the world through my eyes…
Eye macro
The shot for my threesixtyfive project today consisted of a macro of my eye. I wanted to see how close I could really get so I used +1/+2/+4 Optex close-up filters stacked, and then attached my Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Conversion Lens to the 50mm f/1.8 lens. Took a few shots, but got a couple more or less centered and detailed shots. Made some adjustments in Photoshop to achieve the final result.
Have had a few people asking about my process so here goes.
Shot this with my 50mm. Stacked +1, +2, and +4 close-up filters and used my Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Conversion Lens on top of those. Took about 20 shots, 2 or 3 were this detailed, this one was closest to centered. Opened RAW file in Photoshop, adjusted white balance and increased clarity. In Photoshop cropped to about 90% so this is pretty close to how it was framed in camera. Duplicated the background layer, set it to screen mode. Reduced opacity of screen layer to 50%, and masked out everything except the iris and pupil. Added a B&W adjustment layer and reduced opacity to about 70%. Added a vignette based on the main background layer. I then added a curves adjustment layer, and then added a brightness/contrast adjustment layer above all the layers and adjusted the contrast a bit. And voila… so layer order from top to bottom was:
- Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer
- Curves layer
- Background layer set to screen mode with all but iris/pupil masked out
- Black & White adjustment layer
- Vignette layer
- Background layer (original image)
Tags: closeup, eye, macro, raynox, threesixtyfive
“What the Heck is an Aperture?” Part One.
Very easy to understand explanation of what aperture is and how it affects your photos over on the Pioneer Woman Photography blog. In a nutshell:
If you want a very shallow depth of field (background blurry), you’d choose a very large aperture opening, which would be a very low number. (f2.8)
If you want a very large depth of field (everything in focus), you’d choose a very small aperture opening, which would be a higher number. (like f22)
Be sure to check out the full “What the Heck is an Aperture?” Part One. post!
Also, the Digital Photography School Forum latest assignment is Wide Open - so submit your pictures taken with a wide open aperture! Below is one of my past favorites that I’ve taken with a shallow depth of field, it was taken at a setting of f/1.2.
Tags: aperture, DPS, pioneer woman photography, Tips
flickr Fave of the Day : Vintage Cinematographic India VII by Miz J.
When I first saw these, I thought Miz J. had put on some sort of fancy border with some Photoshop trickery… turns out she’s feeding 35mm film through an old Holga camera! Love the effect.
Vintage Cinematographic India VII
Originally uploaded by Miz J.
Tags: film, holga, india, miz j., Tips, vintage
Published on NowPublic.com
I was contacted earlier today to see if I would allow the use of this image to illustrate an article on the proposed London drinking ban. Of course I allowed it!
Check out the New London Mayor to Ban Drinking on the Tube article over at NowPublic.com. Maybe I should make an effort to check out the new stories daily and add images I see fit…
Tags: beer, can, close up, macro, nowpublic, Published, pull tab, tab
New project?
So one of the Flickr groups is focused around war memorials and remembrance… so it got me to thinking about my cemetery walk yesterday and all the headstones for veterans that are there. Wondering if it’d be worth my while to go and individually shoot them all for posterity sake. I guess if it helps one person identify or find someone, it’d be worth it. Wouldn’t it?
Maybe I’ll call around and see if the local veterans society/groups have anything already in place.
Tags: cemetery, grave, headstone, tombstone, veterans, war dead, world war i, world war ii
If You Put That Picture On The Internet I’ll Call My Lawyer
Saw this image via Thomas Hawk on Flickr.
Photo taken by Jeremy Brooks
Uploaded to Flickr by Thomas Hawk
Seems his friend Jeremy Brooks, had a minor run in with this guy while out shooting some photos.
However, Mr. Angry Overreaction Man decided that he now had a problem with me. He confronted me, demanding my camera. Of course, I refused. He got in my face and started threatening me, telling me that I cannot take his photo without his permission. I told him that yes, in fact, I can. He then walked up and bumped into me, trying to act tough. I told him that one more touch and I would call the police.
As I mentioned on Thomas’ photostream, it is well within our rights to photography in public places (unless you live in Quebec)… ask me nice and I’ll be inclined not to post it - or send me a cordial e-mail if you see an image of you that I’ve taken and I’ll likely remove it at your request - be a jerk or worse and it’s going to go up for sure.
Check out Jeremy’s accounting of the incident on his blog.
Digg Jeremy’s original blog post.
Tags: anger, flickr, jeremy hall, photographer, Portrait, rights, thomas hawk
St. Joachim Catholic Cemetery
Visited the St. Joachim Catholic Cemetery in town during lunch… it may sound odd but I really enjoyed this photo walk. I only hit about half the cemetery but I really like the TTV stuff for this.
I know some people think visiting cemeteries for the purpose of a photo shoot is crass and wrong. I don’t. The way I see it, and taking into account some of the tombstones I saw, I’m paying more attention and respect than has been paid since who knows when. I also find it keeps me grounded, makes me think, question my mortality and what I’ve done and where I’m going…
Tags: cemetery, duaflex, duaflex i, graveyard, kodak, st. joachim catholic cemetery, through the viewfinder, tombstone, ttv
flickr Fave of the Day : No Day is Perfect by Extra Medium
Been following Extra Medium’s stream for awhile now, he used to be stock full of HDR work but has turned his focus on other things… but every now and then he pulls a shot from “the archives” and teases us once again. Not only is this shot great, the processing is superb!
No Day is Perfect
Originally uploaded by Extra Medium
Tags: extra medium, flickr Fave of the day, hdr, landscape
Digital Photography School: Why, What, and How to Blog series
Darren Rowe over at Digital Photography School just wrapped up a three part series on blogging. There’s some really good information and tips in the series, written by Natalie Norton.
Part 1: Why You Should Consider Setting Up a Blog.
- It’ll turn up the heat
- Track your progress
- Feedback
- Marketing
- Publicity
- Relationship
- Announcements
- Networking
- Testimonials
- It’s Plain ol’ Fun
Part 2: Building Your Blog: 10 things to consider when building your rockin’ photoblog.
- Keep it fresh
- Share the love
- R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
- K.I.R., Keep it real
- Keep it simple
- LARGER than life
- Piracy is better than obscurity
- For the love of children everywhere, chill
- Know your numbers
And Part 3 wraps it up with How to Find the Blog Service that’s Right for Your Photoblog.
I recently asked 8 successful photographers 4 simple questions. Their broad range of answers will rock you to the moon and back if you’re serious about starting your own photoblog, so this week. . . we’re gonna learn from some friends of mine. I hope you enjoy.
Looks like i have my work cut out for me!
Tags: blog, blogging, digital photography school, DPS, natalie norton
Running 35mm through a 50’s Kodak Brownie Hawkeye
Over on Flickr, lslphoto has managed to feed 35mm film into an old Brownie Hawkeye box camera.
Yes it works! I have Walgreen’s process my film into negatives (no prints) for $2.29 and then I can scan the abnormal width and length of the entire filmed print with my new Epson Perfection V500 photo and negative scanner.
I think I’m going to have to try this out!
Running 35mm through a 50’s Kodak Brownie Hawkeye
Originally uploaded by lslphoto
Tags: 35mm film, box camera, DIY, do it yourself, kodak hawkeye brownie, lslphoto, tutorial
