Okay so this is to satisfy myself. I was told, pity about the blur in the background. Can someone please tell me how to elimanate blur from the background of a macro shot? On spot focusing... The shot is the one in question...

Well, I'm wondering who on earth told u that!!! Probably someone who knows jackshit about photography huh! The blurred background is perfect on a contrary, ur main subject being the 'lil fellow on that big flower! These 2 are in focus and that's exactly the way it should be!

Tx that's what I thought... Okay one agreer any one else?

Like Pascale I can't believe that the blurred background should be something "bad". Has the person who told you that ever heard of "DOF"? It might be a matter of taste, but for me except for the extreme close-up that's the thing I like about macro-shots the most: one focused spot that's really sharp and the rest being a soft surrounding. If it was my shot I would probably even blurr the background some more and do some colour-adjusting (maybe darkening a bit) to lead the viewers' eye even more towards that little guy and the flower... Well, but maybe I'm the one doing it the wrong way all the time ;-) Drea

I think u're the one who's doing it the right way dear! ;)

Tx Drea! 2 down 3000 to go... My original post in my gallery is exactly how you suggested Drea, great minds hey?

Attached Link: http://www.macrophotography.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11

"I was told, pity about the blur in the background." Why would you want to eliminate the blur? Because someone uttered the statement in quotations above? Seems to me the person who said it, doesn't have much of an understanding of some of the basic concepts of photography. And while I would not consider this photo to be actual "macro" photography, it is a "close-up" and the same applies. Shallow depth of field is the norm. As an aside, when working with macro/close-up where such shallow dof prevail ... the point of focus becomes very important.... your focus here is not quite on the insect but on the petal 1/2" or so below..... your ladybug isn't as sharp as she could be. Here's an article that "might" help.....

I know little about photography but IMHO this is exactly what the picture should look like. The blurriness brings out the clarity of the bug and flower. Stick to what you think is right and don't worry about problems that don't exist. You know you are talented and that is all that matters! Huge hugs to you!

Tx MA and SQ!!! Looking at the link now. My cam allows focus from 5 cm away (only auto focus) I'll try focusing on the bug better next time :D

PeeWee, you might try an experiment on depth of field. What I did was set up several toothpicks, perhaps 1/2 cm apart in a row going away from me. I put some red color on one in the center and focused on that on. Then I played with aperture and my actual camera distance from the subjects. You will be quite surprised how the focus drops off in foreground and background, considering the center toothpick the point of focus. Backing off a bit with the cam will help increase the dof and you can crop your final image as you desire. Some of the best shots of people, bugs, all these things benefit greatly by having a sharp subject and the distractions of background somewhat blurred, even if ever so delicately. With close macros, shallow dof is a given. Part of it is the reality of the science behind lens and aperture and part is artistry of a deliberate shallow dof when suited to the image. In your shot here, if the bug was a tad sharper(not always easy to do! LOL) the blur would help the critter stand out visually. Ah, but what do I know..we try and sometimes get a good one. Some macro shooters here seem to always get good ones..at least that is what we are shown.

Hmm if anything I would like to see more blur in the background.

looking a second time at the bug and flower, that bug does look in focus to me... (my earling morning eyes and noon eyes). A little crop of the image might bring the bug out more...just a thought. DOF can be frustrating..to me,,when I want the whole critter done nicely. But, it is part of the package. Best wishes.

I might've cropped this shot differently but otherwise I see nothing wrong with it.The blur is not only to be expected but enhances the subject.It's a good thing!

Unfortunately that's the way I shot the bug, cropped already...

I would crop away a bit of that petal that has a lot of yellow on it (the top one almost straight above the bug), coz that caught my attention before I saw the bug itself. And you'll need the blur in the background, otherwise that lil fellow in the foreground will vanish completely ;) I like the piccie overall though :D C.

You could take two photos and blend them in an image editing program.

Nothing left to add here....of course you want blur Vera. I even bought a photo-magazine today that contained a CD with a full version of a plug-in called "True Blur"...should be a quick and effective tool to actually add MORE blur to your macros, lol. I have yet to try it though. Neat little bugger by the way. #:O)

Agree with Michelle 100 per cent!!!!!!!!!!