Thursday, December 16, 2010

(Day 350) A closer look

One of the benefits of photography is that it allows us to see things and events that our eyes otherwise wouldn't be able to see. That can include freezing action such as a droplet of water at the instant it lands in a puddle, or seeing an object in great detail such as an insect.

I've accumulated a few lenses over the past year and one of my favourites is a 60mm macro lens (since the sensor on my camera has a 1.6 crop factor, it acts like a 100mm lens). It's opened up an entirely new world for me and I'm still learning how to use it properly. I'm also still learning more about using my camera and its many functions. I vaguely recalled reading in the manual some time ago about a function that could be set to help produce sharper macro images - mirror lockup. So I followed the steps to enable it and went out in the backyard to get some practice (it's amazing how disruptive even the slightest whiff of wind is when trying to capture macro shots outdoors !).

(60mm  f2.8  1/320 sec  ISO200)


(60mm  f4.0  1/60 sec  ISO200)


(60mm  f9.0  1/125 sec  ISO200)

20 comments:

Cicero Sings said...

I love the macro and the world it opens up to one.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Looking at these images,I think you have mastered the macro technique.These are stunning.
I have so much trouble getting macro images to be sharp.
Blessings,Ruth

chasity said...

i just read your comment...
you made me laugh.
what a great sense of humoUr you have~
:)



these macros are amazing!
what a wonderful and exquisite world HE has blessed us with.

Carolyn Ford said...

wow! I need to practice with my 60mm more. I can see that clearly by viewing your photos...beautiful, Rick!

darlin said...

Wow Rick, that's serious close ups. Awesome shots, you've opened up a whole new world!

A wonderful day to ya! Like I have to say that... you're in paradise! lol

marty said...

in the heart of the flower, where she's hiding her secrets !!! so beautiful shots !
c'est vrai, le vent est le pire ennemi pour les
macros ! mais les tiennes sont très réussies !
bisous et belle journée Rick

Anonymous said...

Oh my!! I think I'm going shopping right now!
Can't wait to see more!

ju-north said...

Wow! Love these shots - hoping to delve into macro world at some point! (Hint - maybe a tutorial or two?)

Dawn said...

Amazing! How incredible the Macro-World is! Thanks for sharing....my phone camera won't do this;))
You must be coming back to the "Arctic" soon....Hope you are soaking up the warmth and beauty:)

CIMPOACA LAURENTIU said...

great macros

Leovi said...

Unos colores exquisitos, un verdadero placer para la vista. Me gustan mucho.

Teté M. Jorge said...

Lovely...

I just came to leave a beijo for you...

Anonymous said...

WooooW! These are awesome, so much detail... Excellent captures!!! =)

Leslie said...

Amazing detail!

imac said...

I know just what you say Rick, these are fine Macro's my friend.

Cat said...

I'm hooked on macro too Rick! I've tried stepping back and using my 50mm more but when it comes down to it, I'm drawn to the 105mm - it just feels good in my hands and we are in sync if that makes any sense...I'm hoping to get a 70-200mm for Christmas though to broaden my horizons, so to speak! Really beautiful shots - I especially love the third and the fuzzy feel of it!

Chad said...

I like how your first photo sets up the third. Showing how small it actually is in the first,and then getting such detail in the last. Very nice.

Katherine said...

Sensational photos Rick! The last picture reminds me of a children's movie. Have you seen the movie "Horton Hears a Who"? Horton is an Elephant who discovers that their is a microscopic community that exists within a fluffy flower that looks a lot like that in your last picture. Nobody else knows about it. He has to convince the other animals that this community exists and he effectively becomes their guardian.
There is such vivid detail in these photos..it's amazing!

Soraia said...

Amazing!

Anonymous said...

There are 3 things I'm going to concentrate on in the future, they are, macro, portrait & landscape photography ;)

Love these shots a lot