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ReleasesBack to
Horace Silver
The 1957 Horace Silver Quintet (featuring trumpeter Art Farmer and tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley) is in top form on this date, particularly on "My One and Only Love" and their famous version of "Home Cookin'." All of Silver's Blue Note quintet recordings are consistently superb and swinging and, although not essential, this is a very enjoyable set. ~ Scott Yanow


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Brown Announces Takedown of "Merced Gangster Crips"
Merced-- Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that agents from the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement yesterday arrested 15 members of the "notorious and violent" Merced Gangster Crips on charges of conspiracy, drug-trafficking, and weapons sales.
"For too long, the notorious and violent Merced Gangster Crips have terrorized Merced with their extreme violence, street drugs and powerful weaponry," Brown said. "A member of this gang brutally killed Merced police officer Stephan Gray in a spasm of violence five years ago. Today, we strike a blow against this vicious street gang and help reclaim the streets of Merced."
In January, Brown's office initiated a multi-agency investigation into the gang's criminal activity. Posing as a drug dealer, an undercover officer with the San Pablo Police Department was able to gain the confidence of the gang members and was able to obtain nearly a pound of rock cocaine, over 400 ecstasy pills, half a pound of marijuana and three handguns.
The five-month investigation concluded with the Merced County grand jury returning a 31-count indictment against 15 members of the Merced Gangster Crips that charged conspiracy, sale of controlled substances -- primarily rock cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana -- weapons sales, and criminal street gang enhancements.
During the investigation, agents seized 11 1/2 ounces of rock cocaine, seven ounces of marijuana, 448 ecstasy pills, and six loaded handguns.
Today, agents arrested;
• Randy Tyler, 23, of Merced, a suspected leader of the gang,
• Frederick Mays, 21, of Merced also a suspected leader of the gang,
• Lamont Lavell Andres, 35, of Merced;
• Michael Buddy Barret, Jr., 31, of Atwater;
• Eric Devon Beavers, 23, of Merced;
• Antoine Lee Briggs, 27, of Merced;
• Jaray Julius Jaso, 30, of Merced;
• Sudi Dumaka Johnson, 23, of Modesto;
• Jose Ascencio Magana, 24, of Merced
• Patrick McMurray, 22, of Merced
• Lutricia Marie Moore, 23, of Atwater
• Damien Ricardo Perry, 26, of Merced
• Denicio Taylor Ramos, 22, of Merced
• Mckinley Jabree Sims III, 32, of Merced
• Lester Archie Turner, 24, of Merced; and
• Alejandro Joseph Zavala, 28, of Turlock.
In April 2004, Merced Gangster Crips gang member Cuitliachuac (Toa) Rivera killed Merced Police Officer Stephan Gray during a routine traffic stop. Rivera was later convicted of the murder and received a death sentence.
"Having prosecuted the MGC gangster who murdered Merced Police Officer Stephan Gray, I know how dangerous this street gang can be. No one, not even members of law enforcement, is immune. This joint investigation has removed some very ruthless individuals from our streets,' said Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse.
Agencies involved in today's arrests include: the Attorney General's Office Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement Gang Suppression Enforcement Team, the Merced Police Department, Merced Multi-Agency Gang Task Force, Merced Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force, Madera County Narcotics Enforcement Team, Madera Gang Enforcement Team, West Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, and agents from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
A copy of the indictments is attached.

subset: commoncrawl


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Out of Season
Simpson, Louis (Illustrated by Timothy Engelland)
AbeBooks Seller Since May 28, 1998Quantity Available: 1
AbeBooks Seller Since May 28, 1998Quantity Available: 1
About this Item
Bibliographic Details
Title: Out of Season
Publisher: Deerfield Press/ Gallery Press
Publication Date: 1979
Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Very Good+
Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good+
Signed: Signed by Author(s)
Edition: First Edition; First Printing.
Store Description
All prices are firm, NET to all. SORRY, NO DEALER DISCOUNTS via THIRD PARTY SELLERS. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover, checks, or money orders accepted as payment. All prices (INCLUDING SHIPPING) are firm, NET to all. All international purchases MUST be made with credit card or Paypal.
Media Mail shipping $4.50 for first book, 1.50 for each book after 1st. PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING IS MINUMUM OF $6.50. Certain oversize books may be extra. Please allow at least 7 days, possibly up to 30 days for delivery for media mail shipping. Canada shipping starts at $25.00. Other International starts at $35.00 Oversize and heavy books will be higher for Priority Mail and International shipping and we will request extra shipping.
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Criminals in the Britain's capital city are stealing 157 mobile devices every day of the week, an astonishing 79 of which are iPhones, new statistics from London's Metropolitan Police have revealed.
In the six months to September 2012, a total of 56,680 mobiles were stolen from users in the city, 28,800 of which were desirable and easy-to-resell iPhones.
In December, the latest month for which figures have been compiled, crimes involving mobile device theft had reached 9,751 for the month, mostly from young professionals between the ages of 20 and 30, with women the most likely to be targeted by thieves.
The numbers form part of a growing pattern of robbery, including pick-pocketing and snatch crimes during 2012, which reached 17,583 for last December.
To back up their point, the Met released extraordinary CCTV footage of a criminal on a mountain bike stealing a mobile phone (Windows Media Player file) from a pedestrian just south of the Angel Islington tube station before she is aware anything has happened.
According to Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Letchford of the Metropolitan Police, smartphone users were too lax about putting expensive technology on show, an advertisement to become a victim.
"We're trying to make people think differently with this campaign - having your personal possessions on show gives robbers a chance to make easy money," he said.
Seventy percent of stolen items were accounted for by phones alone, especially the coveted iPhones.


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As I see it, Mr. Schryer is exactly "Spot-On" !!
Again, Stereophile hits high marks for Audio Journalism.
I'm further delighted with the leadership of Mr.JA.
Congratulations for your Excellance
Tony in Michigan
Taking pride of place on the cover is the new No.526 preamplifier from the venerable Mark Levinson brand. Designed by a team led by the well-respected Todd Eichenbaum at Harman's new Engineering Center of Excellence and manufactured in the US, the No.526 offers a full array of inputsline, phono, and digitaland excels with all of them. The Levinson is joined in our May issue by reviews of Wilson's Alexx speaker, DACs from the UK's Meridian and Italy's CanEver, and Hegel's CD player, while Kal Rubinson and Herb Reichert write about their auditions of the controversial MQA format in both surround and stereo.
But wait there's more: In "The Tight Lines Project," Art Dudley and John Atkinson report on the making of the first recording to be released on the Stereophile label in six years. Featuring works for chamber ensembles by Sasha Matson and recorded in Hollywood's legendary EastWest Studio, Tight Lines will be available from this website's "Shop" page Monday April 17 on CD, 180gm LP, and hi-rez downloads.
As I see it, Mr. Schryer is exactly "Spot-On" !!
Again, Stereophile hits high marks for Audio Journalism.
I'm further delighted with the leadership of Mr.JA.
Congratulations for your Excellance
Tony in Michigan
Fascinating report !
Yet another positive opinion on the Mytek Brooklyn annnnnnnd MQA.
I'm impressed by your influence with outfits like 2L, Mytek & MQA who seemed "eager" to play along with your "Research" project.
Very well done!
Tony in Michigan
I think it was less my influence than the leverage of Stereophile's readership. Michal Jurewicz of Mytek was a driving force, as well.
It was fun.
I have only one question: How do these $110,000 loudspeakers compare in Value to a Mercedes S Class Convertible which also costs $110,000?
Is it possible that these two products are in some way equivalents?
Pleeeeeeze, get hold of your senses.
I get the feeling that Analog Planet exists in some far-off Galaxy where dinero falls from forest trees like acorns and nonsense is the law of the land.
Presenting products like Alexx seems like giving our Jana and her modest system the middle finger.
Are we stereophiles or are we "cost no object" audiophiles?
Tony in Michigan
I think it's important for Stereophile to cover a wide range of equipment and the editor and staff do a great job of balancing reports/reviews on the practical and the aspirational. It's no different than reading Motor Trend for both Honda Civic tests and the latest Ferrari test. I know what I can afford and have read a equipment review that will then make me save an extra six months to get something that better. As long as Stereophile never becomes like other publications/blogs in only covering exotica, I'm happy.
Used every day for ten years, I dare say the Alexx will be in much better shape than the Mercedes S Class.
Really, it's what's important to you. Some would want both, others would be happy with ear buds and a Camry.
"It is not enough to print a colophon of a reviewer's assorted hi-fi gear in the hope that it will be taken into consideration when readers make their way through a review."
Many new readers miss the context that David spoke of. It's when the newbie writes in to say pricing has gone to high, as they don't understand the context of the near-perfection that expensive component under review grants the listener. It's not an insult to the writers either, the implied context of a veteran audiophile reader dictates the deeper, less pedantic review. But that also alienates the noob reader...
Neophytes do not get the reference point..! They are utterly ignorant to anything over $1000 and what that system level 'sounds' like. It has not been explained as to why these $100,000 components sound 'more' than components under $10,000 or even $1000. What are they to expect at those rarefied levels of sound? I have heard what these systems sound like in person, and they are very close to live, the absolute sound, etc... that only experience can communicate what decades of writing are trying to communicate. I literally have to TRANSLATE to my noob music-loving friends what that sound is really like to them... after they read ANY high-end review!
The experienced reader understands that the components dictate that level of performance (we know the prices already, and have read enough past, high-priced reviews to postulate), but the neophyte does not fathom what or why those components MEAN musically as a system... ie: sonic holography or "Audio VR".
But the neophyte critical listener has to take a leap faith for the writer OR actually listen to $250,000 audio systems at a local dealer (don't me started on their decades-long display of snobbery), go to an audio show or have a rare, well-heeled audio friend, or even perhaps get advice from online, non-professional resources (Yeesh!).
Perhaps the very old introduction in Recommend Components needs to be re-written with education in mind. I know there is no space and no money... and that is why the high-end will die in 20 years like Art predicts!
Add something to RC meaningful to explain our price-related Class divisions, explain our vocabulary again, and educate! If you can't do it in the magazine, create an education area in the WEBSITE!
A response to whom / what / where?
Robert Schryer wrote a great As We See It this month, and I think the letter from David Blumenstein (also in this May issue) both touch on many of the same points of how writers sometimes fail to convey the essence and context of very expensive components under review to many of their casual or neophyte readers.
I get why many ultra-high priced components are around, but there are a lot of readers that don't have the slightest clue and cast aspersions on the industry at large. Perhaps David did a better job of conveying why in his letter.
I suppose that I would have known that had I received my copy but you can see why I saw it as a non-sequitur. As Emily Litella says "Never mind."
Loved Gilda..
Yeah, I didn't want to imply that the writers don't amaze every month! Everyone wrote OUTSTANDING reviews that touched any and all needs to understand the product (without listening). You guys are some of the most communicative writers on the planet. Herb's review was especially impressive, and John's was very educational in a critical-listening sense.
I think there needs to be a sweepstakes for a free tickets / semi-VIP treatment for one of the next big audio shows that Stereophile can partner with in sponsorship... but only for new people to the hobby.
It would be a great way for a few select newbies to understand what the high-end truly offers the open listener, and see this great community of utterly passionate music-lovers! Give away some LP's and digital music and have them expound to your staff on what their feelings were on what they experienced. Do a piece with great, lively pictures of the guests having fun! Education, enlightenment and musical bliss?? Sign me ... err, them up!!
PS- Dare I say it's time for a format / layout change? It's been a quarter century! Go bigger and I also think it's important to have more photos in the magazine, however small that may be, given your very limited space.
and Mr.Blumenstein's Letter. Both are valid conclusions, I feel.
I recently "discovered" my resonance with Herb Reachert's methodology and ideology, I digitally went back to the very beginning of Herb's Stereophile Contributions to learn the history of his methods and system building.
Now, I almost feel like I'm in his bunker with him as he labors to reveal the nature of the devices he's exploring. He's not a reporter or a reviewer, rather he's a Philosopher that happens to be sharing his discoveries. He seems to have that rare talent of using little letters to perform the "Mental Telepathy" phenomenon: an idea forms in his head, he finds words to describe his thought and writes them for us to read. Whereupon, we read his little letters and his mental idea forms a complete picture in our minds. A very rare talent!, the very same thing happens when we read Abe Lincolns Gettysburg Address ( 150 years after he wrote it ). Perhaps the best part of all this ( at least for me ) is that Mr.Reichert's Philosophy is acting as a Compass for my personal search for better Audio performances. I'll commit to saying that Mr.Reichert is Stereophile's North Star. We can navigate using his discoveries.
On the whole, Audio Journalism is simply technical writing for a non-technical readership. Someone gets an 80lb. Amplifier, plunks it between his speakers and reports it's performance with Voices and it's image height, concluding that potential purchasers owe it consideration. Plus a goodly bit of Blah-blah-blah.
Stereophile has been raising the Bar on Audio reporting, lately. I think it's the result of JA's talent hunt. Tyll & Herb come to mind. I mostly focus on the gear I have a personal interest in so, I could and might veer off-course to have a closer look at Mr.Rubinson's work as well as some of the others. ( or might not )
Stereophile came in my Mail today, I brushed off all the other envelopes ( three with substantial Checks ) sat down in the nearest recliner and read AS WE SEE IT. Wow!!! I delayed my other work in progress to continue reading, geez, I'm excited by this issue, Well done Mr.JA.
Tony in Michigan
ps. I have no other of my many publications crafted as well as Stereophile
Herb combines many of the audio disciplines into great understanding.


