Creative Photography
As I tend to spend more time indoors during the winter, I am looking for unique ways of image capture. I love using my Platypod - tripod alternatives as they are so convenient and maneuverable. For these images, I went a bit overboard, one Platypod Max to support my Lumix S1R with the 24-105 f/4 lens, one Max to hold up the LensBall, two Platypod Ultras with a Platypod gooseneck and a Litra Torch 2 each. A third Platypod Ultra with a gooseneck and a clothespin to hold the flower.
Tiny shifts in the camera angle or flower position create beautiful fluid lines since the Lensball acts like an exaggerated fish-eye lens.
I captured hundreds of images - here in this post are two that I really like a lot.
Light Table Photography on a Snowy Day
With 8 or more inches of snow and not being in a mood to go outside, I set up this composition on a makeshift light table. It is the top of a slide viewer placed on four plastic cups for support. The lights are three Litra Pros set at 5500 Kelvin and full brightness. 7 images were captured starting with a normal exposure for the flowers and then increasing in exposure by 2/3 stop for each subsequent image. The images were then blended in Photoshop 2020 with selective masking for this final result that gives the effect of translucency.
The starting exposure was f/14, 1/160 sec at ISO 400. Captured with the Panasonic Lumix S1R and the 24-105 f/4 lens.
Hosta - flowers in color
While the intent is to create a book, using sepia or color is still a big debate. Here is an image that adds to the dilema.
Using the new Panasonic Leica 50-200mm
I received the newly released Panasonic Leica 50-200 mm f/2.8-f/4 lens yesterday. I paired it with the G9 for this image. This is the first and only image captured with this lens and I am in love with its quality. A lot more testing to do but I have no doubt it will perform exceptionally well. What is great is that the lens can be coupled with the 1.4x and the 2x teleconverters. Stay tuned for more on this piece of glass.
Botany Project - Zantedeschia aethiopica (Calla Lily)
Once done, I am hoping to get these image printed as a coffee-table book. Here is another image (right side page) that I completed last evening.
Iris Close-up - the effect of white balance
Decided to do some close-up work this morning with an iris (indoors). The flower was lit with two simple reflector based workman's lamps each with a 60 W incandescent bulb. The first setup was created with auto white balance fooling the camera a bit to consider a cloudy situation thereby enhancing the warm tones.
This next image is with a slightly different composition and crop created after doing a custom white balance to have color accuracy despite the mixed light. Both images were photographed using the identical background.
Macro & Close-up Photography Repeat Session - March 11, 2012
- Black Eye Susan Stacked Focus Result
I will be repeating the 1 day Macro and Close-up photography workshop on Sunday March 11, 2012. We will start at 9:30 AM and conclude at 5:00 PM. A pizza lunch is included.In this macro photography workshop you will learn how to take beautiful macro photos like a pro. You’ll be able to take eye catching macro and close-up photos with great detail and sharpness.Click on this Macro & Closeup March 11 link for full details and a description of the program.
Macro & Close-Up Photography Workshop - Cape Cod Art Association - July 24, 2011
The workshop at the Cape Cod Art Association was a great day despite the occasional rain that did prevent the attendees from photographing in the rain. Rain drop covered flowers and grasses made for some beautiful images. Will post a few images created by the attendees when the submit.Below are a few quotes from the attendees:"I thought I knew something about macro photography. This class showed me I had a lot more to learn. Having both classroom and hands on was valuable as was then looking at the work. I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop!""Close Up photography has always been a challenge for me. This course was very helpful in better understanding macro techniques and the various camera accessories that are available to further enhance the effort. I am finally able to look forward to taking close up photos with confidence and enthusiasm."
Lupine Festival 2011
June 5, 2011 - Went north to Sugar Hill, New Hampshire for the opening week of a three week Lupine Festival. The Lupins were in bloom but the invasive weeds are still an issue. The density of the blooms are not what they used to be years ago.Here are two images - one a composite of a field of buttercups and the other a female red wing on a lupine.
