September Geraniums

September Geraniums

It is the time of year when we experience transitions. This week we have overcast skies, cool temperatures, and rain. Last week we had beautiful summer weather with high 20s and cloudless skies. It was during this wonderful last burst of summer that I took my camera into the back yard. The September Geraniums we have growing on the deck were being bathed in beautiful light when I photographed them.

I’m cautious about photographing flowers. One of the problems is the “flowers are beautiful therefore pictures of flowers are beautiful” mentality that I come across. I disagree with this mentality – there have been millions of decidedly average pictures taken of flowers. Despite my caution, I’m fascinated with flower photography.

Flowers are powerful photographic subjects. They offer unique colour, shape, texture, and form – all the basic elements that photographers try to capture. They change dramatically according to the lighting conditions and the angle of view. For me, flowers are a visual world that I can explore.

I took this photograph with my Nikon Micro 100 f/2.8 lens. The lens is very sharp and allows for close focusing. As a bonus it has a vibration reduction feature that enables me to make steadier photographs. I monitored my depth-of-field carefully for this photograph. I wanted the geranium to be in focus. I also wanted the background (the boards of our deck) to be blur. I think it worked – you can see the detail in the stamen and see the texture of the petals in the late afternoon light. I like the way the September Geraniums “pop” against the subdued brown deck boards.

Nikon D750 w. Nikon Micro 105 f/2.8

Field Lines

Field Lines

Field Lines was one of those "slam on the brakes" moments. The sun was sinking in the southwest sky, just kissing the top of the treeline. Breaks in the clouds allowed the sunlight to create highlights on the stubble, creating a series of lines parallel to the tree line. The clouds also followed the pattern. Just a striking scene.

This scene was a reminder for me. So often when I go for a drive, my camera beside me, I look at the prairie landscape and just see more of the same - fields, roads, snow, and hydro poles. I forget to really look at the world around me. What is the light doing? How is it interacting with the shapes, colours, and textures around me? When I really look there is so much to see.

Hope you enjoy the natural beauty that Field Lines presents.

Nikon D750 w. Nikon 70-300 f/4.5-5.6

Insulator

Insulator is an early success in my venture into studio photography. Lately, I've been disappearing into my "Red Hand Studio” (a.k.a. my garage) to explore what it's like to control light rather than finding interesting light.

I found this glass insulator in the ditch many years ago. Local hydro workers converted to more modern insulators and some of the old ones were left behind. I've got a few on the shelf and they are an interesting artifact.

Photographing glass is very challenging. Glass is very reflective and pick-up a lot of unintended lighting and colours. The other challenge was showing the shape and beauty of the insulator. I wanted to make it "pop" rather than just creating a "picture of a glass insulator". I'm pleased with the result I achieved. Those familiar with photography will figure it out, but for now, I'm going to keep my lighting idea as a trade secret.

Nikon D750 w. Nikon Micro 105 f/2.8; Godox V1 Flash