Macro Photography

I love this photo as it details a very simple yet intricate object which is of course the spiderweb. To take this photo I used Macro Mode which allowed me to move in a lot closer than I would normally be able too. I used this mode as I know its perfect for capturing a specific object and keeping it focused while the rest is blurry. The lines created by the spiderweb create an interesting path that leads from the top left corner down to every other angle. This photo also seems to be framed by the two large tree branches that take residence in the bottom left corner and the top right. The imperfections of the web give off an idea of abandonment which leaves the viewer to question where the 'owner' is.         

This photo is very similar to the one above as both feature the delicate lines of spiderwebs. However, this web is not in as much focus as the one above as it focuses mostly on the spider dominating the image. I like the way that this photo captures the lines of the web traveling towards the right hand side and the idea that the spider in the photo is following them like a path. This guides the viewers eye in a similar direction.

   

This photo is very interesting as the front edge of the leaf is sharp and focused, then towards the back of the leaf it slowly gets much more blurred out. The lines of the leaf highlight a path which leads the viewer's eye to the rough holes lining the point of the leaf. I made sure to capture these holes in the focus using macro, as they create a clever visual image of the gaps being blurry as the viewer looks through them, where as the actual leaf itself is still detailed and clear. I enjoy the crisp quality of this photo which reminds me of a real leaf in this state.  

I really like this image of a rose as it highlights the deep colour and gives the photo a pop that accentuates the flower from its dull backgrounds of just brown and green. However, I would have liked to capture the rose head in a lot more focus as it seems a couple of its leaves and parts of stem are sharper. Though the center of the rose is drooped it creates a heaviness that forces the viewer's eye down. Also I enjoy the way that light is caught brightly on the  back of most of the petals but they are dark and shadowed towards the inside. Another feature I find interesting in this photo is the contrast between the bright, large rose head and the dark, clearly dead flower on the same stem. This creates a subtle illusion of life and death and makes the viewer question how one head can still be so vibrant and the other look as though it could crumble any second.

These two photos of the tree have been taken with the camera pointing up in order to capture the true 3D nature of the leaves wrapped around the bark. We can see the shadows, which the leaves cast against the wood as they are standing away from it. The above image has been taken in order to create a pleasing image of the tree standing tall and making it look much greater. I really enjoy how the thick line of the tree base travels up the center of the photo and then the branches spiral out and almost frame the photo. I also really like the way that the branches also hold a lot more leaves which look so much lighter than the ones wrapped around the base do. This is because the light is shining from behind the tree and I have took it pointing upwards, the leaves on the actual tree are darker as there is no light catching them. However the close up photos have also been taken at a angle which is more to the side, this means we can see more of the stems of the leaves and how they overlap each other. As well as this the image of the leaves  seem to be a much deeper, brighter green as they are just resting against the dull wood.

I really like the way that this photo uses the rule of thirds. There is no direct feature in the photo that is right in the center. Instead the thick grey chain coming from the top left of the photo brings the viewers eye down in a steady slope towards the large, metal padlock in the bottom left corner. This padlock creates a heaviness for the image that ensures the viewers eye is brought to the bottom and held there. The top of the photo features dying leaves that do add some colour to the photo and make the top right hand corner a lot brighter. This creates a contrast between the dull heaviness of the padlock to the light quality of the leaves. As well as this the strong bars of the fence that the chains and leaves are wrapped around manage to create lines in the photo, which keeps the photo being visually pleasing, but as opposed to the lines being straight up and down they are on a nice tilt which creates an interesting angle for the photo. I also think that this photo catches texture quite well and its easy for the viewer to imagine the cold, hard surface of the padlock, chains and bars in comparison to the weak leaves that look as if they could be crumpled easily. This shows a clever contrast between the harsh man made structure against the frail yet determined nature, which is not going to give up its place and is instead battling with the chains.

I both like and dislike this photo. I like this photo as it is visually pleasing with the object of focus just off center, whilst there is still other aspects of the image dotted around. The dead wasp seems heavy and ground the photos just as the situation and circumstance of death does. It is this feature of death that puts me off the photo in a personal opinion as it creates an atmosphere of the photo being too dark, it makes me feel as though it is wrong to be studying it and that I need to look away. It is one of those instances when you want to look away from the image but just can't bring yourself too, and perhaps this is a good thing. The rest of the photo is blurred out as a result of macro photography and this keeps the viewer's eye on the focus.

I really like this photo as the snail trail creates a nice line for the viewer's eye to follow in the middle but towards the top and bottom it gets quite hectic. This is complimented by the use of darkened patches of concrete in comparison to the lighter areas, which keep the background of this photo from being dull and boring. Also I like how close this photo is in terms of perspective, it is almost as if the viewer is another insect traveling the path of the snail before them. The fact that the snail that left this trail is not in sight in the photograph leaves a curiosity with the viewer of where this path is actually going and where it leads if they were to follow it themselves. The sharp focus of the trail highlights the texture of the concrete and strange silver type colour of the trail itself.

I adore this photo and its use of lines created by the long, spindly vines that stretch from top to bottom of the photograph. They leave the impression that the vines go on forever in every direction. The focus on this image is quite good as the viewer can see the prickly texture and while they may be drawn in by the different paths created they know that they would not want to get too close. I also like how this photo is different from the rest in terms of the idea that there is not one center focus but instead the whole photo features the winding vines creeping up the wall and not just a small portion. The lines dominate the photo and create a clear foreground against the brick wall of the background.

I really like the way that rain droplets are caught on this feather and combines two things that are both considered to be so delicate and light into something solid. It also creates an illusion of heaviness and strength as the droplets are being supported by such a light object of a feather, this contrast is very interesting to a viewer. I like the sharp line of the center of the feather and how this guides the viewer's eyes to take in all of the water droplets and complimenting this the very small, fine lines of the feather itself . However besides from this I do not like the overall quality of this photograph and perhaps wish more areas of the feather could be in more focus instead of just a portion of it.

These images are high angle aerial shots that create interesting angles of the leaves. The first being holly it clearly shows the reflective surfaces of the light in contrast to the sharp edges. I like how the focus captured the points of the leaves crisply so that the viewer can clearly imagine the actual points that are not softened in the image, it keeps the photo looking realistic. I also enjoy the way these these leaves of holly are in focus when the ones beneath clearly are not, this presents the idea of these pieces of holly stretching up towards the light and incidentally the camera.

The next photo is similar to the top as it also features a set of leaves spreading in different directions of the photo. This means that the viewers eye is led down each leaf path into different angles of the picture. Like the first I took this photo using a high angle aerial shot in order to capture the basis on the leaves and how they sit in mid air naturally. With the leaves and it's stem being in focus and and background not it is easy to see how the leaves stretch high above the ground and again towards the light. Using macro photography allowed me to capture all of the individual lines and the different colours meshing together in these leaves. The result is very eye catching and visually pleasing for the viewer. This image also uses the rule of thirds as no leaf is directly in center and instead the viewer's eye is led fluidly around the image to pick up the individual details.