Macro photos keep focussing on surrounds, not subject

[Scythegpd]

Hi All,

Was hoping for a bit more advice from those far more knowledgeable than me please

I’m relatively new to photography, previously I just used one of the Kraken phone housings to take photos. Im not crazy into photography or looking to spend thousands but, after the phone housing failed (and took my phone out in the process) i decided to get a starter set-up. A bit of info of what I have

• Olympus TG7
• Official Olympus housing (PT-059 I think)
• Weefine ring 3000 v2
• Kraken Hydra 1500 WSR mounted to the case
• Aluminum Bamboo Dive tray (with left handle only)

Recently bought a

• Sea&Sea YS-03 Solis strobe
• 6cm by 20cm float
• I’ll be daisy-changing the float/flash to the left arm using butterfly clamps

Thus so far I’ve only been taking photos with the ring light and torch



Now onto my questions. When I try take photos of critters in stuff (like coral) either

• the camera focuses on the coral surrounding the subject, not the critter itself
• the critter is moving and ends up looking blurry

Both of the above mean I end up with photos that are less than ideal



I’ve included a few examples below (again, this is purely ring light and torch, not strobe, so not sure how that will impact)
All of these subjects are smaller than one and a half inches and in hard coral



Would anyone have any advise on how to improve the focus and “freeze-frame” so I can get clear shots of the subject and focus on them instead of the surrounds please?

 

[clownfishsydney]

Make sure the focus is set on the centre square. You will need to check manual to see how to do it. Then half press shutter to get focus, then take.

 

[Scythegpd]

Make sure the focus is set on the centre square. You will need to check manual to see how to do it. Then half press shutter to get focus, then take.

Thanks
Usually I wait for the green box to appear briefly in the center screen, which I understand is the camera confirming it has focussed, but it tends to target the coral closer to the lense than the subject in the coral
Is it feasable to zoom in more (like let’s say 4x), focus at that zoom level, then zoom out (to let’s say 2x) get more of the surrounds? Or would that break the focus?

 

[clownfishsydney]

Is it feasable to zoom in more (like let’s say 4x), focus at that zoom level, then zoom out (to let’s say 2x) get more of the surrounds? Or would that break the focus?

No, that will not work. I have a TG-5 and mostly it focuses where I want it to, but sometimes it just won't despite doing what I said above.

 

[Scythegpd]

No, that will not work. I have a TG-5 and mostly it focuses where I want it to, but sometimes it just won't despite doing what I said above.

Cheers thanks
I guess it’s a case of playing around and practice until perfect
I’ve got a liveaboard in less than a month but sadly won’t get a chance to dive and experiment some more between now and then, so gonna have to wing it on the boat …

 

[Pearlman]

Cheers thanks
I guess it’s a case of playing around and practice until perfect
I’ve got a liveaboard in less than a month but sadly won’t get a chance to dive and experiment some more between now and then, so gonna have to wing it on the boat …

I think You can practice at home on your study table with small objects and low lighting conditions?

 

[Scythegpd]

I think You can practice at home on your study table with small objects and low lighting conditions?

Is it ok with the flash/light out of the water?

The recommendation in the user guide is to not use it out of the water but not sure if that’s just them being overcautious

 

[Edward3c]

Is it ok with the flash/light out of the water?

The recommendation in the user guide is to not use it out of the water but not sure if that’s just them being overcautious

You’re testing the focus not the flash, so don’t power it up.

I have the TG6 with housing, but just point and shoot. I do move between the different underwater settings i.e., macro to fish etc.

 

[Scythegpd]

You’re testing the focus not the flash, so don’t power it up.

I have the TG6 with housing, but just point and shoot. I do move between the different underwater settings i.e., macro to fish etc.

Aah, good point, didn’t think of that doh
Thanks for that!

 

[hedonist222]

First test your focus works outside the housing.
Take a picture of something on a desk.

If in focus, test camera in housing.

If it focuses, test camera in housing in a bathtub or bucket.

It could be that you simply need more practice with the camera.