raystofberg

Thx!

Yes, that is a possibility. This is a scan of the complete negative I took about 12 years ago. Actually this image will be published in a magazine next month. Because it will cover 1 A4 page it will probably get almost exactly that crop (3:4 instead of 2:3).

The more modern versions of this macro lens are not substantially better than the one you have used. You might even have tried an older one (55/3.5) which is sharper than the modern versions.

You just raise the bar to an extremely high level when you:

1) Go beyond 1:1 with using extention rings.

2) Don't use a tripod

3) No mirror-up

You might have done better using a longer lens and getting closer to have more pixels covering the reflection. Problem is that the 105 is a lesser lens than the 55/60. You would have ended up with a 70-180 or the 200 (I have no experience with the Sigma/3rd party 150/180 versions which allegedly are very good).

In post processing you could have raised contrast as previously shown and done some local sharpening via, high pass filter on hard light.

I think you will get a much better image if you would crop away a large part on the left. Crop it until it is a square and I believe your image will have a much stronger composition.

I like the blue tones in this image but personally I would warm up her face and hair slightly.

I like it. It is a bit crazy with an unusual perspective. I am not sure why people are rating it that low.

I can relate to the aesthetic part being debatable (where I kind of like the mood that comes from the image) but from an originality point of view it is unusual.

Gorgeous light! Lovely self-portrait. I might be tempted to crop it to a square and cut off the part right behind your elbow. I feel that would give an even stronger image.

All in all, very well done and a result you can be proud of.

I wonder why there always seem to be sour anonymous people that feel the need to issue low ratings on images that totally don't deserve it.

I have been there as well. Did you also find that the Island has a fantastic mythical mysterious athmosphere?

I found it one of the most intrigueing and beautiful travels I ever made.

Lovely image. Thank you for sharing it and bringing back my own memories :)

Great perspective chosen. The post processing gives it a nice worn but warm feeling. Maybe a touch too much burning in the top right corner?

All in all a very compelling images with a very creative POV.

Hi Bettie,

I was much younger and much more ignorant of all the dangers. This was actually taken at the edge of a very active vulcano, the stench was horrible and the trembling was enormous. We could hear the vulcanic bombs hit the earth around us. Later, when we were down again, I heard from my guides that 3 days before a Japanese guy lost his life because he got hit by a vulcanic bomb. I was glad they decided to tell me afterwards :)

This was 2 days after I took the image of the lady. I used the same lens :) I was up there for about 15 minutes. From when the sun was almost down to pitch darkness. I managed to get about 10 long exposure shots before we had to get down because the activity was picking up and the smell of sulphure was becoming dangerous.

I will never forget that experience!

Very nice image.

Bettie,

No worries, the lens lasted for the trip. It fell apart a few weeks later. It wasn't one of the most expensive lenses anyway (AF 28-105/3.5-4.5). Nowadays I use weathersealed lenses but frankly I have never again tried it under these circumstances.

Armando & Vicente,

Thx! Sometimes you need to have a bit of luck to stumble upon a compelling image I guess :)

Andrew,

Thanks for your comment!