digitalis - DOF and distance from subject - macro

Some people been asking me how i shot macro. I would try to write how i do it, in a simple way.

i found two photos. they are shot on the same subject, about 20 second apart. good thing subject did not run or fly. Assassin bugs seem lazy. :)
both use the same setting same gear. only difference is the distance from the subject. i can't exactly recall how far i was. but it could be from 100mm to 50mm from the tip of the lens.

first one i am maybe at 100mm then second one i shot closer. ( thats why its bigger )

Model NIKON D80
Shutter Speed 1/200 s
F-Number f/20
ISO ISO 100
Exposure Bias Value 0.00 eV
Metering Mode Spot
Flash Auto, Fired, Return detected
Focal Length 60 mm
Lens Model 60 mm f/2.8
White Balance Details Auto
Date/Time Original 8/3/2017 11:49:06 AM

Model NIKON D80
Shutter Speed 1/200 s
F-Number f/20
ISO ISO 100
Exposure Bias Value 0.00 eV
Metering Mode Spot
Flash Auto, Fired, Return detected
Focal Length 60 mm
Lens Model 60 mm f/2.8
White Balance Details Auto
Date/Time Original 8/3/2017 11:49:26 AM

i cropped both 1200x803.. just to show how the focus area seem to be less on the 2nd picture. it's due to the DOF. i know for a beginner it's confusing. I got confused too when i started. don't worry eventually you will know.

1. i used f20. what if i used f13. it will give more details for sure but the area of focus will be less. it will also get a better exposure. at f20. if i not adjust the flash to +EV 1.0 above. result will be grainy. use ISO100. some use AUTO ISO to compensate the exposure. but higher iso would give grainy too.

• what if i am closer but want to have a bigger focus area. like on the 2nd photo. i could use f25 and above, and it will surely focus the whole insect. BUT, it could be less details. due to lens capability and the lighting too.

1. if the insect is small you can even use f13 and it might focus the whole area of the insects.

2. why f20. am not sure either. but maybe f18, f16, f13 could give a better details shot. we just need to experiment. it's easier if the subjet is not moving and have enough time do the it on different fstop. then we can compare results.

There are 3 main factors. Aperture, shutter speed and ISO. i used all the same setting on this photo. the only variable is the distance from the subject. just to see the result.

Yes. it's hard to change setting. that's why i try to minimize what i need to change when i see the subject to shoot. normally i change the aperture fstop and flash EV only ( to save battery power ). My D80 has 2.5" LCD and its not easy to shoot and check. what i do is shoot at different fstop. if insects fly then it's not my lucky day.

if my flash battery is newly charge i do sometimes use burst mode. external flash can do that. burst shooting with flash. Internal flash of DSLR cannot do burst flashing.

Next tips will be how to lessen blur shots. thou upto this day. i still get blur shots. maybe less compared when i was starting to shoot macro.

Hope this tips and info helps you guys :)