Day 6 – Macro Photography. This was a little challenging getting just the right shot. I won’t even tell you how many images I took today. But, then again, that’s what this challenge is about, patience and practice.
When I brought it into Photoshop elements, I cropped it slightly, changed the background to black and applied the Orton Effect. I could probably go back in and clean up some of the edges a little more, but overall, I’m happy with the results.
Field Notes: Focal Length – 35mm; Exposure 1/85 sec; f32; ISO 1250
Anne challenges us this week with one of my all-time ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) techniques……Zooming. It’s fun, challenging and the results can be quite spectacular. You can learn more about the specific technique in Anne’s post.
It’s been a while since I played around with zooming, so when Anne’s challenge came out, I took the opportunity to take some new images. It took me a couple of shots to get the hang of it again, but I really like how these Lilypad images turned out.
In the first image below, I like how a single leaf is in focus and the rest of the leaves show increasing movement from there.
Creatively cropping your images can also give you some added depth and movement. The image below reminds me of a kaleidoscope.
There are so many fun things you can do when editing your zooming images. In the photo below, I applied the “Orton Effect” and also added a little more blur. I like the brighter, dreamy look to the image on the right.
For my last image, I have cropped it a little differently and applied a “watercolor” texture. I feel like I’m in the middle of a wheat filed with the one on the right.
Thank you, Anne for the reminder of this fun technique. I can’t wait to keep applying it to other photos.
Ritva leads next week so be sure you’re subscribed to her site The World as I See It when she posts the challenge Saturday, noon EST.
It’s a new week of the Lens Artist Challenge and John from Travels with JohnBo has us sharing our “Go to Places” for photography (you can read John’s original post here). It’s a wonderful theme and one that I didn’t have to think too much about, because really any place I have my camera becomes my “go to place.” But specifically, my “go to place” is anywhere I can be outside connecting with nature.
It can be in a garden enjoying the blooms and color while watching the birds and insects gathering food and nectar:
Macro Photography of a Sunflower with a BugBee Pollenating on Rododendron
It can be a walk in the park on a Fall Day enjoying the crisp air and changing colors of the leaves:
IMG 8175
Or walks along the beach taking in the salt air and ocean breezes.
So where is your “Go to Place” when you need inspiration?
Many thanks to John for this wonderful challenge. Next week, Sofia will host. Be sure to follow her here so you don’t miss her post, which will go live next Saturday at noon Eastern time.
I’m not a “bird watcher” per se. I don’t run around in the park chasing birds with binoculars in tow, stretching my neck around trying to catch a glimpse of that unique, rare species which can only be found in the wetlands of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Actually, I find myself a little perplexed when I see the bird watchers because all they seem to be doing is looking, pointing and scribbling notes but not taking any photos of what they see. But, hey. I’m sure I look a little goofy at times running around with my camera gear hanging off my shoulders, squatting or standing on a ledge to get just that right perspective for the shot.
Having said all of this I do like to sit in our backyard and watch the birds………with my glass of wine and camera armed and ready. It’s something Michael and I enjoy during the warmer evenings of the year. And, if I’m honest with myself these “bird watching” sessions have provided some wonderful photo ops like these from the other evening:
It’s both relaxing and challenging at the same time. I’m always perched on the edge of my chair, constantly checking my camera settings with the ever-changing bird activity and lighting.
So, I guess you could say I fall into the “bird watching” category. Maybe it’s time I brushed up on the different bird species in the area and join up with a bird watching group. Nah, I’ll just hang out with our backyard wildlife.
So, what about you? Are you a “bird watcher” or “watcher of birds?”
I don’t know about you, but I have a bad case of Spring Fever (literally and figuratively) when I look at this photo. It was a lucky shot in more ways than one. Lucky, I caught the bumble bee approaching the bloom and lucky I didn’t get stung in the process!
The story behind this flower? It’s part of two HUGE rhododendron bushes my father transplanted from a friend’s home in Mt. Mitchell, NC. Some 40+ years later these bushes/shrubs/trees are still thriving in his backyard.
I took this particular photo last season after spending about 10 – 15 minutes chasing the bumble bee around, snapping photo after photo until I thought I might have the right shot! Once I looked over the photos, I knew this needed to be on a notecard!
Each notecard set includes 8 notecards/envelopes and are packaged in a cream colored, organza, drawstring gift bag.
Keep for yourself or give as a gift, this notecard set will brighten anyone’s day!
Donna Robinson Photography 