This is macro subject #2. The first was a close up of a party bulb with the description, "Not a bug. Not a flower. Is tipped. Is electronic...." I kinda wish I knew how it would do (because I like it), but this second macro subject is closer to my heart.
I've always wanted to do a water droplet since I saw some awesome photos done using raindrops on leaves and petals that took in the whole scene. But with only close up lenses that's not so easy.
I don't have reverse-mount rings or extension tubes--but I have a ton of patience, a tripod, and the lens from my (non-digital) Rebel. So I set up as best I could and hand held the second lens (reversed) in front of my Digital's kit lens.
What I learned:
1. It's hard to hold a lens steady in front of another and focus.
2. One should not mistake the white balance symbol of the sun for a light bulb--but if you do, PS can help fix that, sort of.
3. Water droplets are lenses. They are hard to control. Not all brushes will hold them. They don't have a focus ring--you have to move them or the subject in and out for optimal effect.
4. I'd rather do this than watch 4 hours of TV--even Stargate SG1.
When I entered my party light photo yesterday there were not so many entries. With a record number of entries in this challenge, my odds of winning are not so good. I hope people haven't had too much to look at lately and that I will get an above average number of comments (and not because everyone thinks there's obvious room for improvement). I doubt I will. It'd be nice to get an above average (for me) score. I hope I do...but doubt I will.
Last note: This was not easy! My best friend in all the world (the guy who married me) suggested I take it again with the woman looking back toward the brush. That required an entirely new set up. No problem (I thought)...couldn't even create an image with the proper focus in the droplet. I must have either had my head on right the first 3-4 rounds, or there was a great deal more luck involved than I thought.
Last (really) note: This may be my first, but it won't be my last. This was FUN!
Statistics
Place: 9 out of 528 Avg (all users): 6.4756 Avg (commenters): 7.1000 Avg (participants): 6.3349 Avg (non-participants): 6.6934 Views since voting: 4679 Views during voting: 536 Votes: 349 Comments: 33 Favorites: 13 (view)
this is really amazing! i have been looking at it now for some time and can't seem to stop! i love it. i don't know how you get the water droplet to stay on the end of the brush and then do everything else that you have to in order to take the photo!! very well done and even though i didn't vote i am pleased to see that it scored so well as i can see that it must have been an extremely difficult set up. very well done! you should be very proud of your work as it's a real "WOW" entry!
Very nice one... should have been in the impressionist challenge. It you'd have scored very high. Great job... I think I have seen the actual painting, but i just can't place it. 2nd 10 of 5 (my all time highest 10 round, one challenge I didn't give one ten) from me this round.
The idea is excellent. But the brush is not different enough from the background. I don't know whether you used one of your own paintings for the background, but I think it would have been better to use a painting with bright colors or white areas (Miró).
That looks like an incredibly hard shot. Good job. If more of the brush could have been in focus I think it would have been better, but I can't even get a good reflection off an eye. Envy.
I love the way the painting is reflected in the drip. It's a shame the brush is a bit soft though. I like the way the shot is almost duotone but still in colour.
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