Macro/Close Up Photography

Macro or close up photography can be an interesting take on a 'regular' picture.  Although difficult to achieve with a point and shoot, it certainly isn't impossible.  Nearly all point and shoots have a Macro mode.  Using a self-timer will help eliminate blurs and having plenty of light will help as well.

A latch on a cabinet

A pine cone on a tree

Yarn in a basket

Coffee cup in Germany

A parishioner placing candles at a Cathedral in Frankfurt, Germany

Suspended glasses at the Culinary Institute in the Escoufier Restaurant, Hyde Park, New York

Breaking the Rules

Like many people have said before me, 'you have to know the rules in order to break the rules'.  My photography group decided to do a 'Break the Rules' assignment.  We used Freeman Patterson's ideas on rule breaking.   He gives many ideas about breaking the rules in his book, Photography and the Art of Seeing.  We chose to use techniques like shutter opening and moving the camera either up and down or across or in a circle.

This shot was taken in East Tennessee. I took about 50-60 shots that day.  I found that looking at the pictures on the screen on the back of my Canon wasn't very helpful.  It wasn't until I downloaded the images until I found a few I liked.  This image was taken out of the back of a moving car interestingly enough (I wasn't driving).  I left the shuttle open and then.... (I can't tell you the rest.... you have to be creative and figure out some things for yourself!)

Glimpse Shots

The idea for this exercise came from "Take a Glimpse Blog".  It is now a dead blog but I am glad it was posted.  Feel free to go that blog for explanations of 'Glimpse shots'.

Where was this shot taken?


This second shot was taken in the restaurant 'Escouffier' at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.  We were at the Bistro Boot Camp in May 2010 and were sitting at the large window seat.  We were treated to watching the students cook in the kitchen that evening.

Silhouettes

The exercise for this weekend is to post two pictures in silhouettes.  I would expect that you would be taking a lot of pictures to capture two unique and interesting shots.  The following three shots were taken in the summer of 2008 in New York City.

This classic view of the Guggenheim became personalized when I caught my nephew looking up.  This is one way to achieve silhouette.  The outline is created by backlighting.

This shot was taken during the afternoon in Central Park.  The harsh light created this silhouette in a tunnel near Bethesda Fountain.

There was an interesting exhibit at the MOMA on lighting.  I was able to take some fun shots that day.

Afternoon with Luke

Luke came over for a visit on Sunday afternoon.  It was such a pleasant day that we wanted to spend time outside.  

                    

The blanket was supposed to be for sitting but soon became a play toy.

                                            Had fun shooting a few shots of Luke and Pop.  

Luke can be an easy subject, however, Gil can be a little tougher although he is very photogenic.  If your subjects know you are going to be shooting for a while, often they will relax and almost forget you are around.  You can also suggest different angles and perspectives - something fresh.  Don't be afraid to try something completely different.  You never know what might turn up.

Luke is a curious and observant young boy.

My favorite shot.

It took 85 pictures and some time to sort but I was happy with the results.  It takes time and effort to make good pictures.  My plan is to create a small book each year with the best of the best shots and save those for his Mom and Dad.  It is simple and not terribly expensive to make small books online.  Check out Apple (Mac lovers), Shutterfly, Kodak and Costco.  

The Art of Seeing

"A photographer who wants to see, a photographer who wants to make fine images, must recognize the value of the familiar."      Freeman Patterson