Emergent formation

divamum

A feeble first attempt, but so far it's all I've got. Sigh. WHY do the megas always seem to hit when Real Life is at maximum tilt?!

I'm not sure this is quality enough for a Mega, but figured I may as well get some reactions to it. ALl comments and feedback welcome....



I gather that crystals are "emergent formations", hence the idea. I made some borax+pipecleaner crystal spirals, and used my macro filter to photograph; I don't have a dedicated macro lens, and the filter needs to be stopped WAY down before it gets sharp enough....

WhatSheSaw

I like the idea, but this photo is not quite doing it for me. It may be my old eyes, but I am looking for sharper focus. Maybe you could find a geode where the crystals are bigger. Or pull back a touch to get more of the spiral.

divamum

Nah, not your eyes - it isn't sharp enough. That's what bothers me about it most. Sadly, my macro filter isn't really to this kind of task, especially cropped THIS close (even the 18mp I have isn't enough to let me do that....)! I may have another crack at it if I can figure out another way of shooting it - so far, coming up with a Big. Fat. Blank. Sigh....................

divamum

New props, new shots. This is the first effort. Title maybe "Crystalscape", or "Sweet Science" (they're sugar sticks). They're bigger, I've lit them completely differently, and am experimenting with different lenses. More to come, but - any better so far?

WhatSheSaw

Yes, better. I like the blue/purple colors.

Maybe now is the time to try some focus stacking?

divamum

Focus stacking? Speak to me of focus stacking... ::off to raid google::

In the meantime, a few others:

3


4


5


6 The actual items

WhatSheSaw

See the Macro forum for focus stacking. It is akin to HDR - multiple images with different focal points and then merge the images.

Of these 3,

3 is a bit dark.
4 is the best, with the light and dark.
5 is a little too far away for my tastes.

kdotaylor

I can't figure out how to copy/paste your image to this note...the one I like best is the first of your re-shoots, the one with the purple in the middle. Great idea.

divamum

Thanks both! Focus stacking won't work for me, alas, because the macro filter has such a limited range within which I can GET it to focus. Phooey. I suppose I could try it with the 50mm lens and then crop like crazy - maybe I'll give that a try later.

However, in the meantime a few more attempts. I do like the colours, and the lighting has been fun to play with If I were to leave the vignetting the macro filter causes, I might title it something like "almost under the microscope" or something like that.

I wish I had another concept, but so far this is about all I've got so I'm bashing on with it - my only other idea was an epic fail, so I've written that one off now . Are these completely and utterly UNmegaworthy (don't be afraid of hurting my feelings - if they absolutely suck, then tell me! )

7


8

WhatSheSaw

#8 - Ding, ding, ding, ding! Better and Better!

divamum

Thanks WSS. I do like the colours, and with this slightly different lighting the mirror it's sitting on adds some nice "underlighting" and a bit of extra sparkle.

Anybody else??? Bueller????

kdotaylor

Ooh, I do like that latest one. Nice DOF. Pretty colors.

TLVoDra

#7....WOW. : ) like it. The colors, the light. I like the vignetting, too.

liflander

Re: Emergent formation
Yes, the latest are emerging for me!
Somehow the vignetting adds a nice dimension to the image.

LiflanderPhotography.com

travelways

I like #7

DsrtVW

I am going for 7 also, color, light, focus. It is like you are looking through a microscope

divamum

Thanks all! 7 is my favorite too - the purple is fun, but something about that green just makes it pop for me.

DsrtVW wrote: »

I am going for 7 also, color, light, focus. It is like you are looking through a microscope

That was the intention, so I guess it works!

Now to come up with a title...

Crystalscape
Sweet Emergence (since they're sugar sticks)
Almost Microscopic
Sweet Magnification (I think that's probably my favorite so far)

Any thoughts?

dnie

DsrtVW wrote: »

I am going for 7 also, color, light, focus. It is like you are looking through a microscope

I thought so too. Job well done!

I really like Sweet Magnification! good name! (wish I could think up names like that for photos)

kris10jo

This one rocks!
I really like the composition and processing on this one.

divamum wrote: »

New props, new shots. This is the first effort. Title maybe "Crystalscape", or "Sweet Science" (they're sugar sticks). They're bigger, I've lit them completely differently, and am experimenting with different lenses. More to come, but - any better so far?

travelways

Oops! The circle may be considered a frame

divamum

Hmmm... I'll ask Sean, but since it's actually a result of the*lens* I used, I would hope not.

dls

hmmm.... this might just be a preference in colors, but tend to like #8 and the un-numbered purple-and-blue comp. It tends to pop out a little more, IMHO.

AndMan

#7