Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Ruby Tuesday



Ruby Tuesday is a meme that asks you to post your own photo(s) with a little RED or a lot of RED in them.

I suggested we do MACRO shots today on Ruby Tuesday.

From About.com: Macro photography can be a fun and educational thing. Macro photography allows you to take close up pictures of basically anything. It's amazing to look at these extremely close-up photos of insects or flowers or even moss.

Here are some tips to get started:

  • Like any other photo that you take, simplify.
  • Fill the photo with your subject.
  • Sharp focus is a must.
  • Try shooting from different angles. If you’re looking for deep saturation of the colors, use front lighting. If you’d like to bring out the texture of your subject, side lighting is the way to go.
  • due to the narrow depth of field, the background will usually be thrown completely out of focus, which allows the natural background to be nice backdrop,. Just make sure you don’t have anything distracting in the back that’s recognizable.

Try taking a photo of a bee in resting in a flower. You’ll be astonished by all the little details your camera will pick up. Now I know for some of you that’s a bit of a risky thing. So try taking a picture of a little pebble. You wouldn’t believe how nice nature photos are when taken close up. A picture of a raindrop barely clinging to a leaf or tree branch can really get some good reactions from friends.

There is so much out there that we forget about. Next time you think there's nothing to take pictures of, just look a little closer.

My macro for today:

Photobucket

Can anyone guess what this is (besides a very RED apple)? It has a practical purpose.

Photobucket

I used Photobucket's Duotone effect, played around with it a bit and faded it.

Thanks for participating in our meme. Now why don't you leave a comment and sign Mr. Linky, Hmm?



Update: Anything goes for next week. So have fun!

theteach


62 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice macro shot,Mary! Mine isn't macro though because I forgot:) I hope it's alright! Will post my flower macro in my other site in a bit :D

Have a great evening!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Artistic, beautiful and very unique! Love the tones of light-filled colours you achieved! Fantastic!

I'm afraid I don't have a macro for today, but hope my post is still interesting.

Anonymous said...

Interesting composition! Im not sure if the sushi shot would qualify for macro---but i did use the micro setting for it! (good afternoon to you!) Happy Tuesday!!!

Catherine said...

I've chosen the same topic as you Mary. Not so much "macro" but as bright. We need so at this time of year.
Happy Bright Ruby Tuesday !

Mojo said...

I didn't exactly do a macro, bu tit is a closeup. Or at least it's cropped that way.
Ruby Tuesday #22: Chaiyya Chaiyya

Jientje said...

This time I've got it right! Macro rubies! Thanks for the tutorial you added! Mine is scheduled at 12.01 Am, that's a little less than an hour from now! Night night!

EG CameraGirl said...

Cool red macro, Mary. And thanks for the lesson.

Anonymous said...

Red apple on red background... I love how the apple didn't drown on the background. Nice capture!

Carletta said...

Lovely shot Mary! Reminds me of my Mom's kitchen years ago when she decorated in everything strawberry.
Macros are one of my favorite things to try.
I didn't see any suggestions for next week - is it anything goes?

And, I love your header - gorgeous!

Unknown said...

That came out very well!

I need practice with the macro. In good, outdoor light, it's easy. But indoors, like what you did, I don't find that I have a lot of success.

I didn't have a macro image that I really liked but I do have some very vibrant, chilly photos posted!

Happy Ruby Tuesday, everyone!

Robin said...

By complete coincidence I do in fact have a macro shot of sorts today.

I like your duotone apple - add in a quick quote about a teacher and it would make a great poster :).

Mimi Lenox said...

It is a pencil holder.....yes? no? I never have enough time to fool around with the camera. Memes such as yours have really brought blogger photographers out of the woodwork. It's so rewarding to see everyone grow in the art and exchange ideas.
You are "teaching", Mary The Teach, wherever you go. Love it.

Felisol said...

Dear teach Mary,
Nice picture.
I have a marmalade jar similar to "your" tomato. Can it be meant for salt??
Have a happy Ruby Tuesday
From Felisol

DrillerAA said...

Now we're havin' fun with Photobucket. Nice photos.
I didn't use a macro setting for mine, I used my new 50-500mm lens instead.

Have a wonderful Ruby Tuesday.

Tina - omme i London said...

Great pictures and a fun theme. I may just have to play along one of these days. Maybe I'll make it today. :)

Patti said...

It's a pomander, I think.
Nice macro shot.
I forgot about the macro suggestion, Mary. My bad.

Thanks as ever for the fun meme. Happy Ruby Tuesday!

Patti said...

I changed my guess! It's a pencil holder for a teacher. An apple for the teach.

Patti said...

Woops, I just saw that the Queen also said pencil holder in her comment. I didn't copy her, honest!

docemdy said...

I forgot about the macro requirement too but instead thought of Chinese new year! Happy Tuesday!

Babs (Beetle) said...

It looks a bit like a 'Joss Stick' holder, but being an apple, it probably isn't :O) Mine isn't macro I'm afraid, and it's on my cat blog this time.

Pok Dell said...

I guess it's an ashtray.
Nice macro shot...

I got no macro lens..so my shot for this RT is not macro enough I think :)

Unknown said...

oh, mine is not really macro...hope you could check it out. is this an apple potpourri holder? a tea light candle holder? :D

judi/Gmj said...

It's a tooth pick holder? it looks good enough to eat. :D

Anonymous said...

beautiful shot!! i love macro shots too :)

my post is HERE

Dora said...