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|So Sick
|Sexy Love
|Champagne Life [Album Version]
|Miss Independent [Album Version]
|When You're Mad
Sep 2018 • 1 song
Sep 2018 • 1 song
Jun 2018 • 17 songs
Ne-Yo was one of the most successful songwriters and artists of the 2000s. His breakthrough didn't come until late 2004, as the co-songwriter of Mario's "Let Me Love You," a number one Hot 100 hit that Billboard later determined to be the eighth most successful single of the decade. By the close of 2009, however, Ne-Yo had racked up a career's worth of accomplishments. He released three albums, all of which went platinum in the United States. Seven of his singles, as well as fiv... Read more


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Home >> Course Descriptions >> College of Arts and Sciences
Contrastive Linguistics: English-Spanish
Three semester hours.
The course provides the theoretical and methodological tools for the contrastive study of the English and Spanish languages from a synchronic and diachronic perspective.
Home - General Information - Student Services -
Academic Undergraduate Regulations -
Undergraduate Degrees - Academic Graduate Regulations -
Graduate Degrees - Course Descriptions - Faculty -
Appendix A - Appendix B - Appendix C - Appendix D


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46 Years Ago: The Jimi Hendrix Experience's 'Axis: Bold As Love' Album Released
With 'Axis: Bold As Love,' which celebrates the 46th anniversary of its U.K. release today (Dec. 1), Jimi Hendrix and the Experience further explored the outer limits of psychedelic music.
But where 'Are You Experienced' explored those limits via rock and blues, 'Axis: Bold As Love' incorporated sounds from all over the stratosphere: jazz, lounge, pop, R&B, outer space. It's Hendrix's most complex album and the middle chapter of his essential trilogy of LPs.
After the success of his debut album, Hendrix was under contract to deliver another record before 1967 ended. So he, drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding quickly headed into the studio with producer Chas Chandler and recorded more than a dozen songs that were part Experience expansions and part aural experiments.
'Axis: Bold As Love,' starts with a rambling discourse on extraterrestrials, and it only gets weirder from there. On 'Are You Experienced,' Hendrix took the guitar to places it never ventured before; those faraway spots are even less recognizable on 'Axis.' It's truly a revolutionary record, both Hendrix's most focused and scattered.
There are some great songs here: 'Spanish Castle Magic,' 'If 6 Was 9,' 'Castles Made of Sand,' 'Bold As Love' and especially the ballad 'Little Wing.' But 'Axis: Bold As Love' is just as much about the architecture of the recordings. More so than any other Hendrix record (or anyone else's, for that matter), 'Axis' delivers a headphone listen designed to blow minds.
The album reached No. 3 – a better showing than the debut (which made it to No. 5) but not 'Electric Ladyland,' released in 1968 and Hendrix's only No. 1. One single was released from the album, the jazzy 'Up From the Skies,' which stopped at No. 82.
But 'Axis: Bold As Love' was designed to be taken in all at once. It's not a collection of songs like 'Are You Experienced' and, to a lesser extent, 'Electric Ladyland.' It's a masterful work that comes together as a singular piece, built on theme and tone. It's difficult at times, but rewarding. It's bold. And it's beautiful.
Watch Jimi Hendrix Perform a Live Version of 'Spanish Castle Magic'


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MIDDLEBURY — Many Addison County residents know "Hobbes" as the irrepressible little dachshund who has joined radio personality Bruce Zeman on the local airwaves for the past three years.
Well, Hobbes is now expanding his nascent media empire to print. With his owner Bruce Zeman lending him a voice, Hobbes in November will star in the first of potentially five children's books that will tell the story of his rescue from an abusive home and hopefully help kids avoid and overcome similar situations.


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Baltimore Urban Systemic Initiative
The Baltimore Urban Systemic Initiative (BUSI) is creating a culture of success in the Baltimore City Public Schools. This multi-year, multi-million dollar effort is propelling changes in mathematics and science education, changes that will affect every student, teacher, administrator and school. At the same time, BUSI is inspiring broad-based changes throughout the system.
What is BUSI?
The Urban Systemic Initiative was created by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to assist our nation's schools in reforming math and science education. Baltimore was one of the first cities selected for this multi-year, multi-million dollar effort. Assisted by the financial resources and technical expertise of the NSF and Morgan State University, and with the help of many other institutions and organizations, Baltimore is making significant progress in preparing students for the future.
BUSI is different from most grant-funded initiatives. First, it is a cooperative agreement which delelineates all roles and responsibilities of the partners. Second, BUSI will not end when the funding ends. That is because changes made through BUSI are systemic - they affect the entire school system and are designed for sustainability.
Baltimore BUSI/Morgan State University
1700 E. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, Maryland 21251
Phone: 443.885.3304
Fax: (410) 319-3324


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The artus M. tuberculosis PCR Kit is a ready-to-use molecular detection kit for real-time PCR, and can reliably detect and quantitate DNA from all members of the M. tuberculosis complex (M. tuberculosis, M. africanum, M. bovis, M. bovis BCG, M. microti, and M. pinnipedii).
Complete validated workflows provide standardized and reliable solutions for routine testing for M. tuberculosis infection.
Choose your kit of interest.


