Alane Shoemaker
About the Image(s)
I accepted the challenge and spent the last two days taking photos and editing them once I had water and power after the horrific wind here. I photographed one toothpick using my macro lens and tripod and available daylight. Here I used my Nikon Z 50, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR lens (1/25 sec, f/11, ISO 500)
I Photo stacked 15 images using Helicon Focus and edited the stacked image in Photoshop Elements, Topaz, and Lightroom.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
5 comments posted
Murphy Hektner
Hi Alane: Interesting choice of subject to place on top of a tooth pick. Good lighting on the subject.
Believe a thin border would work well here in framing your composition against the black webpage background.   Posted: 10/13/2024 06:45:28
Believe a thin border would work well here in framing your composition against the black webpage background.   Posted: 10/13/2024 06:45:28
Pierre Williot
Hi Alane,
Nice work despite all severe storms and subsequent flood and power issues. Hoping that your situation is getting better.
By using the photo stacking technique, you were able to get a fairly sharp subject despite its angle. Nice combination of textured subjects. The reflection on the black surface is partial, probably due to the shadow casted by the toothpick.
Fantastic work, especially considering that this was done solely with the available daylight.
  Posted: 10/13/2024 18:11:22
Nice work despite all severe storms and subsequent flood and power issues. Hoping that your situation is getting better.
By using the photo stacking technique, you were able to get a fairly sharp subject despite its angle. Nice combination of textured subjects. The reflection on the black surface is partial, probably due to the shadow casted by the toothpick.
Fantastic work, especially considering that this was done solely with the available daylight.
  Posted: 10/13/2024 18:11:22
Neal R. Thompson, M.D.
Nice creative image. I agree with Murphy about the border, even a thin white line.   Posted: 10/13/2024 20:34:22
Charles Ginsburgh
What a great response to my challenge. I think you found out that even the simplest images can present challenges. I really liked how you inserted the tip of the toothpick into the shell. This brings the toothpick off of the glass and makes the reflection even more effective.
The toothpick is a bit soft at the lower left tip and is most likely due to not having a sharp image of this area in your stack. It is not uncommon to start one's stack too late leaving out some of the subject. When I first started, I did this a lot which was very frustrating collecting all of the images only to miss a small area at the start. Now, I always start my stacks when nothing is sharp and move into the image. I can either remove these slices prior to stacking and/or the soft slices are ignored in the stacking process. Lessons learned the hard way.
  Posted: 10/22/2024 20:21:14
The toothpick is a bit soft at the lower left tip and is most likely due to not having a sharp image of this area in your stack. It is not uncommon to start one's stack too late leaving out some of the subject. When I first started, I did this a lot which was very frustrating collecting all of the images only to miss a small area at the start. Now, I always start my stacks when nothing is sharp and move into the image. I can either remove these slices prior to stacking and/or the soft slices are ignored in the stacking process. Lessons learned the hard way.
  Posted: 10/22/2024 20:21:14
Priscilla Farrell
Hi Alane, Creative and clever image for this month. All common elements which could be found in one's kitchen. I particularly like the pasta shell atop the toothpick and the shadow created on the background. Challenge accomplished!   Posted: 10/29/2024 15:28:31