271: Jellies

Settings: f/8 (approx), 1/180, ISO 100, 58mm Helios-44-2 M42, 43mm extension, 1/4 flash, foil reflector, tripod.

221: Brown Sugar Crystals

I thought the coarse sugar crystals looked nice on this fruit cake. Then I took this, and they look even more interesting now.
I took the photo just before I had to go out for the evening, but noticed a tiny red fibre on the image once I had copied it over. I intended to re-shoot it when I got back, but when I returned, the cake was cut up and mostly in the freezer...
Cue a lengthy clone stamp session, but it's gone now.

Settings: f/5.6, 1/180, ISO 100, 50m Pentacon M42, 33mm extension, 1/4 flash, white cards, tripod. Some cropping.

031: Frost Crystals

f/5.6, 1/40 sec. ISO 100, 50mm M42, 51mm extension.
This ice had formed on a dowel which protrudes slightly above the surface of a garden table. It was icier before I went indoors to get my camera and set up the lens, and I caught this not long before it disappeared in the morning sunlight. I could see it melting as I composed the shot, so I had to work quickly.
I have made myself a small bean bag for the very purpose of resting a camera on for difficult hand-supported shots, but this time I didn't have it with me so my wooly hat had to suffice. It was only just chunky enough when folded a couple of times and the camera needed more than a little hand support so I turned on shake reduction. I presume it did some good at 1/40 sec. as the image is just about acceptably sharp. I could have done with a tripod and a bit less direct sunlight. Turning up to ISO 200 wouldn't have hurt, either.

004: Frosty Leaves

Frost fascinates me endlessly. It's a winter sprinkling of icing on the cake of the Earth. Not always welcome to some, but to me an opportunity to notice how so many forms (natural and atrificial) we normally pass by are transformed into objects of curiosity and awe. Ther earlier you go out to see it the better, but the approaching sun is also welcome for the light it contributes on the otherwise shadowy winter scenes.
In exchange for being freezing cold, we get in return a beautiful layer of ice encrusting every exposed surface. A lawn, once springy and green, is now a blueish crunchy mass that remembers our footfalls. A leaf becomes a microscopic crystal garden. A spider's web turns rigid as though it were glass.
This laurel leaf takes on a texture utterly unlike its normal smooth, waxy surface.
Gradually the sun will wipe across, highlighting the ice and enhancing its brilliance, its heat slowly erasing the frozen display like an invisible etch-a-sketch.

I thought it would be a good idea to link to this video, as it seems appropriate to what I just mentioned about ice melting. Though this is faster and rather disco-like. I like the visuals and music very much. Have a watch with a good pair of headphones.

According to the weather forecasts, a generous helping of snow is expected tonight and tomorrow.
I must remember to dial in at least +1EV so my results don't turn out grey.