Macro Day 1
by socalsteve

Comment:
Not a fan of this image. Don't like the subject, lighting, crop or background. Well, not for a challenge at least. For the side-chall, it is a great subject to learn from.

Excellent focus and very, very impressed with the lack of ISO noise on a long exposure ISO 800 image! Are you using the High ISO noise reduction/Long Exp NR that's built in or are you using a neat image software? (Curious minds who use the same Nik and Lens want to know!)

Macro Day 3: Bubbling Up
by socalsteve

Comment:
Image knocks me out. I can't decide if I love it for the abstarct nature or if it just confuses me because the shapes don't make sense to me. Actually I love it. This is what macro is all about and even the hot spot works for the whole.

Macro Day 4
by socalsteve

Comment:
So tough to balance flame light and low light color casts. You've done it very well. Everything surprisingly in focus for such a wide opening. Good job!

SH100062.jpg
by ZeppKash

Comment:
Excellent focus and detail. Would like to see this in some kind of environmental setting that gives the whole some depth. You certainly achieved the machined edge goal!

SH100100-Edit.jpg
by ZeppKash

Comment:
Orange or blue background would have lent to a complimentary color challenge. These things always seem to have a greenish tint to them. Love the detail! Reminds me of a neon afro.

SH100103-Edit.jpg
by ZeppKash

Comment:
The only reason it looks better as a thumb is because it seems to be more separated from the background in the thumb. I like it. Very original and great subject. I personally would have liked to have seen the supporting column under the gas pedal. Perhaps a vertical crop with a LOT of blue negative space?

Day 3
by EstimatedEyes

Comment:
Great light and focus. Nice that you were able to stop down enough to mute most of the blow outs. That sun must have been intense...I miss the sun. New England at this time of year is more like a grey sky prison. Oh well. I can live vicariously through your nature walks! Voters might kill it in a challenge from the tip of the bud, but I still think this is a ten.

Day 4
by EstimatedEyes

Comment:
AW! Perfection. A ten out of the gate. Color pop is phenomenal and the sharpness over the entire depth of the flower does wonders to separate it from the background. Bravo!

Message edited by author 2008-03-04 21:50:10.

Day 3 - Taste the rainbow
by Lonz

Comment:
Definitely shows off how much post processing they must have to go through to get those little printed S's all perfect in the ads! This is a solid idea with a bit hard light. I think I would have tried a slightly taller angle to minimize the separation of the reflection to the actual. This is one of those shots that really requires full on light, but all of it through a diffuser/sheet/softbox. Overall a nice image tho.

Day 4 - Once Upon a Time
by Lonz

Comment:
I love the window and the detail in the droplets. Hate the black border under and to the right. (The white/black added rebate is fine) Would love to see this in a closer crop.