Super Macro: The Smallest Pyramid

[scorpius]

I was experimenting with megaweb's macro technique and produced some interesting results with my new A75. I used an old minolta 50mm f/2 lens.

These metallic spheres come in three different sizes and, interestingly enough, they aren't always chrome; some have a darker color. Can you guess what they are or where I got them? Hint: There's a good chance that there is at least one of them on your desk right now. I'll let you guys know the answer tomorrow, if no one figures it out.

Anyway, it's just an experiment. Do you think the composition could have been better? I wanted to have a hard-edged shadow and I think a flash would have produced that effect. But then I'd have blown-out highlights, so maybe the image is good the way it is. I know some parts of the pyramid are out of focus -- I need to work on that, but f/8 is the max for the A75.

Any suggestions or comments are appreciated.

http://home.comcast.net/~gamma-ray/Pyramid-1.jpg

[CyberDyneSystems]

Ball point pen tips?

Cool looking shot..

[PaCiFiSt]

Thats nice - my guess would be ball point pen tips as well, except did you clean them all??

[delhi]

Did u stack those into a pyramid?!

[scorpius]

Yes, they are from Bic pens. The extra small ones are from fine-point pens. I didn't have to clean them off because I removed them from pens that ran out of ink. Now I need to make a pyramid from the really small ones, all I need to do is find 17 more dry pens.

[megaweb]

the shot is slightly underexposed .. brighten it ..

[Bodryn]

Fascinating shot! Interesting to see just what a camera can do with a little effort and cleverness.

[scorpius]

Thanks, megaweb. I'll keep that in mind when I shoot it again, but I'll probably shoot outdoors to try to introdoce some color into the image. How can you tell it's underexposed anyway? Should I be looking at the histogram? Here's another shot that is lit from behind, but it is only slightly brighter:
http://home.comcast.net/~gamma-ray/Pyramid-2.jpg

Thanks, Bodryn. I'm trying to create photographs that no one has ever seen before. And without using expensive or hard-to-get equipment. I just love my A75.

[megaweb]

Thanks, megaweb. I'll keep that in mind when I shoot it again, but I'll probably shoot outdoors to try to introdoce some color into the image. How can you tell it's underexposed anyway? Should I be looking at the histogram? Here's another shot that is lit from behind, but it is only slightly brighter:
http://home.comcast.net/~gamma-ray/Pyramid-2.jpg


ya much better .. The original shot appears underexposed on my monitor.

[ekrunaj]

I agree with MegaWeb. The brightened image (.jpg 2) looks better, and the dark horizontal edge in the mid background of .jpg 1, is far less distracting and actually appealing in .jpg 2. I think that the focus is just fine; it gives more of a sense of depth with some of the items slightly out of focus. Bottom line is that I also like the image that you have created. Power to the Canon A70 and A75 for their versatility.