Phoneography Challenge, Your Phone as Your Lens: Macro (and Check New Themes Added to the Schedule)

10 February 2014

Lens:

1. Bluejay Feather, iPhone 4s, February 2014; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2014

2. Bluejay Feathers, iPhone 4s, February 2014; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2014

3. Bluejay Feather, iPhone 4s, February 2014; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2014

4. Bluejay Feathers, iPhone 4s, February 2014; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2014

Let me know which you prefer and why.

Pens:

We stroll day by day in a world of imperfection—a world where what we see is not always what is there. Macrophotography boosts that awareness. It’s a strong hand that allows us to be privy to the land of known and unknown. It forces us to uncover nuances, and missed opportunities that would elude.

There are many features that draw me to the small. Each is a mystery that unfolds with grace, surprise, wonder and even tenderness. There is a moment when something is revealed and unveiled that truly stuns. The simple act of moving closer to the center or edges or a small sliver can unearth a spectacle or wisp. The silence of the unnoticed suddenly becomes loud.

It’s as though we are reinventing the understanding of the subject. The macro then presents a chance to encourage broader interpretation and new visions.

The disconnect between what the eye sees and the mind’s interpretation can: disappoint, inspire, surpass, calm, excite, or…Possibilities abound.

In the beginning we only have our individual voice. Photographers use their images to vocalize the way they view their immediate environment. Macro is a source of pure joy and pushes patience as well as observation.

Some focus on insects. Or passionately photograph flowers. Or patiently find water elements. For me objects are enchanting, because the closer I move into them the more they are rearranged into something mysteriously different. I find great pleasure in these discoveries.

In macro the ratio of the image to the real is often 1:1, which means it’s a life-size rendition. But in macrophotography you can easily loose context, and the subject can become an abstraction that is unrecognizable and still enticing.

In the Lens section are stills of two bluejay feathers that I found under my bird feeders–scattered and identifiable. I brought them inside, where they rested for two weeks.

We’ve had more than our share of grey, overcast days, and I wanted to use natural light. On Saturday the sun appeared briefly, I grabbed my iPhone.

Images one and two are true macros. Image three and four are meant to show more life-size views. These feathers are perfect examples of nature’s unparalleled beauty and persistence. The monochrome also forces me to appreciate them on a different level.

Historically, plumage has been used as clothing, decoration and objects of favor. They seem to have endless appeal and usage. Their role in the lives of my avian friends draws me to examine, and explore closely their secrets.

Here are a few results from questions that I posed during last week’s anniversary post for the challenge, which you can read or re-read here. I was overwhelmed with the response, and the suggestions truly are welcome. I’m still pondering them. Here are ones that seem to rise to the top of the list, and those that immediately will be implemented.  

First, my sincere thanks to everyone who visited the post, and special gratitude goes to those who made comments and suggestions. Next week I plan to give a more comprehensive summary of the questions that were posed.

This week is devoted to three changes, which alters the Challenger’s Choice. We’ll start this month with these additions.

4th Monday Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Animals, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Objects, Portraiture, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel). (Animals and Objects are new themes.) 

5th Monday: Editing and Processing with Various Apps Using Themes from the Fourth Week (31 March 2014 will be the first challenge for this new theme).

I hope that everyone is pleased with these slight shifts in the challenge. Personally, I find it a burst of new energy to add a few new themes.

As the second year of the challenge proceeds, I continue to encourage you to make suggestions. Mostly, thanks for your visit (whether a participate or reader), and stay tuned for photographs that have been frozen in time by our Smartphones or non-traditional cameras (more on that next week).

Tip of the Week: Here is a quick tip that will benefit you as you explore the world of macrophotography. Be ultra aware of light flow as you take your subject with your device. Turn off your flash to minimize shadows: determine if that allows for a better image. Try to use natural light, which is my favorite setting.

View Other Entries for This Week’s Challenge Here:

http://pictograf.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/iphoneography-macro/

http://weliveinaflat.com/blog/whoever-thought-that-blue-filters-could-work/

http://burgerbird.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/phonography-using-your-lens-as-macro/

http://completelydisappear.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/the-shells-and-the-sea/

http://streetsofsfphotos.com/2014/02/10/daisy/

http://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2014/02/08/phoneography-challenge-macro-desert-color/

http://piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/phoneography-capturing-the-rain/

http://steve-says.net/2014/02/10/keep-your-chin-up/comment-page-1/

http://decocraftsdigicrafts.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/iphoneography-challenge-macro-2/

http://angelinem.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/phoneography-challenge-macro-in-the-kitchen/

http://denasgoodlife.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/phoneography-challenge-macro-monday/

http://helpalongthepath.com/2014/02/10/through-cookies-eyes-phoneography-challenge/

http://fontsandfrosting.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/phoneography-challenge-macro2/

http://lauraemerges.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/ball/

http://firebonnet.com/2014/02/10/phonegraphy-challenge-macro-it-bugs-me/

http://nwframeofmind.com/2014/02/10/iphoneography-monday-2-10-14/

http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/phoneography-challenge-macro-3/

http://forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/phoneography-challenge-your-phone-as-your-lens-macro/

http://amarnaik.com/2014/02/11/phoneography-challenge-your-phone-as-your-lens-macro/

http://leahjwordtrips.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/a-macro-view/

http://19planets.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/brief-notes-003-february-2014-haigahaibun-phoneography-macro-challenge-a-review-of-my-haiga-book-this-is-not-that-they-are-just-connected-nahaiwrimo-haiku-days-5-through-9/

http://livingwithmyancestors.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/phoneography-challenge-macro-2/

http://uniquesochic.com/2014/02/11/dreamy-flowers-iphoneography-photo-challenge/

http://amaltaas.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/phoneography-challenge-your-phone-as-your-lens-macro-and-check-new-themes-added-to-the-schedule/

http://wisnuwidiarta.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/phoneography-challenge-macro/

Note: As always I welcome any comment about this post or any part of my blog.

If you’d like to join the fun, please click here for details. If you have any questions about the Phoneography Challenge, please contact me.

Below is a reminder of the monthly schedule with themes for upcoming Phoneography Challenges:

1st Monday: Nature

2nd Monday: Macro

3rd Monday: Black and White

4th Monday Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Animals, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Objects, Portraiture, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel). (Animals and Objects are themes.)

5th Monday: Editing and Processing with Various Apps Using Themes from the Fourth Week (31 March 2014 will be the first challenge for this new theme).