Night Bloom Cactus Fantasy 102_3991 (2)
Night blooming cactus fantasized...
Night blooming cactus fantasized...
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Jun, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in my neighbor's front yard from a night blooming cactus plant. I live in Wesley Chapel, Florida which is on the west coast outside of Tampa. There are many tropical succulent plants in this area.Time
This cactus only blooms at night. It was approximately 12:48 am when I took the photo.Lighting
There was a slight bit of lighting from a street pole light not far from the cactus. However; I wanted to get detail so I used the flash on my camera.Equipment
I used a GE X450 camera set on macro with the built in flash. I braced my hand on my other hand as a fist to use as a tripod because I had to capture the shots at an awkward angle between the cactus thorns.Inspiration
I am always looking for new things in nature to capture. I have lived in my neighborhood for about 25 years now and passed by a neighbor's house daily. In his yard are a few very tall approximately 10 foot or more green cactus with pod/fruit like things on the cactus. I heard rumor that the "pod/fruit" was edible. I didn't know any difference at the time. Finally, one day I had opportunity to talk to the neighbor about the cactus and "pods/friot". They are not pods/fruit on this cactus. That may be a different species. He told me they are cactus flower buds which stay tight and do not open until late at night. I'd never seen one in bloom and he invited me to return to his yard after 11 pm to see the flower in full bloom. He told me that hummingbirds come in the middle of the night to the open flowers. The first night I went I was in awe of this beautiful white flower. The pedals look almost like feathers and the stamen were so full and many. I was taken by the beauty and all I could think of was what a beautiful flower for a wedding but it only blooms in middle of the night so how could that be? After research, some cactus flowers will preserve if cut when bloomed and put in water..? I went back many nights to take many shots of this new, beautiful flower that I'd never ever seen and never knew existed, thinking it to be a podfruit and is not. I learned if correct it is a seasonal flower that will bud and bloom from June through October: and tonight as I drove by the buds getting larger on the cactus. I am looking forward to another approval to go do more shooting this summer. This time at a different cactus plant which also is very tall and large with full buds and the hummingbirds tend to go to more from what I've been told. I just have to get permission and instruction how to avoid the four German Shephard dogs that stay in the back yard that are closer to that cactus I want to get nearer to. I have not captured a hummingbird yet so it is a new quest for me to capture the two at once will be amazing! I have learned that this cactus is a Night blooming Cereus: several different species? some called Dutchman's Pipe Cactus and some called The Queen of the Night. Perhaps more different species of the same cactus? I am still learning about it. The Queen of the Night species' bloom will open wide one summer night and when daylight arrives, it closes forever and the bud drops off the cactus. So I watch the cycle of this amazing cactus now and I see the buds that fall after the bloom and I watch for the new buds to appear. It can take 7 to 10 years before this cactus even produces its first bud. I remain inspired by the awe and beauty that I passed by for 25+ years and finally have uncovered like a hidden heavenly treasure. Here is a youtube video I found about this cactus that produces this beautifully stunning flower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-NIJu2ytF4Editing
In the little training I've had in photography from a few professionals on ViewBug, I was taught with nature to keep everything as natural as possible, including colors, etc . I still follow that in my photos. However, I was using a very simple photo edit program at this time and as I was awestruck to the beauty of this flower, I did some playing around on edit features. When I went to textures I applied a space texture to the photo and it seemed to just pop into live fantasy. Colors and everything just seemed to come alive and it was very new and different to me. I remember debating on saving it or not as a trial due to the teachings to keep nature natural. I'm glad I tried this new edit feature. It has made a new way for me consider when finalizing captures. Unfortunately, this simple edit program now has fees involved and I've not used it recently but I will admit that I miss it. Sometimes it is hard to break away from original teachings yet on this photo, I'm glad I went with the new venture, respectfully. In this fantasy like image, I can see an updated version to the late Jetson's cartoon and Lost in Space show. I can imagine a program for television and a book written with this image as a base for a series. It is in my mind with further "go" direction needed. I have learned a bit more and more to go from here...In my camera bag
I normally have my GE X450 camera which has built in variety of lenses/scenes to use. I have a camera strap on it. I carry extra rechargeable batteries, an extra sd card and a tripod in the trunk of my car. For portability purposes to remain light, I have a small clutch purse that conforms similar to a beanbag. I use that to steady my camera when taking many photos, especially of birds. I set the clutch on the roof of my vehicle or post or whatever there may be present, put the camera on it and take photos, hoping to have a steady hand with me as well.Feedback
The first thing I can think of is to calculate the timing for the best photo shoot. For me, I had to wait until after midnight for the blooms to fully open. Next, be aware of your surroundings for safety. I had another person in the vehicle waiting as I did the shoot so I was not alone during the middle of the night. Not only that, carefully project how you will get your shot, as with a cactus and a large one 10 foot tall easily, many columns have many thorns on the spine to work around and you will step between several or many cactus columns from out of the ground so check your footing and wear appropriate clothing to avoid many pricks from the thorns. They will stick into you if it gets you. Take your time when you change positions for new shots so you do not get hurt. Set your flash, macro lense, full battery charged and be ready to be in awe when you see something new that you've never seen before. Enjoy!
