[wazza]

getting down to nature and getting up close without special Macro lenses, any tips on small close up shots like this please,

[lolyton]

One tip would be, be careful how you light close up subjects. The flash here has overexposed the close mushroom. Ideally a ring flash on the end of lens would be good, but expensive. Just controlling your standard flash will normally do the trick though.
Thats just one, no doubt this will be the first of many

[wazza]

Controlling the flash on my camera ? its fixed and no control really but yes I see what you mean.

[lolyton]

You could try diffusing it slightly if it is completely un-controlable. Maybe shoot through tissue paper, i used to stick Rizla on my flash to diffuse it slightly and always worked well for me.

[wazza]

Lolyton, thanks i will experiment with that, cheers.