Friday, April 11, 2014

A Closer Look


Donna's Photo Challenge this month was all about macro. These are some of my favorite shots to take, especially of flowers. This month I challenged myself a little by putting my Nikon Coolpix P7100 on Manual mode and adjusting the settings myself. It's still not fully manual, but more than I usually use.
 I also challenged myself to go beyond my usual subject of flowers and looked for things around the house. A close up of this old button card from my button box shows irregularities and wear and tear. Character, if you will.
 

 A feather picked up from the ground. Such amazing symmetry.
 

A ball of yarn. The focus here is to the left of centre so that the outer edges of the ball are blurred. I was happy to see an accidental bit of bokeh show up in the photo.

All photos were lightly edited in Picasa with some intensification of shadow and highlights, and cropping to (almost) square size.

I'll be foregoing my Five on Friday post this week. Check out the other participants of the Personal Photo Challenge hosted by Donna. 

28 comments:

  1. I enjoyed your subjects! Amazing the detail we can see when we use close up shots, that we can't see with our own eyes. The feather shot is amazing. Have a good weekend!

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  2. I love that you chose some neat subjects to photograph. The feather is amazing. I think I'll photograph one on our next hike. We usually see a feather or two. You did a fantastic job of meeting the challenge! Well done! Happy weekend my friend! Hugs!

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  3. Great macro shots! Taking macros are my fave...always a challenge to get in as close as possible and see something I never noticed before!

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  4. I love macro shots and your feather shot shows just how differently the world looks through the closer camera shots. Have a wonderful weekend Lorrie x

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  5. Symmetry... such detail on a feather. Amazing!

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  6. Oh I forgot how great a photo looks squared up. I should do it just for comparison's sake...on a back page or something.

    This is a case of seeing more than the eye can ordinarily see with the feather. That is very cool! My favorite, though, are the buttons.

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  7. Love your button card a blow up of this would be a wonderful addition to my sewing room wall!

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  8. How wonderful that you broke outside your comfort zone and tried some new subjects for this theme and also some new camera settings! I'm so glad that you did because the results are quite lovely. Those look like old shell buttons, and the macro setting really showcases their weathered character. The feather photo made me sigh with happy contentment because it exquisitely shows natural beauty. And the off-center focus on the yarn and the composition harkens back to our simplicity challenge theme about a year ago. You hit a home run with this challenge, Lorrie! Macro shots are truly part of your signature style and expertise.

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  9. The buttons are an interesting subject, as is the feather. I love the colour of the ball of yarn, and putting it off to the side and achieving a bit of bokeh makes it my favourite.

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  10. Very nice! And congratulations for jumping to manual mode. I especially like the feather and the buttons.

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  11. Perfect examples for Donna's Macro Challenge Lorrie!
    I particularly love the Mother of Pearl buttons - it's picked up that wonderful lustre of pearl too.
    I'm running late so I must get my camera out and explore some ideas!!

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  12. There is something so comforting about a ball of yarn. Nice job on all of these.

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  13. These are great! I really like the ball of yarn :) Happy week end to you!

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  14. Great macros and the subject matter is too perfect; buttons, feathers, and yarn, oh my!

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  15. Wonderful photos! Each one is just beautiful! I like the feather and the buttons but I think that the yarn is my favorite one. The color is one of my favorites.

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  16. I wish I had your ball of yarn in poster size to hang in my bedroom.....I love it !!!

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  17. Wow! I love each one of your macro images, Lorrie! I am amazed at the detail in the feather. Makes me think that we miss so much with the naked eye.

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  18. These are really great, Lorrie! Yikes. Beautiful detail...

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  19. Luv them all, Lorrie !
    ty for sharing the beauty and inspiring the creativity =)

    HapPy Weekending !

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  20. Great images, Lorrie....I love them all, especially the buttons!
    Happy weekend.
    Helen xox

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  21. That feather is stunning! nice shots!

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  22. Beautiful photos of the buttons and yarn, but that feather is just amazing! Truly a macro shot to make one take a second look!

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  23. Love them All but really like the buttons!! Neat shot!
    hughugs

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  24. Beautiful macro shots Lorrie! Love the buttons.

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  25. How fun to see the originality of each bloggers macros.
    Love the buttons!

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  26. Fantastic photos...the feather is amazing and yes... love the buttons and yarn

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  27. Thanks for visiting my photo challenge ..
    I enjoyed taking the lizard and the lorikeet
    I think I was a bit lucky at the time.

    Enjoying your photos.
    Especially the ball of wool.
    Very clever!
    Thank you.

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Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

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