Q about 'macro' camera settings

[sheepherder]

I had to cancel my 'photo shoot' yesterday due to overcast & ground fog that didn't burn off until mid-morning.

Today was better. I took several telephoto lens shots from ~six feet, and a couple of macro shots using the top line of the slide as my focus center.

Best of each is below; neither is very good.

I don't have any light colored towels; my last wife was a nurse and all my bath towels are blood red...

I have to get some more R-30 insulation today; I'll stop at WallyWorld and get a white bath towel for shoots and use my red one for a superimposed backdrop...