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BabyBjorn Soft Bib718-0106
The BABYBJÖRN Soft Bib is ergonomically designed to fit a child's body. The neck is designed like a necklace with continuous fastening, so it can be adjusted to fit your child perfectly.
- Deep pocket to catch food spills
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Much has been written on the topic of Macro photography for those photographers fortunate enough to own a DSLR with macro lenses – but what about if you own a compact point and shoot camera? Can you get great macro shots too?
While the results achievable with a point and shoot camera in macro mode probably won't compare with a DSLR with a purpose built macro lens I've still seen some remarkably good shots with compact cameras (all three shots in this post were taken with compact cameras). Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of yours:
Get free tips like this each week via our email newsletter
Select Macro Mode – this is a fairly obvious first step but I'm always surprised by how many digital camera owners haven't explored the shooting modes that their camera has. Macro mode is generally symbolized with a little flower and when selected it will tell your camera that you want to focus on a subject closer to your lens than normal (the minimum distance allowed will vary from camera to camera – consult your instruction manual to find yours). Macro mode will also usually tell your camera to choose a large aperture so that your subject is in focus but the background is not.
Use a Tripod – in macro photography a tripod can be particularly useful, even if you're just shooting with a compact camera. Keeping your camera still not only improves your shots (getting rid of camera shake) but it allows you to play around with different settings without losing your composition.
Aperture – once in macro mode some cameras will not allow you to make many other adjustments but if you are able to play with your aperture settings it can be well worthwhile to do so. As we've covered in our Aperture tutorials, the main thing that aperture impacts is the depth of field of your shots. Choose a small aperture (big number) if you want a large depth of field with everything in focus or a large aperture if you just want your main subject in focus. In macro photography you'll probably want a shallow depth of field so select the largest aperture available.
Focusing – I find that in macro photography it is helpful to have full control over focusing – especially when you have shallow depth of fields where it is all the more important to make sure the right part of your shot is in focus. If your camera allows manual focusing select this option and manually focus on the part of our subject that is the main point of interest.
Composition – remember some of the basic rules of composition like the Rule of Thirds. Make sure your image has a main point of interest and place that focal point in a smart position in your image in order to draw the eye of your viewer. Try to select a non cluttered or simple background for your main subject so as it doesn't compete with it visually.
Flash – in many macro shots having some artificial light is important. The challenge with compact cameras is that most give you limited control of your flash. As a result choosing a good time of day when there is plenty of available light is probably your best bet. If you do need more light check to see if your camera allows you to pull back the level that your flash fires at. Alternatively you might like to try diffusing it in some way (tissue paper or cellotape over the flash for example). Another option might be to use some other source of artificial light or to invest in a reflector to help make the most of available light. Experiment with different methods of lighting your subject.
Take Your Shot – once you have your shot lined up and in focus take your shot. Make sure once you've taken it to take a good look at it on your LCD, zooming in to make sure that your focusing is sharp. Try shooting at slightly different apertures, with different compositions and focusing on different points of your subject to see what works best.
Macro Lens Attachments – some compact cameras actually have accessories available to help with macro/close up photography. These will enable you to enlarge your subject and/or decrease your minimum focal length. These might be worth investing in if you intend on doing a lot of macro work.
Self Timer – (this point was added as a result of comments below – thanks team!) when using my DSLR for Macro work I tend to use a shutter cable release and tripod to make sure my shots are completely still (to eliminate the small amount of camera shake from pressing the shutter). Most compact cameras don't have cable releases but a simple way around this is to use your camera's self timer on it's shortest time setting which will similarly mean you have no movement of your camera when taking your shot (if you're taking notice of the 'use a tripod' tip above).
PS: I've used the term 'macro photography fairly loosely here. Technically 'macro photography' is actually when you produce an image where your subject is captured on your image sensor at life size (or bigger) with a 1:1 ratio.
In the case of most (all?) compact cameras this is not achieved and in fact 'close up' photography would be a better description. However as most manufacturers call their close up mode 'macro mode' I've used the term for the purposes of this article.
Would macro be suitable for jewelry photography. We're looking for something a bit different to try and make our ranges stand out more? Any advise?
Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is great, as well as the content!. Thanks For Your article about Macro Photography Tips for Point and Shoot Digital Cameras .
I came across this while looking for tips. I loved everything, although I knew them already!
I didn't like your last line where you said that it's not possible to take life-sized or bigger photographs.
I maybe wrong, but please check my Album here and see if I have succeeded -
Check the latest shots as this album is a collection of everything I shot while experimenting and learning.
I'm using the Canon PowerShot A420, which was released in 2006. It does great macro shots. Let me know what you think :)
great tips.
I am a beginner to the digital side of photography, and one thing I wish to relate, which is most important to the person wanting to take either P+S or DSLR shots is "time," You do not do this in a rush.
I have needed 20 to 30 minutes to set up a shot of flowers for example. Which is NOT P+S normally.
Patience, patience, patience.
I've been doing some macro stuff for a couple of weeks. Modified my phone(Droid 2), and was able to take these shots.
Here are the originals and a video, too!
Can anyone recommend a good book or dvd for close-up & macro photography for beginners with a fuji bridge camera.
I now have a Canon sx130 camera. I made my own lens adapter using 2" sewer fittings (black) from Lowes. I used a coupler, female adapter, and a male adapter. I cut off the handle part of a magnifying lens and secured the magnifier in the female adapter. The coupler snugly fits the camera with a little cloth or other material.
This camera takes excellent photos. I have taken a few of snowflakes, some of houseflies, and other miscellaneous photos. I plan to take many macro shots. As of right now I mainly leave the camera in auto mode and can then zoom and move the camera closer or farther away to get in focus. I also can screw the magnifying lens off for normal (non-macro) shots.
Macrophotography is a blast. I plan to try water (and milk) droplets sometime.
On using self timer, I would advise against using the shortest amount as you suggested. Using the longest setting, typically 10 seconds, would allow any minute vibration to dissipate before the shutter is tripped.
Very cool, I'm just considering doing some macro stuff to get me away from weddings and trying to choose between a dedicated macro lens for my dSLR or putting some macro filters on my Canon SX1. I don't want to blow loads of money initially as I might decide macro isn't my thing. Thoughts???
Thank you very much for the article. It is amazing what one can accomplish with an inexpensive digital camera.
For two winters I have been taking snowflake photos with my Nikon coolpix. I knew I was taking a chance on ruining the camera due to taking photos in my unheated garage here in Western Pennsylvania. But I came up with hundreds of snowflake photographs. It has been an enjoyable hobby. It is amazing how many snowflake designs one can find.
I must caution readers by saying my Coolpix has stopped taking good photos. It may be due to the cold or merely due to its age. At any rate, I hope to get a new camera. I am strongly considering the Canon SX130. I choose this camera due to good ratings, manual focus, and low price. I hope to do other microphotography (insects, etc.) with this camera in addition to snowflakes. I plan to come up with a way of keeping the camera warm.
oh man, that's great article. Unfortunately, my camera has broken and now there are in service camera. I have good camera and I will shoot more and more object like macro, bw, bokeh and candid.
Does it work good with a nikon l 105?? How would do it with this specific camera?
Hey, thanks for the great article. I have always loved macro photography but thought I couldn't attempt it with my Pentax K100 D Super. Photography is just a hobby but I'm trying to improve my skills... I'm now motivated to attempt macro photography for my Project 365!
Hi !!! I do oral surgery and i need to photgraph it and i need Macro; i have a question ; Is The Camera called Bridge like Canon SX40HS Or Canon G12 good for that ?? or their résult are bad !!
Thank you helper :)
I am about to buy a camera specifically for Macro, to get shots of my jewellery for the my website.
I've done OK with the camera I have, but i really would like to achieve sharp close ups, with an out of focus back ground.
Several people have recommended the Cannon Ixus to me, but I can't seem to work out which one would be the best as 95% of the shots will be Macro.
Or is it better to get a camera with a detachable Macro Lens?
Any advice would be wonderful.
I owned an olympus sp 800 uz and it had super macro on it..so you do not need some fancy high priced camera to take awesome macro's..I've never used a tripod with it, the point being you need to be close up and can achieve better angles from free handing..its dishearting to hear you need all these lens and money when all you need to do is a little research first..
I use my Panasonic Lumix ZS7 in Macro Zoom mode ALL the time! It's my favorite. I love it!!
I am trying to do macro photography with a nikon P7000 and need advice.
Are there settings or additional equipments to assist photographing details 0-5mm? How do you focus to small details correctly at first shot to avoid post cropping images which looses quality.
Many thanks, email@example.com
I learn your tips for Macro photography. I enjoy it very much. I will try some shots. w/ my DSC-H1. comprendo.
great tips, it's only a few months ago that i bought my first digital camera, previously only using my phone camera, and it's a pretty steep learning curve! thanks fro this, dying to go home a try this out!
checkout my micro photography :)
Nice Photographs. Please check the below link for more examples:
Well, I am not an expert on macrophotography, but I would like to share my modest aknoweledge. First of all my camera is a Canon SX20 IS, with macro and super macro capability, however I did find that the best way for work with this camera is to choice 2X teleconverter, so you will work with a 56 MM focal equivalent, and then turn on the standard macro mode; so you fill the viewfinder horizontally with a 24 MM wide ruler picture. I do not know what magnification ratio is this. Distance between front of camera lens to the ruler is some 1 centimeter I guess. Best way for illumination is with a couple of flashes, the first one on camera hot shoe faced to a white card and the second one (an slave unit) faced to another card on the opposite side. Camera mode working in Av, diaphragm open to f 8 for great dephth of field since my pictures are equipment serial numbers. I hope to help some one. Vicente.
yeah that was nice of you...................let me add up some more.if you wanna get images with black background just use flash mode at some diffused sunlight time(evening) in macro mode.it will give awesome result .try it.
is its possible for Sony Cyber-shot T9??
Hey guyzzz i use a fujifilm s2500hd. but the problem is i cant get a clear focus where ever i want. I tried my best take a photo of the eye of a fly but cant focus on it so i cant get the texture of its eye. please help me out i have a competion to attempt.
I was just surfing internet and I came across this amazing page. The content is very helpful. Thank you for uploading such wonderful blog .It really helped me.you can also give more information about this subject.
Really great article! Awesome feedback. I had no idea about the macro button until now! What an incredible tool. And using a shutter cable has really helped me with my photography.
I have a question about lenes. Does anyone know of a len with a EOS mount that you can get 2:1 (2X) macro. I know Canon has their MP-E 65mm 1-5X, but the 5:1 is a little overkill, and the lens in only a macro. Was looking for something that could alos be used as a standard lens, but have 2X macro WITHOUT tubes or teleconvertors. Any help would be great.
As soon as a popup window comes up, I immediately blacklist your site.
Nice article - great feedback! I am looking for the best P&S from macro photography using Raynox lens attachments. I take photos of 1-2mm objects.
yeah. I don't know there is a macro button too. Let me try it now. For melanie : "I am really loving this article and the comments!! I would love if someone could suggest a good point and shoot camera for macro work. I am new to photography and am asking for a camera for christmas. I am looking for under $300. Look forward to the replies!"
I think a nikon coolpix S series is suitable for you.
Thank you so much for this information, i was one of those who did not even know about the macro button.
Thanks again
Nice tips! I'll sure try to take some photos with my not so crappy point and shoot camera!
That's a great tip about using a shutter cable!!! However, I found that using a shutter cable will sometimes not be enough, even the very slight movement of the shutter will still shake the camera esp. when mounted on a large tripod on soft ground,(mud or dirt outside, shag carpet etc) . If your camera is able, try locking the shutter open, and THEN use the timer. This way the shutter will ALWAYS be open and when the "button" is pushed to get the shot the combination of open shutter AND timer will insure the sharpest photo possible.
Great article and follow-up letters. I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 and use the macro a lot. But here is one stubborn thing that drives me nuts and I don't know what I am doing wrong. To wit: sometimes in macro mode no matter what I do the camera will NOT focus on the subject, say, a spider, but the dirt or leaves or whatever around and just behind the spider will be sharp as a tack. I can see the autofocus slipping back and forth and it will "catch" the subject in sharp focus but won't stay there. It does this even if I set the autofocus so that it is narrowed to a pinpoint center screen. I can't seem to get manual control over it in either macro setting (AF or Zoom). And even if I pull back and zoom in.
The manual doesn't help. When I do manage to get it to focus on the sweet spot, the shots are great! Any advice appreciated...thank you.
I discovered a "new" way to do "macros". And it's this:
-With your digital camera put the zoom at the maximum my camera has 3x by zoom and up to 12x by simulated zoom),
-then target your objective and focus it. You are going to need a clean shot, so you must be very careful or put your camera in a tripod.
-Take the picture and you will see the results.
PS: If you use flash your results may vary a lot.
If you want you can email me and I can send you pictures as examples, of bugs, seeds, etc. (email@example.com)
I am really loving this article and the comments!! I would love if someone could suggest a good point and shoot camera for macro work. I am new to photography and am asking for a camera for christmas. I am looking for under $300. Look forward to the replies!
This is such a very helpful and informative post specially for newbies like me. I just bought a new camera and I'm on the process of learning some basic shots particularly with different light settings, manual settings, rule of thirds as well as macro shots and other techniques that I can try out. :) I learned a lot from your post and I hope you post some more techniques on photography! :D
Many thanks for the advice. I think using the tripod and timer is key along with turning off the flash. I take a lot of images of diamond rings and am able to use a lightbox and tripod. It is difficult to avoid the reflection of the ring metal but a compact camera can give great results.
Thanks Erica!
Hope it works for my P100 ;p
For Macro shots
Just set camera to Aperture priority and Macro mode.
Camera will choose the correct Exposure ( shutter speed)
Choose an aperture from F/2.8 to F/5.6 ( large aperture+ small F/stop number) this will give a nicely blurred background.
Low light needs larger Aperture (small F/stop number), bright light smaller aperture (larger F/stop number)
Focusing is difficult and needs practice as you only have a few mm in which to focus, so move camera backwards and forwards until you can focus.
Use Auto focus to start with then try manual focus later.
Go for it.
Set the camera to aperture priority, the camera will set the exposure so you only need to set the aperture.
For macros I use F/3.2 to F/ 5.6 depending on how much light there is, this gives a nicely blurred background (bokeh).
F/3.2 is the the largest aperture on the Panasonic FZ18 but if you can go to F/2.8 it will be better in low light conditions.
The Depth of Field gets narrower the larger ( smaller f /stops) the Aperture so you will need to practice focusing it takes only mm to miss focus !
I need to get within about 10cm of the subject to focus with the Panny, so you have to learn to stalk your subjects very quietly if you are going for insects or they'll be off !!
Practice on stationary subject, small fungi etc
Have fun![eimg link='http://www.flickr.com/photos/52602701@N05/4902829056/' title='Honey Bee feeding on brassica' url='http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4902829056_4e4f9116df_z.jpg']
Great article! I have a Nikon P100 and gets frustrated coz I can't figure out how to set the aperture correctly, it has apperture and shuttermode but I still get the same results even if I adjust the aperture or zoom it all out.
Any help would be appreciated!
I still use my old Panasonic FZ18 to which I attach a Raynox 250 ( cheap) with a pemaraal adaptor.
I get good enough results with that very basic gear to get Acceptances and HMs in International Competitions.
It is the photographer not the fancy gear that matter.
Get to know all about your camera and how to use it. Most people forget to read the manual.
Then practice, practice..........
good luck,it is heaps of fun,if a little frustrating at times!
Hi thanks for your post, you provided some helpful tips. I'm actually wanting to get a digital camera that works well for close ups. Do you have any recommendations?
I do lots of insect macro work for which a tripod is not suitable as insects to not sit still for long enough.
A camera with Image Stabilization,a steady hand and Hold Your Breath when pressing the shutter button works well for me.
I have a Kodak Easy Share Z712 IS Camera. I have done a lot of experimenting with the various settings and follow the suggestions you have made here. If you want "shake free" Pic's it is essential one use a tripod and you will have sharp and well focused Photos. It takes a little bit more time but it is well worth it. On my length of time setting for my delayed shutter release I have a rapid shutter release mode that takes three different apperature settings and this also increases the the likelihood of getting a good shot. Lastly take lots of pics. One can always delete shots, but one can not always retake pics at a different time. Once taken it is preserved and when not taken the subject is lost forever.
taken with Panasonic FZ18 and Raynox 250 attacted
[eimg link='http://www.flickr.com/photos/52602701@N05/5102960665/' title='Robberfly' url='http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1124/5102960665_ebe9057a34_z.jpg']
Lucien -- With my camera, (Panasonic DMC-ZS7) I have to be zoomed all the way OUT and move physically close to the subject to get a clear macro. Seems counter-intuitive, but I guess they don't make that 1cm macro distance for nothing! On Macro-zoom, I can be farther away, but am never happy with the results.
Good article. Concise ant to the point. Loved the self-timer bit. Sometimes I am out and about and only have my little Lumix, having left the DSLRs at home because I hadn't planned on taking any photos while I was out. Ha! This might save the day.
Great posts and got good tips. My camera is a cool pix Nikon 550 with a macro setting but each time I zoom in on the subject it becomws very hazy from lighting. I rarely get a clear shot. My subject is mainly coin photography and I am just abeginner.
My first digital camera was a used Olympus 3.2 Mega pixel. I have shot thousands of macros on that camera and have become somewhat of a bee expert.
I have shot a lot of mushrooms and a lot of other things. I now h ave a fuji fine pix point and shoot and I still do a lot of macro photography. Go to my flickr site: www.flickr.com/photos/kitkaphotogirl
The DSLR is to expensive and so are the lenses. I do with what I have and it has served me well.
Great info-I do alot of food photography for my dining reviews, and often take my Panasonic Lumix.
I'll have to look for my aperature settings to see if I can adjust. Don't have time for tripods, etc. as I'm writing, interviewing etc., but maybe I'll try one of those small gizmos one of these days...
