Taking amazing closeups with a point and shoot... of BOLTS. :)

After you read this post, I PROMISE that you'll fall in love with metal bolts and scream if you find a stash in... wherever bolts are stashed.

And if you don't, then certify me as having gone over and beyond the call of junk duty.

I'm officially starting a bolt revolution.  Here and now. You find a bolt, think of me. Wishing I could swoon at the beauty of the crusty metal, faded jewel tones of.. whatever that stuff is, gritty stamped lettering, eclectic shaped heads. Bolts unite!

The next few pics make me crazy enough to get them output and hung on my wall for cryin' out loud.

Nuff of that crazyiness. Let's now chat about the macro setting on your camera.

Do you have an el cheapo point and shoot like me? Good. Then you have no excuse to say you can't take bolt pictures just like these.

Steps to taking amazing closeups.. with a point and shoot.

a) place your bolts outdoors (BOLTS... not buttons.) Fine fine then... get buttons. Buttons work too. But bolts are more fun. :)

b) find an area out of direct sunlight. Diffused light is best.

c) turn off your flash and set your camera to automatic.

d) see that flower? That's macro. You will love the results. This is not the macro button on my camera but they all have flowers.

Selecting macro is done differently on each camera. For mine, I have to hit the bottom of a button twice to get it. Just watch your screen.

Turn on your camera, turn off your flash, select macro and...

e) stabilize your camera ON something. Do not free hold it. And don't zoom, but aim. Now get close to one bolt.

f) slightly depress the button to take a pic, BUT allow your camera to focus first.

g) make sure it's focused on what you desire. If it hasn't, try again. It can take more than one try.

By default, the nearest thing generally grasps the focus, leaving everything else in a haze. But not always.

Best results are had IF the camera is rock steady. Rock steady matters 1000% with this.

Then hold your breath while you click. There's no jiggle that way.

KXA2 back atcha, cutie pie! :)

Admit it. Right about now, you're discovering bolts could be your friend.

This just in!

"The gritty golden tones further enhance steam punkish details, only found on our exclusive bolt collection. With one of a kind, highly sought after numeric art, our amazing bolts were discovered on Funky Junk Interiors in which has since started the bolt revolution you see here today. We are eternally grateful to FJI."

Amen! Hand Kolein some rubber gloves. And a wire brush. We're in this for the long haul now. >:)

Who needs black furniture when you can have a big black bolt I say.

"Darling, please remember the bolts on my Christmas list this year, kay?
I'm on a diet anyway. Thanks hun!"

With a touch of rust... dyin' here.

A bolt revolution. 

All because of the macro setting.

Don't say I didn't warn you...

Consider this part of the ongoing course.

Have any closeup camera type questions or tips? 
And.. have I sold you too on the beauty of bolts?!? :)

Please give that macro setting a workout and let us know how you did!

(the photos above were sharpened and lightened in Picasa... try it out!)