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Thought I would put up a couple of pics I have recently taken - they're not that great when I look at everything else on here but one has to start somewhere.

I tried to do a bit of closeup with my kit lenses - this is the best of a bad bunch - can someone tell me please - should I be able to get better shots using what I have or will I just have to bite the bullet and empty the pockets for a macro lens?? And yes I have played around with it in elements quite a bit - whether that is good or bad??


With this image I would really like some feedback around the quality of the image and the PP done on it.


Thanks

Linda
NikonD80, 18-55, 70-300

obviously a macro lens is specifically designed for that purpose and will give better results in most cases.. i probably would have just tried for a bit more DOF in the catepillar shot.

The colours in the parrot shot are very nice in my opinion

OK, I am certainly no expert - the colours on the leaves in the first one are great but they take away from the caterpillar a little and the bug isn't fully in focus. A macro lens will allow you to get in close and get lots of detail. The second shot is nice and sharp but it is a bit busy for me and, again, the bird blends in with the background - you can't see enough of it. Obviously you had no say over this but perhaps it's something to look out for.
Good luck, this is the best way to learn!

I think they are both pretty good. There are always ways that things can be done better though. The lighting in the first doesn't emphasise the bug you are trying to capture enough, but then the red and green of the leaves is an attractive part of the image. If you don't want to go to the expense of a dedicated macro lens try close up filters, they are a much cheaper alternative. Another issue is there is no exif info with your image, which can help commenters in responding to your wish for critique Another point converting to jpeg and for size in display can sometimes reduce the impact of your image, eg; using Srgb for jpeg display is a common point made here.
The second image is nice and sharp and I just love rosellas/lorikeets (whatever they are) and grevilleas, especially the ones you have pictured here, so you have my attention. However, everybody takes images of these, they are colorful etc. But, they are damn hard to take a good image of because they are so flighty. Someone, on the forum, (Look at Finch's posts see http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php? ... ht=#314527 for example) got an image of one in flight with wings fully extended and he is a bird photographer expert, but even he said it was pure luck. So, if you are going to photograph these you need to have something that will stand out from the crowd. Cropping this more closely might help. Also, waiting for the bird to stretch up as they often do so you see more of the bird.

Keep them coming and welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the feedback - muchly appreciated.
Have started looking around at the cost of the Tamron 90mm - have decided that I am going to need it (or should that be want it)

Dargan - you commented about the EXIF data - I'm not sure how to get this attached to the photo My pics are taken in JPeg format and uploaded to flickr with the data attached and it is available on the website so must have something to do with how I am copying the link - can anyone help with this


Linda