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StorybookPixels

Queen Protea

Canon EOS REBEL T3i

settings

Aperture f/3.5 ISO 100 Shutter 1/320 Focal Length 100/1

location

Louisville, Kentucky, US

upload_date

Feb, 2020

Views

187

Likes

+23

Awards

Zenith Award

Curator's Selection

Top Shot Award 22

Spring 21 Award

Judge Favorite

2020 Choice Award

Superb Composition

+14

Absolute Masterpiece

+10

Outstanding Creativity

Top Choice

Peer Award

All Star

Magnificent Capture

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

"A Bee is an exquisite Chymist" [chemist] – Royal Beekeeper to Charles II

1-640, f-5.0, ISO 1250

CANON REBEL EOS T3i

This is an invasive perennial, they grow in stalks. Found close-up, using my Lensbaby Velvet 56 with f-1.0 - 2.0 made for the best photo.

If you blew all of the seeds of a dandelion, the story goes, the person you loved would love you back. Each time you wish upon a dandelion, you are s

Behind The Lens

Location

The photo was taken on the patio of my home in Louisville, Kentucky. When I retired photography became an opportunity to pursue a lifelong interest. My photography journey is a “work in progress” ~ it is an endeavor which allows me to use my creativity, challenges my mind and allows me to continue to learn while pursuing my passion for the beauty in pictures.

Time

This photo was taken on a sunny but bitterly cold winter day, February 19, 2020 at 3:35 p.m.

Lighting

The day was gorgeous outside, clear blue skies, sun shining and the wind chill was bitter cold. My timing was not ideal for a photo session, but it was the only time I had. I found the north side of my house projected a large shadow perfect and ran with it. I set-up on a table on our patio outside while the camera/tripod was inside the door of the house (for me to keep warm). I wanted the photo to reflect natural light and but knew the focal plane (consisting of leafless, dead trees) would be a distraction to the subject. To capture the portrait I envisioned, all was perfect (in my opinion) but I to get to capture a soft background I decided I needed a narrower depth of field. I used a shutter speed of 1/320 and aperture at f/3.2 which allowed for a soft blur of the background while the subject was clearly focused.

Equipment

The equipment I used was Canon EOS T3i, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens and a tripod.

Inspiration

I was participating in a workshop, the focus was shooting in different types of light, and how light affects our subjects differently. I had used the Protea flower in a previous photo shoot I did last summer. I simply love the colors, textures and overall appearance.

Editing

I always shoot in RAW and therefore always do "some" post-processing. I use Adobe Lightroom Classic. On this particular shot, the post processing was minimal requiring only minimal adjustments to contrast, tone and color.

In my camera bag

I assess my equipment needs before I go based on the type of shoot I am doing. Of course there is my camera (Canon EOS 77D), Prime Lens (Canon 50 mm and 100 mm), tripod, memory cards and fully charged batteries, iPad Pro 11 and iphone. Water bottle. There are a number of ancillaries that stay in my bag which includes Lens cleaning cloth and brush, lens filters, carry extra glasses in case.

Feedback

I believe evaluating the lighting prior to shooting was key in the end product. The direction of light is one of the key factors that controls the quality and intensity of our light and therefore determines the final effect. Light from a large source or is close to our will provide a soft light that scatters over our subject and wraps around it.

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StorybookPixels

Queen Protea

Behind The Lens

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