Purple and Pods
A macro shot of a purple flower with buds and pods in the background.
A macro shot of a purple flower with buds and pods in the background.
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May, 2016Views
1305
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Dancing Flowers Photo Contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Top Ranks
Top 30 rankTop 10 rank week 1
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kathyk_abq
May 17, 2016
Wonderful macro and lovey abstract look - love it! I was going for outstanding creativity, not a peer award!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken in the gardens at Lacock Abbey.Time
The photograph was taken around mid morning on a fairly overcast day. There were other visitors around so I waited for a decent gap in the pedestrian traffic before taking the shot.Lighting
Although it was an overcast day there was good light for photographing the flowers and plants in the gardens. No additional lighting was needed.Equipment
The photo was taken with my Canon 5d MkIII and a Tamron 70 - 300mm lens set at 180mm. I took the shot hand held as I did not have my tripod with me.Inspiration
I was wandering around the gardens when I spotted this flower and the buds behind. I wanted to get the flower buds blurred out in the background and to put emphasis on the flower and bud in the foreground. I loved the colour of the flower showing against the green grass background.Editing
I adjusted whites and shadows slightly in Lightroom and slightly cropped the photo but it did not require anything else.In my camera bag
These days I always have my Canon 5D MkIII in my bag along with a Canon 100mm macro lens, a Canon 85mm lens, a Canon 50mm lens and a Canon 24 - 105mm lens which is usually my go to lens. I make sure I pack additional batteries, a lens cleaning cloth and spare SD cards. Depending on what I am planning for the day then I might pack my flash or ring flash. I also make sure my tripod comes with me.Feedback
I find that it is important to have a good look around when taking macro shots or shots of flowers. Look at your subject from various angles to judge the best position from which to take the shot. Look for distraction in the background. Take note where the light is coming from - which direction. Look through the viewfinder from different positions until you get the view that gives you the best photo opportunity. Move back or forwards if you need to. Adjust your camera settings to suit the shot and the conditions. If you are shooting hand held and need the ISO to go up to give you a faster shutter speed then do so as it is better to have a slightly noisy shot than to have no shot at all. However it is better to use a tripod if at all possible.
