Macro and Flora IOTW 12/11/08 Paul Wolf

[Alfred Forns]

Congratulations Paul Wolf
Texas Tarantula - Ext. Depth of field

I created this image by combining seven images shot a different focal points. I used PS CS4 Auto-align and Auto-blend layers commands to combine the images. I then spent hours and hours cleaning it up especially where the software seemed to have trouble with the displacements due to different focusing points. All in all, it worked very well, but still required lots of clean-up. I painted hairs, blurred, cloned, drew missing pieces, burned, dodged. Lots of work, as I say.

Finally, I applied some medium sharpening with FocalBlade.

This shot was taken in Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas, on a November morning.

Canon 1D Mk III
Canon 100mm, f/2.8 macro
f/11, 1/6th sec., ISO 200
Canon 580EX flash with white Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce

Comments and criticisms very welcome, as always.
Paul

[Gus Cobos]

Congratulations Paul...:cool:

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Congratulations, Paul!

[Grace Scalzo]

I'm impressed with this image and with what you did to create it. Congrats !

[Aidan Briggs]

Congratulations, Paul!!

[Paul Wolf]

Thanks, everyone, and a big thank you for selecting this image. Given how long I've been waiting just to see one of these in the wild plus the ability to shoot it, this is just icing on the cake.

Thanks, again.
Paul