Ladlew Gardens MD
Ladlew Gardens MD
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took Purple Flower at the Ladew Topiary Gardens in Maryland. An amazing topiary garden with so many photogenic flowers, bushes and trees. This flower was in a separate small bed near the Butterfly House. The primary purpose of the trip was to tour and enjoy the topiary shapes and the gardens. Photography was secondary and mostly just practice. The more images that you take the more experience you gain.Time
At the end of a day walking through the gardens, we were headed to the deli and a snack when I spotted a lone flower bed with some bright purple flowers in bloom. It was 2:30 PM in July on the U.S. east coast, not the best time of day or light conditions. An example of what all of the books and tutorials will tell you not to shoot in.Lighting
The sun was at a high angle in the sky and very bright. I picked this flower and moved around to get the right composition with just the flower at a slight downward angle so I didn't blow the image out with direct sunlight. I had to get close, .25 meter.Equipment
I use a Nikon D3300 camera with the kit 18 - 55 mm lens (at 32mm focal length), f8 aperture at 1/250th shutter to get the best exposure. I was experimenting with some added grain with the ISO at 800. I didn't have a tripod with me or any other way to support the camera so I didn't want to drop much below 1/250th and keep the depth of field I wanted. Much of the background was somewhat 'messy' so I didn't want a crisp focus.Inspiration
This image was more of an unexpected opportunity. It was off the beaten path and I had a long time to move around and compose as much in camera without interfering with anyone else. What caught my eye was the range of colors and tones in the flower contrasted against the green background.Editing
I composed as much as possible in camera then post processed in Darktable. Nothing extreme, adjusted white balance, exposure, and mid-tones. Then I denoised and add a faint dark vignette.In my camera bag
My camera backpack is not very exotic, Nikon D3300, 18-55 MM and 55-200mm Kit lenses, lens cleaners, a few circular filters, UV Haze and polarizing. A set of color and ND square filters. Depending on where I am going I sometimes carry a tripod on the side.Feedback
I think that anyone can find great images anywhere at anytime. Don't give up on a shot because the conditions aren't the best. Have an image in your mind of what you want then set camera and compose the shot. Its digital, take multiple shots and try different post processing techniques until you get what you want.