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Noise is handled better in the current ACR/LR versions (Process 2012 sliders). Your sharpening would only have added to the noise and harshness of the small details. (Sharpening is only adding contrast on tiny edges.) If this was a raw file, just pull it back up and go to the Camera Calibration tab and change the Process to 2012 and see if you can tweak sliders to get a better result. I wouldn't do anything about noise till everything else is set.
In addition to noise, contrast is high and it looks like it may be a significant crop. I'd back off of that a little, too.
With macro magnification and a 3D subject like a bee, f/5 isn't going to give you enough depth of field. Going to a smaller aperture will necessitate a compromise with ISO and shutter speed, though. Diffused flash can give much better light and if you set the flash to overpower the ambient light by 3-4 stops (you'll need to shade the subject if it's in sun) you'll have a high effective shutter speed. But diffusing the flash is vital to pleasing illumination. The diffused source needs to be close to the subject and much larger than it is.
Back to this one, though -- it's worth a re-work from scratch, just for practice and comparison. Would love to see a re-post.
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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BPN Member
Dear Diane, there is so much of value in what you wrote about this.
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Hey Jess. I like the colours in this very much. Purples and yellows seem to compliment each other. I think there is way too much sharpening still even though you said you "backed off". As Diane has said, a rework from scratch may produce some good comparisons.
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Thanks, Glennie! I like the colors too, so will re-shoot when the lavender blooms again. As to over sharpening: I'm guilty. Both NIK Sharpening(s) and Topaz Details are new for me and I'm over using them. I once heard an artist say that it takes two people to make a watercolor -- when it's time to stop, the assistant applies a big hammer...;-)
Diane, I'll pass on a re-post, given that I spent all day yesterday looking through ~5000 images for the NEF file and finding only a tif.
BTW, I do have Process 2012 in LR, so will use LR from now on raw images (all I shoot these days).
I think you're absolutely right about the f5 effect and I've no excuse for using such a low aperture -- the light was bright enough for at least 'sunny 16,' so I'll chalk it down to "pilot error" and move on.
BTW, I submitted that image at my photo club last night. The club employs volunteer judges. Last night's pair told me the image was out of focus, and i should have used a tripod. I think your critique is much closer to the dime. Thanks.
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So much for the average photo club judge... The paid ones aren't much better.
