I’m still testing out this new-to-me Nikon R1C1 macro flash system, which could give me incredible detail in macro photography, and offer me a more flexible option than my “needs an external power source or lots of batteries” medical Nikkor glass.
So over the weekend, I set up my Nikon Df with my manual focus macro 55mm 1:3.5 lens, strapped on the R1C1 flash gear, and took a little “photo walk” around the neighborhood. Kinda wanted to photograph some flowers in bloom, but … it’s March, and there weren’t many flowers in bloom.
No matter. I can work around this.
Eventually I decided to photograph other things. Just to get some up-close imagery.
Such as this wire that was tied around a street sign.
You know … things like this.
And if I’m not able to capture blooms on stalks …
I’ll try something else that kinda grows on trees.
Electrical markings on power poles. Like this one.
GIPA stands for Green Island Power Authority. They provide municipal power to the Town and Village, as opposed to National Grid (who still provides natural gas and heat to the area). Green Island is one of several New York communities who get their power through the New York Power Authority, with energy coming from the raging waters of Niagara Falls. Although this winter GIPA has had to deal with two or three power outages, which has driven the neighborhood crazy. But the trade-off is that our light bills are microscopic compared to the $$$$ the rest of the Capital District pays from National Greed.
Oh, here’s another marker on a pole. This one looks neato. Let’s get it.
I’m going to pull this aside as a possible entry for Competition Season 2026. Look at that weathered detail on the tin number. Look at the weathered detail on the phone pole trunk.
Damn this flash system has some punch to it.
Can’t wait to test it out on more organic materials as the weather improves.
Chuck The Writer 