Carefree Days

Flat Rock Park, Columbus, GA

Once I finished my new year’s post this morning I went back to my adventure in the video game I am currently playing. I was about to battle the big baddie of the area I’m exploring. Time to gear up and charge in there.

It started off cold this morning and burying myself in the game on this, the last day of my extended holiday/vacation was all I had on my mind. And then it looked really nice outside. The weather app was telling me it was 60F with barely any breeze and a bright blue sky. OK. Is the botanical garden open? No! Dang it! There is always the park.

I didn’t think about it because as I drove into the park I was floored by the number of people.

Don’t panic! You can work with this.

But… people!

They are less interested in you then you are in them…

…people…

It will be alright.

I had no plan for what I wanted to photograph. All I wanted to do was go for a walk and if I find a subject for the camera, it will be a bonus. I put the 105mm macro lens on the camera and headed out.

My other self was right. The people were not a hinderance. I chose to walk the trails winding through the woods rather than the road that circles the park. The park has a lot of mountain bike trails and to my delight a lot of paths to walk. Who knew?

What was churning in my head as I walked… see the little things, look for textures and patterns. But most importantly, be open to everything. There are subjects for you in every direction, be open to seeing them.

I was having a great time. It was a beautiful day and my path through the woods allowed me to bypass the “crowds”. And then I found it…

Carefree Days
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/640s, f/2.8, ISO 100

Layers

Monochrome Monday

Layers
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/250s, 32mm, f/8, ISO 100

Don’t Push Me Away

Columbus Botanical Garden

Don’t Push Me Away
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/125s, f/8, ISO 140

Keep Me Close

Silent Sunday
Columbus Botanical Garden

Keep Me Close
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 450

Unforgotten, Remembered, and Elevated

Columbus Botanical Garden

I have the luxury of using some personal time to give myself this week off from work. I have no particular plans other than to enjoy it one day at a time. Of course, the weather has been questionable but I’m rolling with it. Yesterday was overcast with the threat of rain but it was good conditions for more floral macros at the Columbus Botanical Garden.

I had specific images in my head. My previous visit highlighted flowers as they continued past their prime and I anticipated finding more to shine a spotlight on. More work has been completed as the garden gets ready for their Shine: A Celebration of Nature & Wonder event and the majority of the flower beds have already been recycled. The rose garden still held my fascination though, and I was able to come home with a few beauties.

As much as I have enjoyed processing these faded flowers with the bleach bypass approach I wanted to try something different. I don’t recall where I came across Greg Noire’s preset pack for Lightroom but this processing is from his B&W Ninja pack. The preset name is ‘Clean Cut’.

Unforgotten
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/160s, f/5.6, ISO 100

Remembered
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/200s, f/5.6, ISO 100

Elevated
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/80s, f/8, ISO 100

Poise Reflected

Flat Rock Park

Poise Reflected
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/60s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 100

Follow the Curve

Wordless Wednesday

Follow the Curve
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/100s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 200