MACRO DSLR SPEED CHALLENGE #7 - Refraction

[monty28428]

Macro DSLR Speed Challenge #7 - "Refraction"

Show me your best example of a refraction shot.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYBODY!

Standard Rules apply:

Photo Submissions:

1. Camera - Any Canon DSLR camera
2. Lens - Any lens, or attachment that can give Macro (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=779256&postcount=2) photos (ex. extension tubes, bellows, macro filters, reverse mounted lens and of course a true macro lens.).
3. Time - any on-topic photo taken at any time is eligible, although photos that have won other competitions should NOT be entered.
4. Size - Please see the Image posting rules (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=194511).
5. Post-Processing - do whatever you like and the host will decide if it works.
6. Posting -
* ONE MACRO PHOTO (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=779256&postcount=2) per photographer in each challenge.
* Photo Name/Title in the message.
* Camera model & lens used in the message.
* Post brief Exif data including ISO, shutter speed and aperture used in the message.
* Notes - anything you feel you need to explain.
7. Commenting - No commenting during challenge. When the posting is closed and a winner has been declared, comments can be made in this thread.
8. Questions - Use PM
9. Have FUN! :smile:

One challenge every week, on the following schedule:

* New Topic - After winner is declared.
* Posting Starts - Right after topic is announced.
* Posting Ends - 7:00 PM EST Monday, December 29nd, 2008. Winner will be announced shortly thereafter.
* Winner from this competition decides the theme of the next one (and judges it for a winner) after this competition is closed.

Here is a link to our previous Macro DSLR Speed Challenge winners <-- click to see (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=606993)

[icon134]

Ok, I'm not entirely sure this qualifies but here goes... This is my first competition and only my 4th or 5th post so be gentle.

I've never actually done a refraction before yesterday I like the concept.

I'm going out on a little bit of a creative limb since the only thing I could find to refract through is a 2.5" acrylic juggling ball... and... well...

Basically I took a picture of a Matted/framed photo I took in the spring of 2006 (http://www.scottgunstills.com/photos/393269769_WEDJV-S.jpg)

Camera: Canon EOS 50D
Lens: Tamron 90mm Macro (at about ~1.5:1)
ISO: 125
Exposure: 1/250 sec at f/25
Flash: Canon 580EX

The reason the Image of the framed photo is right side up in lieu of upside down is because I hung it on the wall upside down... ;)

The original photograph was also taken using the Tamron 90mm... and I matted and framed it as a gift for my then girlfriend (and currently fiancee) as I really enjoy giving her flowers... :)

[monty28428]

Works just fine Scott. Welcome to POTN! (even though you've been a member for almost a year!! Must do a lot of reading and no posting - unlike some of us!)

[icon134]

Works just fine Scott. Welcome to POTN! (even though you've been a member for almost a year!! Must do a lot of reading and no posting - unlike some of us!)Alas... no, I've just spent too much time at another forum in conjunction with my other hobby of photographing people jumping out of planes... :oops::lol: and forgot about this one... I really want to remedy that though... :)

[John_B]

monty28428,
Tough one for macro ;) but here is my attempt at it...

Refractive Playland
http://johnbdigital.com/macro/refractive_playland.jpg

Technical Details
for Refractive Playland

A macro photo of a soap bubble ;)
Camera - Canon EOS 40D
Film / Media - SanDisk Ultra II 2.0GB
Lens - Canon EF 100mm f/2.8
Shooting Mode - Manual
Tv( Shutter Speed ) - 1/125th sec
Av( Aperture Value ) - F/5.6
Metering Mode - Spot
ISO Speed - 400
Focal Length - 100mm
Flash - Off
White Balance - Custom
AF Mode - Manual
Color Space - sRGB
Camera set to Jpeg

[monty28428]

I actually thought it would be pretty easy...:confused:

[BASmith]

Sunflower Refraction

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m139/gerbalhunter/Dew%20Drop%20Refractions/DewDropRefraction.jpg


Shutter Speed 1/200Sec.
Aperture Value F11
Centerweighted average metering
ISO Speed 100
EF-S60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Focal Length 60.0 mm
AF mode Manual (MF)
No Tubes

[-g-]

"Imprisoned by Snow"

100 2.8
1/500 @ f/4.0
ISO 100


http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff44/genodm/Macro/IMG_8147-Edit.jpg

[Daniel2000]

"Water Sculpting"

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/Daniel2000/IMG_9227.jpg

40D + Sigma 70-300 APO Macro
1/250"
f/5.6
ISO 100

[frenchfx]

Image removed.
I plead temporary insanity :-) on my non-Macro entry.

