PBase

Thanks to you all for contributing so many fabulous entries! I couldn’t have gotten better examples of macros to motivate me to use my new macro lens, if I’d purchased a copy of Macro for Dummies (not sure there is one)! I’ve been in “contest manager hell” trying to narrow down the field to the winners, having started out with TWENTY-SIX finalists! Each one of those photos could easily have been the winner. You are some wonderful artists… Pbasers!

Struggling to decide the winners, I'm including 8 runners up that I feel must get recognition for their wonderful entries.

Here are the final results, and I’m only sorry I can’t include all 26 finalists!

Noel Saratan

Love the simplicity here, and the incredibly sharp details. Must be viewed in original size to appreciate it properly.

Stuart Clarke

Sharp and great color capture of this pretty snake and surrounding foliage, and a beautiful use of dof, bringing it right out of the photo towards us.

Susanne Schroeder

So many droplets captured to make a beautiful composition, right down to the last little droplet and it's reflection.

Markus Grompe

Fabulous dof and subtle colors in a beautifully composed shot.

Sayer

Wonderful close look at this prehistoric creature... sharp and great tonality in the skin and details in it's pretty eye.

David Pitcher

Beautiful example of an artistic use of macro to create abstract art... as a pedal becomes an ocean wave.

David Kinahan

Just the kind of artistic dof that attracts me to macro work. Beautiful and subtle.

Bud

See this one in it's original size, to enjoy the up close beauty of an ordinary fly. Those are some incredible eyes!

AND NOW... THE WINNERS

THIRD PLACE - GP Merfeld

This capture exemplifies what I like best about artistic use of macro. A wonderfully eye-pleasing composition with a water drop that's tack sharp and a beautiful dof.

SECOND PLACE - Lien Vu

Fell in love with this little critter at first glance. What a face and an amazing capture by Lien.

FIRST PLACE - Jeff Waldorf

Amazing capture, that is tack sharp, right down to it's sweet little toes, beautifully composed with a wonderful bokeh. Jeff has captured one of my favorite animals, that's welfare is so closely linked to our own... perched perfectly on a beautiful seed pod. Must view this wonderful pic in it's original size, to appreciate all the details!

Thanks again for the wonderful entries everyone, and I pass the baton to you, Jeff. Enjoy!
Sandi

Congrats Jeff and to Sandi for choosing a wonderful selection of winners.

Congrat's every one...
:=))

Wonderful work guys!

Congrats to all the finalists!

Thank you, Sandi!
These are all great macros – congrats to everyone! It must have been very difficult for Sandi to choose a winner… I’m honored (and a little surprised) to win!

BTW – The frog is not sitting on a seed pod; he’s sitting on a Bishop Chess piece – hence the title “Checkmate!”

Congrats everyone!

Congrats to everyone, and thanks for the honorable!!!

So many great images in this category!... Congrats to everyone, and a big thank you, Sandi, for including me... :~)

Great selections - all very rich in colour.

Congrats to all !

Dom

Great shots! Congrats to all the winners and HM. Wish I could get a macro lens for my point & shoot! VEry nice work ya'll

What a fabulous challange with some stunning entries.
Congratulations to all of the participants and one big bravo to Jeff Waldorf, the winning photo is certainly a favorite of mine for many, many months.

Congratulations to Jeff! Wonderful shots among all of the final picks; really fun subject matter. Thanks to Sandi for doing such an outstanding job!

Cheers,

Terry

Great work all, and thanks Sandi for being our host!