BLUEGUMS ON PALYMYRA
I hardly notice these trees but this morning the blossoms faced me directly as I crossed the road.
I hardly notice these trees but this morning the blossoms faced me directly as I crossed the road.
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SM-G800F
Aperture f/2.4 ISO 40 Shutter 1/107 Focal Length 330/100 
Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA
Apr, 2019Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo early one morning. It was especially challenging because of the wind blowing. I didn't believe I would be able to translate what I saw into an image by photo lens.Time
Early one late Summer morning I took a short walk to our local shops. Soon after passing the school, I noticed the bluegum trees were flowering and turned around to look again after I pressed the pedestrian button on the traffic lights. The flowers were exquisite and the light perfect. Did I have time to run back home for a camera? Not this time. I hauled my little Samsung S5 out and snapped away. The wind was blowing quite strongly so I took several pictures of the same flowers and surprisingly they were all okay. This was taken at 10 am on the 29th of March 2019.Lighting
I had the brightness of early morning sun, but without the harsh glare that creeps up seconds later. This was significant in that I had to face the sun for the photograph. No tripod, no time to contemplate, and no camera.Equipment
The picture was taken with a Samsung S5 mobile phone. Exposure time: 1/07sec, Focal length 3mm, max aperture 2.52, Center weighted average, 35mm focal length: 31, no flash. No camera, lens, tripod, or anything else.Inspiration
I love trees, every single tree to be precise. In Cape Town, the very destructive PSHB (shot-hole beetle) had just arrived after wreaking havoc throughout the rest of the country's ancient trees. We, fortunately, had those experiences to guide us as to what to look out for. On my morning walk to the local shops my head is always in the clouds, or more likely, the treetops as I marvel at these beauties that have stood for centuries unhindered. The wind was blowing that morning and I noticed from afar that the bluegums were flowering. They don't have a strong contrast to the trees so are easily missed. As I reached the corner I spotted one low branch with these exquisite flowers dangling at the end. Such perfection - isn't nature marvellous.Editing
Usually I would need to crop the picture and sometimes adjust the lighting or contrast. With this image I did nothing. It is how it was taken.In my camera bag
I usually have the Sony Cybershot with me because it's incredibly easy to carry around and quite a versatile little camera. When I go out to take 'serious' pictures though I take the Nikon D-900 and various lenses. I always carry the flash with me in the bag as well as one never knows.Feedback
Cape Town is a riot of colours in Spring and Summer and with the advantage of one of the world's largest floral kingdoms on our doorstep, one should never leave home without a camera. One challenge is the wind. In Summer it blows at a steady pace from the South-East whereas in Winter it's strong and gusty and comes from the North-West. There often isn't time to wait for the perfect moment, and this is where digital cameras are perfect. Just snap away and you may be pleasantly surprised when reaching home.
