Sunday, February 21, 2010

Calla Shot With a Lensbaby and Without


Nikon D700 with a Lensbaby Composer


Nikon D700 with 60mm macro lens



Ever since Mark Westerman did a tutorial for our photo club on combining a series of macro shots of the same subject but focused at different points into the image, I have wanted to try the freeware CombineZM he told us about. But after finding the site and reading the instructions, I don't understand how to install it.  I would like to have the front edge of the top calla lily (shot with a 60mm macro lens) in focus but for some reason I did not shoot a series of focus shots this time. While it is possible to manually layer and mask a series of images to have more depth of field, it is tedious and increases the size of the file so much.  I don't mind the shallow depth of field in the top image, shot with a Lensbaby Composer.  It is hard for me to believe I actually got a shot more in focus with a Lensbaby than a standard lens...maybe because the angle is a little different.

3 comments:

  1. I like both versions with the cropped in look, removing the stem that to me was a distraction. I think I like the Lensbaby shot better as a result of your focus point. Nice job.

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  2. I like the first one...Lensbaby Composer. Draws my focus to the top colors, curvature and water droplet. Background does not distract....nice.

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  3. I know I will regret this but I like the one with the Lensbaby better. With the Lensbaby, you have helped direct me to what you really think is the important aspect of the image. The Lensbaby also makes the photo be more about shapes and colors that the actual subject.

    Just for the record, I do not plan to buy a Lensbaby even after seeing really good work with it. Nice job, but NO SALE!

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