Alison's Macro Miniature Fun Photoblog
Take a closer look into my macro photography with plastic figures.
I was inspired by a few photographers who produced macro images with little people and thought I would try a few different ideas myself. So I ordered my little plastic people and waited with excitement for their postal express delivery and then it was down to work with the Fuji HS10 camera and the Raynox 250.
‘Eggscavation’ came to me as I was having an egg for breakfast. I have taken some fun egg photos before but this was different working with such a tiny 2cm approx scale of figure. The lighting was an angle poise pointed at very close range onto the egg and black boards for the base and background.
‘Celery cyclist’ happened to come about as I bought celery for a change and I thought the groove would look good with the cyclist travelling down at an angle. He kept dropping off the celery stick and to get the angle and perspective just right was difficult funnily enough.
‘Foreman Blowing a Fuse’ I hit upon this idea as a plug had blown just before we had gone on holiday recently and the fuse packet was lying around. When I found out a Foreman was part of the little people in the construction packet...well this idea was born. Again under angle poise lighting with white shiny postcards for the display material which shone enough to give reflections.
‘Electric Plug’.. After the Foreman had blown his fuse it was time to take one of him on a plug. Thought he looked good on an upside down plug to show the size and contrast in the macro shot by angle poise light again.
‘Rock Drilling’ .... I thought the little stone rock we had as a gift from Tunisia suited the image to give interest on this composition. It was difficult to focus on both figures at the same time and keep the rock in focus too. This was the best of a few taken. The macro shots show up the painting on the figures or the lack of it at times and got me thinking I bet someone has had to hand paint the figures perhaps.
‘Chocolate Bits’ ...These little riders seem to be having fun so I found a little Spanish house I brought back from holidays years ago and thought chocolate bits looked fun to macro for the stony road effect. Besides, it wouldn’t have worked as well with coloured decoration sprinkles. Follow these cyclists throughout the mini blog as they appear in different images on their journey. I took this one outside in the glorious sunshine to give it a holiday sunny look with the lighting.
‘Thyme for a break’ ...It seemed natural to add a bit of spice to the blog and give an apt title. These figures I chose out of the plastic packet and placed them together as though they were deep in conversation. I added the dustbin for extra effect and used a rock pot ornament as a background and got in close under the spotlight to capture this.
‘White Sugar’ I created on a white saucer again under the spotlight with black background. This one was a challenge as the lighting was difficult to master. Too much lighting and the sugar got whitewashed blown out and I wanted the macro of the sugar crystals and the shine on them without distortion.
‘Buttercups’...Here’s my cycling couple on their journey past the buttercups. I’d noticed a few buttercups on the lawn and took a little bunch and placed them on a black board display with flecks on for effect. (sounds better than admitting I didn’t dust the velvet board properly first and macro picks every bit of fluff up) I took this in the natural sunlight.
‘Calculator’...One of the working people in the packet happened to be this painter though he had no brush but thought he could do maintenance on the calculator buttons. Taken under the spotlight the colour came out duller but with a slight effect and border for this one it gave it a better interesting edge all round.
‘Rye Crispybread’ .. It was dinnertime while I was taking these photos and I was eating a couple of well known crisp style breads and thought they would make a good backdrop and base to this image for the same two plastic figures which appeared in the ‘Rock Drilling’ image. The bumpy base meant it was hard for them to stand up and anything I applied to make them stick would show up in macro. So it was a case of patience and a steady hand and a good pair of reading glasses.
‘Close Shave’ is one of my favourites. I was inspired by a photographer whose work I came across and thought I would try it. I gave my youngest Son strict instructions he could not shave his stubbly beard off until my little people arrived for me to do the photo shoot. I had deliberately ordered a gardener with mower to take a shot of this kind. His beard was actually longer than I needed it to be really and trying to balance the gardener on his cheek and chin was extremely hard. We did shave a strip as though the mower had cut the ‘lawn’ but this shot came out better due to the angle. The backdrop is a green towel .It was fun to do and the Son went and shaved off his few days growth after the photo shoot.
‘Strawberry Hill’ and it is the end of the journey for the these tiny cyclists. The sun was shining so I took this image outside in the natural light. It is another of my favourites.
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I took quite a few photos and this is the best of the bunch. It was a challenging little fun project to macro that I’ve wanted to do for a little bit. I found it interesting to work with something so small and to come up with creative ideas. Now I can concentrate on compiling my Cruise & Stay blog.
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Hope you enjoyed my Macro Miniature Fun Photoblog. Thanks for viewing. Alison.
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intresting and very amusing use of figures like the lawn mower one best
great blog
my blogs
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/blog/138
Extreme entry
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/compet
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Oh what a fun blog Alison
Loved all your ideas, but I must admit I think you've got too much time on your hands!! LOL Really made me smile 
Thank you
Jacqui xx
Find me on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacquiross/
B&W comp entry http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/
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Funny, funny,funny....and I also appreciate the work that has gone into creating this.
