A Few Seasonal Decorations

I confess that I don't really know how to do macro photography although these are just close shots and don't really qualify as macros.

What I mean, is that I know how to focus and press the shutter, but that I lack some sort of a sense in how to set things up properly and what to do in post. Of course, it doesn't help that I don't try it very often, so I haven't been able to learn much through experience.

I have tried to set up a few shots of Christmas decs, but I have a lot to learn.

This first setup is on a little table in the hallway that I moved to a better spot (at least supposedly so) for the picture. Then, I painted in what I thought was a seasonal background in post, but it's not a very good piece in conception. It is sharp enough because I used focus-stacking (which I won't explain now), but the presentation is certainly lacking.

My next effort is almost as bad but adding the words redeemed the result a tad.

Finally, I shot two candles and their holders and used soft, glowy processing, and I like the result better. It's not perfect but seems closer to being adequate. I wonder if I'll ever get this type of photography? Possibly not, for we each have our strengths and weaknesses.

But it did give me the opportunity to show you a few of our Christmas knickknacks.

Maybe I'll try some more in due course.