Cold Stars

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		from barbtrek/Barbara (2,617) on January 31, 2009 5:15:13 PM CST (1) I like the background on this photo. It reminds me of a starry sky and makes a good background for the snowflakes. A pre-chilled dark plate is a great idea! I have photographed snowflakes stuck to the window but had to position myself so that I could find something dark outside to use as a background to create enough contrast to make the snowflakes stand out. Of course the advantage of my technique is that I am taking the photos from inside a warm house! I like your arrangement here too. I only wish there were more snowflakes in the picture because the different shapes are so interesting. Nicely done! Reply  Show ratings  From photomarco/Freddy (9,120) on February 1, 2009 1:58:29 PM CST Ah well, thanks very much. I'm not quite sure I get your method though, because it suggests that snowlakes fall actually against a vertical window and stick there, but I'm sure you know better! I have "more snowflakes" pictures also, but the trouble is that the more you wait, the more they fall one on top of the other, so the image fills, but it also gets messy with staples of flakes that actually ruin the effect. thanks a lot! Reply
		from tomislav/Tomislav (17,348) on January 29, 2009 2:21:24 AM CST (1) Nice pic, alltrough I would personally enhance contrast event more to extract snowflakes from the background; on the tumbnail snowflakes are barely visible. Keep shooting. Reply  Show ratings  From photomarco/Freddy (9,120) on January 29, 2009 4:42:37 AM CST In a sense you're right: contrast is what's more needed in this case. I can only add that I experimented this shot over and over one year ago and found it way more tricky than expected concerning contrast and sharpness. I alreday did something like two sharpening masks and a curves editing for contrast here and did not dare to push further because the dotted BG came out too strong. I will retry this with a better BG, to be able to contrast more - Thanks! Reply
		from ursusarctos/Philippe (2,524) on January 5, 2009 7:46:24 AM CST (2) Hi Freddy, A good idea and a good realization. The details on the snowflakes are really amazing. Congratulations for this beautiful picture. Thanks for sharing. Phil Reply  Show ratings  From photomarco/Freddy (9,120) on January 5, 2009 8:03:13 AM CST ... and thanks for appreciating! Reply
		from karin2007/Karin (19,607) on January 5, 2009 1:06:58 AM CST (3) Hi Freddy! It is lovely how you could arrange those delicate snowflakes without damaging them. The choice of the bg is also a good one (it looks like the sky with stars). Focussing is spot on, all the small and delicate details can be seen so well - a good macro shot indeed. I am just missing more contrast that the snowflakes stand out - I would like to see their glitter - maybe some sunlight (I know thats not always available when needed) would help that the flakes really shine and pop out - Prosit 2009! Karin Reply  Show ratings  From photomarco/Freddy (9,120) on January 5, 2009 1:16:34 AM CST Prost Neujahr! I did many attempts at this and -believe me- it's incredibly difficult. The sharpness is a strange issue when talking about snowflakes. Their crystal white radiance, kind of shines back giving outline refractive halos of light along the edges. The slower the shutter speed, the much you get the effect. And you need a slow speed to compensate for the relatively low light (don't forget it's Schneefall Wetter, so it's overcast). And you need a slow speed also because you have to relatively close the f-stop for a proper DOF, which is always problem number one in macro. But I'll improve the technique anyway - Thanks for your always thoughtful critiques! Reply  From karin2007/Karin (19,607) on January 5, 2009 1:19:03 AM CST I was just thinking maybe using a flashlight (which is not as strong as the cameras flash) to light up the flakes a little bit could be worth trying ... Reply  From photomarco/Freddy (9,120) on January 5, 2009 1:24:09 AM CST That's the only serious possibility indeed. I tried with a reflective surface but was disappointed. A normal external flash which I don't have, and connected from the side would prbably be too strong as you say. The D300 built in frontal flash - well forget it: it would give a white spot area bounce on the metal surface. A simple flashlight as you suggest could work, but should be mounted on tripod or something because if you just hold it, you move the light and cause a shadow/highlight movement on the subject, which results as a blur. Reply
		from bernie2008/Bernie (6,836) on January 4, 2009 5:46:25 PM CST (5) Hi Freddy, your perseverance certainly paid off...This is a super shot, I've never seen this done before. I'm fascinated with the detail you got in the snowflakes, it really is incredible how beautiful and different each one is. I agree with Andrea, it would be even lovlier if you could get the snowflakes to pop a bit more using post-processing. It's easily 2.5 thumbs from me, gorgeous photo. All the best, Bernie Reply  Show ratings  From photomarco/Freddy (9,120) on January 5, 2009 12:57:57 AM CST I did a whole series of course, and some takes include even more flakes. One problem is they often fall 4 or 5 of them clumped together, and of course you can't separate them. But you can very delicately move single snowflakes on the plate using a (cold) toothpick: if it's cold enough they don't stick. I chose these ones probably for the simplicity of the composition. Thanks! Reply
		from lumapluma/Andrea (15,959) on January 4, 2009 4:25:51 PM CST (6) Hi Freddy Real good job and thanks for the explanation on the work you did to obtain this The result is great for a new year card.I suggest to work a little more on cotrast just to have the whitepop outa little more Thanks for sharing Reply  Show ratings  From photomarco/Freddy (9,120) on January 5, 2009 12:55:11 AM CST My trouble with this shot is the relatively dirty BG: that white pointed pattern is disturbing, and working on contrast brings it more out, but you're right in a general way - Thanks! Reply

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