Steps and Stages

I am getting more closely acquainted with the elderly Tamron AF 70-210mm f/2.8 SP LD 67D that I picked up for a song on eBay almost four years ago. Sometimes it seems very good. A fast shutter speed improves my chances - 1/500th here, at a focal length of 85mm. Now I am experimenting with smaller apertures in case f/2.8 is asking too much - here I had set f/5.6.
Also, I think the choice of subject is important, such as these plant pots with their hard edges.