trying to photograph dandelions
Having a bit of time to spare one day and, surprise, having my digicam with me, I took a walk around the little island at the south end of Lake Munmorah.
Almost immediately I spotted some dandelions that I thought would make an arty shot from ground level. So I flung myself to the ground and set to it. Here’s the best result:
Didn’t quite work out, did it? Very disappointing. You can see the main dandelion head I was aiming at – in the top left quarter of the image. But I could not get a focussed shot! Difficult to say what is in focus here – maybe the slash of bright green grass behind my intended subject.
This experience highlights some problems that I have with my camera. OK, yes, I would be happy to admit it is me – if I could get it to work. The main problems are related to seeing what I am doing:
- Difficulty in seeing the image clearly, i.e. inadequate viewfinders
- Difficulty in focussing – whose problem, mine or the camera?
- Difficulty in seeing the result
Here’s the (digicam) camera I have, an otherwise fine tool. It’s a Fujifilm Finepix s5600.
It’s what I call a faux-SLR – looks like an SLR but it isn’t.
Here’s the back of it and the confounded LCD screen:
You can see I have cunningly put my intended picture on that damned LCD screen.
So, bearing in mind that I wanted to focus on the dandelion head:
- have you ever tried to use the LCD screen when there is a bit of sun reflecting on it?
- ever tried to use a frankly quite useless optical viewfinder?
- ever tried to focus on an insubstantial dandelion head?
No? Neither had I. I tried first on normal photometry – i.e. the focus and metering was averaged over the whole area. Wrong! I then set it to spot metering and focussed carefully on the larger dandelion head. No good! I tried all sorts of combinations of things, quite without success.
Naturally, when I got home, I had a look at the manual. As one does. Well, to be frank, I just do not understand what it says on manual focussing (which is what my camera group had suggested). Could not understand one bit of it. Not a jot.
So there we are. I think my idea of the image was good but as far as I can see I am going to have to try with a genuine SLR, where you can see the thing clearly and adjust that good old split ring. I can use an old film camera I have – a Yashica from 20-odd years ago. I also have a rangefinder I could use, my good old Ricoh 500G!
The better solution is to acquire a digital SLR, so if anyone is feeling generous, feel free to contact me …
Filed under: australia, flowers, my habitat, new south wales, photography | 6 Comments
Tags: cameras, close-up photographs, digicam, focussing camera, fujifilm finepix s5600, macro, manual focussing, photographing dandelions, photography, photometry, problems with camera
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Hi Adam
The little Fujis are a great camera but they do have some restrictions as you found. I have a 5500 which is almost the same as yours but with less megapixels (and about a year older). Manual focus is very poor. It requires holding a couple of buttons and then pressing the zoom buttons to focus. Difficult without trying to see what is going on. Action shots aren’t easy either.
They do have a macro button (has a pic of a flower (tulip?) on it) which helps a little but not much. I bought a set of screw on close up lens which really helps but not cheap.
I still use the Fuji as it goes with me most of the time in the car or in my backpack. I only take the dslr when I am going out particularly to take photos.
Jim
Jim, thanks for the suggestions, I’ll look into the screw-on lenses. Or just use my film SLR!
Keep well
Adam
i can see your problem! It is a nice shot and i can see the frustration with not being able to get it “just right”… i don’t have a dslr so i don’t know if that would help… maybe i can be next in line for the generous person
thanks Ashy, yes, I quite liked the shot anyway, will do more like this I think.
take care
adam
That’s exactly the frustration that led me to buy a digital SLR. Except my other camera doesn’t have any manual focus at all.
Using the macro function might help as previously suggested.
The other trick is to put/hold something near to the subject that the autofocus can see. Half press the shutter button to get the focus and hold it, move the dummy object (a hand might be good for this if you’re close enough or have an assistant) then move the camera back and forth until the subject is in proper focus. The only downside is that this method sometimes throws the metering out by focusing on the dummy subject. In this photo something like a stick might be a good bet – contrasty enough to get the autofocus to see it but not so much as to mess up the metering.
I yearn for a compact digital that will give me manual control on the focus (and metering perhaps). I bet it’s not too far off.
Thanks Rachel. I think in the meantime, I am going to do these shots on film, where I can use the good old split ring thing to focus. I have a Yashica SLR that should be good for the job. I have a variety of lenses for it and should be using it more. Might get something working with a telephoto lens … will give it a try.
Best wishes
ADAM