More to tell

"Jealousy" (Dianthus Stamens) Nikon D300, 105mm F/2.8G Macro w/3-Ring Extension Tube Set, F/10, 1/15s, -0.3EV, ISO 640, Manual Focus

I was hoping to post fabulous shots of snowflakes today but, alas, while the snowfall we received yesterday was the right consistency (the light and fluffy kind), the bitter cold and gusty winds made an already difficult process pretty much impossible. (Those of you who have ever tried to shoot super-macro know exactly what I mean).

But since I already had my 3-Ring Extension Tube Set affixed to the 105mm macro lens, I went back to the Dianthus blooms to see what more of the love story those curly stamens might have to tell.

What’s this? Is trouble brewing in the mighty ‘Land of Dianthus?’ Gasp!

"Missing You" (Dianthus Stamen & Petals) Nikon D300, 105mm F/2.8G Macro w/3-ring Extension Tube Set, F/11, 1/30s, -1.0EV, ISO 640

Now you must realize, these flowers are the size of a US penny (3/4″ or 19.06 mm), with the stamens as small as a straight pin!

Here lies the beauty of using extension tubes! While they contain no optics what-so-ever, they magically decrease the minimum focussing distance of whatever lens you are using, allowing you to get ‘all up in one’s business’, so to speak.

Now the closer one gets, the more consideration one must pay to the tiniest of details as they will be magnified ten-fold in the resulting image.

‘Hmmm, I don’t understand, Tracy. What are these tiny details of which you speak?’

"Forgive Me?" (Dianthus Stamens) Nikon D300, 105mm F/2.8G Macro w/3-ring Extension Tube Set, F/8, 1/40s, -0.3EV, ISO 640

I’ll explain. Down at the microscopic level (okay, okay, they aren’t that small), life can be well, quite dusty. I didn’t notice the dust before when I was shooting with just the macro lens, but now I found myself pulling small dust bunnies off of the stamens with tweezers! Seriously!

While you’re cleaning your subject, you might as well make sure your lens, CCD and focussing screen are also dust-free. (And hope the fantastic light currently illuminating the blossoms doesn’t decide to change!) 

Yes, at times it can be frustrating but, if you persevere, you get a bug’s eye view into a secret world, where trials of love and betrayal play out on tiny colorful stages.

How will it end?

Stay tuned for our next episode of ‘All My Stamens’ to find out!

Pink Charming

Hidden amongst the larger, more showy blooms in a charming cottage bouquet I brought home last week were sprays of tiny pink Dianthus flowers.

"Smitten" (Dianthus Flower) Nikon D300, 105mm F/2.8G Macro, F/4.8, 1/60s, -1.0EV, ISO 400

Hmmm, how can such a small filler flower draw attention away from the Gerbera’s, white roses and painted daisies? Well, just look at those delicately ruffled petals and dramatically twisted stamens!

"Courtship Dance" (Dianthus Flower) Nikon D300, 105mm F/2.8G Macro, F/6.3, 1/8s, -1.0EV, ISO 400, Canvas Texture Overlay

Plus, here was a prime opportunity to pull out my 105mm lens and flex my macro muscles. (Yeah, like I needed a lot of arm twisting… )

"Marry Me?" (Dianthus Flower) Nikon D300, 105mm F/2.8G Macro, F/4, 1/50s, ISO 640, Nik Color Efex Pro 'Duplex' Filter

With late afternoon sun streaming through the windows, I honed in on the stamens and allowed the rest to simply happen.

See? Some stories do have a happy ending!

Happy Love Day

Love isn’t wine and roses, cards and chocolates. (But, yes, those are nice).

Nope, love is walking side by side through this crazy thing called life and managing to make each other laugh along the way.

"Stiched with Love" (Button Sampler) Nikon D300, 105mm F/2.8G Macro, F/3.2, 1/60s, ISO 640, Nik Color Efex Pro 'Glamour Glow' Filter

Thanks for the smiles, babe, and for loving me so well. No one does it better.

Happy Valentine’s!

Back on track

“Primary Workout” (Pro-Form Elliptical Machine) Nikon D300, 18mm, F/4, 1/13s, ISO 200, Nik Silver Efex Pro ‘Pinhole’ B&W Filter w/Selective Toning

Nothin’ like a trip to the doctor to get one motivated back into an exercise routine…