So I started editing a bit to give my macro plant images a bit more character and unique quality. I liked the idea of toning everything down into moody blues and greys. I’ve done that with a few images and I’m really pleased with the results. In fact, some of these are almost the first images I’ve produced that I can say I’m actually happy with. Are these suitable for canvas? Maybe a couple. Would anyone buy them? Probably not! It would be nice to sell some.
I’m in it for the art…
I never liked dahlias when I was studying horticulture at Royal Horticultural Society levels and learning all the plant names. I found them blousy and showy and over-the-top – not subtle in any way, unlike my favoured hardy geraniums. Well, they are all of those things… but I have grown to appreciate their blousiness and brashness! Their symmetry is impressive and can stop you in your tracks and lead you to wonder how nature achieves such perfection in a flower. And they are great to take macro captures of.
Macro photography is utterly addictive to me. It appeals to the OCD, detail-orientated, obsessive side of me. As such, I cannot seem to get off the macro mode. I will do, in time, but for now the obsession is strong!
We took a few days time out to Carcassonne in the south of France. I took over 3k shots – most were useable, surprisingly, but these are some of my favourite captures.
I have been very remiss lately with updating my photography blog. It has been a very active time for me with a new camera and updated lenses, and I am learning a lot. I still need to go back to basics again and re-run through all my lessons, but I am improving leaps and bounds so I’m happy. The macro work seems to have inspired a few others to pic up a camera and start climbing into plants to take close up shots – people who would not have appeared interested previously – which is always flattering and encouraging.
Here are a few captures from Harlow Carr in Harrogate, Yorkshire, UK from the weekend. There were many more captures but these are primarily the macros.
It finally happened. I finally got the camera I have wanted for a long time – the Canon EOS 5D III. Bought second-hand as I couldn’t possibly afford a new body, I also found myself a Canon 100mm macro lens in excellent condition. Let the experimenting commence! I have so much to learn…
These images are all hand-held so there is some movement and blur although I kinda like that. I have aimed for sharpness where it counts. Spot the two rogue EOS 60D images. You CAN tell the difference.