What a great imagination you have Alison. Not forgetting photographic talent.
Well done.
Monty.
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/469385
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Excellent blog and pictures.
Made me laugh!
It's very creative and I've seen a few of these types of pictures around the net but this is the best collection yet.
Well done Alison.
My Blogs. My Articles.
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This is hilarious Alison! Brilliant composition and so well thought out...im still giggling, wonderful!
Certainly a different slant on a photoblog xxx
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36574326@N02/
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/468195
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Fantastic work, Al. You must have the patience of a saint!
This Blog has the "Wow" factor for me and is going straight in my Favourites.
Very, very well done! I love it!
Di.
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Thanks for your lovely comments. Glad you enjoyed it. I thank the photographers for their inspiration to give me the desire to try my creative images. I've posted 'Close Shave' and 'Strawberry Hill' into my gallery as these were my favourites. Amazing how tiny the world looks in macro.
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This is brilliant Alison, I love your inventive artistic bent! It gives excellent food for thought, if only I hadn't given my son's Playpeople to my Grandson ! A fabulous series of adventures.
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/blog/148038/469556 Madeiran flower festival.
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Oh-oh!! Watch out scroller.....you're gonna have 2 more of Alison's pics on there before too long!!! (And quite right, too!).
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What an imagination you have Alison. How you think and put into practise has me baffled!! Ha ha. Well it's something different, imaginative and well thought out.
Good for you Alison. Without leaving the house, you can come up with something like this!!! The mind boggles. Only to be admired though.
Smashin. XXX
Steve
My gallery: http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/gallery/117
My Photoblogs: http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/blog/117
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I will be sending the men in white coats soon, keep smiling.
Ha ha,
Jen xx
Unattended children will be given a shot of espresso and a free puppy!
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/472837
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Ha ha ...LOL... Cheers for the fabulous comments folks. Been itching to try this out for a while and had a bit of fun. Fiddly fun mind you. Now I can get on with doing my cruise holiday photos. They're selected ready, just need to compile the narrative with history. I'll get it done before my next holiday..
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Oh my gosh! This is fantastic.
What a brilliant creation. Very well done and thanks for the huge smile that is now on my ugly fizzog.
Whoever said 'nothing is impossible' never tried to staple water to a tree!
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Smashing blog Alison!!
Dave!!
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/395559
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/gallery/110
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Such a creative and whimsical blog. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Laurie
http://www.capturethisphotography.com/
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/user/capture-photography
http://adventureswitharty.blogspot.com/
"Holding a grudge is like drinking poison hoping the other person will die." Unknown
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Absolutely loved this Alison. What a fantastic idea for a blog. No doubt one of my favourites. Very well thought out and captured. My favourite is 'Close Shave'.....brilliant!
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/467757
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Alison I have really enjoyed looking at these. They have certainly made me smile, and I cannot pick a favourite they are all so good. What fabulous imagination and patience you have.
Just brilliant, I really love this, I hope lots of people look at this very clever blog and appreciate the time and effort that has gone into it.
Well done. Pam xxx
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You have put the tiny figures into some super situations, and so very well. Great work, great fun!
Paul.B.
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/gallery/27962 http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/59586 If you see somebody without a smile... Give them one of yours.
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If they make you take pictures like these "keep taking the tablets" LOL loved the blog Alison
"Any Comments From Me Are My Opinion, And Are Not Slurs On The Individual"
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Alison, sorry but I have to say this you are absolutely stark raving mad!!!!
This is just brilliant, I love it. Besides the superbly focused images, not easy at this size you must have a fantastic imagination, looking at everyday food etc and coming up with all these amazing ideas.
You have to be congratulated for all the hard work that went into this, not just the thought that has gone into every 'scene' but the effort of lighting and arranging and angles and focusing, just brilliant.
Well done you and thank you for the entertainment too.
Viv
photogirl
Motion
http://flickriver.com/photos/16842918@N04/
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Good Morning Fuji folk. Thanks again for the wonderful comments. So happy I made you all smile. Have a great day.
Close Shave in my gallery http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/gallery/77182/292333
Strawberry Hill in my gallery http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/gallery/77182/292332
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I think you're in need of another holiday! You've got far too much time on your hands.!
What a wonderful, imaginative blog...well done. Very amusing and very well executed.
Brilliant.
Jim
May Competition Entry: http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/467714
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Thanks Jim. LOL...Yes indeed I am so tired from my recent travels that we are looking forward to Zante, Greece in a few weeks where we will just chill in the sun
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Hi Alison,
Luv it
Alster
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Fantastic blog Alison!! - very cleverly done and great fun!!
