Watercolours

[velvet4269]

It's been a while since I've posted something here - so I thought I'd start with this. I'd been playing with my Mandee +4 close-up filter. I'm not overly thrilled with the filters I bought, but I'm getting a few shots I like. This was one of them.

[Japaslavian]

It might just be me, but my eye really wants to see the dead flower buds(?) in focus more than the stick/vines to their left.
Great tones though.
I've been a little curious about those close-up filters myself. Do you think they were a good investment? Or should I pass?

[jiminyClickit]

velvet4269,

It is good to see someone else appreciating late Fall/early Winter plant life, dormant or otherwise. Your background is rich and subtle. The bottom left seed pod would make a good subject.

The closer I get to plants, the more I've begun to find colors and shapes nearly invisible to me till now. Have you read about placing a magnifying loupe in front of your lens? Here's what you might see:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/...56986f6c05.jpg

[velvet4269]

Jiminy, I'm having trouble finding a magnifying loupe that'll work with my big lens I went looking, and even looked for a regular magnifiying glass, but couldn't find any that didn't have a bifocal spot on them

I do have the +10 "macro" filter that I've played with a little, but didn't like the results (as in, most of them have been deleted for some reason or other) - of course, a lot of my issues have been lighting (over cast days, too many shadows). I'm still playing, but I've gotten some fun shots. The Photos taken using the filters are here.

Japaslavian, I still don't know yet. They've certainly been fun to play with, and $20 was definitely more affordable than $200 right now (and it looks like 'new monitor' is going to come before 'macro lens'). I think this is one of those YMMV (your mileage may vary) situations. Right now, I think my biggest complaint is that they hold fingerprints WAY too easily

[missionbeachgirl]

I love the colors of the winter garden! Very rich. I have to agree with Japaslavian, I find the buds/pods more interesting than the branch, and really want them to be in focus.
-Susan

[xxpinballxx]

I agree that the buds would be nice if in focus too.
I knew JC would chime in with his loupe! LOL! Take a look at some of his and you can see it works great!
I bought the hoya close up filters and they work okay but then I found a set of cheap extention tubes on ebay for 8.95 plus the shipping. It was like 15 dollars for three steps of tubes. For the quality, cheaply make but do the job, they amazed me. Iuse them on my 50mm and theey get up close and personal! throw on a +2 or +4 with and its extremely narrow DOF but very close up.

[velvet4269]

This is where I admit the buds were supposed to be the focus. I don't know if I moved, if nature threw me a curve ball and blew them out of the focus area, or what. I swear when I framed the shot, the buds were in focus! Of course, with the +4 filter giving me some odd focus spots, that may have been enough to mess it up.

I paid $20 for +1, +2, +4 and +10 close-up filters; I'm still thinking macro lens would do me better.

[xxpinballxx]

those close up filters are finicky. something like that with the wind and trying to snap the shutter yourself and not with remote is enough to throw it off. At least it got something in focus! LOL! I would have ended up with a totally blurred photo.

[velvet4269]

Originally Posted by xxpinballxx

those close up filters are finicky. something like that with the wind and trying to snap the shutter yourself and not with remote is enough to throw it off. At least it got something in focus! LOL! I would have ended up with a totally blurred photo.

Oh trust me, PB ... I have enough of those

Just about everything I take is hand-held. These days, I don't even take the backpack out with me: I just put the camera around my neck, toss my +10 filter in the case in my pocket, and go. Of course, I'm also not having to deal with the Austin 90*F+ temps right now, so I know that'll change as we get closer to summer.

And yes, I know a tripod would help - I just can't imagine dragging mine out there (particularly since it's a fairly light-weight, very cheap one). It stands wider than some of the paths I walk :\

And yes, "New Tripod" is on my list with the "New Monitor" - both before "New Lens".

[xxpinballxx]

i never take my tripod either. I think i might get a monopod i have a fairly steady hand.
I take my whole bag with me but wind up throwing a lens on and not looking back!
The right subject the filters can be fun to play around with.....i try to keep it on inside shots though so I can control the wind and lighting better.