Hi everyone,
I looked everywhere for a "Sticky" on how to suggest a challenge, and not finding one, I decided to post this myself. I'm not even sure anyone besides myself would be interested.
Anyway, on the last page of Popular Photography and Imaging, (Dec. 2007), there is an article by Kenneth Libbrecht about photographing snowflakes. He has a very informative website at
www.snowcrystals.com. In the article he describes his D.I.Y. photo equipment. ($20,000.00 US) My challenge is this; can we as a forum of the most talented photographers and Do-it-yourselfers, come up with a method or apparatus to allow us to take similar photos, for considerably less money?
This challenge would be open to all members, moderators included, as they represent the best of both worlds. Photographic experience and D.I.Y. skills. Even those members who reside in warmer climates can participate. What the challenge is looking for is a set-up that will allow you to shoot a subject from 1/2-3mm in diameter, and fill the whole frame with it. Any set-up doing this can be adapted for cold climate use. The set-up in the article used Microscope lenses with complicated adapters. I tried a couple of shots today using a +4 diopter macro lens inaddition to a +8 diopter magnifying lens. These images are very poor examples of what we could accomplish with the right minds working on it, but, since this is my idea, I should start things off.
I really hope this idea takes off while there is still some snowfall to look forward to. Thanks in advance for your time.