in this software. Looks like I might need to upgrade to pro version for some of the better tools.

For closer up, sharper images at home I'm still waiting for the nisi rail, and suspect I might have to check Allan's vid again on a homemade method to check for vibrations – think these might be real killers to these type of things.

Another thing I noted/learned was that when taking the exact same stack twice with the focus shift function, and using the exact same method in helicon focus – one stack can come out noticably sharper than the other. How this happens, I don't know, but certainly understand why macro shooters may want to take manual control of things.

Even though a lot of time has gone into figuring some things out, I believe it pays off in translating to simple tools and rules of thumb to utilize the focus shift function well in the field as spring approaches.

Even though quite alright, I'm not a hundred percent happy with sharpness yet, so will have to pay mind to vibrations, and try flash as well next time.

So this at about 1.8-1.9X.

This is how little is in focus for a single image at f5.6 at this reproduction ratio, hence why this stacking of many images is needed.
Just pointing out for ppl new or novice to this as myself - didn't realize it would be this extreme until recently.




Then edited the final image in on1raw on a basic level. Advice in some vids is to mass edit the stack in some ways before doing/processing it, but can do/try this later.

Cell phone pic....




The following are the stacks of about a hundred images.
muscari botryoides (Pärlhyacint )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscari_botryoides

[steffo99]

2 more – ca 0.5-1X

[EmmanuelKatto1]

great photography ....

[steffo99]

For full flowers, I think I prefer the look I got with the telephoto lens this summer compared to this detailed/scientific look. Maybe I went a bit overboard with the waterspray/droplets here.

Think I like the last 2 the best – a bit abstract and artsy I think.

[steffo99]

From the Palm House, Gothenburg - yesterday.

[steffo99]

[ChazWood]

LOVE the photostream u b petaling, Steffo Dude!

I particularly like the water soaked close ups. I dig seeing things like how I've never seen them, if that makes sense. Evokes a fresh perspective and engages one's sense of wonder.

I got no worthy photos handy, butt I took this a couple weeks back and it's something you don't see every day.

Uhhh... Eagle.

[steffo99]

Thanks and nice one, Chaz. I still haven't done any video, at all.

Did some last night again.

[ChazWood]

Those are all outstanding, particularly the blue-purple ones. Dude u gots talent!

[steffo99]

Thanks again, Chaz. Think the same there. Really appreciate your comments. Again, as far as forums go you're an older brother from another mother. Wonder if you have some pics from the 80's when you took those in the fashion industry? Would be so awesome.


Early spring walk, today

[steffo99]

[ChazWood]

I thought I gave u my contact info butt if not then I'll PM u, Steffo Dude. Would be awesome to see this place thriving butt frankly it's become less and less compelling and more of a mirage of a kind of dumpster fire.

Love the animal shots! Particularly the untrustworthy looking squirrel. Make no mistake that animal would destroy you if given the means. Seriously tho, beautiful shots, brother. You've obvious got patience to go with curiosity and talent so enjoy!

I'd rather not post anything professional here butt one time I had this tropical fish named Wimpy. He grew to almost a foot and when I think aboot it now, I have no idear why or how I could get so attached to a fish, haha! Anyways, it's all good.

[steffo99]

I see what you mean, Chaz.

That is a great looking fish. Wonder if they can display a bit of personality as well? I guess he is always there to listen if one feels chatty. Does a tank like that require daily maintanence I wonder - beautiful, but probably too much work.

Got some Daffodils to shoot tonight - it's like the main easter flower over here (not sure if same over there), but figure if I get a good one I can use it for a postcard to the relatives.

Then sitting down and preparing again for the insect macro thing - writing down the process, steps I need to take and material to use - rehydration, pinning, cleaning - restoring colors, the post shooting if wanna dry them again or just toss everything away. Think I have everything now - chemicals, containers, tools, etc.
Got 20 or so dried bugs - I'll be happy if one or 2 come out ok this first time. Fun just trying something new and so different anyways.

Starting out rewatching this vid and some others again:



Edit: Finished writing up plan, etc and still miss 1 or 2 things...silica packs etc. Soon.

[steffo99]

An easter flower and the Thistle again. First one turned out bad but leaving it in.

[steffo99]

Another small flower, growing just outside the house. Failed with the safe steps a bit on some stacks I tried at about 2.3X, but these 2 came out ok I think. Will redo the same flower soon again - manually instead of with the focus shift function in the camera.

[steffo99]

Röhsska Museum, Gothenburg

Was surprised at all the historical items they had in the Asian section. Not well advertised at all. Oldest items were from 2500 BC – and worked a few days on what I got. Put together a slideshow thing of 64 pictures in the link below. Might have to ”click” through it – not sure if I got the auto-timer to work.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGCd3c..._source=editor



A few samples:

[steffo99]

[steffo99]

Under the sea

Met a new creature. It looked into my eyes, assessed the situation, and started playing air guitar.

[steffo99]

[steffo99]

Dead to live eyes.

Not very technical as a person, although picking up some things here and there regarding editing. Haven't really used masks and layers much and don't quite understand all of it, but got an idea to see if I could give stuffed/dead animals from museums etc some life with new eyes.

Figured if can get a live eye from one pic and then put it as a layer behind the main pic and then paint it through with a brush over the dead eye of the stuffed animal.

Using on1raw and it seems to work ok for a first try. I did overpaint the edges a bit so too much grey comes through from the eye pic. The eye pic is also low res..0.25MB from a google search of another vulture. Upscaled it 400% before using it.

So after opening the eye pic as a layer on the main pic, I used the transform tool to move and scale it to fit the main image. After that, ”hide it” or put it behind/below the the main pic. Then select mask tool on the left and mask brush at the top (and select appropriate size of brush) and then paint in the new eye through from bottom layer over the old and dead one of the main pic.

After that you can smooth out the edges a bit with refine tool brush.

Just wanted to try the idea a bit. Not a 100% result here, but glad it works in principle.

[steffo99]

Finally got one of these little guys to stalk/follow for a bit... Gave off a cute little warning sound I believe.

[steffo99]

Fieldfare/Snowbird
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fieldfare

[steffo99]

Small bird that hung around for a bit yesterday.
White wagtail
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_wagtail