I don't usually do unrealistic manipulation to my images, so I'm not too sure whether I like this or not!
This was photographed using the Canon 50mm f/1.8 with an extension tube (I still don't have a proper macro lens). The phosphorescent numbers and hands on the face were charged with an LED torch, and the watch was then photographed in a dark room with a bounced flash to illuminate the face and outer edge.
I'm a British software developer and amateur photographer living in Vancouver, BC. I mainly photograph landscapes, cityscapes, night scenes,... learn more
@cvanheel If you have a supported version of Photoshop and can install the plugin (it was a bit fiddly) then after that it's pretty easy. Gavin's video shows how to prepare a suitable photo and how to adjust the effect:
As with most things photography-wise, the higher the quality of your source image, the higher the quality of the finished work.
There is a tutorial here that uses GIMP (a freely downloadable image editing package) with Mathmap (a free plugin) that should allow for a very similar effect. I've not attempted this myself, but it might be worth a try if you don't have a suitable version of Photoshop (@humphreyhippo)
@cliffmarksjr Extension tubes are a really simple and cheap way to turn any lens into a macro lens.
As you're probably aware, each lens can focus a range of distances -- typically from infinity to relatively close up. You'll have noticed that if you try and focus on something too close, the lens can't do it. A macro lens is designed with additional focus range which allows it to focus on objects much closer to the camera than a conventional lens can.
Extension tubes are hollow tubes that move the lens further away from the camera, while still keeping it firmly mounted (and usually, electrically connected). To understand exactly how they work, you have to visualise the image path, but the simple version is that they shift the range of focus of your lens. Put an extension tube between a normal lens and your camera, and you will lose the ability to focus to infinity, but gain the ability to focus close up.
Typically extension tubes come in a set of three, of varying depths. Each will adjust the minimum focus point, and apparent magnification, of the lens. Choosing the right one is somewhat trial and error -- it will depend on the size of the object you want to photograph as to how close you want the camera, and therefore what tube will work best.
The great thing about extension tubes is that they are just a hollow tube, and not an optical device -- as they are completely hollow, you can happily buy cheap tubes from China, safe in the knowledge that the air inside them will be just as good as the air inside the expensive Canon version ;)
You can find extension tubes on eBay for as little as $10 (search for 'canon extension tubes'), but I'd recommend getting ones with the electrical link, otherwise you will no longer be able to easily set the lens aperture. These typically cost around $50 for the set, although you may be able to find them for a bit less.
Obviously, they will not produce as good an image quality as a decent macro lens, but equally, they cost about 1/20th the price of a decent macro lens! They also work best when manually focusing the lens (although again this is true for proper macro lenses, but slightly less so). However, when combined with a decent-quality prime lens, even like the cheap 50mm f/1.8, the results can be remarkably good.
@abirkill Oooo thanks for that. I did try investigating the GIMP option, but I don't think I found that link. I'm not sure if PSE/GIMP will play well together. Might have to get IT Support to put it on my virtual image. ;)
This is so great!!
http://www.gavtrain.com/?p=899
As with most things photography-wise, the higher the quality of your source image, the higher the quality of the finished work.
There is a tutorial here that uses GIMP (a freely downloadable image editing package) with Mathmap (a free plugin) that should allow for a very similar effect. I've not attempted this myself, but it might be worth a try if you don't have a suitable version of Photoshop (@humphreyhippo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25McdBTxjK8
As you're probably aware, each lens can focus a range of distances -- typically from infinity to relatively close up. You'll have noticed that if you try and focus on something too close, the lens can't do it. A macro lens is designed with additional focus range which allows it to focus on objects much closer to the camera than a conventional lens can.
Extension tubes are hollow tubes that move the lens further away from the camera, while still keeping it firmly mounted (and usually, electrically connected). To understand exactly how they work, you have to visualise the image path, but the simple version is that they shift the range of focus of your lens. Put an extension tube between a normal lens and your camera, and you will lose the ability to focus to infinity, but gain the ability to focus close up.
Typically extension tubes come in a set of three, of varying depths. Each will adjust the minimum focus point, and apparent magnification, of the lens. Choosing the right one is somewhat trial and error -- it will depend on the size of the object you want to photograph as to how close you want the camera, and therefore what tube will work best.
The great thing about extension tubes is that they are just a hollow tube, and not an optical device -- as they are completely hollow, you can happily buy cheap tubes from China, safe in the knowledge that the air inside them will be just as good as the air inside the expensive Canon version ;)
You can find extension tubes on eBay for as little as $10 (search for 'canon extension tubes'), but I'd recommend getting ones with the electrical link, otherwise you will no longer be able to easily set the lens aperture. These typically cost around $50 for the set, although you may be able to find them for a bit less.
Obviously, they will not produce as good an image quality as a decent macro lens, but equally, they cost about 1/20th the price of a decent macro lens! They also work best when manually focusing the lens (although again this is true for proper macro lenses, but slightly less so). However, when combined with a decent-quality prime lens, even like the cheap 50mm f/1.8, the results can be remarkably good.