For a better macro shot.
 

Hi All, I don't know if this has been said before as I'm new to this forum. I enjoy macro shooting very much and have been unhappy with many shots that I thought would be better with more of the subject in focus. Today it dawned on me that you should think of your DoF as a cone " like a witches hat" projecting forward from the lens, to maximise the apparent "in focus" area of the subject you have to be able to get that base of the cone alligned flat with the subject surface. You may have to move round or adjust the subject if possible. one of my better wasp shots shows this quite well

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/...5412ae5a_b.jpg

if the lens was tilted the entire body would not be sharp, hope this helps someone.

Bob

Thanks for that tip Bob, it makes a lot of sense and its easy to remember being explained so simply.
I have sometimes wondered why some shots look like they have better DOF even though they have been taken at the same F stop as previous photos. Now I know why, all I've done is change the shooting angle.

Thats a brilliant example with the wasp shot.

I took this one today and think it demonstartes that too, the legs toung and eyes are all in the same plane so it looks like a great DoF.

Bob