A great article and I use many of these tips but using a bridge camera Panasonic dmc -FZ38.
When taking indoor macros I often use a small brown glass medicine bottle filled with damp sand to hold flowers or leaves.
A shallow box about a3 size in the back of which I can place a sheet of coloured card makes a great background easily replaced in photoshop or similar.
[eimg link='http://www.flickr.com/photos/16687353@N05/3792539369/' title='4' url='http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/3792539369_8954295c6f.jpg']
Even though,I have been phoyographing for 40 years,I find something novel in all your articles Bravo
Dr Yusef Mazhar
Hard to believe that those are from normal P & S Camera.
Especially the third pic, the flower is miond blowing.
And the replies over here is also superb, I liked the Vatsal's pic the most.
Great work guys..
'thesoftCollission' - can you pls tell me how u did that photoshop work, to make the droplets alone in color and the rest in b&w.
Please mail me at firstname.lastname@example.com
Great articles! Is there anyway to print these articles without copying and pasting the entire page? I would like to keep some of the topics in a notebook for reference, but don't want to print all the ads. I went to the add-on page and it had a button for printer-friendly but it didn't work. Can a button be put up top on each article, by the other common link buttons?
I try and use the macro setting often on my Olympus 790 SW. I love this point and shoot... and... it take pics pics up to 10 feet underwater! Does the macro setting work under water?? Haven't tried it yet. Jamaica in November will give me an opportunity to try it. Thanks for the great tips...
A very interesting article, thanks! I'd also suggest the point-and-shoot users to use diffusers for the flash. Flashes in p-n-s are not as good as SLRs, they are usually too bright for close-up photos. For this, I have built a home-made flash diffuser. You can either use a wrapping paper or anything else you like, on top of a small polystyrene cup. Cut an opening on the closed end so that you can fix it on your flash, and line the insides of the cup with a reflective surface such as aluminium foil. It helps a lot, especially photographing shiny subjects such as beetles!
Thanks for the advice.
The Canon S90 makes beautiful macros, and you don't neccessarily need a tripod. But you definately need to switch to manual focusing! This example is shot at ISO 200, 1/320, f/2.0:
[eimg link='http://www.flickr.com/photos/hherskind/5078924345/' title='Grasshopper visiting' url='http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/5078924345_c67141180d.jpg']
My Sony Cybershot takes great macro shots, if I don't say so myself. I've gotten compliments from others too. Thanks for this article. I don't use a tripod.
Here's the link for what I do for macro shots.....look its useful...
These are definitely great tips as usual from Darren. I don't agree that you have to use a tripod though.
And it is one of the reasons I still love my 5mp Olympus C5050Z. I hardly ever bother to put the macro lens on my DSLR.
I can shoot in RAW. It has a mode called Super Macro Manual Focus in which you use a button to actually focus the lens where you want it. The lens itself is very fast - f2.0. And when you have to use flash, like on those bobbing spring flowers, you can control the intensity of the on board flash.
Here is a recent photo taken in supermacro mode using manual focus and natural light and hand held at 1/10.
One thing I learned about point and shoot macro mode is when you can't get it to focus properly, move the camera farther away until the focus locks. There are limitations on how close you can get to the subject to focus.
Zooming in also works. Unfortunately on my Oly, it's not available in super macro mode but you can get really close with the lens.
@Marcos. I've got a small tripod that threads into the bottom of my point and shoot camera. For the purposes of photographing old photos, I would think something that would place the camera about 3" away would be ideal...maybe about the size of a dictionary or phone book? That should allow you to place the old photo on the floor, flush with a dictionary. The tripod would allow you to maintain a steady hold on the camera, and a 2" delay would correct for any shake from pressing the button...just a thought...
Hi...I recently bought a Nikon Coolpix L110. I am enjoying this camera a lot..I am very new to this type of camera and what it can do. My interest is taking close-ups...people and things out in nature. I found the macro on my camera and just starting to get the hang of it. I read some point and shoots have lens that can be used. Are their any out there for this type of camera. Any ideas or suggestions would be great. Thank You
Can i use Raynox macro adaptor for Nikon P100 P&S camera???
Thanks so much for the info on macro shots. I am a beginner in the photography world. I have a coolpix L100. It does have a macro setting. I can get some good shots but do get frustrated at times because I want it to listen to me as far as focus and flash but it seems to take over. I have pulled out my manual, since I joined a photography club, in hopes of using this camera to its greatest potential. We have a macro challenge this month in the club so I am learning & your post has helped.
[eimg url='http://kathieysworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/photo-of-week-from-my-camerathe-garden.html' title='photo-of-week-from-my-camerathe-garden.html']
Some really cool shots here. Surprised a point and shoot can do so well. Some DSLR macro tips here: http://ohyeswecam.com/2010/07/05/biggie-smalls/
[eimg link='http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackberglund/3673147371/' title='Bee' url='http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/3673147371_fd7c801001.jpg']
@ramon For selectively making things in colour, look up a Partial Color tutorial in Photoshop. It is also possible with other programs like Lightroom or PhotoImpact. Keep the photo in colour and paint on a mask or desaturated layer of -100 saturation. Or make a black and white mask in photoshop and erase the parts you want to stay in colour. If you don't have masks, crop a lasso type selection around the object, invert the section and make that black and white.
I took this photo with a Sony H20 and of course I cropped it to look like a true macro.. http://thesoftcollision.deviantart.com/art/Emerging-out-the-fog-163936774
The minimum focusing distance is probably around a centimeter. The camera can up to 10x zoom, but after going past 1.7x you have to move much furher away from the subject to get it focus. I used 1.4x zoom on this one.
best for macro is Nokia Nst-4
thanks for this tutorial. I have a question about how to add color to only a portion of a b/w photo. for example a b/w photograph of a dozen roses with only one rose colored red. is this done with the camera somehow or using a photoshop type program.
thank you in advance.
I bought an old Olympus 3.6 Mega Pixel camera three and a half years ago on Ebay. It has only a 3 x zoom on that thing, so I have used my camera on the macro setting a lot, and have done great things with it. My favorite photo is one of a life time, when I photographed a slug eating a blade of grass. Text book organizations are having a field day with that photo. This is an old point and shoot. I have deleted a lot of photos in the early years, but time has made me comfortable with that setting. It only takes practice.
Thank you for the helpful hints! Lately I have been really into baking and these tips will help me take much better shots of my creations (at least until I can afford a better camera!)
Do you have any recommendations for an inexpensive (less the $500) camera that takes great macro shots?
Thanks again!
I use Sony HX1. Take a close look at the object, focus it rightly on the part which u want to show ur viewers...
check my work
I am so happy to have found this article - the timing is great and so are your tips!
I've always wanted to shoot macro shots and I'm ready to finally purchased my first camera. I've been using a Sony cyber shot 6 megapixel (dsc-s600) for a while which has no macro and I seem unable to change the ISO settings off automatic. I can get a pretty good shot up to 6 " , closer than that and it's very blurry. Your tip for using a tissue in front of the flash is excellent.
Right now I'm torn as to whether I should continue using my Sony and trying to make do or whether I should invest in the canon sure shot Sx2001S which has a super macro feature as well as 12xoptical zoom. I have it to try for a couple of days, but I can't get a super macro shot unless it's in manual mode. However even with your tips above pictures look less saturated and either over or under exposed.
Not sure if it's the camera or my total inexperience, but I'd love some feedback or tips for my novice macro shooting,
thanks !
whaz your opinion about olympus 800 ultra zoom camera,14 mp ,26 optical zoom?or sp 590 uz with 26x,12mp?????
Thank you for the tips. Very helpful for a beginner like me.
I really liked these tips. I can't wait to give them a try. Unfortunately I'm one of those individuals w/o a DSLR (yet!) so any tips like this are greatly appreciated for how to improve my photo capabilities.
Can't wait to read on!
I wanted to share a video I made for the NikonFestival. I made it almost entirely with the D90 and there is a macro sequence. I talk about the lenses I used on the link.
i like the tutorial..
here is my macro i took recently with my sony H-50
[eimg link='http://www.flickr.com/photos/7908598@N04/4196810772/' title='DSC05457' url='http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4196810772_5e9842447b.jpg']
Good article.
I have had surprisingly good shots from the cheapest digital camera I could find. Here is one. http://thesoftcollision.deviantart.com/art/Balanced-143350093
You can also improvise a macro lens by positioning a pocket sized magnifying glass in front of your lens. Thats what I did when I took this photo, some years back, with my point-and-shoot:
i was about to throw my sony cyber shot in the trash until i found your website and the MACRO mode !!! thank you so much as i was finding it increasingly annoying to not be able to take close up pictures ... i am trying to get pictures of my fish spawning and everything was blurry blurry blurry ... i pressed that little flower icon and my shots are fabulous ... it even picked up snail eggs which are super tiny ... thank you again for this great article :o)
I've spent the summer with my Panasonic DMC-TZ5 mostly set on Macro. I discovered 'Spot Focus' and 'Spot Metering', which have made a world of difference.
I got a Canon SX200 IS and it's pretty good for macros. It has a macro and 'super macro' mode.
Most P&S compacts can do good macros. Just take a look at flickr.
Does a DSLR with a macro lens really do much better? Is it worth the cost?
Think about it. For a DSLR setup you pay maybe several times the cost of your compact. That's a huge amount of money.
Quite a few people on forums seem to think P&S are close to DSLR for macros.
Can this Macro feature can be used on digital cameras that don't have macro lens, like SAMSUNG ST1000. Because i can't focus the object with my camera. Any tips? Reply
The macro function is so under reported in most digital compact reviews it's not funny. I use this feature a lot for photographing natural history specimens, such as fossils, in the field and have found that most Ricoh compacts have a very good macro function. I've used a couple of different models and they all seem to have a 1cm macro function. The most recent model I've tried is the R8 and I got some very nice results by simply turning to macro mode, pointing and shooting. I'm sure if I played around with settings and used a tripod the results would be even nicer and since it's a superseded model you can pick them up for a pretty good price.
Hi there ,
Thank you for the wonderful tips . I've been trying to take macro pictures weeks ago ,however no matter how hard i try it didn't work . Is there any specific time of the day in taking the right one? I have already set my cam to macro but still.
Which current digital compact cameras, in macro mode, allow manual focussing, and will retain the setting? My old Nikon CoolPix 885 would let me focus at 3cm, and retain the setting when the CoolPix was switched off and on, but it has just packed up. Nikon say none of their current models support this feature, but I was in a local camera shop, and we looked at the manual for a Nikon compact, and after 20 minutes had it focussing at 3 cm, and saving the setting. But that compact is a larger heavier model than the 885, and I carry the camera for day-long hikes. Your suggestions of small lightweight compacts supporting this feature would be most appreciated.
These are terrific tips - The information really is terrific.
It is funny how the Macro function is the one that is most overlooked.
Can anyone please tell me if there is a tripod or similar mounting device available that is used specifically with point and shoot digital cameras for macro photography. Please e-mail me at : email@example.com if you have a source for this equipment.
I had never really thought about photographing "up close" like this until I was sent some photos taken by my friend's son in Central Texas. This process is so awesome! What amazed me the most was that the young man that made the pics created his own bounce flash using some cardboard rubber-banded to his flash. He is going to send me some more photos of "bugs" which he says are his favorite subjects. I posted his other pictures at my blog and have gotten a lot of response from my readers. Now I'm hooked and want to learn more.
I invariably use a P and S in preference to a DSLR for close up work always set on a very light tripod. Very mobile and great fun. For paid shoots I go back to the DSLR and proper lens but to be honest that's as much for the exif info as anything.
Hi all just thought I would drop in to say hi and to let you know my magnetic lens is still in great condition and I use it every day. Best investment I made in a long time. I can even take picture of a bug's butt. Cheers and God bless All. Regards Brad. email@example.com. Be good. <
Oh and the J10 is just to good to pass up for the price.
I just found your blog on google. I really liked it and now I will share it with my friends.
hi, i am beginner and just recently bought a Sony alpha 300 with 2 lenses 3.5-5.6/18-70mm and 4-5.6/55-200mm. How do i know if my lenses are macro? thanks.
Hi Gina
Try a smaller F number may be something like 2.8 or may be 4, 4.5 but not anything more than that. U will get the background to blur with these F numbers.
nice artucle, but nicer pix..
Do we hav composite lenses switching fast between macro and other lenses? In any model?
I cannot seem to get the background to blur and the foreground to remain clear with macro setting and f/8 aperture. Ideas?
Thought I would post one last image -- this is a macro shot of a monarch butterfly, with the image stabilization feature turned on.
Hi again everyone -- I did a fireworks shoot last night on my Sanyo VPC-770. In spite of some rain, I got some really good shots -- please check them out -- there's also a video at the end of the slideshow that shows the grand finale. Note that these shots were taken with "Fireworks" mode, which keeps the shutter open for a couple of seconds to catch good streams of light, and they were taken with a tripod. The video was also done on the same camera, but without the tripod.
I have used the Sanyo VPC-770 (apx. $100) to get some very compelling closeups. I don't use a tripod always simply because many times the few minutes of setup allow the subject to escape (in the case of insects & other wildlife, which I love to shoot). Here's a few examples:
Without tripod: (mating junebugs)
Without tripod, small box for stability: (fishing spider)
With tripod: (garter snake)
I am indeed upgrading to a Nikon D* with various lenses soon, but as a hobby photographer of 3-4 months, the Sanyo has been great to keep me excited about photography by allowing me to get some great shots.
BTW, all the shots in my Flickr photostream (those links above) are shot on this same Sanyo VPC 770.
I need a camera that takes macro photo for coins to list on e-bay. I have never done this before, so I want to start out with something easy to use.
with my magnetic lens. Regards Brad.
This is one of many pics I took with my little cheap camera and the mag lens I was telling you about.
Regards Brad.
I'm in the USA and they ship all over, it is a internet store. Just do google search and e-mail them and they will take care of you or you can call them, tell them Brad Landry sent you, they will give you a real good dael.
Take care and God Bless. Regards Brad.
Oh yea they are in NEW YORK
5 Diamonds camera is not a name I recognize. Is it a chain, or a local store? What country are you in?
Oh yea I got mine at 5 Diomonds camera, very good service and they make 2 basic lens kits one small and one large most need the small one. Brad.
There are other places that sell the cheap china junk plastic, The one I got is all metel construction, very nice!!!
Great Mark I thought it was the best, when I got mine WOW what a dif.!!! They are real nice. did just what I wanted to do. Good luck and hope you have a great spring & summer. God Bless. Regards Brad.
Sorry, I thought there was only one, by your email, but after a Google search, I find there are several, so no need to respond. What a neat idea!!
Brad, pls. let us know what this web site is!!! this is exactly what I would want to avoid spending lots more money (I don't have) on a better-quality (DSLR) camera.
I searched all over for ideas on macro untill I came across
a web site that sold magnetic lens kits for point and shoot
digital cameras. These are great and they make them for almost any camera. Mine is a Fuji Finepix J10 so I bought a
.45 wide angle lens that is 2 part, you can unscrew the
outer lens and use the macro lens. It is acualy a wide angle with macro inable. Just peel and stick the self adhesive ring to your camera and your ready to go. Mine costed $48.90 including tax. Not a bad deal if you are taking numerous macro shots. I also used a old camcorder lens and held it in place, not as good but it worked. God Bless All. Regards Brad.
Any suggestions on a good point and shoot digi camera for macro photography?
Maung: I have a tripod that can hold the camera so it looks downward. It can't go very far to the ground, but if you had a surface that was nearer to it. I'm sure you could find one of these if you look around.
This is a suggestion for Maung TINT (Mister:
You could try to "stick" the photos to a wall with some adhesive-putty like Bluetack(there is also a white version of it which will probably be even better because, depending on the wall's material, it can leave tiny stains on it if left too long). This way you won't even need a tripod.
A piece of advice: Be careful when you actually stick the photo, because if you use too much bluetack it can sometimes be noticed (you'll have to press just enough so the photo won't fall or stick the photo to a piece of paper and the paper to the wall).
Hope it helps!
I use macro photogtaphy to take photos of my old black & white photos and also colour photos. Since I have to put the photos on a horizontal surface, on a table or even on the floor, I cannot use a tripod but need to hold the camera. I take extreme care to avoid camera shake when I push in the shutter button. I cannot use flash either because of the reflective surface of the photos. I have taken quite some successful shots with my three digital cameras, Canon Powershot A50, Nikon Coolpix 57OO, a brdge camera and a Pentax Optio A30. How can I use a tripod? I might probably need a vertical photo holder stand as well. Please give me some suggestions. Thank you.
I think that there could be a misunderstanding in the Aperture section: "In macro photography you'll probably want a shallow depth of field so select the largest aperture available". It would be good to remind the new readers that a larger aperture means a small f/ number (the first time I read it, I understood the opposite).
Good tips. Thanks :-)
These are great tips! Honestly, I've haven't done much in macro, but would like to try more. Here's a picture of a rose that I took that I really do love though:
It's very difficult with a point and shoot because in real life photography (as opposed to me arranging things in the background), it's very hard to get the depth that you want. And the subject has to be very near - literally in front of - the camera if good depth is to be achieved. I don't know about others but the several digicams ive had before canon powershot 300, sony dsc w10 and p43, fuji something and ixus something, never gave me great macro shots. So I just gave up.
By the way, do you think buying the Leica D-lux (approx £400/$800) would give much better pics than a £300/$600 high end digicam?
Since technically, macro photography requires at least a 1:1 ratio on the sensor, I think it is actually easier to get true macro shots on P&S because of their smaller sensor size.
I found the tips in this article very useful and have used all of them to improve my "close up" digital photography.
There is some very good information about using P&S cameras to obtain macro or close up photography.
Some further suggestions:
P&S flash tend to due a poor job with macro photography and therefore I suggest carrying one or 2 white reflective cards to bounce the light onto the subject. With 2 cards you can get better lightening setups.
If outdoors do carry a wind break which could be 2 thin metal rods as hight as the highest flowees you plan to sueand some tight weave fabric to block the wind.
With macro and especially a smaller aperture the shutter speed will be slower and even very small movement from wind are no magnified with extreme close-ups.
Buy some flowers and set up inside your home to practice as you will have better control than outside. You can pre-position the background (out-of-focus) areas better.
Bring a cooper plumbing pipe to use as an outdoor vase. See article
Niels Henriksen
Some great images on today's post. The tips, as usual are great but the photos sell this one for me :)


