magic moss
by davidwozhere
Because these spore cases are 95% water they photograph really well with backlighting. The original is about 3mm long
Uploaded20/03/2016 - 00:34
CategoryMacro
Unique Views / Likes20/2
Posted 21/03/2016 - 00:18
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I am very pleased with this one as well.
The set up is a 105mm enlarger lens (right way round - not reversed, 'cos it won't) on a fully extended bellows. Tripod and 2 sec, mirror-up delay goes without saying!
The pot containing the moss, etc. arranged with natural sunlight behind it and a further pot of red carnations was placed some distance behind to provide the not-quite-black backdrop. If you look closely at the earlier image of a water droplet suspended between two spore pods, you can just make out the carnations in sharp upsidedown focus in the water droplet
My bellows are Pentax but ANY old Russian bellows will do (.99p - £5 on Ebay). The lens is a newcomer (to me anyway) It's a Polish "Amar" 1:4.5, 105mm (£8 Ebay) so there are no excuses any more not to try similar macro shots
The set up is a 105mm enlarger lens (right way round - not reversed, 'cos it won't) on a fully extended bellows. Tripod and 2 sec, mirror-up delay goes without saying!
The pot containing the moss, etc. arranged with natural sunlight behind it and a further pot of red carnations was placed some distance behind to provide the not-quite-black backdrop. If you look closely at the earlier image of a water droplet suspended between two spore pods, you can just make out the carnations in sharp upsidedown focus in the water droplet
My bellows are Pentax but ANY old Russian bellows will do (.99p - £5 on Ebay). The lens is a newcomer (to me anyway) It's a Polish "Amar" 1:4.5, 105mm (£8 Ebay) so there are no excuses any more not to try similar macro shots
Posted 21/03/2016 - 06:32
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Thanks for the explanation David. The red carnation oof background really helps. Thought you must have used bellows or at least long extension tubes to get this. Must get the bellows and enlarger lens out again myself...
Andy
Posted 21/03/2016 - 17:32
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It almost seems to glow, quite beautiful
Posted 31/03/2016 - 19:41
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I really wish the gallery had a slightly more prominent place on the front page, possibly with a layout that allows most commented photos to be displayed around for longer than they are. This is soooooo beautiful and I have missed it! I'm not a macro fan...until I see your pics. Everytime
'Photography...it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten....' (Aaron Siskind)
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1947 posts
21 years
North Devon