Macro DSLR Speed Challenge #28 "Show Me the Money"

Looking back through the previous contests I didn't see one like this, so here goes...

For this week's Macro DSLR Speed Challenge the topic is:
"Show Me the Money"

Money comes in all shapes and sizes... paper, coinage, tokens, etc., I'm sure we've all taken a macro shot or two of some form of money, so have fun with this one. The subject can either be real money or something that represents money. Just make sure we can tell it has to do with money somehow.

I'll be looking for creativity, composition, and technical execution in your shots. Go forth and shoot, and try not to let the coins roll under the cabinets!

Standard Rules apply:
Photo Submissions:

1. Camera - Any Canon DSLR camera
2. Lens - Any lens, or attachment that can give Macro 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.
5. Post-Processing - do whatever you like and the host will decide if it works.
6. Posting -
* ONE MACRO PHOTO 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!

One challenge every week, on the following schedule:

* New Topic - After winner is declared.
* Posting Starts - Right after topic is announced.
* Posting Ends - 06:00 PM Eastern Thursday, June 11, 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

the elusive "Canadian Beaver"
(clic on it to see it all)

IMAGE LINK: http://i252.photobucke​t.com …l2000/macros/IM​G_0059.jpg

50 Macro

$50 Macro

20 HK Dollar and 2 Swiss Franc



Technical details

Camera - Canon 450D
Lens -Canon EFS 60mm Macro
Shooting Mode - Full Auto
Tv( Shutter Speed ) - 1/60 s.
Av( Aperture Value ) - F/4.0
Metering Mode - Evaluative
ISO Speed - 400
Flash - On
Color Space - sRGB

HOSTED PHOTO
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1 of 100 of Them

Chinese Money

Hey all,

First post from me. Not sure about this resizing thing - got it under 150k but it's hardly the same image anymore. Oh well....

Edit. Externally hosted, now it's slightly less bad!

Plastic Money

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

40D, f/9, 1/320, iso 100, off camera flash

HOSTED PHOTO
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This week's challenge is now closed. Winner will be announced shortly.

Thanks to all who participated in the challenge this week! Welcome to the all new folks who joined us this time. I hope it was a fun subject for you. I was amazed at the detail some of you managed to get in your shots, but that's the fun and challenge of macro! Here are my thoughts and comments on your photos...

Daniel2000 - nice beaver! What denomination is it? I liked the way you captured the detail in the coin, both in the engraving and the nicks and dings. The vignetting did a good job of focusing my attention to the center of the shot, especially on the eye of the beaver. Overall, it just didn't hold my attention for long though.

John_B - Great detail, great lighting, and great composition. I had not noticed the "sparklies" in the ink before. I also love that one lone blue thread in the middle of the 0. The narrow depth of field really adds to the photo.

XxBiJoUxX - Welcome to the macro challenge! It was also nice to see some other nation's currency. I liked the colors and the mix of paper and coin. Maybe getting a little closer to bring out more detail in the paper and coin would have added a little more "zing" to the photo. In some spots, it looks like the image is a tad soft where it should be sharp, based on the focus point, but maybe it's my eyes.

BASmith - Want to pass out a few more of those? If so, I'll take one! Again, I liked the sparklies in the ink on the 100. Focus is spot on and sharp as a tack all over. I also liked the way you incorporated several parts of the detail of the bill in the shot...the 100 ink, the "webbing" at the bottom, the colored threads, the serial number. Overall nicely done!

atmianzo - Welcome! Another interesting coin I'd not seen before. Overall a nice shot, but it seems like the focus is on the hole instead of the 50. Maybe that was your intention, but it seemed to take away from the photo for me.

low-key - A first time poster and in our challenge! Welcome to you as well! You know you could have included a few more of those numbers, and I'm sure someone out there might get really happy with your money. I liked the take on a credit card. It's definitely a form of currency most all of us use. Nice composition and focus. The contrast on the colors of the card & numbers worked well for me too. Overall the lighting is pretty good, but it seems a little bright in a few areas. That's being really picky on my part, and it might be my monitor too. Just an observation though...

yagit80 - Hello to you as well! Nice contrasting surfaces and colors on your shot. It seems like your focus is a touch off on the penny, though, and it's dead center in the shot. Maybe try some more off center positioning to add a little more interest in the shot, and watch the harsh flash lighting on the shiny white surface. That can be tough, but a simple diffuser or different positioning of the flash can help minimize that.

monty - There's something about those Sacajawea coins that intrigues me. Nice focus and detail in the shot. The lighting also works well. I like how the background complements the coin so nicely. Part of me wishes you'd gotten all of the "In God We Trust" in the shot.

As I reviewed the images, I was looking for one that stood out, caught my attention (with its creativity, composition and detail) and held it. Based on that, I'm giving this week's win to John_B and the $50 Macro. I just found myself coming back to that one. I couldn't decided on a clear second place, so I'm declaring it a tie with BASmith and the 1 of 100 and to low-key and Plastic Money. Those were the 3 photos that spoke to me the most this time, but I give an honorable mention to monty and his Sacajawea coin. (Don't forget a title next time!)

Again, kudos to all for playing! Try not to spend all the $$ at once.

lavanut,
Wow a real win win week for me
Give me a few minutes to think of this weeks Macro DSLR challenge topic

Congrats John -- Good luck on the Double Duty

Dangit! I missed another one! I had been looking forward to this topic. Nice work everyone! Congrats John! Hopefully I will remember to post by the deadline next week!

monty28428 & badgerW
Thanks

Here is the new Macro DSLR Speed Challenge:
Macro DSLR Speed Challenge #29"Earth" click to see and/or participate