Tom Pickering, APSA
July 2021 - Wolf Spider Mirror
Original
Original 2
Original 3
About the Image(s)
Specs: D5000, Laowa 25mm Ultra Macro, F5.6, 1.5sec, 2.5:1, Macro Rig
17-image focus stack of a wolf spider. Merged in Helicon Focus (Original 1). The result was less than wonderful, so I then processed it in Affinity Photo, where I ran the Mirror Filter set at 6 mirrors (Original 2), then an HSL Filter to change the hue to a blue/purple (Original 3), and finally boosted the brightness and contrast of the center. Suggestions?
This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted
(Group 65)
Hi Tom,
Incredible. I would never have thought this was a spider. You have created a work of art. It appears to be a piece of stained glass. Sharp details. I like it. Posted: 07/05/2021 09:22:52
Incredible. I would never have thought this was a spider. You have created a work of art. It appears to be a piece of stained glass. Sharp details. I like it. Posted: 07/05/2021 09:22:52
(Groups 0 & 53)
Why thank you, Barbara! I'm glad you stopped by and took a look. certainly not your typical macro image, for sure. d;¬{D Posted: 07/05/2021 10:41:58
Well who said macrophotographers aren't creative? No lack of creativity here. I see you're getting to grips with your Laowa. Well done! Posted: 07/10/2021 11:40:03
(Groups 0 & 53)
Well, I certainly never said anything about macro photographers not being creative, though I admit I've not put much effort into getting very creative with my macro images. Thanks for the acknowledgment, Stuart. d:¬{D Posted: 07/10/2021 17:25:44
What I meant was that macros are more usually straight shots without "creative" post processing. I've never tried anything like this. As Carol says, it's now clearly art through a macro medium.
I'm thinking now that macro can be divided into 3 sections -
1. Scientific, where accurate depiction of the subject is key
2. Pictorial where we are trying to convey a feeling, rather like Carol's this month, or a "pretty picture", and
3. Art, where the original becomes obscured and the result might be unrecognisable without explanation, such as here.
Would you agree? Maybe there are more varieties. Posted: 07/11/2021 01:39:25
I'm thinking now that macro can be divided into 3 sections -
1. Scientific, where accurate depiction of the subject is key
2. Pictorial where we are trying to convey a feeling, rather like Carol's this month, or a "pretty picture", and
3. Art, where the original becomes obscured and the result might be unrecognisable without explanation, such as here.
Would you agree? Maybe there are more varieties. Posted: 07/11/2021 01:39:25
Very cool treatment! Great colors and pattern. You took a good image and made it into art! Posted: 07/10/2021 17:19:23
(Groups 0 & 53)
That means a lot coming from you, Carol. I certainly admire your creativity and am trying to learn from people like you. d;¬{D Posted: 07/10/2021 17:26:50
My first comment is a question - from what part of the spider is your image? I'm guessing it's the abdomen because I seen a lot of Wolf Spiders and I've never seen that configuration. This also makes me think the spider was dead, or refrigerated to incapacitate it? Regardless of all that, I agree with Carol that you made this area of a Wolf Spider into a work of art. Nice job! Posted: 07/11/2021 11:11:24
(Groups 0 & 53)
Look at Original 1 - definitely not the abdomen.
It was deceased - found by my wife accompanied with a shout.
Thanks. I wanted to do something very different. d;¬{D Posted: 07/17/2021 13:38:45
It was deceased - found by my wife accompanied with a shout.
Thanks. I wanted to do something very different. d;¬{D Posted: 07/17/2021 13:38:45
(Groups 52 & 79)
Tom, I am visiting from Group 79. Fantastic image! It looks like a mandala. Did you use a focus rail for the 17 images? What gave rise to the center of the image? I see 5 singing skulls. Fascinating and creative image. Judith Posted: 07/24/2021 18:22:06
(Groups 0 & 53)
Thanks so much. d:¬{D
Yes, I use a focus rail all the time. It's part of my home-built macro rig.
The Mirror filter, built into Affinity Photo, does all the work creating the mandala look. I have an action I built in Photoshop to do the same. Posted: 07/24/2021 23:44:54
Yes, I use a focus rail all the time. It's part of my home-built macro rig.
The Mirror filter, built into Affinity Photo, does all the work creating the mandala look. I have an action I built in Photoshop to do the same. Posted: 07/24/2021 23:44:54