kenfields

Pincushion Protea

A popular cultivated flower for various arrangements with other tropical flowers...

A popular cultivated flower for various arrangements with other tropical flowers...
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OLYMPUS E-M1

settings

Aperture f/3.2 ISO 200 Shutter 1/3200 Focal Length 60/1

location

Hawaii, US

upload_date

Aug, 2021

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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo is taken in 'upcountry' Maui, on the slopes of Haleakala, at about the 3500 feet, where Pincusion Protea are cultivated for use in various flower bouquets. Natural light on a puffy white cloudy day....

Time

Morning hours

Lighting

Natural lighting is always a 'use what you get' situation. For the most part, Maui offers plenty of good morning light, with the help of natural diffusers (clouds).

Equipment

I have been using Olympus equipment since the early 1970's. With the advent of digital, I researched the various brands, not attached to remaining with Olympus. But, in those early days, Olympus had some stand out features, such as in-body stabilization, an effective dust reduction system, live view, and I could use my legacy lenses with an adapter. Now, I use the OMD EM1 with pro level line of lenses. This particular shot was with the 12-40 f/2.8 PRO lens.

Inspiration

Tropical flowers are delightful, colorful, exuberant, and make fine 'portrait' subjects.

Editing

Post processing is rather basic; some contrast adjustment and a little cleaning up of debris on petals....

In my camera bag

Camera body (OMD EM1) 9-18, 12-40, 75-300 and 60 macro. Various filters, extra batteries, etc.I also have in the bag a Mavic Pro and a few accessories, such as filters and batteries. Of course, a tripod is mounted on the pack, a Manfrotto BeFree. My main bag is a Lowepro AW Trekker. A big bag. I have a few smaller bags to split it up if needed....

Feedback

Macro lens and tripod are often necessary, but modern cameras are quite good at high iso, and some standard lenses can focus quite close. For more precise macro photography, a focusing rail and external control of light, along with focus stacking, can yield some fantastic results. I, personally, just enjoy walking around looking at little flowers invisible to most, and capture an image of their expression, close up enough so that it is no longer invisible to those who look....

See more amazing photos, follow kenfields

kenfields

kenfields

Pincushion Protea

A popular cultivated flower for various arrangements with other tropical flowers...

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow kenfields

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