A Flakey challenge.

[Sandie]

No snow here, I would be having to grow sugar crystals or scraping ice from the freezer

[jiminyClickit]

FocalFrenzy, Thanks

Especially for opening the challenge. Great idea and learning experience.

I think the frozen dinner has potential. The day I used it, the Sun also came out and the crystals were nearer to the sleet you described.

Today, using a black plastic bag wrapped tightly around a discarded furnace filter, the flakes were more individual. The plastic was apparently too thin to hold heat, but slick enough so that, as flakes began to pile up, a sharp rap on the sidewalk cleared the field. Still handholding these.

Now comes the work: setting up a tripod for better sharpness, and a collection point easily (and quickly) placed at the right distance from the lens.

[FocalFrenzy]

Jiminy,
I mentioned this Challenge in my post for todays new assignment. If I knew how, I would put in a link to this thread. couldn't locate how in the FAQs. Any advice? I thought alot of what we're trying to do here, comes down to DOF. We might pick up a few more challengers.

[jiminyClickit]

FocalFrenzy,

Go to The Flakey Challenge. Up in your navigation window, you'll see

A Flakey challenge.

Copy and paste, you're done. For an individual post, click on the number of the post (this one is #24) and a window will pop up. Same deal, copy/paste if you want to show a link in your post.

[FocalFrenzy]

Thanks Jiminy, I appreciate the info, and thanks for posting a link to this challenge.
On another note, I think I've come up with a decent set-up for these snow macros. I found an index card box that's made of thin plastic. It's about 3/4 inch thick, blue in color, and just slightly larger than an index card. (Easily fits in camera bag) I set this case on top of one of those "touch lights" that has 2 batteries in it. The dead space in the card box prevents any heat from the light from melting the flakes. The blue color, (they were also available in red and purple at CVS Pharmacy), seems to bring out the best contrast. Now all I need is some good snow. Thanks again.

[jiminyClickit]

FocalFrenzy, you're welcome

Tempted to try backlighting, hope you'll post soon (never thought I'd want it to snow!). Blue sounds good. What would happen if you froze some water in box? Like insurance?

[FocalFrenzy]

The website at the start of this thread shows ways of making your own snow (looks like a major undertaking), I think I'll go "natural" at least until warm weather comes. Thanks for posting, and I look forward to seeing your newest shots. We are expecting snow this weekend, as well as single digit temps, so maybe I'll get a chance to try out my new set-up. Good luck!

[neonfish3]

Well,....I had to give this a try. I had to crop, so it's not full frame and it's not that sharp. But this was my first try.


I have a macro bellows I got on e-bay for pretty cheap ($30) with a 135mm f/2.8 E series nikon lens($35 on Craigs list). I had the bellows all the way out and hand held. I had a piece of black plastic that I let the snowflakes fall on. Unfortunatly it stopped snowing and got real windy as soon as I was set up.
I will have to try again.

[jiminyClickit]

FocalFrenzy,

Zero is coming here too, with big fat flakes!

neonfish3,

That's FF's challenge: a miniscule frozen crystal, capable of melting (from your skin temperature if you get too close or breathe on it), or being blown away. Bad natural lighting likely, numb fingers, chance of camera damage. Who wouldn't want to try it?!

That is a good shot, bet you enjoyed every minute of taking it!

[FocalFrenzy]

Neonfish3, Thanks for joining in. Next to skiing, this is probably the most fun you can have in winter, at least with your clothes on. lol. Wecome and nice image.