The inside of a ground violet.

[Thunder_o_b]

This shot was taken on my macro station. The camera was mounted to a ballhead that is permanently mounted to the station, the subject was held in the grip of an articulating arm that was mounted to a micro adjust rail mounted to the station.

This photo is the result of 20 photos stacked using the Zerene Stacker.

The camera is a 50D. The lens is a Canon MP-E65 at 4:1. Shutter speed was 1/250 sec, I think the iso was 200 and the f was 11. Lighting was a 420EX slaved to a 580EX II, both had diffusers. PP was done with iPhoto, CS5 and Topaz plugins

What I am after is did I get everything in the shot right. I believe that I did, but there may be something in the shot that I am not seeing. It might be a bit too dark on the left side where the 420EX was positioned

[cristen]

you must be an expert/pro with all the contraptions in taking that macro shot and the editing tools you have in your arsenal..

great shot.. wonderful play of colors!!! my eyes couldn't stay in one spot. everything is beautiful.

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by cristen

you must be an expert/pro with all the contraptions in taking that macro shot and the editing tools you have in your arsenal..

great shot.. wonderful play of colors!!! my eyes couldn't stay in one spot. everything is beautiful.

Thank you cristen
There are actually two shots for this, this is the one on the right and half of the picture. But with the limit of one shot I chose this one to post.

I am a fine arts major, majoring in photography and have the affliction of being completely consumed by two things: Harley-Davidson and photography.

The macro station is of my design and construction. I am indebted to many people across the world for their input and guidance in the the completion of it. Total cost sans the photo gear was under $30.00 U.S

[cristen]

what afflictions!!!
i don't really possess the "eye" for the arts but your photo reminds me of Van Gogh's paintings... keep up the good work and good luck in your studies.

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by cristen

what afflictions!!!
i don't really possess the "eye" for the arts but your photo reminds me of Van Gogh's paintings... keep up the good work and good luck in your studies.

Thank you cristen for your kind words and wishes

[boun]

this is for sure one of the most artistic photos I have ever seen, you did a great job here, congrats

[tlpphoto]

This is a gorgeous shot and the total sharpness of the image is superb. Did you just slightly rotate the focus ring for each shot until you had everything near to far in focus?

You are a photography major and I've had zero formal training in art -- I avoided it like the plague in college actually. Anyway, I really like the way the green leaf on the top right (you only see the edge of the leaf) rhymes the flow of the orange part of the flower. the leaf and flower fit together like two spoons. The leaf on the bottom right, however, seems out of place. Yea, it's a nit, but I think the image could be stronger without it.

Just an opinion from a artsy illiterate; worth less than 2 cents, but given for free.

Tim

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by boun

this is for sure one of the most artistic photos I have ever seen, you did a great job here, congrats

Thank you boun

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by tlpphoto

This is a gorgeous shot and the total sharpness of the image is superb. Did you just slightly rotate the focus ring for each shot until you had everything near to far in focus?

You are a photography major and I've had zero formal training in art -- I avoided it like the plague in college actually. Anyway, I really like the way the green leaf on the top right (you only see the edge of the leaf) rhymes the flow of the orange part of the flower. the leaf and flower fit together like two spoons. The leaf on the bottom right, however, seems out of place. Yea, it's a nit, but I think the image could be stronger without it.

Just an opinion from a artsy illiterate; worth less than 2 cents, but given for free.

Tim

Thank you Tim

I'll start with your critique first, it is not a nit and I appreciate your input, your view of my work helps me to see better and I thank you.

As to your question on focusing, I start ether at the furthest point in the picture or the nearest point in the picture (it does not matter) and move the subject with the controls on the macro rail, the camera and the focus of the lens remains static. If I were to change the focus with the lens, it would change the magnification, also the micro adjust of the rail gives much greater control over the extremely small increments between shots.

[rengles]

beautiful color and detail! love that fringe around the bottom...

Just one thought--the red seems a bit oversaturated. Maybe it's my monitor, but that spot jumps out at me...