Lemon bubbles....wiling away a wet day in Brisbane

It's a wet old day here in Brisbane, so I decided to get out the macro lens and play with some liquid macro photography!

I was inspired by one of the macro tutorials in a Kelby Training online tutorial, to shoot a lemon with bubbles.

The set up was easy enough - light tent, with a black background. My 5D II + 90mm Tamron lenses was mounted on a tripod, and I placed a square vase on an upturned bowl (to raise the vase off the bottom of the light tent).

My speedlight, sitting behind the whole set up, was dialed down to 1/64 power and triggered remotely.  Then I just experimented with aperture for different effects.

I did a few test shots with the lemon clipped into place to check focus, then added a litre of soda water, which bubbled around the lemon.

Here are the final results (including the set up of the shoot) :)

ISO 800, f/4.5, 1/6 sec

ISO 800, f/8, 1/80 sec

 

365 Challenge #347 - the big smoke

Oh, the joys of a 5-day long weekend! I've loved having the time to drag out the camera and flash gear and experiment with high speed macro photography, dusk and long exposure night shots, and today's abstract little project - smoke.

I was inspired by a couple of friends who recently posted pictures of smoke, and serendipitously came across a post on Strobox.com, which showed the set up for shooting smoke with one off camera flash. I love Strobox.com for the very reason that people post the set up for the shot, and the final result, so you can see how they did it. Nifty! You've gotta love the photography community for their willingess to share knowledge.

My trusty black pop up background came in handy (I still haven't been able to work out how to fold the %&*@(%& up! I propped it up against a booksheld in my rather dark hallway, and set up the camera (on a tripod with a cable release) square on, facing the background. The lightstand with a speedlight flash was about half a metre to the right of the camera, and the trusty Flashwave III fired the flash when I was ready.

As with most of these experiments, I took a lot of shots. Like about 100. Thank god for digital photography! It was hard to know where and how to focus - so I focused initially on the incense stick I was using as the smoke source, then flicked the camera to manual focus, and more or less hoped for the best.

It also took a while to get the hang of the patterns the smoke made - the airconditioning unit above the whole set up played a bit of havoc at first. So much easier with the aircon off!

I'm sure that had the aliens landed to see me flapping a smoking incense stick around in one hand, cable release in the other, and setting off the flash every five seconds, they'd have thought I was pretty good candidate for abduction.

Anyway, the final settings for these shots were ISO 100, 1/200, f/11, white balance set to Flash. Speedlight 580EX II flash dialled down to 1/4 power. When I processed the photos in Photoshop, I cranked up the saturation and contrast, as well as the blacks (via Levels), to get this abstract style of image.

Macro @ f22

We've been discussing macro work, a LOT, in the Colour II course at the Brisbane College of Photography & Art, and our assignment for this week was try to shooting macro at extremely small and large apertures (and all the way up the scale to see what it does to depth of field). We then had to print out the shots and show them at the class.

I shot this ring, in/on my (white dinner plate) studio, just using the glaring halogen spotlights in my kitchen, rather than using a flash. The first was shot at f/2.8, the second at f/22. I rarely shoot macro stuff at such small apertures, but this assignment showed me the difference (and benefit in doing so). Printing out the shots really highlighted the difference a change in aperture makes. The ring was also pretty sharp at about f/11.

So - the next time I go out shooting bugs and flowers, I'll definitely try smaller apertures. And a tripod.

f/2.8

f/22

365 Challenge #305 - Thinking of Christchurch

Today, a massive earthquake devastated the beautiful city of Christchurch. I couldn't help but think back to the fantastic few weeks I spent there a couple of years ago.

During my trip, I bought a few pieces of jade jewellery, a speciality of the area. I particularly loved the maori symbols, and chose a Koru (spiral) charm. The Koru represents new beginnings, growth, harmony and was derived from the symbolism of an unfurled silver fern leaf - which are plentiful in New Zealand.

My thoughts are with everyone in the disaster-struck Christchurch tonight. I am sure they'll find the strength to create their own new beginnings.

365 Challenge #283 - water play!

Yet another day in Brisvegas, and after a bout of shopping and a nanna nap, it was still pizzing down outside and cabin fever set in. I turned to Flickr for photographic inspiration. I knew I wanted to incorporate water into today's 365 Challenge - hell, there's enough of it around in Queensland at the moment.

What I love about Flickr, is that a whole bunch of photographers show their shots, then often share how they did it. I'd shot pictures using oil, water and food colouring before, but I did a simple search on "oil water" to see what ideas other photographers had come up with using these ingredients.

I came across a Flickr user called daitoZen, who had posted some awesome shots in the style I was looking to achieve, and then found that he'd also included a couple of photos of the camera and lighting setup he used to create the shots. Cool! It was pretty straight forward and then my own imagination kicked in as I tried various apertures, shutter speeds, flash strengths etc.

