Macro DSLR Speed Challenge #41 - Elegant Curves

[samueli]

For this week's Macro DSLR Speed Challenge, the topic is:
"Elegant Curves"

Capture a nice smooth curve that contrasts with background or other elements. Any macro subject you choose. Just use it to create an image that emphasizes a curve, and features pleasant use of color tones and luminosity. Be creative with your exposure and guide us into your image with an elegant curve.. Have fun :-)


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 - 11:00 PM Eastern Friday, September 18th, 2009. 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)

[monty28428]

40D, f/8, 1/250, iso 320

[Flo]

http://macymae.smugmug.com/photos/647703726_68c4u-XL.jpg

Canon 40D
Rev Lens( no ring, just me holding onto the lens and prayin)
AP f/inf
7/10
ISO 400
FL omm

handheld.

[John_B]

Color Curves
http://johnbdigital.com/macro/color_curves.jpg

Technical Details
for Color Curves

Camera - Canon EOS 40D
Film / Media - SanDisk Ultra II 2.0GB
Lens - Canon EF 100mm f/2.8
Shooting Mode - Manual
Tv( Shutter Speed ) - 8 sec
Av( Aperture Value ) - F/11
Metering Mode - Spot
ISO Speed - 100
Focal Length - 100mm
Flash - On, fired manually 2 times
White Balance - Shade
AF Mode - Manual
Color Space - sRGB
Camera set to Jpeg only
(http://johnbdigital.com/blog/macro/color_curves.htm)

[Daniel2000]

Last "Ressort"
(no not a typo, ressort is french for spring ;) )

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/Daniel2000/macros/IMG_6157.jpg

40D + 70-300
1/80"
f/18
ISO400

[amishclark]

"iron horse"

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HYlHydBoO38/SrDMtyqsAZI/AAAAAAAABlU/HzgaoTYDf60/s800/IMG_0026.jpg

tamron 60 macro
1/500
f/5.0
iso200

[Goincarcrazy]

"Dragonfly Transportation"

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3381/3202297650_b968535f7f_b.jpg

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi (http://www.flickr.com/cameras/canon/eos_digital_rebel_xsi/) Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) Aperture: f/11 Focal Length: 100 mm

[samueli]

Ok, 11:00. Posting is closed. I'll be back in a bit to post a winner!

[samueli]

Monty, the orchid is a cool capture. If I step back from my monitor I can imagine some sort of egyptian theme with the bird god or deity staring back at you. I like your choice of focus that gives the image a nice overall texture and room for viewer imagination. The colors are fabulous. It's like a picture in a picture.

Flo, I really like your shot and I got a kick out of your hand held and praying comment. It worked out great. I like the subtle transitions, your attention to luminosity, the subtle texture and the pulling you out affect as opposed to being drawn in. A very pleasant shot!

John, your lighting is A+. I really enjoyed looking over the image, and the more I looked at it the more I appreciated the colors; especially the oranges and pinks that you don't notice right away. I expect you put some time into the setup and you chose a great composition. The light falling off on the lower part of the image is awesome.

Daniel, a cool shot with nice contrast on the dark background. Another creatively lit shot. I almost get a sense of motion at either end of the spring from the DoF.

Amishclark, It's interesting to see everyone's interpretation of an elegant curve. Yours seems to the overall beauty of the bike represented from the area you captured. I had to learn about the Saturno to appreciate what you where trying to capture. A very nice shot indeed! Nice colors between subject and background and pleasant choice of doF.

Goincarcrazy, You captured curves in multiple dimensions, both with the detail in the wing and the perceived concave curve from left to right. Lot's of curves to draw you around the image and a nice diagonal line of sharp focus. A clever shot and a nice choice for black and white!

I commented to Monty on his discontent for judging the next contest in #39. I thought coming up with a subject would be harder than judging. I now have to change that opinion. You really have to spend some time looking at each image to appreciate what everyone is doing.

Monty, because of where my imagination went with the whole egyptian thing, I have to mention you for third place.

John, your lighting and color was amazing and I had a hard time placing you. If I could choose a tie, you'd be in it. 2nd place it is.

I'm going to give 1st place to Flo. There was so much curve and texture in such subtle ways. I was simply drawn to your image. It's very pleasing to look at, and I think you best captured the spirit of the topic.

Great job everyone!

[John_B]

Congrats Flo! :)

[monty28428]

Congrats Gail -- I love that shot!

Great job samueli - thanks!

I thought all the shots were very good - well done everybody.

[lavanut]

Doh! I missed this one too! For some reason I thought it ended tonight. I'll just blame work again. I've had a project that's occupied way to much of my time lately, but I think I finally finished it last night.

Congrats, Gail! Your shot has a nice abstract quality to it. I like it. Well done!

John, loved the colors/lighting and the detail. You always produce great images.

Monty, killer orchid shot to start things off! I've thought several times about getting one of those plants just to take pictures of it, but I figured I might end up killing it. I hear their care can be a bit tricky. Kudos on a nice shot!

Congrats to everyone else who participated. Good shots by all!!

[Flo]

Thanks for the look see!All the entries were fabulous.....

I will get something up a little later, right now I have a house full of people!

[fryefoto]

Congrats Flo and all the entrants!

[pennypue]

I was mesmerized by Flo's photo. I'm going to have to spend some time tomorrow playing with an old rose petal.

[Flo]

I was mesmerized by Flo's photo. I'm going to have to spend some time tomorrow playing with an old rose petal.

It will make you want to pull out your hair Pue...;) but its fun.

[pennypue]

Natural lighting in my condo SUCKS and I think it's supposed to rain tomorrow. I have a 430ex but I'm not crazy about it. I wonder how an AB800 would do.....hehehe

[badgerW]

Nice job this week guys. I have been pretty busy and didn't get a chance to enter, looks like this coming week I'll have to skip out too but hopefully I will re-join in a couple of weeks.

Natural lighting in my condo SUCKS and I think it's supposed to rain tomorrow. I have a 430ex but I'm not crazy about it. I wonder how an AB800 would do.....hehehe

I use my AB800's (usually through a softbox) regularly for macro shots that I enter in these contests.

[John_B]

Just to let you all know, here is the current
Macro DSLR Speed Challenge #42 "Fabric" (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=755049)

[pennypue]

Nice job this week guys. I have been pretty busy and didn't get a chance to enter, looks like this coming week I'll have to skip out too but hopefully I will re-join in a couple of weeks.



I use my AB800's (usually through a softbox) regularly for macro shots that I enter in these contests.
REALLY? Cool. Good to know that it would work....now I just need to get the softbox for it.

[badgerW]

REALLY? Cool. Good to know that it would work....now I just need to get the softbox for it.

Just bounce it off a sheet of white foamcore. Almost as good. I have foamcore sheets leaning all around the desk I usually use for macro work. My AB's really help with the macro shots because they're so bright I can use ISO 100, f/16 and get some decent DOF. Of course I could use normal household lighting and really long exposures (all the shots are taken on a tripod regardless), but I've found I like the instant gratification of the AB's a lot better :)