Friday, April 5, 2013

Focusing on Life :: The Macro Shot

This week's prompt from Sally for Focusing on Life is on getting in there on the macro shot. I've been shopping for a new camera, but haven't yet bought one. And as I've been doing that, I tried out a cool gadget for my iphone called a Macro Lens Band that you can buy for $20. Check out a site called Photojojo for all kinds of fun little camera gadgets.

Pretty cool. I was able to get right in there on flowers and take some decent macro pics. Perhaps not as close as I might with a 'real' camera, but not too bad. These are pictures from our trip to San Francisco a few weeks back, and the flowers were in bloom all over the place. I love that Spring comes so early there and I was soaking it up! 

So as I continue to explore what camera I might want to buy (I've got it narrowed down to either Canon T series, or Nikon D series); do any of you have suggestions? A camera that can take a great macro of jewelry?

Just for a little fun, I'm including a little video that my youngest daughter made. I was showing her how when you pinch the back of a snap dragon it looks like a mouth opening and closing. The voice over is my daughter making the snap dragon talk.

34 comments:

  1. Must go find some snapdragons as quickly as possible -- I never knew this trick, and now I can't wait to try it!

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  2. Lovely photos! I love macro shots, especially of flowers.

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  3. Thank you for sharing at the hop, your participation makes the hop extra special. Big Hugs P.S. the new giveaway posted today!

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  4. Haha.. fun with flowers! Well, I don't have an iphone, but those are pretty impressive pictures! And I only have a little digital camera, so do share what you find -- I still have hopes of trying out a super duper high-end camera some day :)

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  5. I think it's amazing that the phones these days take such great pictures. Your macros are fabulous! I really like my Cannon but I've heard the Nikon is good too.

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  6. i love the daisy shot especially! our lil camera doesn't have a macro, so i did the best i could this week...
    sadly, i can't see the video - it's just a black square :( but i used to make snapdragons 'talk' as a kid :)
    happy saturday!

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  7. I was expectng to see nothing but flowers this week! I don't have a true macro lense either... But loved how close I could get with my tiny digital camera!

    I think the nikon cameras can use old lenses.. My son gave me his cannon because he wanted a Nikon.. did I use it this week... NO I intended to but the weather got crappy!

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  8. Great photo and great tips. I just went to the site and ordered one. I have a point and shoot camera that takes pretty good macro shots but my iphone is sooo handy. My son has a killer camera that takes awesome shots but I'm not allowed to use it lol. I think most of our cameras are Canon and we have been pleased.

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  9. Great photos, and your video is so cute! The debate between Canon and Nikon is much like the one between Ford and Chevy. We are a Canon family and always will be.

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  10. Photojojo is the candy store for me! I've been wanting to get that set of three lenses for the phone, although mine is an Android. Glad to hear they work well! Beautiful pics, and love your fun video.

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  11. Great tip about the iphone app - will have to check it out. I use a Nikon SLR but to be honest really need to buy a Macro lens as the auto setting is crap. My Canon Power shot has a much better super macro setting built in. Just my two cents. Love your snap dragon clip - my kids loved to open their throats too! Fun!

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  12. Your flower macro pics are great. I bought a Fiji FinePix S700 because it was recommended for jewelry pics on a site where my son looks at reviews. I am happy with it, but I am not a very good photographer. You might want to check this one out.

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  13. I love my Canon Rebel. My husband who is far more of a photographer than I is saving for the Canon T. He won't buy any other brand...

    I love flowers. I can't have any because they become goat snacks.

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  14. Hahahaha, love the snap dragon :)

    And I love the iPhone 5 camera as well. I NEVER thought I would be a convert to phone cameras, a bit of a snob I am about them. But am finding myself using the iPhone more than my dSLR.

    I have not tried others, but the one I have is a Nikon d200, and you can look at my jewelry pics to get an idea of the picture quality. I have only used the auto mode though, have had it for 6 yrs, but have not spent time to figure it out. Overall, I love it.

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  15. Those are some great pictures! The lens for the i-phone is a nice find.

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  16. Thanks for the link for the macro lens for smart phones. your photos are great, love your little video.

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  17. the photo of that orange flower just pulled me right into its brightness and joy! cute video :-)

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  18. The video is so cute! I am sorry , I don't have any suggestions for you. Good luck ;o)

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  19. Love the macro shot - and the tips. I'm saving for a camera as well and had narrowed it down to the Nikon or Canon - love the conversation and thoughts shared!

    I'm also saving up for this class, it might be of interest - I have heard it is awesome!

    http://www.brithammer.com/photographing-art

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  20. I can't see the video, either, it could be a problem on my side.

    I hear good things about Canons. My camera stinks at macro, have been looking for one to replace it. Good luck!

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  21. Those are wonderful photos. I love the colors. (And I had a blast browsing through that web site. I had no idea there were so many cool products out there.)

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  22. Those are wonderful photos. I love the colors. (And I had a blast browsing through that web site. I had no idea there were so many cool products out there.)

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  23. OMG, it's so long since I've seen snapdragons. I used to do that all the time with them. Thanks for the memories.

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  24. LOL - that must be an universal childhood trick: make the snapdragons talk! Unfortunately when I was the age of your kids there were no video cameras :)
    Love your pictures - interesting gadget you've found there!

    Re: camera - I think it's a matter of personal preference. Both Canon and Nikon are excellent cameras, and as the article below specifies - they are almost similar, otherwise couldn't have survived over their fierce competition. I would suggest go to a store and handle each, then go with the one your like better. If you already have accessories for one of the brands - it's probably best to stick with that brand (since the accessories will be transferable, most of them, at least). Good luck and have fun choosing one :)

    http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/nikon-vs-canon.htm

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  25. I love the cool gadgets you can buy for your iPhone. The pictures are actually pretty great for a cell camera! I'd love to hear more about your San Francisco trip, that is definitely one of my favorite places to visit!

    xo

    Ashley

    Southern (California) Belle

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  26. Gorgeous pics! Amazing detail in the orange one! Will have to stop back and see the snapdragon ;) - can't see it on my kindle here.

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  27. Great pics. I admire people who can take good pics w/their phones - I can't for the life of me take a good shot w/my iphone,...even w/apps, etc. Let me know the low down on the different between the Canon and Nikon once you compare and decide. Those big boy cameras w/their fancy lenses are amazing these days!

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  28. Great post. Love the macro gadget. Works really well. thanks for sharing your video as well. Wonderful!!

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  29. Absolutely love the voice over of your daughter! That is one amazing video, and one she will treasure in years to come.
    In regard to camera, my son, the professional swears by his Cannon, but got me a Nikkon D series one, knowing I am camera illiterate, but also have old lenses from a Nikkon FM body, that still fit the new camera.

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  30. The macros are beautiful Cynthia! I do not know much about cameras. I use a simple Canon Powershot which takes great macros of my jewelry (my number 1 concern). I love that it is small too to take on day trips. Your daughter is adorable with the snap dragon!

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  31. Your photos turned out great, and really show off the flower! What a cool gadget for your iPhone. The video is very cute, I did not know you could do that with snapdragons.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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  32. Hi Cynthia,
    Beautiful shots of the flowers. I am going to go check out that site for some cool gadgets.
    Therese

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