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Studio William
Olive 42pc cutlery set
points was 42,600 points
SKU code STUD-02
Olive uses refined asymmetric lines that challenge the appearance of traditional cutlery and brings personality to the dining table. Set contains 42 pieces made of 6 X 7 piece place settings.
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Spring Breakers: Bikini Girls Hit London - Photo Gallery
To support the release of Spring Breakers on DVD and Blu-ray (from Monday, August 12, 2013), girls in bikinis got in to character as the Spring Breakers and invaded London – posing for pictures outside the National Gallery, London Eye and one on the Southbank Beach. Spring Breakers is out now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download courtesy of Universal Pictures (UK). View photos…
Roll your mouse over the left and right-hand sides of the image and then click to view more pictures.
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Read our review of Spring Breakers or view photos from the film
Alternatively, check out our feature on sexiest bikini actresses in film or watch the trailer


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Clarke, Cowan and Hussey dominate SA
Australia 4 for 487 (Clarke 218*, Cowan 136, Hussey 86*, Morkel 2-109) lead South Africa 450 by 37 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
On the same afternoon Australia rejoiced the confirmation of Ed Cowan as a genuine Test opening batsman, their prolific captain Michael Clarke squeezed South Africa with a merciless unbeaten 218 to give his side the psychological and tactical high ground after four days of the first Test.
Graeme Smith's side began the day in search of quick wickets to press for victory in Brisbane, but a first Test century of high accomplishment by Cowan smoothed the path for Clarke and Michael Hussey to run the tourists ragged in the final session. Australia piled up 181 runs after tea to close on 4 for 487, a lead of 37 with another extended day's play to follow.
Clarke's innings grew in command with every hour, and maintained his outstanding record of performance since assuming the national captaincy. His third Test score beyond 200 in 2012 made Clarke one of only three batsman to achieve the feat, joining Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting. Rare company indeed.
Cowan was considered by some to be under some pressure for his place entering this match, though the national selector John Inverarity had been highly supportive. That faith proved well founded, for Cowan produced exactly the sort of innings the team required. Scoring within his favoured zones and showing sound judgement of when to defend, this was a major step in Cowan's career, and also a poignant achievement a year to the day since the death of his mentor, Peter Roebuck.
Hussey's innings demonstrated how destructive his batting can be when runs are behind him, and in his busy running and pure driving he pushed tiring opponents to their limits. Before the series Inverarity had hoped Hussey was "due" for a strong series against South Africa after several poor ones, and he has made the ideal start.
The defusing of the touring bowlers was a tonic for the rest of Australia's batsmen, and the contempt with which they were treated at the finish by Clarke and Hussey will be sobering for Smith. Rory Kleinveldt and Vernon Philander gave up 19 no-balls between them, the latter's bowling notably nobbled on perhaps the flattest Test surface he has seen on so far. Steyn threatened intermittently, and Morkel's bounce did not diminish, but the employment of Smith and Hashim Amla as modest spinners conveyed a lack of variety in South Africa's attack.
In responding aggressively to a perilous position the night before, Cowan and Clarke had tilted momentum their way even before they emerged on the fourth morning. But they had to fight to build on that advantage early on. After a brief early flurry, runs came steadily rather than swiftly, Cowan pushing singles while Clarke punched a pair of delectable straight drives back past Steyn in between leaving plenty of deliveries wide of off stump.
Cowan had an uncomfortable moment when he cuffed past the stumps and down to the fine leg boundary while trying to leave Steyn, and Clarke was twice the beneficiary of good fortune when his unconvincing attempts at a sort of half-pull shot lobbed into the air but out of the reach of fielders.
Clarke looked ungainly against the short ball on more than one occasion, once taking his eye off a Steyn bouncer and gloving into the space between the stumps and the slips cordon. But he prospered in other areas, playing with a restraint that showed self-awareness of how important his wicket has become for Australia.
As the adjournment ticked closer Cowan reached the outskirts of a century, gaining four runs when the umpire Asad Rauf failed to detect Morkel's bouncer had skimmed straight off the batsman's helmet. He would go to the interval two runs short of a hundred, but happy to wait.
On resumption Cowan did not take long to gather those runs, pulling Philander powerfully to midwicket to pass three figures. His celebration was ebullient, but he also collected himself pointedly at the end of the over, regathering his focus to resume the task. At the other end Clarke had further troubles with the short ball, but unfurled a pair of crisp drives to close on his own century.
He reached the mark with a hurried single to backward point, and raised his bat for the sixth time since becoming Test captain and the second time in as many Gabba Tests. Clarke and Cowan's stand had by this time become the highest for the fourth wicket in all Tests between Australia and South Africa, blunting a visiting attack that had looked so daunting at the start of the innings.
Having seen off the second new ball, Cowan was dropped at fine leg when Steyn's path to the catch was distracted somewhat by Alviro Petersen's convergence. Ultimately Cowan would would not perish at the hand of any bowler. Instead he was run-out at the non-striker's end when Steyn deflected a Clarke drive onto the stumps - Cowan's penchant for backing up a long way reducing his chances of getting back in time. That dismissal brought Hussey to the crease, and he had a couple of nervy moments against Morkel before tea arrived.
There would be a few more plays and misses in the final session, but they were rare moments of consolation for South Africa as Hussey and Clarke streaked away. Hussey's cover driving was a particular highlight, while Clarke reached his double century with another pristine straight drive. By the close a draw was the most likely result, but Clarke, Cowan and Hussey had ensured that it will be the South Africans more likely to be sweating.
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here