GALLERY
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Wow very creative and inventive blog, not only well thought out but to also think about the lawnmower idea previous to ordering it, was brilliant
Well done
Eddie
My Gallery http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/gallery/339968
My Comp http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/3140
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Superb, love it, well done
Dave
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/gallery/265388
Upload to IHC Challenges Tutorial
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Brilliant! Really creative, well done.
Liz
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/469565
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/blog/309/265693
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A fantastic idea Alison. Very amusing and a joy to look at and read. Thanks for sharing this.
March Competition Entry "Circular" - www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/446999
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What a great fun blog Alison. I love experimenting with macro shots. Saw a lawnmower tattoo on a bald blokes head a couple of weeks ago. Wish I'd had me camera.
Dave.
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/477149
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/gallery/545
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What fun thanks for sharing it, brightens a dull day! You certainly must have lots of patience to do this.
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/479198 (motion)
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Great fun. I really enjoyed looking at this. I'm sure you loved putting it together.
D Belfast
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Brilliant, Alison. Such clever inventive fun. Well done and thanks for the smiles.
Best regards, Steve
www.myfinepix.co.uk/gallery/252
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/blog/252
latestcomp:
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I think these are brilliant! And I'm quite relieved to find ther's someone nuttier than me (Welsh Jen aside) on this site. You must have had such fun. Brilliant.
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/gallery/339
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What an imaginative blog. Well done
Just wondering what your little men are doing now????????
Chris xx
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/gallery/283490
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/470279
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LOL Chris...they are sleeping in their little plastic box after all their hard work. Much like I've been doing today. Energetic work macro shooting.. Thanks for your lovely comments.
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Hi Alison, You were right I did enjoy this blog very much, I like the 2nd one down. Thanks for your comment on my comp entry.
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/gallery/217604
Photography, one of the few jobs where you are allowed to "shoot" people and cut their heads off.
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Hi Alison. love this set. Some very creative thinking on your part.
and you have got some good depth with the raynox.
certainly adds interest and fun to everyday objects.
great stuff
web http://www.wix.com/waterdropphotos/tabletop
http://www.flickr.com/photos/by_davidi/
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What a brilliant, imaginative, unique fun blog Alison, you must have the skills and the imagination of a film director with the pre-planning and the thoughts that has gone into the preparation of this blog, I did like the comparison of the foreman with the 13A plug pin.....
very well executed Alison... it certainly made me smile,
Colin
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/blog/791
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/468724
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has some been on the happy pills lol great blog
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Top marks, Alison. Brilliant idea carried out perfectly. Hilarious. Thank you for cheering me up.
Best wishes, Mike
My gallery: www.myfinepix.co.uk/gallery/326697
See me on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_butcher/
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This is fantastic, I thought I was barmy with some of my Barbie shots, but you really have planned this well and created a great fun blog, that is technically excellent in all details. Well done on your patience, and originality.
Love the celery cyclist and the sugar ones.
Marion
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A silly, highly inventive and highly amusing blog. Great photos. Keeps making me smile - thank you.
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Hi Alison,
Brilliant, inventive, creative, colourful....oh, just soooo much fun. I loved it. I wasn't sure what to expect but what an absolute refreshing change.
I'm still chuckling now - hope you had as much fun as I did
A joy, well done, Alison
Give a stranger one of your smiles, it might be the only sunshine he see's all day.
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Posted comment on forum thread as I'm having great difficulty making one stick here
comp entry http://myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/467715
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My favourite is the second-last. It's great to see that you can still control your sons even when they are old enough to grow a beard
The result looks really fine to me 
So thanx to both of you for the joint effort..
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Phil Turner posted this comment in the Uk Chat forum forum and I have copied and pasted to here.
Hi Alison...........I've had three goes at posting a comment to your blog but each time I hit save it disappears.
Wonderful fun piece and very impressed with the uncanny accuracy of viewpoint and perspective to make the characters look real. Particularly like the cyclist shots especially the Spanish villa and chocolate bit street. (I'm sure that I have visited this place.............)
Great work and I look forward to your cruise one. I'm now going back to register a like and hope that sticks
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Thanks everyone for your great comments.
I've copied and pasted your kind comment Phil (Turner) from the UK forum, hope you don't mind. Thanks for the compliment. I have been working on the Cruise photos today. I think I have quite a few photos to submit into the photoblog to do the Cruise & Stay holiday the justice it deserves. Hope to post by the weekend.
Thanks Uwe. (fotost) My youngest Son is 25 and was happy to oblige in the photo shoot. My eldest Son is 27 and a Film Director and was busy on location. Hubby hasn't a beard and hates growing stubble. Ha ha and yes I have them all under control. LOL..
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Hi Alison. I'm glad you did because I had all kinds of problems earlier today but at least the "like" button worked
comp entry http://myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/467715
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Absolutely loved it Alison - brilliant. Celia
Please visit my photoblogs - comments welcome, Hurtigruten is my favourite!
http://www.myfinepix.pl/pl/blog/celiamaughan