Zinnia 11_1
Aug, 2015Views
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Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 22
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Contest Finalist in 800 Dramatic Flowers Photo Contest
Peer Award
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Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
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Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
I live in Oregon. My neighbor is an avid gardener and grows these wonderful zinnias. I had been taking photos of them all spring, but I wasn't satisfied with the results, so I decided to try my new wide angle lens (Nikon DX afs 16-85 mm).Time
I took this in the evening.Lighting
I want the evening light on a cloudless day to get rich shadows and sharp definition. I did not want the later light that would have warmed it up and changed the color. In earlier attempts the whites had become too orange.Equipment
I shoot with a Nikon D5000. I used my tripod so I could concentrate on getting the focus sharp. I use a stool so I can lower my tripod to get the edge on composition. For this shot, I used my wide angle lens.Inspiration
I am fascinated by beauty of flowers. This garden of zinnias had a huge variety of colors and shapes. I was challenged to capture both the color, and the structure of the blossom. It also was a subject that I could practice to develop skill with depth of field.Editing
I use PhotoShop to adjust the white balance, highlights, shadows and exposure.In my camera bag
I have a basic Nikon D5000, with three lenses, Nikon DX afs 16-85 mm, Nikon dx 18-55mm and a Nikon dx 55-200. I carry a variety of filters for each lens, UV, neutral density, circular polarizing and fluorescent and a shutter release cable. Most importantly I carry a variety of cleaning materials to clean my lenses and camera.Feedback
While I like to travel and do landscape photography, most of my favorite images i take close to home. I am constantly looking around me for possible images. I try to shoot everyday. I challenge myself to look at the everyday and see it differently. I constantly challenge myself to learn something new.
