While looking through http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml I read how hard it is to get your photos accepted on the site. If they are rejected, they give you pointers on how to improve your photography. As I am no photographer and only have a cheap Olympus C-310Z (3.2MP) camera, I thought this might be a way of getting an independent critique on some of my photos. So I went ahead and submitted a few to see what they got rejected on. The photos were taken with my Olympus and home-made macro lens, that was made from old binocular lenses.
Well they have only been accepted, haven't they :eek: :eek: I'm feeling really proud of myself and have decided to submit a few more and see what happens.
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/chrishoggy

Way to go Chris :happy: nice photo's like the dragon fly best,

Palms

P.s. i love my cheap olympus

Well done, Chris...

I love my cheap Minolta digital pocket camera. It goes places my Nikon DSLR will never see! :lmao:

Photoshop is a great help when it come to my photos. Some only need a little adjustment, where others need quite a lot :dizzy:
As an example, here is the original untouched dragonfly shot. It was taken inside our tent while camping on the UK south coast.

Well, I think I've found out that my photos are better than I thought they were. I've read many topics on their forum about the amount of photos that are rejected. But out of the 19 I've uploaded, 18 have been accepted :eek: :eek:
http://www.sxc.hu/gallery/chrishoggy
I will just sit here a little longer with this big grin on my face, as I'm feeling really pleased with myself now :grin: :grin: :grin:

I will just sit here a little longer with this big grin on my face, as I'm feeling really pleased with myself now hehehe, best feeling in the world, isnt it :)

well done, chris!

craig

It sure is :D
It's even better when you get 9 and 10 point ratings for photos taken with a cheap camera and DIY lenses :eek:

Out of the 1 photo I've uploaded, ALL have been accepted!
YEEEEHAAAA! :bigthmb:

chris,

you've mentioned the homemade macros a couple times now. how in the world did you make binocular lenses into photo lenses? i want pictures!

craig

It really is very easy. I've created a few lenses now that all fit my camera.

I've taken a few pics of the lens, components and one of the camera with it on. I'll resize them and pop them in here.
I've just checked on stock.xchng and my wasp photo has just made it as top rated image on the site :eek: (view images by rating). Don't know how long it will stay there, but it's made my grin even bigger :lmao:

Yes, I am curious too!

Right these are not very good, as I've just taken them with web cam.
Basic idea is to find a section of plastic tubing that will go over your camera lens. Then just fit the lenses (from binoculars or what ever) in to the tube, but leave about 1/2 inch of extra tube at the back of lenses so it can fit on your camera. Then cover the inside of the tube with felt to stop it scratching your camera when sliding it on and off.

cool, chris, but what's that black, rubber looking thing on the end and the other black ring?

i love innovations like this. take a fixed lens of a non slr and make it more versatile :)

craig

black ring is just a plastic spacer to stop the two lenses touching each other when put in the tube. The rubber covering the whole thing is off the binoculars and the rubber bit on the end is from the eyepeice. I put the bit on the end to stop light hitting the lens from the side when taking photos, plus it protects the lens if it's dropped. I made one that has 3 lenses in, and you really can get close shots.

This is an example, but not a very good one :wink:

Hi Chris.
Congratulations on your accepted pictures.

You are getting good results from a compact and a home made close-up lens

The problem with a lot of compacts is that they have no filter thread to attach extra lenses.
Another way round this is to use a Cokin filterfast kit g350

http://www.cokin.co.uk/pages/filterfast.htm


But of course, you could also make your own. :idea:

Ken.

thanks chris. very cool. and well done on your image being the top image. i took a look. you got some great comments there. also very cool :) makes me want to pull out my old Canon F1 with my macro and reverser!

craig

Well Chris you have now started something As it has been pouring of rain today and at a loose end i thought i would try to be inventive so sorted out a small magnifying glass and my beloved olympus C220 and went in search of critters, now because of the formentioned rain they were all in hiding till i found this snail in my green house ( i wasnt standing in the rain ) now i know these photo's r not the best ( it was a first try ) Theres one with the glass and one without, bit hard to juggle them both but it passed some time away, and am now on the look out for some old lenses ( would a pair of glasses work ? )
:glasses:
Palms

Well done Chris, your photos are great....its always good when you have invented something yourself, it works and you get your photos accepted!!! :bow:

Palms....like the snail....guess who will be having a play tomorrow???? :nod:

Patricia... :grin:

Streuth! Macros of insects scare the @#$% out of me but they are sooo cool!

Well, I think I've found out that my photos are better than I thought they were. I've read many topics on their forum about the amount of photos that are rejected. But out of the 19 I've uploaded, 18 have been accepted :eek: :eek:
http://www.sxc.hu/gallery/chrishoggy
I will just sit here a little longer with this big grin on my face, as I'm feeling really pleased with myself now :grin: :grin: :grin:

Great pictures. I like your "geese portraits".

Pavel