~a carved box, rick-rack with crocheted edging~
~ivy on the kitchen windowsill~
~a rose star...photo taken in last summer's garden~
These were edited in Photoscape. This is what I am doing these days to edit most photos. (It may change again. I go through phases.) Once I have the photo resized, I take it to Photoscape and use the auto level, auto contrast, and sharpen buttons. I choose low for the first two and 6 for sharpen. Then, I use the blur tool to lose anything in the background that competes. In the case of the ivy, it was John's old truck in the drive. In the case of the rose star, it was the other plants. My camera is a Nikon Coolpix P7100 on Auto setting, which means that the ISO 100 is probably overidden. The more I learn, the less I know.
Linking to Donna's Personal Photo Challenge. Please have a look. There'll be some amazing photos! Thank you, Dear Donna, for hosting. You're the best!
Hi Vee, These are great close ups. It was interesting to read about your techniques. I am learning from you. Have a good weekend! Hope it's sunny and springlike.
ReplyDeleteYou said it for me too Vee, "the more I learn, the less I know." I think my brain is too flighty to learn what Donna is teaching us. Thank heavens for software editing that makes our photos appear better, who would have known John's truck was behind the ivy! My favourite is the rose star, there's a story of beauty preceding this phase of the spent flower.
ReplyDeleteI think your close ups are great Vee. I love the blur you created to block out the truck.
ReplyDeleteI love the ivy....the color of summer time! Very nice photos for the challenge. Enjoy your day! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty Vee..but then again, I love everything you do. Blessings
ReplyDeleteThose are great closeups Vee! I like the changes you made!
ReplyDeleteI am finding myself drawn more and more to closeups. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh how I can relate to the more I learn the less I know. Nice shots!
ReplyDeleteThat was delightful! I looked at the other post also. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI sure can relate to your love/hate feelings for macro shots. I don't do them well with my new camera at all. You did great however, and I like the rose star. I don't know if I'll get to participate this time as I'm quite busy and not totally prepared. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteLOL, I got a kick out of your comment about the more you learn, the less you know. Those are really very wise words! As I learn new techniques and photo software changes, I am constantly reminded how little I really know and how much more there is to master.
ReplyDeleteEach one of these not only feature macro compositions, but also feature lovely texture. I really like the contrast of the textures in the first one, especially. Great job on blurring out the backgrounds in the second and third photos. And you provided a helpful explanation for others to follow your lead.
These are great! When I try for a macro half the time my camera refuses to take the photo...it irritates me, but I am sure I am doing something wrong.
ReplyDeleteI actually like most close-ups, especially when I want to see the details in a project or decorative item. My one pet peeve is people who do a craft or decorating post and it ALL close-ups. Like so close you never get to see the project or design as a whole. Maddening!
ReplyDeleteBlur tool! I need to learn how to use that. Your macros are great. Love the texture in the crocheted edging in the first photo.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the more I learn the less I know attitude. Sigh.
You do such a wonderful job editing your photos. You always challenge me in a good way to do these things. I immediately wanted to try it and then remembered that our hospital auxiliary meeting was Monday and I still haven't typed the minutes. I'd better do that first. :-(
ReplyDeleteWhen you have learned it all you can teach me......Your work is beautiful! I love photography but hate all the "terms". My brain is on overload as it is.! :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely photos, Vee....ooh... that ivy is gorgeous! I love the texture on the first one too. Your pics always look mahhhhvelous! have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteNice shots there. I really like the veins in the ivy leaves.
ReplyDeleteMy camera is the same as yours only its a L610 and I was having problems with the little door to the batteries staying closed and I used duct tape to keep it closed. Ken bought me another one because I really liked it. I've had the new camera for just a couple of weeks and now the camera just won't turn on. So we mailed it back and now awaiting a replacement. I'm back using the duct tape one.
Love macros shots. I recognize the yellow lace edging.
ReplyDeleteI really admire your ability to teach yourself new technologies and use them. Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of the box, sharp carving and soft textiles, very nice contrasts. I need to learn that blur trick as my macro photos have the problem of compeating backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteThe more I learn the less I know. Me too! More specifically, the more I learn about photography, the more I know that I know nothing. But it's fun to play. Thanks for telling us what you do in the way of editing. I'm always curious about that.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your photos today, especially the ivy.
I tried to get a Macro with my cheap point & shot camera of a resting Tiger Moth this morning. It was hard to do on my belly with 3 dogs dancing on my head. I'll have to try some of your de-fuzzing ideas. I enjoyed yours. ~:)
ReplyDeleteThe photos look great, Vee. I loved your line... the more I learn, the less I know! I mostly feel that way about life! xo
ReplyDeleteLove your macro photos Vee.
ReplyDeleteThe box and ric-rac is my fave, the detail and patina on the old wooden box is beautiful.
These are excellent Vee. I really like all three but the third on is my fav.
ReplyDeleteLove those words...nice to find someone else who is confused by cameras and photography as me!
ReplyDelete;-)
But I do enjoy close ups taken by other people, even if I am no good at it myself!!
I admire anyone who can do more that me with a camera. I have a old cannon power shoot...and that's what I do..."point and shoot" ~~download and post...I'm a simple woman. Hat's off to all of you thinking outside the envelope. Great job!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for including your editing info. That is really helpful for people learning, like me. Beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots Vee - the first one has such pretty edging, and I adore rick-rack, especially putting two colors together like that.
ReplyDeleteIvy I love, Bob hates it because he has to pull it out from everywhere in the garden. It's even up some trees and the stems are as big as my arm - impossible to pull down. I love it because it stays green, looks clean, but must admit I'm cautious because I believe snakes love to hide out in the beds.
Sweet roses, everything about them is romantic, even when their blooms have faded….I like that you called this a star.
Thanks for the tips too.
Happy weekend and hopefully more melting going on!
Hugs - Mary
I love your photo of the ivy. It's so pretty! Good job at blurring your background. It looks so natural.
ReplyDeleteLove the ivy also. Off to check out Photoscape as I use Photoshop.
ReplyDeleteCatching up...never enough time when Ron is off...and school is in session at the same time!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job with the challenge this month. My particular favorite is the ivy in the window...it is so crisp! I, too, agree with your thought about "the more you know..."!
Love that Ivy and the Crochet edging- good thinking to use the blur tool to de-emphasize the background!
ReplyDeleteVee, I enjoy all your photos, today my favorite is the ivy.. I think I'm craving green these days. Close-ups really help us to see, don't they? They show us the details we often would overlook....
ReplyDeleteThe other photos are really nice but my attention is drawn to the ric-rac!! Love the shot! Haven't seen ric-rac in years!
ReplyDeletehughugs
I'm off to check out that software - hoping it's free!
ReplyDeleteLoved how your photos turned out.
I love the up-close and personal stuff!
Leann
I just learned something here....that I can blurr the background with my photo editing when the macro doesn't work as it should. Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteLike the creativeness of the rose star and the rick rack with the carved box. Excellent.
ReplyDelete