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Small Subjects

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Small Subjects

I’ve always been fascinated by intricate detail to be found in small objects magnified to human scale. The images here are minimalist close-ups of shells collected years ago along the Texas coast. Given my lack of experience with small subjects they came out much better than expected. Sometimes luck smiles on a poor camera jockey.

Shoestring Photography

Times being as uncertain as they are it seemed a good idea to spend as little money as possible to do indoor photography. I found some instructions on YouTube for a close-up / macro cage that is perfectly adaptable to just about any kind of close-up work. It was easy to build with simple materials and a few old tripod parts.

Unfortunately my camera gear did not include a close focusing lens. So I bought a 50mm enlarging lens and helicoid extension. Together they cost about $50.00. The combination turned out to work very well indeed. The lens is old but extremely sharp and the helicoid is just right for close standard focus well into macro of more than 1:1.

With just enough gear to be dangerous and not enough experience to know better more small subjects may pop up in the blog from time to time. These photos were great fun to make.

Leaf In Four

This semi-abstract photomontage is an image of a plant in my garden. The source photo was composited with various textures then processed into a series of false color images. Sometimes the technique can produce beautiful results.

This particular image is no longer a photo the alterations are far too extensive. I’m not sure what category it fits other than perhaps graphic art.

Free Photo Calendar Downloads

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2020 Photo Calendar No 2

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Old country stores have always served many purposes in rural America. They were often post offices, smoke houses, feed stores and gathering places for miles around. Floore Country Store just happens to be what you might call my local honky-tonk. It’s a place to hear the real-deal, country and roots music.

Central Texas is full of such places. Put a pin through Austin and draw a 100 mile circle on a map and there will be dozens of venues not much different from Floores. Naturally on Saturday night folks came to town to kick their heels a little and so it is today. Saturday night belongs to the devil and Sunday to the lord.