Black Locust Tree

Black Locust

The locust in bloom has been one of my lifetime favorites.  They don't seem to bloom beautifully every year.  It is funny they would bloom after such a harsh winter.

Black Locust

In this image, I set up a 42" diffuser to the right which improved the light quality and evenness greatly.  I found myself fussing with the background.  I did not want it to overshadow the subject.  For that reason, I shot at f/8.

Black Locust

A flash unit mounted on the hot shoe proved just the lift I wanted for the subject.

I had ec = +1.5, fec = 0 set.  I have read that the best use of flash is not to show its use.  I think this my be an example of that.  The diffuser is still positioned to the right and the plant is stabilized with a rose holder. 

In retrospect, I wish I had fiddled with DOF a little more.  I could have improved sharpness in specific areas without ruining the background blur.  

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Tatarian Honeysuckle

Tatarian Honeysuckle

We have a pink honeysuckle called Tatarian.  The blooms form in fours, two of which are shown above.  As I worked these, I found myself wanting tack sharpness for the petals and reproductive parts.

Tatarian Honeysuckle

I liked the odd numbers of petals and reproductive parts.

Lens set on OS1

I had the lens set on OS (optical stabilization) 1.  I thought that I had read it could be set on 1 for tripod mounting.  I found that it was moving around and causing problems with my deep DOF technique.  

Tatarian Honeysuckle

I moved the switch to the off position and sharpness instantly improved and dramatically.  I found myself thinking that I might need to use the macro focusing rail but now I am happy without it.

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Honeysuckle

Japonica Honeysuckle

With the emergence of leaves on the trees and shrubs the lack of bird photography has left me to find other subjects.  The honeysuckle is in bloom currently and I wanted to see if I could create images better than those created in previous years.

Japonica Honeysuckle

I liked the flower having five petals and five reproductive parts.  I decided that, for my purposes, reproductive parts are more important than the petals, therefore; they must be in focus.

Japonica Honeysuckle

Plant photography is something I have not done for maybe six months.  It seems that I forget how to do it in that time.  I am (re)learning quicker this time around.

Japonica Honeysuckle

 I have been going earlier because of the early sunrise this time of year.  The early post sunrise light is just delicious!

Japonica Honeysuckle

You may notice the change of light quality from diffuse to more contrasty in this series of shots.

Relating to exposure compensation, I wanted the white petals to be white or as near as possible to white.  My Evaluative Metering needs me to increase compensation to +1 especially in the diffuse light.  As the light becomes more contrasty, I must be careful not to let the bright spots lose detail from over exposure.  I might have to dial in - 1 to accomplish this.

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Gavin

Gavin at Easter

Gavin and I really enjoyed walks to the local pond when he came to visit years ago.  We kind of got away from that but now we are rediscovering our relationship.

Gavin

Gavin happened to be visiting on a Saturday when the Richland Lithic and Lapidary Society was holding a show at Gorman Nature Center.  He accepted my invitation to go.  We saw many beautiful rocks.  I learned that Jason Larson, the director, loves rocks too.

Afterwards we walked around my trail.  Gavin was understanding about my need to sit every-so-often.  We had a very enjoyable walk for me.

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Thorns

Blackberry

This Blackberry plant, yet without leaves, has been catching my attention as I walked past it.  I decided to use an ultra wide lens, Sigma 10 - 20 mm, for the capture.  The lens has lots of DOF but the sharpness only lasted until the apex of the curve.  The contrasty light dictated my perspective.  Otherwise, I would have showed some of the thorns in shadow.

Blackberry

I decided that less contrasty light would be a better way.  I used three captures to increase the overall DOF and pushed down the distracting small tree near the apex.  I was able to vary my perspective without the direct sunlight which worked better.  I still used the Sigma 10 - 20mm lens.

My first reaction, upon seeing this, was my eye being caught by the almost texture of the thorns and the strong leading line of the stalk.  On second thought, I am repulsed by the apparent lethality of the those thorns.  I want to stay away from it.

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Easter Sunday

Lucas, Loudon and Chad

Carol and I don't entertain much any more because we usually don't feel up to it.  Easter was an exception.  Megan was ill and could not attend.

Steve, Tiffany and Lexus

The light was exceedingly strong.  I was surprised how much mitigation I could effect with PS.

Lexus, Matthew, Lilly, Addilin, Gavin

"Fill Light" in ACR brought up the shadowed faces quite nicely.  The light was brutal for those not wearing sunglasses.  Sasha was there but, somehow, did not get in the photograph.

Caren was invited but opted not to attend.

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Predaceous Diving Beetle

Predaceous Diving Beetle, Immature

I saw this creature the other day while watching for salamander larvae.  At first glance, it looked like a little stick floating in water.  I later discovered its true identity.

Adult courtesy of Wikipedia

As with many of the creatures of the vernal pool, the metamorphosis changes its appearance greatly.  Most interesting.

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