Swirling Paint Design
For this extreme close-up (macro) image, I mixed paints and then photographed the abstract pattern of colors, swirls, and curls. Here's the how-to process: Buy some little jars (half pints) of sample paints, blend them together in a small plastic container, and watch the designs come to life. Make sure the camera’s back is parallel to the surface, to help ensure side-to-side, corner-to-corner sharpness. Soft natural light is best -- either from overcast or, in this case, shade. I also used a polarizing filter to reduce the glare on the shiny surface.
