I”ve had several inquiries recently asking what lens I use to take such sharp pictures.
The short answer is I use this lens that came with the Canon Digital Rebel EOS camera I use.
The long answer is that I stuggle with getting sharply focused images for several reasons, mostly due to my own deficiencies — not the lens.
First, I tend to shoot under low light conditions — before work, after work, on overcast days (we have lots here) to avoid harsh shadows. Consequently, I usually have very shallow depth of field.
That’s compounded by my eyesight, which isn’t what it used to be. I usually use manual focus and just have a hard time seeing if I’ve got a sharp focus in the viewfinder. Particularly when shooting closeups, I’ll ‘bracket’ my focus and hope that when I get them open on the screen one of them will be presentable.
That’s also compounded by my none-too-steady hand. So even if I get an image focused the way I want, I’ll often get some shake in the image at marginal to slightly-to-long exposure times.
My limited skills are a good match for the digital age: I can make a lot of images without worrying about developing costs. Then I can choose the ones that come out OK, enhance them in PhotoShop, and display them at 500-pixels wide. (If you click on most images on the blog, you’ll see a 1200-pixel version, most of which are passable.) If I blew most of these up into large format prints, my shortcomings would be quickly revealed.
Sometimes the results are pretty good. Even a blind sow gets an acorn every now and then. Then there are times when I have a great subject and great conditions and think I’ve made a great image, only to find that on the large screen it’s hopelessly flawed. But the more I shoot, the less this happens.
Practice always helps! I do agree, blowing them up with definitely show you where you failed to get a good DOF or sharp photo! I always look at the screen and think, “that one was good”, only to get back and look at it on the computer and realize something was out of focus. *sigh*
That lens is generally considered to be crap, so it may not be your skills causing your difficulty. I suggest you get yourself the 50mm f1.8 lens . It’s super cheap (about $85 brand new) and super awesome for those closeup shots. Also, use the auto focus. It is your friend 🙂
Thanks for the suggestion on the lens Elabeth. To a pro, yeah. The lens is probably crap. But I don’t really think it’s holding me back at this point.
I used to use the autofocus all the time. But I got tired of it not focusing on what I wanted it to all the time, despite my best efforts. I still use it on longer shots. But anything in tight, I use the manual.
Craig, I too have found out how taxing garden photography can be, when you’re down low, feeling contorted, trying to hold still for a 1/30 sec shot, AND make a nice composition. The cold weather makes my eyes water, to boot, so I’m always coming back to find my pictures aren’t sharp.
Does your camera let you set the auto-focus point inside the view finder, so at least it’s in the area of frame you want? I’m with you on going manual at very close distances though. AF “hunting” is such a pain.
Investing in a monopod would be good, because you can stay really mobile with it, but you have to improvise when you get low to the ground. There I try to balance on my knee, but I’m thinking of finding another prop. Even a small cheapo tripod would help (and i’m talking really flimsy with short legs)–I’d never trust it to hold up my camera, but to help keep steady in low light at a kneel.
A lens really can make a huge difference in sharpness–and your work and hobby really do merit “pro” grade equipment IMHO 🙂
After I upgraded, I can hardly use my old 70-300 zoom because I can tell through the viewfinder and from the pics that the quality just isn’t there. That said, I can’t afford to have more than one lens (24-70mm) though I’d really love to have more versatility. Keep shooting 🙂