Some backbone

Some backbone
Originally uploaded by mehampson

One small problem I have with studio macros like this is the lack of a good background. My blue-grey wall provides pretty boring bokeh... So while taking some shots of this capelin spine, I came across a new technique that shows great promise for providing interesting, well-blurred backgrounds: I took a large book with a good cover illustration, placed it behind the subject, and, magically, interesting bokeh.

Cheating perhaps. But much better than the wall.