(With holidays and everything I decided to give this one some more time)

Theme: Close-ups (macro)

Take picture of things close to show a unique aspect. Maybe it won't even be obvious what you took a picture of, but either way, it should be compelling, beautiful, disturbing - evoke SOMETHING!

Suggestion: Try avoiding the very common flowers and insect shots unless you think you're bringing something new. There's millions of shots like these out there.

Great ! i'm on it :)

WOW!!!! Take about a deep assignment!!

Nice subject! Off to work!

Since this is the first time for me doing this, how do I submit my picture?

I have one from our recent trip to Hawaii....:thumbup:

Thanks,

Revhard191

post it on here!

Finally was able to post it....I am open to opinions....Camera Canon Xti, with Standard Lense Kit...I was messing around and still getting use to it....I thought I'd share.

Cheers,

Revhard191

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k227/sawulook/MoreHawaiiPics9_07225.jpg

Nice job Revhard!

Just a quick edit to show you how you can improve an image (IMO) with some simple things - in this case, contrast, color and sharpness. What do you think?

http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data//500/MoreHawaiiPics9_07225.jpg

Nice job Revhard!

Just a quick edit to show you how you can improve an image (IMO) with some simple things - in this case, contrast, color and sharpness. What do you think?

http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data//500/MoreHawaiiPics9_07225.jpg

Thanks bitkahuna,

I am still learning alot about the camera and photography. I am always open to suggestions and I am going to start looking for a new lens pretty soon, probably after Christmas. Thanks for the input and for helping me with the software adjustments.

I cant wait to see what others are going to bring to the table so I can learn from everyones techniques.

Cheers and good luck! :thumbup:

Revhard191

This will give me an opportunity to test my skills with my new 30D!

Here's a quick one just to get warmed up....

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Seoulchild79/newcanonpics016Medium.jpg?t=1164012656

I wanted to take this closer, but this is what I did so far.

these pics just look like closeups so far. are we talking macro, or just closeups?

these pics just look like closeups so far. are we talking macro, or just closeups?
Exaclty how macro is macro?

not sure, when i think of macro i think of 1:1 mag ratio or bigger.

closeups are nice too, don't get me wrong

Close or VERY close are both good. :D

Here's one from a bit back, think I did this with the Canon G6.

A friend in Santa Ynez Valley cut down one of the trees on their property and while browsing his land for props I spotted this. Several big branches had this on it and I took a couple of the smaller chunks. I love the color and texture of moss and fungi that grows like this.

Lighting is a Calumet/Bowens 750 WS mono with softbox. Exposure about 1/200'th f8 I imagine.

http://www.michaelfongphotography.com/files/moss3.jpg

Very very nice RA40!

I just saw this critter on my window!

http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data//500/IMG_5667-2.jpg

Nice Bit! I haven't seen a lizard for a long time.

Did he try to sell you car insurance? :D Great picture... :thumbup:

Javier

Did he try to sell you car insurance? :D Great picture... :thumbup:

Thanks. No... he's the Geico gecko's bad brother... on the run. That's why we don't hear much about him. :p

Hmmm... am I on the right track here? Engine bay pics of a car from a recent car show.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/ShadyJC/Photos/SG1L1216.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/ShadyJC/Photos/SG1L1213.jpg

ShadyJC I like the 2nd one a lot. :thumbup:

http://photos-546.facebook.com/ip002/v45/63/88/42901869/n42901869_30311546_9433.jpg

http://photos-422.ak.facebook.com/ip004/v38/63/88/42901869/n42901869_30235422_7067.jpg

haha sorry, bit. I had forgotten about your little note regarding flower and insect shots. I'll be sure to go out and do more once finals week is done with.

here's one from this weekend. playing with depth of field
http://static.flickr.com/113/306380526_56d15f5fb7.jpg?v=0

haha sorry, bit. I had forgotten about your little note regarding flower and insect shots. I'll be sure to go out and do more once finals week is done with.