[monty28428]

Comp is closed... thanks for entering everybody and some nice examples here!

I'll anounce the winner shortly.

[monty28428]

Awesome entries everybody!

Scott - very nice example and I think I need to find one of these juggling balls. For a while there I thought you were going to be the only entrant!

John - Way Cool!! Awesome display of how the thickness of the soap and the refractive index interact and as a plus you got an LSD based playground out of it!

BASmith - Just a perfect execution here - I love it.

Geno - Great job! Would like to see the subject a bit more in focus in some of the drops.

Daniel - Nice water drop shot -- I love the colors.

Richard - You should have left your image up. A very nice example of refraction and I thank you for sharing your set up - very nice.

Ok.... The Winner is BASmith - Congrats and I look forward to your Challenge.

Thanks again everybody -- awesome photos one and all!

[BASmith]

Thanks Monty.

Was a bit of work to get it right.

Well done every one. New challenge is up.

[-g-]

Congrats BASmith!

Monty, thanks for the comments on mine and all the photos. It helps me immensely.

Still learning about this Macro stuff and working with such small DOF. I had to take the shot on an angle which made getting more drops in focus difficult. Maybe I should have cropped it smaller. :)

[John_B]

Congrats BASmith your Sunflower Refraction photo was just beautiful!

Congrats to all participants :)

[brecklundin]

congrats to EVERYONE who got shots up for this challenge. I had a whack at it but just could not get anything that really was , well, not such an embarrassment that I might have been requested to divest myself of all my gear immediately!! hehehe.

I love BASmith's shot...just wonderful. And Geno...just a super creative shot and I agree with your comment about the crop...looking closer from out here in the cheap seats, it seems as if the upper right quarter has refractions which are quite in focus...have ya looked at a tighter crop of the RAW file just to see?

And John_B's shot is what I think of when I think refraction...plus, well, it has cool colors!

Daniel...I hate you. ;) Your shots with the Sigma 70-300 APO constantly remind me how much I LOVED that lens. I just could not justify keeping it with my other stuff. I think I liked it a bit more than my 55-250 for IQ when I nailed the shots...I just needed the IQ for that sort of zoom...never thought of keeping it just for macro stuff...d'oh!! Great shot with what might be one of the most under-appreciated lenses out there!

Really looking forward to the new challenge.

Just a question...I know it happens to a degree, but, after the challenge closes and winners are announced, would it be sort of fun to expand on the techniques used on the various shots in each challenge? Nothing mandatory but an informal elaboration sure would be interesting for beginners like myself. When there is a discussion of how a particular shot was created I take away a lot...I know we can search for that sort of info so even a link to what might have inspired the shot.

hehehehe...maybe I have just been reading Bryan Peterson's "Beyond Portraiture: Creative People Photography " too much lately... ;) It's amazing how reading about the thought process and preparation in one style of shooting leads to thinking about how those ideas apply to other areas.

[icon134]

I was afraid I would be the only one too... but I'm glad I wasn't and there were several other great examples!!!

FWIW I believe I got the juggling balls at http://www.dube.com/balls/contact-juggling-balls.php

Now were is that next challenge!!! :)

Scott

[Flo]

I knew I didn't have a chance at this one, I love seeing the best of the macros !! Well done....:D

[John_B]

And John_B's shot is what I think of when I think refraction...plus, well, it has cool colors!

Just a question...I know it happens to a degree, but, after the challenge closes and winners are announced, would it be sort of fun to expand on the techniques used on the various shots in each challenge? brecklundin,
First, thanks and I am glad you liked my attempt :)

You can always just ask about the ones you are interested in. But here is a brief description of how I got my photo.

