SJMason

Cactus Flower

A little cactus I found while trekking through the Namibian Desert

A little cactus I found while trekking through the Namibian Desert
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NIKON D3200

settings

Aperture f/3.2 ISO 400 Shutter 1/4000 Focal Length 240/10

upload_date

Oct, 2017

Views

906

Likes

Awards

Action Award

Zenith Award

Top Shot Award 22

Creative Winter Award

Curator's Selection

Peer Choice Award

Superb Composition

+13

Top Choice

+11

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

Peer Award

Magnificent Capture

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I was on a two month volunteering trip to southern Africa working on wildlife conservation. It was taken while on a hike in the Namibian desert, looking for evidence of the local Brown Hyena population.

Time

It was late morning I believe, we were following a horseshoe shaped valley and had come to a rocky outcrop that overlooked a vast arid plain. This cactus was one of the few living things in the area (apart from the humans passing through).

Lighting

I had little to no control over the lighting, and it wasn't exactly optimal. Nearly mid-day, direct sunlight and being cajoled to keep up with the group.

Equipment

Not much to say. Nikon 3200D, attached to my Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.

Inspiration

I saw this Cactus clinging to the gap between some rocks, noticed the flower and thought that Cacti flower infrequently so it would be nice to capture the memory of nothing else. I then saw the vastness of the background and thought it would blur out nicely. It all came together really well .

Editing

Not a huge amount, I gave the colours a slight boost and sharpened the cactus a little to make it's prickly texture pop.

In my camera bag

My trusty Nikon D3200, usually have my Sigma 17-70mm attached to it but have a 50mm Prime lense in the bag as well. I've recently taken to only using the Prime lens to challenge my photography.

Feedback

To recreate this picture? Right place, right time. Which is how I view photography in general, I'm not a fan of staged or forced images.

See more amazing photos, follow SJMason

SJMason

SJMason

Cactus Flower

A little cactus I found while trekking through the Namibian Desert

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow SJMason

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