Macro DSLR Speed Challenge #56 - "Monochrome"

This week's Macro DSLR Challenge topic is:
Monochrome

Anything goes for your subject in this one, but the the final picture must be in monochrome. Use texture, tonality, and/or composition to define the image, not color. The image does not have to be black & white. Tinted will be fine, but multi-colored images will not be considered.

Other than that, go have fun with Macro in Monochrome!



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 - 08:00 PM EST (Eastern) Monday, January 11, 2010. 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

Snowflakes

Here is a photo taken in color but is mostly monochrome...

Snowflakes

IMAGE LINK: http://johnbdigital.co​m/blog/macro/snowflake​s.htm

Veiled

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

Water drop progression

7D, f/14, 6", iso 400, 100mm Macro, OCF in stroboscopic mode

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

"Spiky"

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png'

Challenge is now closed. The winner will be announced shortly.

Thanks to all who participated in the challenge this week. I guess the cold and nasty weather (in places) kept some folks away from their macros.

John_B and "Snowflakes" - I loved the detail and contrast on these flakes. How did you manage to get captures of such individual flakes?

Jason C and "Veiled" - Macro abstracts... I kinda expected a few more of these in this challenge. I do like the abstract quality of the shot, but part of me wishes it had a little more detail/contrast in the veins of the flower, but that might not have been the look you were going for in the shot. I'm guessing that's a Peace Lily from behind?

Monty and "Water Drop Progression" - Those shots are always fun to do. I like playing with the strobe mode on the flash. I always found it hard to balance the light on the subject and background with the strobe mode and water drops. (My drops often "disappeared" with the additional flashes.) I think you balanced foreground/background pretty well, but I guess my preference leans toward a little more contrast/darkness on the background. That might make the water stand out a little more. Still, it's a fun and "playful" shot. I like the way the tower progresses and finally separates.

Warl0rd and "Spiky" - As icky as spiders are to me, they do make great photo subjects. You did a great job capturing the detail on the legs (hence the name), but I wish I could see the eyes better. I think that would've nailed the shot. If the spider was alive, I know getting the eyes in focus as well as the legs as sharp as you did can be tough without stacking.

I'm giving this win to John_B and his Snowflakes. The detail in that just wowed me, and I kept going back to it, especially after we had a few flakes here this weekend.

I enjoyed all the entries and again extend a big THANKS to all the participants!

BTW, speaking of water drops, I found this link on one of the threads the other day and thought I'd pass it along in case folks here hadn't seen it. It's a super slo-mo segment of unusual water drop behavior (they bounce). I hadn't seen this before.

Congrats John, cool shot! Great entries everyone, and thanks for the Challenge Lisa.

I was trying to go for a softer look, and tried to stay away from going stark. I was pleased with the detail of the flower within the focused area, and the subtle transitions from dark to light. I'm gonna try this shot again, but use the tripod, use the 12 mm tube and stop down to around f/16 to f/22 and bring the entire flower into focus.

Yeah, I dig contrast too, but I'm trying other things as well. I'll post my #2 shot shortly, and it's contrasty...

Thanks again, and looking forward to John's next challenge.

Jason C

WTG John! Awesome shot! Keep that stuff up your way will ya!


Jason - nice shot and I really liked the feel and texture of your shot!
Warl0rd - Mr. Spiky is one cool looking insect!

Great job everyone and thanks for the Challenge Lisa - great job.

Thanks Monty.

Here is my #2 shot. I like it, but feel it has less going on...hence #2.

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

Jason C wrote in post #9375256
Here is my #2 shot. I like it, but feel it has less going on...hence #2.
Jason C

Agreed, Jason. I like the first one better too! I thought you might be going for the softer look on your original shot. That's why I threw in the little disclaimer.

I know my taste and appreciation of abstract is still evolving, but one of the things I like most about the forums is seeing others' shots and vision. Kudos to trying new things! I know I need to do more of that too.

lavanut wrote in post #9374693
John_B and "Snowflakes" - I loved the detail and contrast on these flakes. How did you manage to get captures of such individual flakes?

lavanut,
Thank you..
It was done by sitting on the warm side of an old double paned window on a very windy snowy cold day. However it did need software, as it is a total of 5 macro photos of 5 different snowflakes (all same camera settings and magnification) put together

Here is this weeks Macro DSLR Speed Challenge #57 "FOOD"

lavanut, you can't see his/her eyes because they are the other way around the spider was running away from me. But you can see them here

@Jason: I also preffer #1

Congratulations John_B

Warl0rd wrote in post #9377321
lavanut, you can't see his/her eyes because they are the other way around the spider was running away from me. But you can see them here

Um, well.... I guess that explains it then... I need new glasses........

John, cool processing on the snowflakes. I wondered if you went outside to do the shot(s). Great PP!