Through My Lens

These three ducks were “playing chicken” with oncoming traffic.  Fortunately none were hurt, and after posing for this photo they retreated back to the pond.

A Bumble Bee flying over a white Azelea.

This was a tough capture.  I closed the aperture to f/13.0 so I’d have a better chance to getting the bee in focus, and then I raised the ISO to 800 to ensure a very fast shutter speed.  The rest of it was pure luck.

A few prom pics of Dylan & Katie, and Tyler & Meredith.

Common Dandelion…

I found this lingering Dogwood blossom all alone in an area where most had already fallen.

I thought I’d try something abstract, but I’m not sure if I like the result or not.  I get a little dizzy if I look at it too long.  🙂  Regardless, I felt it was interesting and fun to shoot, so I posted it.

Here’s how I took the shot:

I was standing directly underneath a Dogwood tree.  It was a sunny day, and I knew I had to get a slower shutter speed to achieve the results, so I put a neutral density filter on my lens to reduce some light.  I then closed the aperture down to f/29.0 to cut off even more light.  I shot in manual mode, and when I metered I was able to get a correct exposure at 1/15 second shutter speed.  I would have liked something even slower, but I went with this setting.  I pointed the camera looking directly up into the tree, released the shutter, and then gave the camera a quick twist in my hands.

I think I’ll try this effect again this fall when there are more colors in the trees to shoot, and I believe a cloudy day might also give a better result.

Photo details: Nikon D80, Nikon 18-200mmVR lens @ 34mm, f/29.0, 1/15 sec. shutter, 100 ISO.  Shot with a neutral density filter.

I’ll make this week’s theme all about Dogwoods since they’re almost in full bloom right now.

“After all, I don’t see why I am always asking for private, individual, selfish miracles when every year there are miracles like white dogwood.”

~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

My son Campbell, who also happens to be my very best buddy.

I apologize for the site being down for a few days.  I think everything is fixed now.

Here’s a macro of a Rue Anemone, which is a tiny little woodland flower found in the spring.

A few tulips to wish everyone a Happy Easter!