Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Thematic Photographic 15 - Closeup


Sweet
London, ON, September 2008 [Click to embiggen]

I grew up in the world of the wide-angle shot. You may already be familiar with the scene: little, itty bitty people - often relatives - lost in the middle of an incredibly wide vista. The wider, the better. I have vacation shoeboxes filled with them, and they're priceless.

But as I got familiar with my own photo chops, I started leaning in a little, looking more closely at the small stuff that few people bother to shoot. I enjoy macrophotography because you never quite know what you're going to get. The process of composing and shooting macro is also quite good for the soul. Well, my soul, anyway. I work quietly, alone, thinking through the various technical bits of turning something small and weird and intriguing into a scene that anyone can enjoy.

So this week's Thematic Photographic theme is closeup. I'd like you to zoom in on the small stuff that surrounds you, to find the weird and wonderful and share it in lots of closeup photos over the next week. Here's how Thematic Photographic works:
  • Every Wednesday evening, I post a new Thematic Photographic entry.
  • Each entry has a unique theme. This week's is...closeup.
  • You post a similarly themed image over on your blog.
  • You paste a link to your entry in a comment here.
  • If you've already posted something that fits (on a blog, Facebook, MySpace, wherever) simply post the link to the existing entry.
  • You may post one per day, many per day, one each day of the entire week, whatever suits your fancy. This is all about sharing, so feel free to share to your heart's content!
  • Please share this link with friends, too. I want this thing to being photographic happiness to lots of people - and I need your help.
Your turn: I'll stop yakking now so you can get shooting. I look forward to seeing macro through your lenses! If you're looking for some closeup inspiration, please click the macro label here for some past closeup work.

47 comments:

MsT said...

Not to copy you, Carmi, in the product placement department - but doesn't mine resemble the hand of a giant holding a regular-sized pint?
http://daramusing.blogspot.com/2008/07/adorable-this-message-was-sent-using.html

tommie said...

So excited to see your challenge this week!

That shot reminded me of my grandma, she spread that on toast every morning of her life! Then she dipped it in buttered grits....fond memories! Now I am hungry.

Happy Wednesday!

awareness said...

Hi Carmi. I love this one. Close up shots my biggest challenge though I love it when I am able to capture a different essence than what you see (and feel) when the picture is taken farther away.

here's my contribution. thank you.

http://mayfairplace.blogspot.com/2008/09/meet-ladies.html

Nestor Family said...

Maybe not as "close up" as yours or what others might do... but HERE is my post for the theme this week.

This closeup idea should provide for some interesting sharing! Good one again, Carmi!

Nestor Family said...

P.S. Thank you for the inclusion on your New & Improved Blog List! I am honored!

Barbara said...

In July I got my first macro lens and immediately went to work on flowers and bees the usual, but amazing targets. This week I'll look for less obvious subjects. Thanks for another TP to stretch our craft, Carmi.

Anonymous said...

Carmi, what a great theme! This is the best I can do without a proper macro lense! I don't think it's half bad... :-) Happy Thursday!

My blog's been slow to load lately, please be patient!

Anonymous said...

Close ups are often my favorites. I'll get mine up asap.

Good interview, by the way!

b13 said...

Every Friday I post something that I look at a little closer ;) LOL

Actually, I have a few macro's coming up. And thanks for the vote of confidence... I'll be entering my first competition this month. I'll post more info in the near future.

Anonymous said...

Bonjour, voici ma participation

Ken said...

I'm not sure if mine counts as a closeup but I was close to the ground to get.

http://artistken.blogspot.com/2008/09/126-snail.html

sealaura said...

Hola. Here is my contribution:
http://sealaura.blogspot.com/

I am so excited about this theme! Buena idea.

Anonymous said...

Ah, Carms...love it! Taking the ordinary and making it POP w/that little extra. Taking a closer look at the mundane might just change your mind, no?

I'll be back with some submissions, but for now, I had to tell ya I GRINNED when I saw your photo and theme for the week.

Oh, I like to grin :).

Beverly said...

Oh my, I didn't even get one up for "faded." I have one that I want to post for that yet. I need to stop reading blogs and get out with my camera!

I enjoyed looking at you via the video! Thanks for stopping by and visiting whenever you get the chance. You are one in a million, Carmi.

Terri said...

Love Macro photography. Thanks for getting me interested in my camera again. Plan to play with it lots over the weekend.

Here is my contribution for today.

So Orange

Anonymous said...

I simply want to eat it all up at one go. You made me hungry. That too after I just had my dinner!

Long time I visted you. Next time I get here sooner!

Come read my latest post. You gonna like it. Just click on my name.

Rainbow dreams said...