In terms of the technical details for these pics, I shot them all with my Canon EOS 5D II and the Tamron 90mm macro lens, with a flash/studio light fired remotely.

For the top picture, the settings were: f/5.6, 1/50 sec, ISO-100.

For this image, which reminds me of the universe, the settings were: f/13, 1/20 sec, ISO-100.

And for this image, where I changed the blue water to clear tap water, added more oil and put pieces of red paper under the glass bowl I was shooting into, the settings were: f/10, 1/40 sec, ISO-100.

Next time you're stuck for ideas about what to shoot indoors when the weather's up the creek (or when you're ankle deep in the creek - which is what Teneriffe will be id it don't stop raining soon....check out Flickr and you'll invariably find inspiration there!

365 Challenge #277 - Grasshopper

Grasshopper, originally uploaded by Melanie Surplice.

This little grasshopper was less than a centimetre long, yet causing massive destruction on my mother's mint plant - there were huge holes all through the leaves where this hungry little dude and his mates were busily chomping.

My nephew thought it was pretty cool when I touched this guy's hind legs and he went pinging onto the next leaf.

Still getting used to the nuances with macro work and depth of field - I took this shot at f/4.5, but it feels like it needs to be a smaller aperture. Or on a tripid - or something. Anyway....the little dude smelled very much like mint, and was quite happy to pose for me.

365 Challenge #263 - today's Angel card :)

365 Challenge #262 - today's Angel card :), originally uploaded by Melanie Surplice.

This was the today's Angel card. Like the photo I take every day, I turn up one of these little cards.

To be reminded that there is abundance everyday, everywhere, is a good thing. Tonight, it's been an abundance of chattin' with old friends - even if for only briefly, I'm grateful.

365 Challenge #256 - Moi?

365 Challenge #256 - Moi?, originally uploaded by Melanie Surplice.

*Sigh*. I was a few days behind in my 365 challenge, hence the second blog post today. I can't believe I'm 256 days into the project! And, that there are still over 100 days to go.

I caught this amusing little picture on a calendar that sites on my fridge. Miss Cranky Pants - moi? I think not.

Happy Friday to you :)

365 Challenge #255 - Bubbles!

365 Challenge #255 - Bubbles!, originally uploaded by Melanie Surplice.

I love gifts of the bubbly kind! I'd never noticed this little feature on the back of the packaging which Veuve comes in.

Now - just looking for the ideal moment to crack the bottle. Chink!

365 Challenge #254 - Light & Drops

Today's 365 is actually a series of pics. I was playing around with a CD, oil and water drops, the macro lens and my flash. As you do :). In the end, I used no flash for these pics - the flash seemed to be blowing out all the colour, despite having dialled the power right down.

I love the abstract shapes, colours and patterns that came out of this experiment - it reminds me of planets floating out there in the universe. But, I want to keep playing with this idea. Didn't quite crack the images I had in my mind, so it'll be back to the drawing board with all the gadgets another evening :)

365 Challenge #253 - Naan Bread

365 Challenge #253 - Naan Bread, originally uploaded by Melanie Surplice.

Sooo...some days I'm inspired my 365 Challenge, and some days I'm just hungry. Today's shot is of the very yummy naan bread I devoured for dinner. That big chunk missing from the bread is quite deliberate...

365 Challenge #252 - a busy bee

365 Challenge #252 - a busy bee, originally uploaded by Melanie Surplice.

It was a blah day here in Brisbane - cloudy and looked like it was going to rain for most of the day. But it was a great day for playing with the macro lens on a walk around Boondal Wetlands. There were bugs, flowers and all manner of minutiae to be photographed.

This bee was busy doing its thing. Am loving the combination of the tamron macro lens and the 5D - when I blew this photo up to 100%, I could actually see individual hairs on the bees head. Who'da thunk!

365 Challenge #247 - Red Leather

365 Challenge #247 - Red Leather, originally uploaded by Melanie Surplice.

I had an early morning play with the Tamron 90mm macro lens on the 400D today - seeing what the combination of the cropped sensor and macro lens would produce.

This is what a red leather knot on my hand bag looks like through the equivalent of a 144mm macro lens. Go figure! :)

365 Challenge #240 - A different perspective

It was a beautiful day to get out with the camera, and smell the proverbial roses. I've been to Brisbane's Roma Street Parklands a bwzillion times before (not that I exaggerate), but today I went out with a couple of missions:

1. To only use one lens (in this case, the Tamron SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 lens) for the entire time, and;
2. To shoot from a different perspective.

There were plenty of bugs, flowers and things I love to shoot, particularly now that I can get really close to my subjects. How much do I love the macro capabilities of this lens! Using just one prime lens (as opposed to the zoom lenses I'm far more used to using), forces me to use my feet and take more time to set up a shot, rather than using a zoom to hone in on the subject.

