Category Archives: floral

Closing for the Night

Posted by Mike on

After dinner, and the rain, I headed out to the park to grab some sunset images. I managed to come home with a few keepers. As I was finishing up the dishes I noticed the clouds and some really funky light. I went out into the yard to see what I could do with some long exposures. I’ve always liked the way clouds streak in the sky when you leave the shutter open.

My first few attempts turned out OK for the clouds but the foreground was a little too dark. What the heck, might as well play around, digital images cost me nothing but my time. I popped the flash up (yes, I really need to buy a proper flash unit) and tried a few settings. I didn’t want to overpower the clouds so I dialed back on the flash power. A -2EV setting gave me what I wanted.

Not a bad attempt although there was just enough movement in the blossoms to cause a little ghosting. I think it works OK considering the movement in the clouds. I would have stayed out longer but the darn mosquitoes were eating me up!

Closing for the Night Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 30s, 17mm, -2EV flash, ISO 100

Closing for the Night
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 30s, 17mm, -2EV flash, ISO 100

On the Pond

Posted by Mike on

Luckily for me I have great neighbors! Otherwise I would be running out of subjects for my images. One of my neighbors has a pond up behind his house and he told me that the water lilies are in bloom. I finally made it over the other morning, although it was an overcast day, to grab a few pictures.

Of course, I had to run back home since the 17-70mm lens didn’t have enough reach. Up until now I have been happy with 200mm being my longest lens considering I mainly capture landscapes or macros. Those stinking lilies were out in the middle of the pond and quite unwilling for a close-up. Either I need that 400mm lens or the D7100 with the extra 1.3 crop feature… lol!

Water Lily 1 Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/20s, 165mm, f/5.3, ISO 100

Water Lily 1
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/20s, 165mm, f/5.3, ISO 100

Water Lily 2 Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/40s, 200mm, f/5.6, ISO 100

Water Lily 2
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/40s, 200mm, f/5.6, ISO 100

Water Lily 3 Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/40s, 200mm, f/5.6, ISO 100

Water Lily 3
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/40s, 200mm, f/5.6, ISO 100

Water Lily 4 Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/20s, 200mm, f/5.6, ISO 100

Water Lily 4
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/20s, 200mm, f/5.6, ISO 100

More Flowers Around the Yard

Posted by Mike on

I finally broke down and purchased a new computer for myself. The unbearable slowness of the old one as I processed my images was driving me crazy. Wow! I didn’t realize how bad the computer had fallen. This new one is like lightning. No more sitting around and waiting for me…

The continuous rain has kept me close to home the last few days so I have only been able to sneak out into the yard between the rain drops. I did manage to capture a few of the new additions to the floral displays. The first is the hydrangea that was planted to help spruce up the flower bed at the end of the house for the graduation party.

Pink Rookies Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/200s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Pink Rookies
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/200s, f/2.8, ISO 200

I have to admit that the decline of the peony bushes in the yard is largely my fault. The darn lawn mower had a mind of its own, I swear. The one surviving bush had the most blossoms I have ever seen on it this year. It hasn’t been able to withstand all this rain.

Peony Surrender Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/60s, f/8, ISO 200

Peony Surrender
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/60s, f/8, ISO 200

Floral Fun

Posted by Mike on

Although the past few days have been quite hectic I did manage to sneak out around the house to play with the camera. There are more flowers in bloom and I was playing with the on-camera flash. I purchased Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Flash Photography a little while ago and definitely need to read the book. I was waiting until I purchased a flash unit for my camera but I think even a better understanding for the on-camera flash would be good for me.

A Sister and a Cousin Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/40s, 55mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

A Sister and a Cousin
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/40s, 55mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Against the Light Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/125s, 50mm, f/10, ISO 100

Against the Light
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/125s, 50mm, f/10, ISO 100

Hanging Around Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/4, ISO 800

Hanging Around
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/4, ISO 800