This week and next week, i will be putting up posts about Chinese New Year. Hope u can drop by and read them.

Today's RT posts: CNY Special - II and It Meows #17.

Happy RT and have fun!

RW said...

♦Awesome Ruby Tuesday♦

I didn't post a macro Mary sorry, your macros came out great!

You got that red "Rock'en"!!!

mines up here

akawest said...

I need a lot more practice with macros. I tried!

Is your apple a pencil holder?

Tink *~*~* said...

I won't look at the other guesses yet - not before I say that it is a pen/pencil holder, and that some child brought it to you as "apple for the teacher" :D

Glad you asked for macro shots, as I'd been experimenting with macros of tiny red flowers a few months ago while I was at Walt Disney World

My Mobile Adventures *~*~* - Tiny RED Flowers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Tink *~*~*

Eaton Bennett aka Berenice Albrecht said...

I agree, there are so many things we don't notice that are potentially great shots. I like the treatment you gave your apple in the second shot, really cool.

My macro is up and thank you all for your warm welcomes last week. Happy Ruby Tuesday! :)

Karen Coutu said...

Hmmm . . . an apple for teacher. I'm guessing it is either a pen or pencil holder or a vase.

Anonymous said...

Cool macro shot! I have no idea about the apple, though. Hmmm...

Paz

Dianne said...

what a lovely pencil holder for the teach :)

Anonymous said...

Is it a garlic keeper? Luscious closeup shot, full of blissful red. Please tell us what it is, Mary.

Anonymous said...

Great shot- very clever! I should have read here before posting mine...but I'm not sure I could have done as good a job as you!

Mine's up though...happy Tuesday!

Bella :)

The Steve said...

It's not a macro shot, but I did zoom in :-)

Is that apple a sugar shaker ?

Gattina said...

Very good macro shot ! I am sorry I forgot about the macro !

Anonymous said...

wow wonderful macro shot, Mary. I still haven't expolored the wonder of Adobe PS so i envy ur arts.

Oh it's macro today and i think mine is still a macro one. :-)

Happy RT!

Terri said...

Does it hold toothbrushes?

I actually remembered to do a macro this time, the brain cells aren't completely gone! I had fun with a red pen.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful macro shot! This is my very first Ruby Tuesday meme! I love it! Come visit my blog and see what I put up :)

MYM said...

OOops, I missed the macro msg, lol. I just posted a normal red photo :)

Love yours though, very cool!

Anonymous said...

Very artistic but I have no idea what it is. Mine is on too.

Anonymous said...

first time to join. i don't even know if my entry would be considered a macro. but that's the closest i could go near my niece's feet or else i would be smelling something else...=)

nice shot with the apple=)

a {GIRL for all status
tales of a pinay single mommy
1716 South
Garage Sale

Kerri Farley said...

I would say this is a pencil holder. It would be a neat gift to give a teacher.
Lovely shot too!

Digital Polaroids said...

Here we go again!
http://digitalpolaroids.blogspot.com/2009/01/red-chair.html

storyteller said...

Thanks for the tips about macro shots. Yours are most interesting and informative too. I've shared a collage of 4 close ups at Small Reflections that I hope qualify as macros. Happy Inauguration Day!!! I'm glued to the TV ... unusually.
Hugs and blessings,

Linnea said...

That's a yummy looking pencil holder! Great macro tips too. Happy day from CA.

Anonymous said...

awww, mine isn't really macro but it's a close-up shot so i guess it'll do? i'd say this is a candle holder? nice!

Gie's Tidbits said...

i think it's a pen holder.

Sherrie said...

Hi Mary,
I like your little apple! It's cute and useful! My Ruby Tuesday is posted. Have a great day!!

Sherrie

Jim said...

Hi Mary, I like your apple. I might not like what smelly things you put inside. I am allergice to aromatics, even vanilla scents.
..

Kaylia Metcalfe said...

Mine isn’t really macro.. but I do have a few shots up.

Melli said...

My MACRO is up! It's been up since midnight - on time -- but I am running behind! You know ... things like sleep and an inauguration ... you know ... unimportant little things like that! I'll be makin' my way around though to as many as I can before the day is done! :)

Melli said...

By the way... I was wondering... IS that apple a pencil holder? For the Teach?

A Living Nadneyda said...

Go for the bee shot! I used to pet bees when I was a kid. My Mom thought I was crazy, but I discovered what generations of people - and hungry bears - have always known: a busy bee can't be bothered to sting. (And they didn't seem to mind the affection, either).

Thanks, as always, for hosting.

Gayle said...

Why isn't that a very nice pencil holder? I like what you did while playing with the photo. Wish I had more time to mess around like that! I played along today, but didn't follow the rules. Sorry! :(

Mo and The Purries said...

I love that you're playing with the Photobucket goodies!
I didn't have a macro that was red, but I did meet a Red Panda recently!
:)

Hugs,
mo

Shasta said...

Awesome apple pictures!

Mine are Fall flowers.

Hey Harriet said...

Very sweet Ruby Tuesdays. Sweet enough to eat! I'm not sure what the apple is used for, but doesn't matter. It simply looks cool!

Bella Sweet Cakes said...

Im Late but never late than never as they say..... I lkie the Macro shots

Jim said...

Mine looks good enough to eat but it really almost isn't. ;-)
..

Anonymous said...

Nice details of getting macro shots :)

~Just Me Miranda~ said...

Very cool shot. You've inspired me to go out and try this. I hope I can figure it out...lol if not, you may be hearing from me.