Macro Shot

**FenceFurniture** · 5th June 2013, 02:15 PM

Caveat: I'm a pedantic PITA when it comes to assessing my own photographic work, and this is a function of my professional background. When shooting for magazine or brochure reproduction, pictures quite often appear to be out of balance, or with too much blank background - until they have some copy printed over the top - and suddenly the whole image is in perfect balance. Editors are hungry for this, as it gives them options.

It is entirely possible that I might spend one to two hours fiddling around with a shot like this.

GJ has asked me to comment. So FWIW.....

Overall, I like the shot - it "works", and is very welll executed.

The exposure is spot on, showing the filament (the critical part of the subject) perfectly. If this was a product shot that I was executing then this is the exposure that I would choose. I also like the reflected (?) filament underneath the main one. There is no escaping that the bright filament is the centre of attention, as it should be.

Leaving over-printed copy out of the equation, there is not too much background, in my opinion - in fact I find it "just right". GJ's purpose of picture means that it must stand alone as an image, and I think it does this very well.

I think I have read that some feel there may be a bit much going on? I don't find this, with the exception of one part (and I'm not even sure about that) and that is the uppermost and left hand reflection of the filament in the back of the globe. Maybe it is a little distracting. The only suggestion I would have here is to see what might happen with a slight rotation of the globe (try both directions) to maybe reduce that reflection. If the rotation was anti-clockwise (looking down on the globe) then you might find that the two supports on the left and right might come into slightly more symmetrical balance. You may also find that you lose some of that nice gaseous looking bit on the right (kinda nicely reminds me of a nebula).

It should also be borne in mind that the picture will probably not get as much scrutiny when being judged as it has in this thread. It is the first 1-2 seconds of viewing the will catch the judges' eyes, and determine whether or not they take a longer viewing.

**Grumpy John** · 5th June 2013, 04:12 PM

Cleaned up a little and straightened.

Macro.jpg

**FenceFurniture** · 5th June 2013, 04:20 PM

Yeah, I think I prefer that. As I said it was no biggie. Just as long as you're allowed to do that for the comp.

**Grumpy John** · 5th June 2013, 04:33 PM

Thanks for the input Brett, much appreciated. The rules don't refer to post processing at all, in fact they're very vague. I'll ask one of the print stewards on Thursday nights meeting.

**FenceFurniture** · 5th June 2013, 04:46 PM

Ah! Submitted as a print. That's different then (as far as I'm concerned). In the dark(room) old days you could achieve that with a bit of dodge/burn, so I say it's kosher.

**robbygard** · 5th June 2013, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by Big Shed

John, interesting shot but is it "macro"?

Wikipedia, defines macro:

Due to advances in sensor technology, today’s small-sensor digital cameras can rival the macro capabilities of a DSLR with a “true” macro lens, despite having a lower reproduction ratio, making macro photography more widely accessible at a lower cost.^[8]^[12] In the digital age, a "true" macro photograph can be more practically defined as a photograph with a vertical subject height of 24 mm or less.^[13]

I don't know how your camera club has defined "macro" but your photo might not meet the above definition?

that's interesting ... i always thought that macro was full (or greater image size) ie 1:1

photo looks good technically to me ... the criticisms of people about focus/dof are, i believe, not valid as any macro lens will have very small forward/backward area of focus

that said it will depend on the competition ... i did wonder though why you didn't conflate your hobbies and may set up a macro of a sharp chisel paring some wood with the edge and an interesting curl of wood coming off or something similar

regards david

**Grumpy John** · 5th June 2013, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by robbygard

that's interesting ... i always thought that macro was full (or greater image size) ie 1:1

photo looks good technically to me ... the criticisms of people about focus/dof are, i believe, not valid as any macro lens will have very small forward/backward area of focus

that said it will depend on the competition ... i did wonder though why you didn't conflate your hobbies and may set up a macro of a sharp chisel paring some wood with the edge and an interesting curl of wood coming off or something similar

regards david

Hmmmmm

**Grumpy John** · 5th June 2013, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Ah! Submitted as a print. That's different then (as far as I'm concerned). In the dark(room) old days you could achieve that with a bit of dodge/burn, so I say it's kosher.

Can also be submitted as a projected image, so a more appropriate title would be Image Steward.

**Kidbee** · 5th June 2013, 09:02 PM

Have a look at this guy's work. He lives in Brisbane and does not use expensive equipment. I am not a photographer but I personally think his macros are amazing.

Macro Illustrated | Nature's Place

**Uncle Al** · 5th June 2013, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Kidbee

Have a look at this guy's work. He lives in Brisbane and does not use expensive equipment. I am not a photographer but I personally think his macros are amazing.

Macro Illustrated | Nature's Place

Thanks for the link. There are some fascinating insect photos to browse.

GJ - I like your adjusted and straightened photo. There are some interesting filament configurations on smaller lamps such as 15watt pilot lamps, and some low voltage indicator lamps. I can see you creating a bit of a collection of filament macros to keep you occupied during the cooler months.
Looks like fun fiddling with different settings.

Alan...

**FenceFurniture** · 5th June 2013, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Uncle Al

There are some interesting filament configurations on smaller lamps such as 15watt pilot lamps, and some low voltage indicator lamps.

Now there's a thought....

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