Posted by mark on Jan 13 2016 in Snow Crystal Photography, Snowflake Photography
Posted by mark on Jan 10 2016 in Snow Crystal Photography, Snowflake Photography
Posted by mark on Jan 08 2016 in Midwestern Landscapes
![The Not So Distant LIght The Not So Distant Light](https://www.markcassino.com/b2evolution/media/blogs/calarti/2016/16-01-08/.evocache/16-00310_tu4.jpg/fit-1280x720.jpg?mtime=1452275441)
A little pull-over in the Allegan Forest. There is a small parking area carved into the woods, with a gated-off two track leading back to several large fields, one of which has a handful of crumbling foundation slabs from some sort of long gone building complex. Earlier this week on a snowy day a shaft of sunlight emerged, hitting just the road with direct light, while I stood a few yards off in the shadow. Well, thankfully I had an old twin lens reflex camera with me....
Posted by mark on Dec 16 2015 in Minerals
![Agate Detail Agate Detail](https://www.markcassino.com/b2evolution/media/blogs/calarti/2015/15-12-16/.evocache/imgp9551-9605_dp_tm_2_tu2.jpg/fit-1280x720.jpg?mtime=1450303606)
A macro photo of an agate slice:
Approximately 3x lifesized, 56 stacked images. Backlit. There is not much point in focus stacking something relatively flat like this - but moving the focal plane into the semi-transparent rock slice does seem to bring out some details and structures that enhance the image. And stacking also spared me from having to align the stone to the camera's focal plane.
Posted by mark on Dec 14 2015 in Minerals
A 4x lifesized macro of a bismuth Crystal:
![Bismuth Crystal Bismuth Crystal](https://www.markcassino.com/b2evolution/media/blogs/calarti/2015/15-12-14/.evocache/imgp9271-9340_dmap_tm1_tu3_hp.jpg/fit-1280x720.jpg?mtime=1450132566)
This portion of the crsytal was in a recessed "stair step" structure, which was very difficult to light. I wound up abondoning the use of flash and instead shot with ambient lighting. This resulted in a very long shutter speed of about 1/2 second for each image. Made with a Pentax K01 and reverse mounted SMC K 24 f3.5. 70 stacked images.
Posted by mark on Dec 11 2015 in Extreme Macro
Posted by mark on Dec 10 2015 in Announcements, Insect Photography
Posted by mark on Dec 09 2015 in Announcements, Exhibits
![Booth at Signature Gallery 2015 Signature Artist Gallery 2015](https://www.markcassino.com/b2evolution/media/blogs/calarti/2015/15-12-09/.evocache/20151207_162843.jpg/fit-1280x720.jpg?mtime=1449716020)
The 2015 Signature Artist Gallery is open and underway for our 36th season! Here's a snapshot of my corner of the gallery this year:
![Creatures Book Cover Signature Artist Gallery 2015](https://www.markcassino.com/b2evolution/media/blogs/calarti/2015/15-12-09/.evocache/creatures.jpg/fit-1280x720.jpg?mtime=1449716020)
I'm also featuring a photobook of extreme macro photos - Creatures! As always the gallery features multiple forms of fine art -watercolors, pastels, jewelery, pottery, metal, turned wood, archetectual ornaments, fiber, and furniture. There are even a few swords and drinking horns. This years gallery is again located at 4602 West Main Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006. For more about the gallery visit our website - signature-artist.com