Morning dew
Jul, 2015Views
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Creative Winter Award
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Legendary Award
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Contest Finalist in Water Drops On Flowers Photo Contest
Featured
Contest Finalist in Bright Flowers Photo Contest
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Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
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nandicmb
November 09, 2015
Congratulations on your Contest Finalist win in Bright Flowers Photo Contest!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I was on my way back home from local grocery store when I spotted this small flower. It was just few inches in height. Flower was at the chest height, right next to the walk way in the neighbours garden. Camera shoulder bag is rarely left at home and at that moment I had just what was needed. I have put down the grocery bags, took out the camera, mounted the macro adapter and the 90 mm lens on it, and started looking for the best angle to capture the photo. Since I didn't have the tripod, I placed my arm flat on the ground, still staying on the walk way and leaned with my body against the wall to keep my self steady as possible. I have used my arm as a support to keep the camera in the right height and to keep it steady.Time
It was a beautiful, fresh, early weekend morning, just after the rain. Clouds were still there. Smell of the rain still present, making the pleasure to fill the lungs completely with the fresh air. Area was free of passengers and traffic so I could fully relax and concentrate on the shot.Lighting
Lighting conditions were just perfect for this shot. Early morning, rain stopped, clouds starting to get thinner but still hiding the sun, making the shadows nice and soft.Equipment
Shot was made under natural light. Luckily, I had the Macro adapter with the camera in my shoulder bag. Shot was made with Leica M240, Macro-Elmar 90 mm, f4 lens coupled with Leica M Macro adapter. To achieve focusing, I switched on the Live view mode, camera resting on my arm placed in desired position, framed the shot and then magnified 5x to achieve desired focus. Once satisfied with the focus,half pressed the shutter and re-checked the framing, take the shot. Since the slightest movement is throwing the detail out of the focus, I had to repeat the operation few times until I was satisfied with the result.Inspiration
The moment I saw this flower I knew it, that was it. Beautiful, gentle, small flower, grown above all. It's petals fresh, intact and full of juice, covered by rain drops in the early morning. Background clean, without anything that would distract viewer attention were making this flower a perfect shot.Editing
Post-Processing is for me an absolute MUST. Even when the shot has correct white balance and exposure, I am still trying to touch it a bit and see if it can look even better. When I started with photography, I tought I wan't my photos to remain as shot, without any processing. But when I started to make PP, I was amazed how much better the photo can look and since then PP is part of my daily routine. Normally I use Lightroom to make all the adjustments and corrections. In general, I try to keep the natural look of the photo, make corrections just enough to give it that extra punch with some addition of the contrast, blacks and whites.In my camera bag
Depending on the day, where I am going and what will I shoot. When I want to be light, I take the Leica M240 mostly with the Tri-Elmar 16-18-21 mm, f4 (I really love this lens) or 35 mm, Summicron (f2) from 1978. If I am going to some particular event, then I would take with me 50 mm, Sumilux (f1.4) lens most probably together with 35mm Sumicron which I could keep in my pocket and use if needed. For macro shooting, skiing (even if I often take the Leica for skiing as well), when is raining or when I need to use zoom then I would take Canon 5d Mk3. My favourite Canon lens, even if it is quite heavy is an older version of 24-70 mm, f 2,8. That is really my all-round Canon lens. Normally I use it also for long exposures together with Lee Filters. For macro normally 180 mm, f 3.5 which is also great lens together with the Canon 600 EX Flash and the Lastolite Ezybox soft box.Feedback
Macro shots are best captured when the camera is set on the tripod. To focus, magnification on the live view is a great tool. For achieving the best result, background and foreground are preferably without distractions. Photo should be simple and clean. That is very often heard in the online tutorials.The simpler the better. Light, light, light!! Keep in mind the light and the shadows. Hard shadows can ruin otherwise a perfect shot! That is why the flash is often a good choice (also to bring up more detail) for Macro photography. Don't be afraid to experiment, try different angles, even if you think they could never work, sometime you will get surprised with the result. Most important of all... Shoot, shoot, shoot!! ;-))
