Cactus Seedpod

This appeared after a flower died on one of those trailing cacti with long, thin, 5mm diameter stems. Goodness knows whether there are viable seeds inside, but they are so easy to propagated by breaking off and planting a bit of stem that it really doesn't matter. We're just enjoying the splash of colour.

K3 + Sigma 70mm macro, almost 1:1 magnification. Stack of 69 (more than really necessary!) processed with Affinity Photo V1.

Thoughts, comments etc. welcome as usual.




Steve

Very impressive...even better 'large'.

It makes an intriguing photograph whatever. And it's nice to get something unexpected too.

I continue to be amazed and impressed by some of the shots you provide here, Lubbyman. Really good to see.

A terrific macro Steve. Better too many shots than not enough imho, they're easily deleted if not needed but to go back and set up the shot again if you missed one or two Do you mind me asking what stacking software you use? I've always preferred Zerene Stacker.

Thank, folks. Appreciated.

I use the focus merge (i.e. stacking) option in Affinity Photo. Just load the jpg's, press 'start' and it does the rest. Easy, quick and the results seem OK. I've often wondered whether to get specialist stacking software, but haven't (yet) been convinced that it would be better than Affinity Photo for the sort of macro I do. Perhaps one day...

Steve

Thanks for the update Steve. If Affinity meets your needs then there is no need to starty looking at other software. I've used Zerene Stacker since the mid-noughties so I'm comfortable with it.
Your post rang a bell with me and I remembered that I purchased Affinity a couple of years or so ago when I was considering abandoning Adobe but I never used it. I'll have to find it and do some comparisons.

Regards
Keith

That's crazy sharp! Top stuff that

Thanks, Gareth

Although those spikes are actually quite soft .

Steve