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How to decipher the runaway success of Ludo Lefebvre? The chef has L.A. on a culinary string and doesn't even have a professional stove to call his own.
Reservations at his pop-up restaurant LudoBites — several-week stints of Lefebvre cooking at various locations, including a bakery and an art gallery — sell out overnight. And if he's serving fried chicken from a food truck, the line of customers/fanatics will be an hour (or two) long. This month he was dubbed a "chef of the future" in Time. What's behind the craze?
There is, of course, Lefebvre's French-accented charm, his telegenic looks, his bent for cutting-edge cuisine. He makes the chocolate foie gras cupcakes and soft-shell-crab-stuffed cornets that the young, hungry and snap-happy go nuts for.
But there's more to it than his winning smile and generous amounts of duck liver. He has, for now, eschewed the traditional chefs' path: work the line, then helm the kitchen, maybe one day own your own restaurant — one that typically doesn't move from address to address. In a business and dining environment changed by the interwebs and the recession, better to stay light on your feet anyway. He calls it "la revolution."
"The LudoBites model is the epitome of the 21st century marketplace, where the chef, not the restaurant, is the name of the game, and where novelty (not to mention news value) counts far more than musty testaments to past greatness," writes Josh Ozersky for Time.
And don't forget — there is also his attorney wife, Krissy Lefebvre. If he's the creative talent, she's the organizational and marketing force behind him. He's concocting foie gras powder while she's scheduling his next photo shoot. He's in the kitchen and she seems to be everywhere in the dining room at once, greeting diners at the door and running ham soup and boudin noir mousse to tables. "He truly is a tortured artist. Me, I'm just tortured," she jokes, but then says seriously: "He's the artist, and I execute."
Had Ludo Lefebvre followed in the footsteps of other French chefs such as Christophe Emé and Jean-François Meteigner who came to Los Angeles and cooked at the erstwhile L'Orangerie, he might have a restaurant with white tablecloths and plenty of Bernardaud.
Instead, the itinerant Lefebvre most recently has been cooking at a breakfast-and-lunch spot called Gram & Papa's in downtown's gritty Fashion District. The wine glasses are donated, the plates are from T.J. Maxx. Nothing on the menu is more than $29.
But his approach to cooking has remained the same: French food influenced by "flavors from around the world," torqued by a repertoire of powders, pastes and foams — something Ludo calls "bistronomy," for bistro-meets-molecular gastronomy. "I cannot cook safe food," he says. "If I cook simple, people complain."
Ham soup, for example, is based on jambon-beurre, the typical French sandwich of ham and butter. "But I wanted to play with the texture. So soup! I don't know what goes on in my head," says Ludo, who can swing from petulant to animated in a beat. "I love to surprise people, to do something I never think about before. Then I get it perfect and I take it off the menu."
On a recent night during the remaining weeks of the latest LudoBites (LudoBites 4.0 for those counting), the room is lively, as ever. The storefronts on 9th Street selling polyblend mini-dresses and men's three-for-$299 suits are closed, but the restaurant is aglow with low lights and filled with rapt conversation and the beats of French hip-hop group NTM. A young couple at the next table pulls a bottle from a paper bag; the kids are drinking Korbel.
It's definitely an easy vibe that the couple cultivates. He doesn't go by Ludovic but Ludo, and she doesn't go by Kristine but Krissy. Ludo, 39, is a classically trained chef who worked at L'Arpège and restaurant Pierre Gagnaire in Paris and L'Espérance in Vezelay but is as likely to be found chatting at tables as he is plating sea bream ceviche with Meyer lemon paste and cilantro flowers. No chef's whites, just a short-sleeved dishwasher's shirt. Krissy, 41, is a former model. She wears glasses, loose jeans and ordinary Nikes.
"I want people to feel that they're in my home," Ludo says — no matter where he happens to be. "I want to create an ambience where you have a great life, a place where people meet each other, talk."
Welcoming and prepossessing, he and Krissy are sort of the of-the-moment version of Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff back when those two were king and queen of Spago — but without the '80s glitz. (Though Sidney Poitier hasn't alighted on LudoBites yet, Ruth Reichl has.) And who knows? Maybe Ludo's foie gras croque monsieur is the next California pizza.
"It's a harder reservation than Spago ever was," Reichl says. It's about "a new kind of exclusivity … and the power of social media. The hot new restaurants are for people who discuss them on Twitter, pride themselves on being in the know and revel in being in each other's company."
Now Krissy, savvy and candid, is planning "the next step in the extension of the Ludo brand": the LudoBites truck. She says she expects it to start rolling midsummer, but not before everything is up to LudoBites standards. "It's really important to control the quality behind the brand."
The Lefebvres have received invitations to "pop up" in Oxnard, Thailand and several places in between. Ludo is speaking about pop-up restaurants at the National Restaurant Assn. conference this month in Chicago. A TV project may be in the works. Though Ozersky lauds the pop-up "business model," the couple say they live from paycheck to paycheck, at least for now.
The Lefebvres are no media slouches. She has appeared on NBC's "The Apprentice" and has posed for Playboy. Ludo has been a contestant on both seasons of Bravo's "Top Chef Masters." But maybe what has most endeared them to fans is their accessibility, dosed with tweets (@chefludo and @frenchchefwife) and Facebook updates and LudoBites website newsletters.
"This is the real me," says Ludo, who won the hearts of bloggers everywhere when he showed up at the home of Javier Cabral (the Teenage Glutster) to cook with his mom. "I want to be open."
Last month the couple held a "Top Chef Masters" viewing party at Akasha restaurant in Culver City, even though Ludo lost. ("He really thought his Irish stew was going to win," Krissy says.)
"Some people wondered, why throw a party if he didn't advance?" she says. "It's television.... Why would we waste the Bravo airtime and not use it?"
And use it to its fullest extent. Krissy sat next to Ludo during the airing of the show and live-tweeted the entire episode. Of her marketing skills, she says, "I'd already worked for celebrity brands like Shaquille O'Neal and Pamela Anderson" as a licensing attorney. It only makes sense that she'd do the same for Ludo Lefebvre.
"She's behind me. She understands me," says Ludo. "Since she started working with me, my career has been better."
Theirs is a classic he's-a-chef/she'd-never-eaten-caviar romance. She was an Army brat raised in Denver, and he grew up learning to cook from his grandmother in Auxerre in Burgundy, France. She adds sea urchin, celery root and foie gras to the list of things she'd never tried before meeting Ludo.
They met in L.A. when Ludo was chef at L'Orangerie and Krissy was an in-house lawyer at Staples Center. The way Krissy tells it, they locked eyes at L'Orangerie while she was there on a date with someone else: "I saw [Ludo] at the maitre d' stand and there was an instant connection — at least in my mind," she says.
She interpreted her amuse bouche and mignardises as "a love message" just for her and later had a friend deliver her phone number to Ludo. He called; three weeks later they were getting tattoos together and now they've been married a decade.
Three years ago, Ludo had had enough of the whims of restaurant owners and reviewers who "didn't get it" (he received one star from Times restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila when he was executive chef at Bastide). "I want to answer to nobody," Ludo says.
But when he couldn't find a space of his own that he loved, he approached the owner of Breadbar and asked to use the kitchen in the evenings after the bakery closed and "do a little menu" — the first LudoBites. The second LudoBites didn't happen until more than a year later, after a stint in Las Vegas. But from there, "Bof! Crazy!" as Ludo puts it.
"It was a big risk for me," he says. "I did not know how people were going to react. But now they order the entire menu."
Recently the Lefebvres commemorated LudoBites 4.0 at Prix Body Adornment, a tattoo and piercing parlor on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Just before Ludo's 39th birthday, they both got tattoos of the LudoBites logo: a rooster created by their friend, Pop artist Burton Morris. (Hers is on the back of her neck, and his is on his right arm.)
"I always wanted a tattoo of a rooster," Ludo says. "When you put a tattoo on your skin it means something to you."
So what does it mean? "This is it," Krissy says. "We decided to make LudoBites our life. This is our life."


