Onion Rings

[Mike Buckley]

I like to photograph food displayed in a context that we normally don't experience or at least don't notice.

This is the first time I've used both my newly acquired Tamron 90mm macro lens and my brand new Edelkrone FlexTilt Head 2. The new tripod head made it much easier to compose the image than adjusting the tripod column and a ball head. The magnification ratio is 1:3, which means the sensor is one-third the size of the physical scene.

Please click the image to display the detail at a larger size.


Setup
The background is black velvet. A medium continuous-light lamp shining from behind and the left is at about a 30-degree angle to the onion.

[Manfred M]

Great image Mike. The texture and structure that come out in this image is excellent. Nicely done and I'm glad the new tools are working out so well.

[madcrow]

If no one told me I would have said lace. The sharpness and the details you got with your new setup brilliant. Mike, I am not forgetting your high levels of skills to execute this image.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[RandyRFJP]

I never would have guessed it was a slice of onion. It's an all-around great photo, Mike.

[Rita]

Nice one Mike. Incredible detail, who would have thought that an onion would look like it had tiny air bubbles in it.

[AndrewMcD]

Having recently acquired a 100mm macro lens I will enjoy following what you do as your explanations of setup and technique are second to none. Fascinating image!

[rpcrowe]

Wow! I can smell the onion!

[John 2]

That's a well made image Mike. I wouldn't have identified it as an onion ring though. As you say, we get used to seeing things in a particular context. Glad you're pleased with Tamron.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, everyone!

Wow! I can smell the onion!

I planned on leaving the onion hanging at least overnight in the same position I photographed it. That's because the photographic characteristics of food can change in the most interesting and beautiful ways when it's removed from a refrigerator. That plan came to an abrupt end just a few hours later when I walked into my makeshift studio and realized that it reeked of onion. Just those three rings made the room smell. Yes, the room is very small, but due to external conditions it's also only 50 degrees Fahrenheit right now (10 degrees Celsius).

[NorthernFocus]

Nicely done, Mike. I've been anticipating what we'd see once you got going with your new equipment. So far so good.

However.... you didn't mention how you sliced the onion and how thick the slice is.

[Mike Buckley]

you didn't mention how you sliced the onion and how thick the slice is.

I sliced it as thin and as evenly as I could using a recently sharpened kitchen knife and no other apparatus. About 1/16 inch thick (1.5 mm).

[Tony M]

What a great idea. I might try something similar, but with a thin slice of Iberian ham; its rich red colour should look really good in a photo. I have a leg of it so there will be no shortage of material.

Tony

[Wavelength]

Excellent presentation !!!

[george013]

It took me some time to recognize an onion in it, but now I do. I never observed them that close.

I like to photograph food displayed in a context that we normally don't experience or at least don't notice.

This is the first time I've used both my newly acquired Tamron 90mm macro lens and my brand new Edelkrone FlexTilt Head 2. The new tripod head made it much easier to compose the image than adjusting the tripod column and a ball head. The magnification ratio is 1:3, which means the sensor is one-third the size of the physical scene.

Please click the image to display the detail at a larger size.


Setup
The background is black velvet. A medium continuous-light lamp shining from behind and the left is at about a 30-degree angle to the onion.

I did some search for the Edelkrone Flex Tilt Head. It looks like a construction where the resistance in the hinges carries the weight, max. 2.5kg. That means you always have to use a power of over 2.5kg to change position. With camera downwards minus the weight of the camera, upwards plus the weight of the camera.
It doesn't mention in which position that load is mentioned for.

I also read, and looking at the construction I believe it, it's meant for mirrorless camera's. It doesn't look that stable to prevent blur due to mirror slam.

How are the 1:1 pictures?

George

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to Tony, Nandakumar and George!

Tony: I look forward to your slice of ham!

George: For my ongoing evaluation of the Edelkrone FlexTilt Head 2, see this thread beginning at post #25.

[LePetomane]

This thread is making me hungry. Cool photo.

[Mike Buckley]

This thread is making me hungry.

Blame that on Tony's ham. It's more appealing on its own than a lousy onion.

[Dave A]

Well done image Mike. With temps here at -20 C indoor macro photography sounds good to me.

Dave

[ST1]

Once again Mike has created a fine image from something most people wouldn't contemplate photographing. The texture around the lower edge of the ring reminds me of moon craters IYSWIM.
Well captured and documented Mike.