Tag Archives: floral

Top Down

Posted by Mike on

The other evening after dinner I walked around the back yard again exploring with the camera. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but I had left the 35mm lens on the camera and wanted to ‘see’ my familiar subjects in a different way. I ended up capturing some wild flowers/plants from a top down perspective.

This was definitely something a little different for me. Not so much the top down look but after the first image I purposely looked for additional opportunities with this view in mind. Usually I just point the camera at some subjects that catch my eye and review what I get back in the house. It is rare that I plan out a post or a group of images with a single theme in mind.

It was fun…

Top Down - 1 Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/1000s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Top Down – 1
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/1000s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Top Down - 2 Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/500s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Top Down – 2
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/500s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Top Down - 3 Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/1250s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Top Down – 3
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/1250s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Top Down - 4 Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/3200s, f/2, ISO 200

Top Down – 4
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/3200s, f/2, ISO 200

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