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Exposure!
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Exposure!

by rob ashcroft

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted February 28, 201272 views6 comments
I wanted to get a good macro shot of the stamens of this tulip. So having positioned the flower in a holder in the studio. I pulled down the front two petals so I could access the stamen from the side. A single studio flash head and soft-box diffuser provided the light. I used a Panasonic G1 camera with 14-45 lens and a Raynox 250 clip-on macro lens, which provides excellent results.

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on February 28, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Excellent capture of the inside of this tulip. I like striking red color against the black BG, and the detail is superb.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by rob ashcroft on February 29, 2012 at 1:38 AM
Thanks, Scott. I must admit that the Raynox clip-on, which I've only had for a week, is superb. Especially as it only cost £40. I would recommend it if anyone wants really close macros on a budget.
Registered on February 24, 2012, 22 Posts, 43 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on February 29, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Superb detail ( especially in the petal textures ), very effective perspective and great colouring, Rob. Had assumed the front petals had fallen anyway, as they do with tulips - they ground the comp beautifully.
Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments
Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on February 29, 2012 at 3:54 PM
Wonderful close-up view of the inside of a tulip. The colors and details are fantastic! I like the touch of the purple pollen spread out on the petals. Great lighting job on this.
Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments
Comment posted by rob ashcroft on February 29, 2012 at 4:13 PM
Thanks, Carolyn. My lighting is very simple, and cheap. Just a couple of inexpensive studio flash heads with soft-boxes. They cost me about £350 four years ago. Although they are probably designed primarily for portrait work they are also great for macro/closeup despite the smallness of the subjects. Or perhaps I should say 'because' of the relative size - the larger the light source relative to subject and the closer to the subject the softer the light.
Registered on February 24, 2012, 22 Posts, 43 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 1, 2012 at 4:53 PM
Neat view into the heart of the tulip. The leading lines of the bent petals and their scattering of pollen are really nice.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments