In The Yard – ITY09

I am still waiting for the Spring to arrive and change all the brown to fresh green.  I wanted to go looking for a beautiful sunset but with still barren trees I did not want to have yet another image of naked trees silhouetted against the setting sun.  I had not been out much this week and was itchin’ to use the camera.  I thought back to my resolution last week and decided there were plenty of opportunities in my own yard.  I just needed to get out and see them!

I know I have mentioned my penchant for photographing grass.  It was with me during my initial learning stage and I have always been fascinated with the various elements available for subjects of an image.  I have been a bit negligent in exploring this abundant subject matter.  Tonight’s sunset gave me the opportunity I needed.

This first image is a single blade of grass at the edge of my lawn.  Laying down in the driveway and shooting into the sun with my 60mm macro lens allowed me to capture the light of the sunset on this solitary blade.  I also used a very large aperture (f/2.8) to isolate this blade of grass from the rest of my lawn.

Blade – Start
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/800s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Before I got up from the driveway I remembered a few rules I have read about composition and image subjects…

‘If your photos aren’t good enough, then you’re not close enough’ – Robert Capa

I wish I could remember where I read this next one but I have seen/read it numerous times…

Fill the frame

Although I liked the image I captured above I moved in closer and captured the image below.  It might only be a subtle change but for me it does increase the impact of the image.  I see more of the detail in the blade of grass.  There are no distracting elements at the bottom of the frame.  There is just the blade…

Blade
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/500s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Long time readers will know that this next image comes as no surprise from me…  the dandelions are starting to appear!  Following the same advice I got the macro lens as close as I could.  This is slightly out of character for me as I would typically fill the frame with the dandelion without cropping some of it out.  I sometimes feel I need to show the whole subject not realizing that there are times when less is more.

I also tried something a little different with the processing for this image.  I added a little texture to enhance the mood.  Although the original exposure was nice I felt a slight over-exposed look would work with this dandelion.  By over-exposing the highlights the darker details in the dandelion show through.  I played with the color tone as well for a little muted look and then topped it off with an overall texture and a little light leak.

Dandie
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/320s, f/2.8, ISO 200

This group of images reinforces in me to look beyond the grand landscape vistas and explore everything that captures your eye.  Even the simple subjects in your yard can produce visually interesting images.  Now get out there and show me what you find…