American Lady
They can't resist the Zinnia bloom
DSC04353_5-4bh2
Jun, 2018Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo right outside my front door. I plant zinnias every year for the pollinators as well as for their rich colors. As a self-taught enthusiast who loves the outdoors, nature photography is great synergy.Time
This is one of my favorites. It was taken in the middle of the afternoon when lighting was bright.Lighting
What struck me about this image was even though the sun was bright on the subject, the background was in partial shade which really helps to highlight the butterfly and flower.Equipment
I used a Sony NEX-F series camera. Not an expensive camera at all, but it takes some nice shots. I didn't use a tripod, but steadied the camera on my knees as I sat on the ground.Inspiration
If you browse my Viewbug page you'll notice that I'm inspired by nature. It's ever changing in subject, lighting and the wonders of creation. Butterflies in particular are amazing creatures.Editing
I made minor adjustments to exposure, saturation and contrast on this one. I have much to learn about post-processing, but I enjoy exploring the many different ways to adjust an image, watching tutorials and seeing what others are doing to enhance their work.In my camera bag
I travel pretty light. The Sony NEX is a lightweight camera to begin with and I carry two lenses, several filters, a makeshift macro lens attachment and a lightweight tripod. Eventually I will upgrade and expand my equipment, but I am enjoying learning with what I have so far. And isn't that the point of it all?Feedback
The challenge is to keep from overexposing the subject on a bright sunny shot like this. If in doubt, underexpose slightly, then post-process to the brightness you want. Setting up for a shallow depth of field gives a nice blur and blend of color in the background that helps to highlight the subject and declutter the image. Shoot away! You can always delete and try again.
