Macro Memorial Day Challenge

Here in southeast Michigan we had some great weather over the Memorial weekend so I decide to head out and shoot some images for the second annual Macro Memorial Day Challenge.  I am one of two moderators of the macro/flora gallery at www.Birdphotographer.net  (it’s isn’t just for birds) and my moderator partner Julie Kenward  issued the challenge.  You were supposed to shoot images at an aperture that you don’t normally shoot at.  I’m a stopped down f/32 freak and if you visit my website, www.tinylandscapes  you’ll see the majority of my images are full depth of field everything in focus.  So my challenge was to search out subjects and shoot wide open  with my Tamron 90mm macro lens. Shooting with this aperture setting will produce the nice soft blurred background with very limited depth of field on the main subject, sometimes creating a nice abstract look.  Here are some images from my Memorial Day shoot.

Found this little critter and set my focus on him and the shallow depth of field soften the grass and BG.

I set my focus on the very edge of the Mayapple flowers petal and let the rest soften with the wide open aperture.

Found this little dew drop poking sideways through the vertical grass. Place the focus point on the dew drop.

I thought this newly emerging Milkweed plant had a nice flow in the leaves. I focused on the flat leaf facing my camera. 

I liked how the light played thoughout these leaves.  I focused on the ant on the top leaf and the rest soften with the wide open aperture.  It’s hard to see the little ant on this small image size.

Featured Artist, Natures Paint Box eZine

 

Lesley Smitheringale of Australia  has produced a great new eZine “Natures Paint Box” and I was honored to be one of the featured artist in the second issue.

Issue 2 of this electronic magazine is to instruct, educate and inspire. The full issue contains nearly 50 colour pages including: interviews with the very best wildlife artists who showcase their work; recommended books, sites, blogs and software; tips and techniques plus learn how to airbrush; galleries, exhibitions and competitions; how to set up a website for newbies, gorgeous free wallpapers and lots more…

You can view a sampler and order a copy of the eZine at Lesley’s site,
http://www.lesley-smitheringale-fine-art.com/shop/

Nature Photographer Of The Week

Last week on the Essential Photo Gear blog I was honored to be featured as the Nature Photographer Of The Week.   Travis Peltz of Essential Photo Gear did the interview and did a nice job putting it all together, Thanks Travis!  Here is the link to the blog, http://essentialphotogear.com/blog/ Just scroll down to the post.