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DD Dorvillier's DANZA PERMANENTE Comes to The Kitchen, Now thru 9/30
The Kitchen and the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, present the U.S. premiere of Danza Permanente, from DD Dorvillier and her human future dance corps, as part of the 2012 Crossing the Line festival. Danza Permanente transposes the score of a Beethoven string quartet into movement for four dancers, each of whom takes the part of a single instrument. The work is performed in near silence with bursts of recorded sound by Zeena Parkins, who also serves as music director.
Performances of Danza Permanente will take place tonight through Sunday, September 26–30 at 8:00 P.M. at The Kitchen, which is located at 512 West 19th Street, NYC. Tickets, which are $15, are available online at www.thekitchen.org and by phone at 212.255.5793 x11.
In Danza Permanente, the performers embody the musical structure and dynamics of the string quartet, behaving as sound, in silence. The transposition of the score is by choreographer DD Dorvillier and composer/music director Zeena Parkins, with dancers Fabian Barba, Nuno Bizarro, Walter Dundervill, Naiara Mendioroz, and rehearsal assistant Heather Kravas. The lighting design by Thomas Dunn and the acoustic environment by Parkins follow the score, framing the silence and the dance.
Of creating Danza Permanente, Dorvillier has said, "I chose to work with the score of Ludwig van Beethoven's String Quartet #15, in A Minor, Op. 132, not so much for the man Beethoven himself, but for the music, which is at once moving, demanding, rigorous, and extreme in contrasts, colors, and mood changes. This infamous and beloved music has an intellectual and affective power that is akin to literature. It is thinking music. Danza Permanente originates from a curiosity about how, without words, music, through its unique properties, induces thought and feeling."
DD Dorvillier (choreographer) Puerto Rico, 1967. Choreographer, dancer, and teacher in New York City since 1989. Bessie Awards for choreography (Dressed for Floating, 2003) and performance (Parades & Changes, replays, 2010). In 1991, Dorvillier and dancer/choreographer Jennifer Monson created the Matzoh Factory. For over a decade, the studio was a grassroots site for wild experimentation where choreographers and artists congregated for low-tech/low-cost shows, rehearsals, parties, and readings. Dorvillier has worked with and been deeply influenced by Jennifer Monson, Zeena Parkins, Jennifer Lacey, Yvonne Meier, Sarah Michelson, and Karen Finley, among others. She has been an MR Artist in Residence, curator of the Mr Festival, and co-editor the MR Performance Journals "Release" and her awards include NYFA Choreography Fellowship (2000), Foundation for Contemporary Arts Fellowship (2007), and Guggenheim Fellowship (2011). Her work has been presented in NYC at The Kitchen, Dance Theater Workshop, Danspace Project, and PS 122, and others. Internationally she has presented her work at ImPulsTanz, Vienna; DeSingel, Antwerp, STUK, Leuven; Hau/Hebel am Ufer, Berlin; Frascati, Amsterdam; Zagreb Dance Weeks, Zagreb; Springdance Dialogues/TSEH Festival, Moscow; and many others.
Zeena Parkins (composer, musical director) multi-instrumentalist, composer, improviser, sound artist, well-known as a pioneer of the electric harp, has also extended the language of the acoustic harp with the inventive use of unusual playing techniques, preparations, and layers of digital and analog processing. Parkins has received commissions to provide scores for film, video, chamber orchestras, theater and dance. She has long-term creative relationships with Neil Greenberg, John Jasperse, Jennifer Monson, Jennifer Lacey, DD Dorvillier, and Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh, and has also appeared with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, who commissioned a new work for Experiments in the Studio. She has appeared in festivals worldwide and on countless recordings. Some collaborators include: Kim Gordon, John Zorn, Bjork, Yoko Ono, Christian Marclay, Fred Frith, Elliott Sharp, Thurston Moore and filmmakers Cynthia Madansky, Mandy McIntosh and Daria Martin. Zeena has received three Bessies for her extraordinary work in music within the dance and performance field in the United States and abroad for over two decades.
Crossing the Line is the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF)'s annual fall festival presenting interdisciplinary works and performances created by artists from around the world in New York. The festival provides opportunities for New Yorkers to explore the dialogue between artist and participant, examine how artists help re-imagine the world, and engage in the vital role artists play as critical thinkers and catalysts for social evolution. Curated by Lili Chopra, Artistic Director of FIAF, Simon Dove, Director of the Herberger Institute School of Dance at Arizona State University, and Gideon Lester, Director of Theater Programs at Bard College, Crossing the Line is initiated and produced by FIAF in partnership with leading cultural institutions and takes place this year from September 14–October 14, 2012.
Inaugurated in 2007, Crossing the Line has enjoyed increasingly strong audience response from diverse segments of the New York City area, as well as critical acclaim. The festival was voted "Best of 2009" and "Best of 2010" by Time Out New York, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. The New York Times has said, "The French Institute Alliance Française's annual Crossing the Line has carved out a particular identity as an invigorating, unpredictable, occasionally provocative mix of genres and disciplines…It's the artistic equivalent of a splash of water on the face." www.fiaf.org/ctl
FIAF's mission is to create and offer New Yorkers innovative and unique programs in education and the arts that explore the evolving diversity and richness of French cultures. FIAF seeks to generate new ideas and promote cross cultural dialogue through partnerships and new platforms of expression. www.fiaf.org
The Kitchen is one of New York City's oldest nonprofit performance and exhibition spaces, showing experimental work by innovative artists, both emerging and established. Programs range from dance, music, and theatrical performances to video and media arts exhibitions to literary events, film screenings, and artists' talks. Since its inception in 1971, The Kitchen has been a powerful force in shaping the cultural landscape of this country and has helped launch the careers of many artists who have gone on to worldwide prominence.