When I came across a bed of flowers, I tried the trusty old trick of placing the camera on the ground underneath it, pointing the lens skyward, using autofocus to latch onto something, and firing away. I'd seen shots from other photographers like this, so it's not by any means an original idea, but I do love the random shots that come out of it.

There's more pics from today's shoot on my Flickr page.

365 Challenge #237 - Purple Rain

365 Challenge #237 - Purple Rain, originally uploaded by Melanie Surplice.

After practicing yesterday, I still wasn't getting the look I was aiming for with the dripping tap experiment. So I set up the shot again tonight and tried a different approach.

I shot this with my trusty Canon EOS 5D Mark II with the Tamron 90mm macro lens, on f/4.5 1/40, ISO-100, WB=flash. The speedlight flash was set to +2 exposure, and I used both a red and blue Honl gel over the flash to create the funky colours. The whole rig was on a tripod and fired with a cable release. This shot is definitely sharper with a tripod - that'll teach me to be lazy!

I used a white bread board as a backdrop, which seemed to carry the red and blue reflection.

I bumped up the clarityand contrast in Photoshop and voila. I still have a another shot in mind that I've yet to create, but I'll crack it...at some point.

365 Challenge #236 - Dripping tap

Droplet III, originally uploaded by Melanie Surplice.

Inspired by this week's focus on flash, I decided to experiment with the flash and macro lens to try to capture dripping water. I really should have used a tripod - this shot was taken handheld - but I kinda like the effect.

365 Challenge #235 - Return of the Cheese Grater

365 Challenge #235 - Return of the Cheese Grater, originally uploaded by Melanie Surplice.

From models and glam, to the exciting world of macro photography. Am loving the new Tamron lens as much for portraits as for macro work!

365 Challenge #232 - rockin' the studio!

Yesterday was another huge day in at Photo Continental - all indoors for the Creative Photo Workshops Studio Essentials workshop.

We arrived to find all manner of backdrops, reflectors, tents, soft boxes, umbrellas and grids set up for 6.5 intensive hours of LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

It was also my first real road test of the Tamron SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 lens, which became my favourite portrait lens in about the first 10 minutes of shooting. It's SO crisp. Was that an a-ha moment about the benefits of prime lenses over zooms?? Methinks yes. I deliberately shot with the Tamron lens all day to see what this little baby was capable of. I was absolutely delighted with the results. You can see more of the images from the day in my Flickr Photostream.

We kicked off with a portrait of the beautiful Eve, in a simple one-light setup against a black mottled background. A soft box provided lovely soft light around Eve and gorgeous catchlights in her eyes. The second setup evolved easily from there, where we introduced a second light to highlight Eve's hair. Seems so simple! Could I replicate this if I had the gear? I think so.

We moved through various lighting situations, with Glynn and Shelton explaining the different qualities of light that soft boxes, beauty dishes and the various other bits and pieces (this is clearly a technical term) created. All the while, my credit card was haemorraging while I pondered how to create space in my very small one bedroom apartment, for a studio.

Just as we built up light, we built up scenes, where we had one person, then introduced a second - really helpful principles for virtually any kind of shoot.

There were also seamless white backdrops and tents, which gave us the opportunity to shoot photos of products. This is yet another area of interest for me in terms of where I want to take my photography, so it was great to be able to experiment with various lighting setups.

Like any of these workshops, the day was really all about light - highlights and shadows, angles and quality of light. We learnt how to soften the light to create flattering portraits of ladies, and how to harden it to carve out the features of our male model, Gavin.

It was another inspiring day of photography. It blows me away to think how many different ways there are to light a subject - natural light, available light, on and off camera flash, studio lighting etc. It makes me realise how little I know about all this stuff, but how much I want to keep learning and practicing!

365 Challenge #231 - smelling the....lavender

365 Challenge #231 - smelling the....lavender, originally uploaded by Melanie Surplice.

I love macro photography! I love most forms of photography, but I really love close ups and the intricate detail you might otherwise miss in landscapes or even in every day shooting.

I shot this sprig of lavender this afternoon in the courtyard out the front of my place with aherm, a new lens - the Tamron SP AF90mm f/2.8 Di lens - which doubles both as a macro and portrait lens by all accounts.

It's a light little lens (light and little in comparison to my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L and 70-200mm f/2.8 L lenses). I've seen some awesome portraits come from this lens, and will put it through its paces over the next three days of workshops, where we'll predominantly be doing portrait and studio work.

This is my first non-Canon lens - I've been stalking the Canon 100mm f/2.8 L IS macro lens for some time, but the Tamron lens is less than half the price, and gets pretty favorable reviews. Hell, I can always upgrade if I need to at some point in the future.

It's also my first prime lens - that is, fixed length lens. Good grief, I'll have to actually move into position to take shots. I've yet to pick up the smoke machine, but it's on the list. In the mean time, I'm off to find some bugs and water drops.