Hi Carmi, have missed my visits here - too caught up with all kinds of stuff!
Now I have my camera back with me I might just join in occasionally, Katie

Megan said...

Mmmmmmm, jelly.....on buttered toast.....Mmmmmmmm!

Hope your doing good!!!

Beth Fish said...

It looks almost lit from within.

Unknown said...

Your photo is making me hungry carmi. I always liked marmalade but it doesn't like me.. I love that orange color, so rich.

Closeups are a challenge for me... I always feel a sense of accomplishment when one turns out decently.

Mine are here

Hope all is well.

Anonymous said...

I'm still getting the hang of my Sigma macro lens (which I love, btw). I took this shot after I first got it.

http://erinslick.com/2008/09/11/thematic-photographic-the-closeup/

MamaCta! said...

Hi Carmi,

Love that orange color! Mine is orange too--well maybe yellow-ish orange. Here is my take on the close-up theme:

http://the5cfamily.blogspot.com/2008/09/earthmovers-are-on-move.html

It's not really using my macro setting but it's something that I really wanted to get a closer look at.

Ben and Bennie said...

Finally Carmi. I'm on board with this great idea of yours.

Here's my first addition to the collection.

http://benandbenniewaddell.blogspot.com/2008/09/close-up-thematic-photographic-15-for.html

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Hi Carmi! i just posted my first "close up!" Hope you enjoy!
Click here

Barbara said...

This TP came about today as I was working on my other vocation. Take a look here

Mamie said...

Love the theme - got mine here!

Heather said...

I like this theme ... here are a few shots of my Dad's old SLR camera :)

Gretchen said...

Here via Bennie's blog--I had a good photo that fit your theme, so I'm posting. I hope I can compare in the future--I like your pictures!

http://www.simonpeters.org/ongoingnews.htm?blogentryid=3960905

Unknown said...

I've made another post for this theme here

trying to think outside of the flower box.... :) I hope you'll drop by and take a looksee.

Have a great wknd!

Gretchen said...

I'm a newby amateur--what'ya recommend for a good macro lens (not top of the line) for a rebel xti?

me said...

Mine's up. I will have to see if anything else strikes my fancy

http://spottychop.blogspot.com/2008/09/thematic-photographic-15-closeup.html

Jax said...

hey all! I whiffed on last week's theme so I posted two photos today:

Jax said...

duh, the link would help.
http://writerjax.blog-city.com/thematic_photographic_5_and_6__faded_and_closeup.htm

MamaCta! said...

Hi Carmi!

I'm having so much fun! But I really should be doing laundry and dishes while the baby sleeps. Instead, here is my second contribution to this week's close-up theme:

http://the5cfamily.blogspot.com/2008/09/baby-c-up-close.html

Barbara said...

I'm back with fresh photos of some cute little angels in my house.

tanabata said...

I just found your blog recently and this is my first time to join in the thematic challenge. I love macro photos!
My photo blog is here. I'll try to post some more closeups this week.

rashbre said...

I like that you've caught the bubbles too.

Okay...here's one I prepared earlier...

Coach Paulette said...

My grandmother loved orange marmalade! Here are my contributions for this week's theme.

Close-ups

Mojo said...

Man I am such a slacker this week! But in my defense, it's been one of those weeks... you know the kind.

So to compensate, I have a triple header to open up with shot in my garage over the weekend. Garages, I've found, are full of all kinds of interesting closeups.

Enjoy!

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Posted another link today...a mantis up close :0)

Anonymous said...

This sounds exciting I love close-ups and macro images.

Chrissea said...

There's a nice close-up of my Mom's rug she just finished over at my blog! Check it out!

janie said...

Great topic, and I love that you went for something ordinary and gave it a new lease of life, made me really think about my shot.
hope you like it
http://janies-rainy-day.blogspot.com/2008/09/tuning-into-tranny.html

Dianne - Bunny Trails said...

I love this shot, Carmi! The texture and detail of the orange marmalade is so beautiful.

I finally got another photo in. My record seems to be about 1 or 2 every third theme or something. Sigh. I'll work on it.

Come see some teeny little mushrooms here.

Anonymous said...

I hope I'm not doing this wrong. This is my second submission for this week. Am I supposed to leave a second comment with a second link?
Ugh.
Here it is.

http://cheeseinmyshoe.blogspot.com/2008/09/thematic-photographic-close-up.html

Anonymous said...

Here is my contribution. I took several and posted them all in one blog. I can't wait to do another project with this blog. Enjoy!!

Jen Fos - Top Banana said...

I'll sneak mine in under the wire:

http://monkeybarrelpress.blogspot.com/2008/09/wordless-wednesday-butterfly.html

A little Costa Rica Beauty