Into the Limelight 'El primero'

Here is one of the first pictures taken with my new Canon Ef 100mm f2.8 macro (an In Focus feature will be come when I've had more time to evaluate this lens)
I bought this macro as a complement to my excellent, yet very special and hard to master MP-E 65mm 1-5x macro. With the new macro a can now cover the range from 1x macro and up.

The picture was taken from beneath the plant (a dracaena of some sort) up against the blue sky using natural lighting. In the RAW converter I then tweaked the picture so that it would only consist of these specific shades of green, removing the blue sky and bringing out the details in the center of the leaves.
The balance between the light green and the shadow parts, both in respect to each other and how their contrast work together, was important, I did not want the image to become heavy. It should have a clean sense of movement and at the same time being static and the beautiful patterns of it's whole as well as in the tiny details.
Changing the blue sky into green would have been easily accomplished in Photoshop, but it was an interesting exercise in using color temperature, ting, saturation, hue and some color balance to get the results I sought without the need to exit RawShooter premium.

Picture data: f2.8, 1/2000 sec, ISO 100

Exordium

Or prologue or introduction. No matter what you wish to call it, you are most welcome!

I'm glad that you have taken the time to read through these pages. My goal is to write about subjects that somehow indirectly might effect a course of action which in the end produces a number of pixels, in one medium or other, that creates an emotional response to someone viewing them.
In simpler and less confusing words; I hope to contribute with knowledge and experience in such a way that you might easier or better create something for others to enjoy!
Still confused? Well, just make sure to bookmark this page, visit periodically, read, laugh, ponder, look at the pictures, write some comments, and then when you least expect it, things will clear up!*

* Warning! Continuous exposure to this site might change things in your life. Some people might notice that they start looking better, smile more often, rise up from their seat on the buss just to let an old lady rest her legs, feel smarter (without alcohol) and in very rare cases start following white rabbits.

Into the limelight
Once in a while I will be posting Limelights, these will be sort of a 'picture of the month/week' without the restriction of being bound by a certain time interval.
A little about why I chose the word Limelight...
From dictionary.com I found the following definition of Limelight:

1. A focus of public attention.
2. 1. An early type of stage light in which lime was heated to incandescence producing brilliant illumination.
   2. The brilliant white light so produced. Also called calcium light.

My own 3rd 'definition' which complements the above two is more photo oriented:

3. A specific range of hues which one would call lime colored

I'm guessing the exact format of these will take shape as more of them are being done and also from feedback from you readers.

In focus
When you stumble open the title 'In focus' you will from now on know that it is a review you are reading. Reviews will be written about different tools or things that might come handy for you who wishes to improve on your productivity or creativity, whether you do photography, design or graphical artistry. Some things might be more aimed at the professionals and advanced amateurs while others to anyone who just enjoy being visually creative.

Reflections
Yes, the word play was chosen on purpose. Again from looking at how the word Reflection is defined on the site dictionary.com:

1. The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.
2. Something, such as light, radiant heat, sound, or an image, that is reflected.
3. 1. Mental concentration; careful consideration.
   2. A thought or an opinion resulting from such consideration.
4. An indirect expression of censure or discredit: a reflection on his integrity.
5. A manifestation or result: Her achievements are a reflection of her courage.
6. Anatomy.
   1. The folding of a membrane from the wall of a cavity over an organ and back to the wall.
   2. The folds so made.

My idea is to try using the word as it is explained in number 3 (in bold above). Hopefully these thoughts will get you to take a pause and reflect upon the same subject, maybe even reflect back your views to me.

I hope you will enjoy and find plenty of interesting things to read in these pages, you are more than welcome to send me feedback, questions or ideas!

Your sincerely,
Roberto Chaves