Or if you prefer..,
“We’re watching you!!”
or maybe “Let your conscience be your guide….but screw up and it’s an invert in your ear!”
With a flash and all three of my extension tubes (68mm) on the 100mm macro lens, I was able to get this shot. It took 6 shots to get this one, each one nudging the focus a hair forward from what I thought was close but maybe to far back (it was). I think this one is on focus best. Next time it’ll be a tripod and flash, higher ISO and more depth of field.
Rotated in Lightroom. Can anyone provide an ID?
Today was a good day. Some time in the garden with Tammy and Johann, a nap while Johann played the drums and then homemade pizza and some family time after dinner. Even got a few photographs in the garden, including a couple of “keepers”, like this one.
A good day.
A humble snapdragon(?) found near the road on Water Street, on our way back from a visit to the Ft. Rachel Marina. The lush color drew me to it. Unfortunately I didn’t have any macro gear with me, so this along with the other 10 or so flower shots I took along the way (some wonderful gardens on that walk) were “faked”. This was shot with a 70-200 at 200mm + 2x converter. This meant standing back quite a bit to get within the focus zone.
When I first got a flickr account last December, I copied a few of my macro shots I took for Fred Miranda assignments over there from my Eclectic Images Gallery. One of them was Magenta Jewels. Recently I was invited to share this one in the CatchyColors flickr group by that group’s administrator. Shortly after doing that I was informed that it was featured on the Catchy Colors Photo Blog as well. This photoblog features images that the administrators consider to be the best of the bunch from the group’s flickr photostream. The group’s aim is:
Our photo pool is all about Colors – DEEP, INTENSE, STRIKING, VIBRANT, RICH, CATCHY COLORS not ‘composition’, not even ‘angle’ – JUST COLOR
It is an enjoyable photostream to watch, and the photoblog — being the best examples from the photostream — makes it well worth a regular visit! There are some amazing images there with very intense colors and color contrasts. Especially useful for color ideas for designers and artists.
Considering the recent support I have received for my photography — compliments from many sources, anonymous gifts (Thank You!!!), and equipment and financial support from one source in particular (Thank You!!!) — I really need to return to it with more focus and dedication. I need to participate in the Fred Miranda assignments, work on more wildlife and macro shots and improve technique. Since I began working again I have allowed myself to slip in this and my textile design. Must rectify that!
Currently Reading:
Sunday, November 30, 2003

Water beads on a decorative cabbage leaf. Taken specifically for the Macro weekly assignment over at Fred Miranda’s forums. Taken with a 70-300mm at ~135mm with 24mm of extension tubes. 15s @ f/18.
Update: 12.05.2003:
I’m honored that the folks at Fred Miranda selected Magenta Jewels as one of the finalists in the assignment. There were a number of excellent photographs entered along with mine.