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brother_mark | all galleries >> photo some days >> Photo A Day 2004 >> January > January 8, 2004
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08-JAN-2004

January 8, 2004

Yesterday, today and tomorrow are full days for me. I barely have time to eat dinner after work. Fortunately I needed the big stapler today at work to staple a 16 page title list for a project I have just been assigned. (I was working Claire! and it only took a few minutes and about 6 frames.)I just loved the look of the stapler, but then decided it wasn't as interesting by itself. I converted it to B&W to remove off colors. It really is a B&W subject. And cropped bit off the left edge and bottom. The macro feature on this camera is pretty good, but it's difficult to focus on your subject (the staple) and then keep the entire subject in focus as you recompose the shot with the focus locked in. I'll be playing around with it some more. Only 358 days to go.

Nikon Coolpix 3100
1/25s f/2.8 at 5.8mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Guest 11-Jan-2004 11:20
Sorry Mark - I never thought of the P&S issue!! My Oly compact (C-5050z) allows shutter priority and manual etc and just assumed! Sorry m8! Know what you mean about the DSLR - they are becoming more affordable but when you have more commitments than enough a DSLR is hardly up the list of priorities! Maybe one day - got to dream ;)) My compact has manual focus but has to be said it's more than useless :((

Nope, you can't leave - it's in the small print .... Jeanne never forwarded you a set of the 'rules'?? ;) This project is great for making you actually pick up the camera and also ensures I personally don't think about work 24/7?
brother_mark11-Jan-2004 03:11
And thanks Stephen for disagreeing with John. Sometimes this stuff is just a matter of personal taste.
brother_mark11-Jan-2004 03:10
Thanks John. I don't mind the suggestions. While there's nothing I can do about it (f-stops are out of my control on this P&S), others might benefit. If I had a DSLR I would have focused on the staple manually, composed as I wanted and then checked my DOF, possibly moving the stapler to get the effect of a sharp staple and a blurry stapler. Then I'd need a serious macro lens, too! Maybe someday.

Never leave?!?! We'll see how it goes. It does keep me focused on photography and actually doing something rather than reading about it.
Guest 10-Jan-2004 19:13
I think the DOF is great. Creates more visual interest. Well executed.
Guest 10-Jan-2004 14:13
Sorry forgot to add ... only 358 days to go???? Please be aware that once you join you can never leave ;)
Guest 10-Jan-2004 14:11
Nice idea Mark and do like it ... but, looking at the EXIF then maybe closing the lens down to a smaller aperture f6 or so as then the staple would have been totally sharp maybe?? Hope you don't mind me commenting (like I'm an expert already *LOL*) and just a thought? Overall I like the idea and is something totally different. Well done - thumbs up fom me :))
brother_mark09-Jan-2004 16:46
Ruth, I pointed the camera at the staple to focus and then locked the focus on the staple. Next I tilted the camera to include the stapler. When I did that I changed the distance slightly between the close edge of the staple and the far edge, rendering the near edge out of focus. I did it seven times and this was the best focus I could get. When your sister is ready she ought to join PAD.
Ruth 09-Jan-2004 16:31
I like this shot, but I'm curious why the first fold in the staple is a little fuzzy. You said it was hard to focus on the staple, so maybe that's it, or maybe it was intentional? Also, my sister is really enjoying her Coolpix 2100, so thanks, again, for that recommendation.
brother_mark09-Jan-2004 16:08
Thank you all for the positive comments and tips. I liked the grain and tried increasing it in PS Elements, but couldn't fine tune it. It was quickly too much.
Guest 09-Jan-2004 07:34
Interesting picture. A smaler apature and a longer exposure is the only way to increase the DOF. I think the short DOF adds to this image though as does the B&W.

Rob
Guest 09-Jan-2004 05:41
Wow, That's one fine macro! Are you having fun yet??? Whoever thought a staple could generate compliments!!!
Guest 09-Jan-2004 04:45
What a great idea. Nice setup!
Guest 09-Jan-2004 04:39
Key-RIPES, does that thing have a macro feature!! LOL My old Minolta didn't have a prayer when it came to this kind of close up. Fine work, here, Mark. When the thumbnail opened up and I saw the shot full-screen, I had to quickly scroll down to see if you actually shot this with the same camera - or if you were playing around with a DSLR and a macro lens! =:)

Nits to pick? I really don't have any. :> The DOF is reasonable for the subject, the composition is interesting, the perspective is great, and the B&W choice is terrific - almost "expected." I'm a bit surprised by the amount of grain (well, in digital photography, it's really "noise"), given the fact that it was shot at ISO 100. The 1/25th sec exposure contributed a little - but it's surprising, nonetheless. Not that any of this blabber means anything, because I like it! I think it adds a fitting quality to the image. Well done, Mark - this was a great little experiment!