For my Refraction submission I took a glass and put some good old dish soap in it. Then took a straw and blew a few bubbles like this:
http://johnbdigital.com/macro/refractive_playland_subject.jpg

Then with the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens set at 1:1 (LifeSize) I took a LED light and moved it around till I got the brightest color refraction/reflection off a bubble before it burst. After approximately six attempts I got the photo I posted which I just re sized and sharpened and noticed how it looked like a playland (at least in my head :lol: ), which helped with its title. ;)

Congrats again to all and lets keep this going!
Here is a link to then new current Macro Speed Challenge -
MACRO DSLR SPEED CHALLENGE #8 The Eyes Have It (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=621582)

[Flo]

Oh, I like this part of the game..learning how to is what I love.:D

[monty28428]

Here's a very simple way to do this...
Setup shot/result

[Showsol2211]

Wow! That dew drop with sun flowers is awesome!!!

[Flo]

Monty.that is sweet! Thanks!

[brecklundin]

brecklundin,
First, thanks and I am glad you liked my attempt :)

....

Then with the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens set at 1:1 (LifeSize) I took a LED light and moved it around till I got the brightest color refraction/reflection off a bubble before it burst. After approximately six attempts I got the photo I posted which I just re sized and sharpened and noticed how it looked like a playland (at least in my head :lol: ), which helped with its title. ;)

....

THANKS for that info...your picture of the setup shows what ya did and I never would have thought to even try that to get the shot. Plus you get to make bubbles!! Always a good time there... ;)

I am guess that you used the LEDs in the dark catching the reflection off thet bubble in the dark?

[John_B]

brecklundin,
Not really dark but not bright either ;) it was a cloudy day and the bubbles were getting light from the window. The led just help bring the colors out more while keeping the background dark. :)

[BASmith]

Just a question...I know it happens to a degree, but, after the challenge closes and winners are announced, would it be sort of fun to expand on the techniques used on the various shots in each challenge? Nothing mandatory but an informal elaboration sure would be interesting for beginners like myself. When there is a discussion of how a particular shot was created I take away a lot...I know we can search for that sort of info so even a link to what might have inspired the shot.

hehehehe...maybe I have just been reading Bryan Peterson's "Beyond Portraiture: Creative People Photography " too much lately... ;) It's amazing how reading about the thought process and preparation in one style of shooting leads to thinking about how those ideas apply to other areas.

I don't mind sharing how I did it. And it realy is not that hard except for the execution.

First, my niece picked a flower from this plot of ground......

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m139/gerbalhunter/Sunflowers.jpg

These things are very large.

Then I set up my shot like so..........

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m139/gerbalhunter/IMG_10051.jpg

The grass was misted and the sunflower set behind my "Stand of grass". I then turned the cup of grass this way and that looking for the best blade. As I did find one blade sticking out that i liked, I then misted it some more till I liked what I saw on it.

Then I set my tripod up, selected my aperture and took 5 shots each with a different focal point. I then took those 5 shots and stacked them. Then I moved the stacked photo into PSP and took the contrast up and the brightness down as all the lamps I was useing left me just a tad bit over exposed, but not so bad that I had blowouts.

I then cropped the image from this............

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m139/gerbalhunter/Refractionexample.jpg


.....to the area that I posted for this comp. However I do use the full size as my desk top as it is one of my best.

Hope this helps and happy shooting.

[brecklundin]

thanks a bunch BA...

I think I am getting it now...I was really wondering how you were able to get the sunflowers so well defined in the droplets. Easy to see when you put the grass in front of the field of the sunflowers. Then the bokeh takes care of maksing that there is a whole field of flowers in the background. Very nice.

Here where I live we have a town history of growing flowers for seeds...think the old Burpee Seed Company and we were one of they prime sources of sees ad flowers. not so much now be we still have a few fields around as well as an annual festival called "Lompoc Flower Festival".

I really never thought of taking the props with me to get the shot....in fact I NOW have an idea about some shots of town landmarks & attractions, such as they are...thanks!!!

[BASmith]

Actually every water drop reflects and magnifies whats behind it.

And it also reflects any image upside down. So to get an image right side up, the object behind it needs to be upside down.