Love the faucet shot (see your reflection). But sorry, you're disqualified for disobeying my clear rules. :p

j/k. :D

here's one from this weekend. playing with depth of field

Nice. That your special lady's? :D

Nice. That your special lady's? :D

yeah :)

taken with a "$80 special" 50mm 1.8 with a kenko extender

yeah :)

taken with a "$80 special" 50mm 1.8 with a kenko extender

may i ask which finger that ring is on....? :D

Tiny pieces of hail from this morning...

http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data//3684/IMG_1466.jpg

I'm still very much learning photoshop, so any suggestions/comments are extremely appreciated!

Javier

Like that hail shot. :thumbup:

That is a really good shot. I dont know if I would have known what it was unless you told us.

Javier - VERY nice hail shot - that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

As for photoshop - try an edit upping the contrast quite a lot. Don't be afraid to experiment. Sometimes trying settings you think might ruin a picture actually make an interesting one!

Thanks guys!! I'll try playing with the contrast tonight, like Bit said. I appreciate the suggestion!

Javier

nice pic javier

we're still getting 60 deg weather here in cali :D

You're making me jealous, Irv :D

Okay, here's my first attempt at editing this thing. I increased contrast by 10, and brightness by 4. Comparison of original to edited:

Original
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data//3684/IMG_1466.jpg

Edited:
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data//3684/IMG_1466-web.jpg

Javier

hm. i think i prefer the original. to me the top of the edited one looks slightly overexposed with the edits

I thought so too... thanks for the feedback, Irv. By the way, I can't stop staring at that diamond shot - awesome!

Javier

This are from my Lab. Interesting behavior of flow.... :thumbup:

Another one......

Last one........ this one is for the delta wing. It's like a Concoard Jet!!

Here are a couple macro shots with my G5 of a cool little fellow I spied in Maui last month on my honeymoon. He was a little under 2 inches long

Full size images here you can get a peek at his skin texture
http://www.somniplex.com/gallery/MauiOctober2006/IMG_5620?full=1
http://www.somniplex.com/gallery/MauiOctober2006/IMG_5625?full=1
http://www.somniplex.com/gallery/MauiOctober2006/IMG_5615?full=1


http://www.somniplex.com/gallery/albums/MauiOctober2006/IMG_5615.sized.jpg
http://www.somniplex.com/gallery/albums/MauiOctober2006/IMG_5620.sized.jpg
http://www.somniplex.com/gallery/albums/MauiOctober2006/IMG_5625.sized.jpg


He was quite the little model. Handheld, daytime, no tripod

Here are a couple macro shots with my G5 of a cool little fellow I spied in Maui last month on my honeymoon. He was a little under 2 inches long.
He was quite the little model. Handheld, daytime, no tripod

Nice capture, Dave. I've always been a huge fan of the Canon G series cameras.

Love the colors in that shot Dave!!!

Javier

Pimp - nice pics but not quite sure they qualify as close-ups. :D

Dave - nice close-ups (focus, color) of the lizard! Where I live here we see all kinds of those outside our home - brown, green, BLUE even, lines down the back - they all very cool.

Pimp - nice pics but not quite sure they qualify as close-ups. :D

Dave - nice close-ups (focus, color) of the lizard! Where I live here we see all kinds of those outside our home - brown, green, BLUE even, lines down the back - they all very cool.

You want me to ZOOM ZOOM it in?!?! :D j/k. I just posted coz it's interesting and average people don't get to see these kinda pics normally. You can learn something!

This guy is normally just grey. He changes color to match the surrounding. He comes out and disappears when the sun is out and goes back into the same flower when it gets cold. Not sure how the hell he could find his way back to the same flower though.. I guess nature works in a mysterious way.. I didn't want to zoom in too much and lose the flower which is his safe haven.

http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data//500/Frog.jpg

You want me to ZOOM ZOOM it in?!?! :D j/k. I just posted coz it's interesting and average people don't get to see these kinda pics normally. You can learn something!

They are DEFINITELY cool pics! Way to go. Any special things you have to do to take those? I assume no flash? What camera/lens?

