This is the first installment of a monthly photo contest on NAM. We're trying to encourage members to go out and shoot *new* photos for the contest.

Follow this link for the: Rules & Submission instructions
Only photos submitted to the contest gallery will be entered into the contest. Do not post your photos to this thread.

Macro

 

Obviously by my question I'm about to expose just how little I know about photography, so at the risk of sounding like a complete moron...

What exactly do you mean that the topic of the month is Macro?

 

I submitted of a MINI mirror shot that I took from the passenger seat, it included the side of the MINI from the view in the mirror and surrounding area. I submitted but it was disqualified. This shot was taken in January so the time frame is good, so what's wrong with it?? There must be fine details to the guidelines that elude me... You're reason would help. Thanks.

 

Macro: focusing on a very small detail and making that the subject of the photo.

Maybe someone else can offer up a better definition, but that's probably a good one to start with.

 

The contest had not been announced when you submitted. The contest gallery was cleared out just before the contest and the topic were formally announced.

Also, as I said in the original announcement, we're trying to get people to shoot new work taken with the contest topic in mind. Since the subject had not been revealed when you submitted, the photo was rejected.

Thus, everyone now has a fair shot at the contest now that the subject is known. You can resubmit your photo if you want, but keep in mind there is one photo per member per month that will be accepted into the contest and the voting will be on the basis of the contest topic.

 

While of course the value of this contest lies in the creative intrepretation of MACRO, one meaning would be to shoot some MINI part of your car in an extreme closeup using the macro mode or macro lens of your camera.

Shooting macro is quite fun! I can link you to some of my non MINI examples later when I get my internet connection back. Darn cable modem and the rain!!!

Richard

 

This is a great theme. There are so many gorgeous details to focus in on. Can't wait to see the submissions!

 

Newbie move on my part.

 

Ugh, I can't stand shooting macro. I'll just wait until February to win the contest.

 

I think this is a good idea- an excellent opportunity to get people involved here.

 

Ok, I finally got my cable back since the rains have let up!

Here are a few NON ENTRY shot examples of Macro--atleast the way I define it.

The inside of my Whalen


The logo of a Viper


A MINI Spark Plug


My Driving Shoes


Lint around my sunroof


These are examples only and not entries for the contest, and remember, don't post them here to submit them to the contest.

 

Nice examples. I don't think the Viper logo really would qualify as a macro though... just a close up. Kind of a fine line I suppose.

Also to clear up, are the photos for these contest supposed to be somewhat MINI related? Or would a macro shot of a flower or bug (two very popular macro subjects) be acceptable?

 

In order to be accepted as a valid submission the photo must be MINI related.

There's more about the requirements in the contest rules, which are linked in the first post of this thread.

 

The contest is a great idea. Thanks!

Mark

 

Thanks! The contests rules state they must be MINI related. Also, the only reason I included the Viper was because I was about 2 inches from the logo when I took it and it has some nice depth of field starting at the V.

 

Ok, here are some better Macro shots that I've done. I would have posted these earlier, but I couldn't find them.

This is the control from a cellphone headset--it's about an inch long.


Again this might be considered a closeup, but I had the camera about an inch away. You can see lots of depth of field here, unlike the Viper logo I posted.


That's it!! Don't want to spoil the fun.

Shooting in Macro mode on your camera is a blast--these were shot with a 3.3MP Nikon Coolpix 880. In many cases I'm just hand holding the object in good lighting. Just try shooting a spherical reflective object like a chrome Whalen in macro mode--you will discover enormous problems including the black reflection of your lens in the object and the inability to properly light the object without introducing ugly shadows from your camera or your head.

Richard

 

I got an idea, if only the sun will come out need more light
John

 

Ok so its not as close as sum but i like it :D

 

Ok, well here is my submission. Couldn't resist. I had some trouble uploading it to the "contest gallery"

 

It looks like you submitted it ok. Actually that picture was submitted twice. So one was approved and one was deleted. You have been entered into this month's contest as a result.

 

scooby, keep in mind that until the picture is uploaded to the contest gallery you haven't made your official entery to the contest (posting to this thread doesn't constitute an entry).

 

I already made my submission, and I chose it for a number of reasons that included the mood it reflected, composition, how strong an impression it made, whether the viewer wanted to see more, etc.

So now, I'm posting a few pics that I didn't submit--I'll leave the one I posted a mystery until voting day.


Hopefully it will inspire more submissions. Of course remember as I said before, posting a picture here does NOT enter you in the contest. Read the Submission Rules in the first post of this thread!

Going for Abstract (It's looking up from below the shifter at my Head Unit--line is the display. Half circle at bottom of pic is my ACC display)

Self Explanatory

Side Grill Lit Up

 

The rules seem to allow digital 'retouching', is that right? Or do we follow the 'National Geographic rule?' :smile:

 

yes, retouching is ok

 

Here are a couple more pics I didn't submit, but I think were pretty cool. Lighting is from my hazard lights reflecting off the chrome.



No photoshopping or retouching performed. Shot with a Nikon Coolpix 4300.