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The Sports Xchange
EditorsNote: Final update with Crosby the lede Crosby caps NHL awards with second Hart Trophy
In addition to winning the Ted Lindsay Award, presented annually to the NHL's best player, as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby won the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's regular season MVP by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, during the league's awards ceremony Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
Crosby, who led the league with 36 goals and 104 points, is the second Penguins player to win the Hart multiple times, joining Mario Lemieux, who won it three times. Crosby, who was named on every ballot, was followed by Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf and Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux, in second and third place, respectively.
Eighteen-year-old Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon became the youngest winner of the Calder Trophy, given to the NHL's top rookie.
MacKinnon, who led rookies in points (63), assists (39), power-play goals (eight) and shots (241) and tied for the lead in goals (24) and game-winning goals (five), received 130 of 137 first-place votes and 1,347 points in the voting. Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Ondrej Palat was second with five first-place votes and 791 points. Tampa Bay center Tyler Johnson came in third in Calder balloting, and he was followed by Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug and Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner won the Calder in 2011 when he was 3 1/2 months older than MacKinnon is now.
MacKinnon's coach, Patrick Roy, was selected the Jack Adams Award winner as the league's top coach following his first season behind the Avalanche's bench. He is the first rookie coach to earn the honor since the Washington Capitals' Bruce Boudreau in 2008.
Roy led the Avalanche to the league's third-best record one year after the team finished 29th. He received 68 of 95 first-place votes and 399 voting points. The Detroit Red Wings' Mike Babcock placed second with 11 first-place votes and 163 voting points, and Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper was third with five first-place votes and 136 voting points.
Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask received the Vezina Trophy, which goes to the NHL's top goaltender. Rask went 36-15-6 while helping Boston post the league's best regular-season record. He topped the NHL with seven shutouts, and he came in second in save percentage (.930), fourth in goals-against average (2.04) and fifth in victories.
Rask received 16 of 30 first-place votes and 103 voting points from the league's general managers in voting for the top goalie. Colorado's Semyon Varlamov was second with nine first-place votes and 90 voting points, and Tampa Bay's Ben Bishop was third with one first-place vote and 32 voting points.
Rask's teammate in Boston, forward Patrice Bergeron, received the Frank J. Selke Trophy, which goes to the top defensive forward in the NHL. It was the second time in three years Bergeron won the Selke. Bergeron also won the NHL Foundation Player Award, given for charitable and community work.
Bergeron received 1,283 points in Selke voting, including 112 of the 137 first-place votes. Kings center Anze Kopitar finished a distant second with 840 points and 20 first-place votes. The Chicago Blackhawks' Jonathan Towes, the St. Louis Blues' David Backes and the Blackhawks' Marian Hossa rounded out the top five in Selke balloting.
Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith captured the James Norris Memorial Trophy, given to the top all-around defenseman. Keith topped all defensemen with 55 assists and ranked second with 61 points. He received 68 of 137 first-place votes and 1,033 voting points. The Bruins' Zdeno Chara was second with 21 first-place votes and 667 voting points, and the Nashville Predators' Shea Weber came in third with 26 first-place votes and 638 voting points.
Bob Murray, who led the Anaheim Ducks to franchise records in wins, points and point percentage, was chosen the General Manager of the Year. Murray received nine first-place votes and 66 voting points. The Montreal Canadiens' Marc Bergevin came in second with seven first-place votes and 49 points, and the Los Angeles Kings' Dean Lombardi was third with three first-place votes and 33 voting points.
Avalanche forward Ryan O'Reilly received the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for gentlemanly play.
Rounding out the awards, New York Rangers forward Dominic Moore was awarded the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrew Ference captured the King Clancy Trophy for humanitarian contributions; and Kings right winger Dustin Brown received the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.


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