Any canon users in here every try the 60 or the 100 prime macro? They're pretty sweet. I was thinking about picking up one of those lenses in the spring or summer time.

i was considering the 100mm or 180mm macro.

lenses are getting expensive... then depending, you will need a macro light, etc.

for now i settled on using my 50mm 1.8 with an extension tube

I'll wait to post a macro shot until I get my fancy new Ricoh with its 1cm macro ability. :D

I'd considered the macro 50/2.5 and 100/2.8 initially. Since I had the 50/1.4 I tried it with a 12mm and it did what I needed. For me, these are small inset images just to show detail. Seldom a full sized print. Thinking about this, Bit has motivated the desire for the 25mm extension tube. (Thanks Bit. ;) )

I'd considered the macro 50/2.5 and 100/2.8 initially. Since I had the 50/1.4 I tried it with a 12mm and it did what I needed. For me, these are small inset images just to show detail. Seldom a full sized print. Thinking about this, Bit has motivated the desire for the 25mm extension tube. (Thanks Bit. ;) )

i went cheap and did mine with the kenko extensions. work pretty well and give you a good bang for the buck (no glass, doesn't work too well with some zooms)

random pic...

http://www.cliffud.com/plug.jpg

Nice pic cliffud! What the heck kind of plug is that? :uh: :p

plug from an H4 light bulb. i found some magical setting on my camera and i suddenly feel like i have a new toy to play with haha- i forgot what the setting was, i'll try to post it later...

of course, it probably won't be new to any of you guys. :)

Macro focus?

Javier

Here's for the computer gurus

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/329189933_8202ea2b1c_b.jpg

Steppin' it up guys - EXCELLENT!!!! :woohoo:

kby2za - I gotta admit, you've got me going with that one. Not sure if it's a webcam, a disk drive, the bottom of a mouse, or something else! :uh: Good one! :D

Bit,
2nd to last guess is correct! It is the optical sensor from a mac mouse, figured it wouldn't be easy with just the sensor in focus ;)

Stage3 Nice shot, excellent exposure

--Pete

my entry :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/amformeeh/photoshoot%20still%20life/DSC09752.jpg

bit ness monster :D

this holds the world together :D

sharp little guy :D

Bit-he's got a long tail...that typical of these?

Yes, most of them here are like that. I've been told that if someone or something grabs them by the tail that it comes off easily (and grows back) - that it's a way for them escape danger!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/333045506_e1718c6ce3_b.jpg

I took this one with the new DSC-N2 point and shoot I got for Christmas. Looks like it has some crazy Macro ability!:thumbup:

More tooling around.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/333126579_f2ac1ae578_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/the_whoster/volante04.jpg

Finally got time and idea to do something :D comments please :)

Nice Ahmed. A bit out of focus maybe. Here's an edit with some more contrast and sharpened a bit. What do you think?

hmm... guess i didn't get time to submit a picture. i'll see if i can get one tonight at the party though!

Nice Ahmed. A bit out of focus maybe. Here's an edit with some more contrast and sharpened a bit. What do you think?

I dunno , maybe too sharp :uh:

who won???

who won???

Good question but these assignments are subjective really... you tell us who you think won and why.

Everyone - please post your comments (constructive) about as many of the pics as you can. It really helps EVERYONE. I've tried to give some feedback about most of the ones in this thread already.

We'll set up another assignment shortly.

Thanks for all the pics. :woot:

my entry :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/amformeeh/photoshoot%20still%20life/DSC09752.jpg

i really like this picture...seems like it could go up on a huge billboard in time square no problem. Maybe its because i used to have a pair of those sunglasses before some prick stole them from me.

I like all of the pictures but i really like this one...hah.


Great job all of you and keep posting more pictures, even tho the deadline is up!

I just saw this critter on my window!

Maybe crop a bit

random pic...plug

Too bright and feels a bit out of focus

my entry :D

Lil bit out of focus and would look 10x better it showed both glasses

this holds the world together :D

Crop the bottom section

Rest of you , good job :thumbup: and i didnt comment the ones that had been commented the stuff i was gonna say .

Hey guys, I know the dead line has been passed.

I just bought a digital SLR 3 days ago and I just started taking some picture. I am totally noobie at these stuff.

Here is my entry and please educate me.

Hey guys, I know the dead line has been passed.

I just bought a digital SLR 3 days ago and I just started taking some picture. I am totally noobie at these stuff.

Here is my entry and please educate me.

I'd say too bright background,needs a bit of focus :)

OK team - any more feedback on the pics and your favorites would be appreciated. Another assignment soon! If you have ideas for assignments, PM me.

