Smilin' Electro Boy

Camera: D200
Lens: Tamron SP90 Macro
f/11 at 1/60
ISO 100
SB600 Speedlight (off camera)

Someone else’s garbage… Yes, this is a motherboard from a computer that was thrown out. When I saw it, I immediately thought about using it for a stock image. All the major components that plug into the board were removed so I couldn’t take a shot of the whole unit. Instead I chose to use a macro lens and focus in on a very small portion showing some of the circuitry.

A lesson my wife has taught me is to use my imagination to see things that represent something else. A simple example would be to look at the sky and not just see clouds but look for shapes within the clouds that look like other familiar objects or creatures.

That lesson came into play with this shot. As I looked through my viewfinder and scanned the circuitry for something that made a strong visual impression, I noticed the white circle. My mind immediately recognized that it could be seen as face. The solder spots look like eyes and the two curved lines look like a mouth.

The circle stands out from the rest of the markings that are generally made up of straight lines. That contrast in shape makes the viewer easily focus in on and recognize the circle as the main subject of the photo.