Just went back through them, ones I like...

LT LEX bible, pg1 - I like the short depth of field which really enhances the quotation.

RA40's algae encrusted log, pg2 - awesome color, detail and a unique shot!

javyLSU's hail, pg2 - creative, nice short depth of field again.

newr frog in flower, pg4 - if it were just a flower or just a frog no, but the frog IN the flower, nice subtle surprise! Nice color too.

Some others, the flames, the fireplace, the flowers, the lizards (my own too :p ) - don't do as much for me because they're such common pictures.

Great work everyone!!!!

Now what do YOU think?

Thanks Bit! One of my favorites from this assignment was Irv's diamond shot on pg 2. I love the contrast in focus and depth of field. I also appreciate how the background, despite being (intentionally) out of focus, adds great meaning to the shot.

Javier

thanks javier!

the lighting was horribly done (handheld LED flashlight anyone?)

i really liked your hail shot. if you didn't post what it was i would definitely have had a hard time guessing.

Here are my attempts at close up shots of a model car

http://www.prudensconsulting.com/yahooitems/image1.jpg


http://www.prudensconsulting.com/yahooitems/image2.jpg


http://www.prudensconsulting.com/yahooitems/image4.jpg

One more

http://www.prudensconsulting.com/yahooitems/image5.jpg

Here's the full pic of the last shot

http://www.prudensconsulting.com/yahooitems/image6.jpg

Here's the full pic of the last shot

http://www.prudensconsulting.com/yahooitems/image6.jpg
i hope he wasn't sleeping while riding that! :D

Hameed - good shots!

Couple of points:

1) on the Carrera shots, not sure what you used to resize, but it didn't do a great job.

2) as I mentioned to you in IM, cutting very small crops out of original files (like bike engine) will not yield good quality in most cases.

Great job everyone. I've unstuck the thread now and will post another assignment shortly. Ideas welcomed. :)

How about night exposures, bit? I'd like to practice my technique and learn from others here...

Javier

Im no photographer, but i love good night shots. +1 for this idea.

i like the night shot idea.

i was just fooling around tonight with the camera...

i like those infinity perspective shots.

http://www.cliffud.com/projectors.jpg
http://www.cliffud.com/projectors2.jpg

How about night exposures, bit? I'd like to practice my technique and learn from others here...

Javier

I'd like to work on this as well.

How about night exposures, bit? I'd like to practice my technique and learn from others here...

Javier
Nice idea!

How about night exposures, bit? I'd like to practice my technique and learn from others here...

+1 :thumbup:

How about night exposures, bit? I'd like to practice my technique and learn from others here...

Javier

+10 :thumbup:

Perspective shots were what I had in mind. Night shots are good too.

:thumbup: wow you guys got some talent- alot of excellent pics here- amazing

Used canon rebel XT with kit lens...due to kit lens limitation, couldn't get too close
http://download-v5.streamload.com/prIVyPLh~YPs8~_FzL~DSbn~bWfo0Lq9mNnk/rayck/FileManager/IMG_0716s.jpg

Comment pls :D
For me, i don't like reflection of myself on the ring. LoL

Another one I took recently
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid220/p00143ab128089769fe5409594820d196/ebb94230.jpg

My favorite subject
Does table top photos count as macro photos also?
I have alot of those on my 1/18 diecast models
Here are a few
---------------------------------------------------
exoto
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/ResizeWizard-3.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/Picture121b.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/IMG_2272copy.jpg

kyosho
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/Picture108b.jpg

Autoart

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/IMG_1245b.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/Picture028b.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/IMG_0879.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/Picture117b.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j115/2530/temp/supra003copy.jpg

Sorry about the pics if you don't like model cars:D

Minichamps
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/IMG_2300a.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/Picture161a.jpg

GMP
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/Picture145a.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/Picture164aa.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/Picture150a.jpg

Techart
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/118/ResizeWizard-2.jpg

UT
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j115/2530/temp/IMG_0686b.jpg

holy crap dude! Nice model collection!!!!!!!!!! Im going to have to make a trip to virgina...keep your doors locked! LoL!

I like those porsches and the muscle cars a lot.

Canon SD630

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/bucket96/NewCarPics008.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/bucket96/NewCarPics001.jpg