Anita's Photoblog
Dutchman's-Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)
Posted by Anita (West Nottingham, United States) on 8 April 2008 in Plant & Nature and Portfolio.
Another early spring wildflower growing in the woods. These little waxy flowers remind me of a dear friend, an "adopted aunt," who nurtured me and the early stages of my relationship with the man who is now my husband. She passed last year.
MANY, MANY THANKS for all the WONDERFUL COMMENTS on my last image.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITIQUE WELCOME.
Does it look like it is falling over? Maybe I should straighten it out a bit.
*****THANK YOU FOR VISITING ANITA'S PHOTOBLOG!*****
I welcome your honest critique, especially if they will improve my photography.
If I have made a mistake in a flower identification, please let me know!
A few words about the EXIF data, beginning in April when I began using Nikon D300 and the Sigma 105mm macro: My new camera and macro lens record the relative or effective f stop, not the one seen on the lens. For an explanation of this, go to the next to the last question at this site.
Kerri from Blacksburg, United States
A Fabulous Capture Anita! Glad they bring back lovely memories for you!
8 Apr 2008 10:18am
@Kerri: Thanks!
Laurie from New Jersey, United States
The delicate details and the tones are beautiful.
8 Apr 2008 10:20am
@Laurie: Thanks. Yes, I was pleased with the tones.
@sangram: Thank you for visiting my photoblog and for your kind comment!
sandra gomes from Macao
Waht can i say...love all your flower's photos. They are very delicate, with good angles...etc, etc..
Parabéns!
8 Apr 2008 11:46am
@sandra gomes: I'm delighted you like them!
timothy sullivan from tokyo, Japan
wow, beautiful-- excellent DoF and centering/line!
8 Apr 2008 12:41pm
@timothy sullivan: Thank you!
GJC from Kyoto, Japan
These have all been superb, largely because you've chosen interesting compositions and used DOF effectively to create a canvas of color that highlights the flower you've chosen. I like this one especially, and the kind sentiments it brings to your mind.
8 Apr 2008 1:15pm
@GJC: Thank you. I failed to say that this "aunt" was the person who first showed me Dutchman's Breeches!
Chris from South Jersey, United States
Wonderful macro - the detail and colors are just amazing (no I don't think you need to straighten the image - it looks perfect to me). How do you get your macros so clear (if you don't mind me asking) - mine always seem out of focus....
8 Apr 2008 2:05pm
@Chris: Thanks for your comments, Chris.
I think there are several factors that go into getting my macros relatively clear. 1) Getting sharp images is something I'm consciously working on, so I practice and practice. 2) I use a tripod. This allows me to frame the image just as I want. More importantly, it allows me to use a slow shutter speed (which I could not hand hold) and thus an f stop that provides enough depth of field to get most of the flower in focus, or, the part I want to be in focus. 3) Once set up, I take about 5 - 10 exposures at different f stops (from 3.2 to f22), and the accompanying different shutter speeds. I suppose an experienced photographer would know what f stops to use, but, since I'm just learning, I have to experiment. I don't know what worked until I see the photos on the computer monitor. 4) I use manual focus.
Thanks for asking! Let me know if my answer was clear or not.
Mike from Chester, United Kingdom
A very good soft focus and colorful shot, great dof, a superb image.
8 Apr 2008 3:24pm
@Mike: Thank you. I'm getting better with dof.
@Sandrine: Glad you like it :-)
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
A real beauty, Anita ... the soft colors and tack sharp focus are only exceeded by your composition ... perfecto!
8 Apr 2008 4:38pm
@Ron: Thank you for such high praise. :-)
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
Wonderful and delicate composition. I like the subtle colours!
8 Apr 2008 7:49pm
@standley: Thank you so very much!
Scarlet from The Hague, Netherlands
Such lovely subdued colors. Very fragile looking and beautiful captured.
8 Apr 2008 8:43pm
@Scarlet: Thank you.
Monte Stevens from Fort Collins, United States
Another one well done! I'm enjoying your work and feel I'm learning from you. Show us more! Wonderful words and from uour heart!
8 Apr 2008 9:02pm
@Monte Stevens: Thank you. I'm thrilled to think my work might help others.
@Suzanne Labbé: Thank you.
Earnest from Oklahoma, United States
That's a great pic of a neat wildflower... I've not seen that one before!
9 Apr 2008 12:24am
@Earnest: It's related to bleeding heart, and the leaves look the same.
@Betty: Thanks!
@zecarlos: Thank you!
Diane - Daily Walks from SF Bay Area, United States
Hi Anita... I'm sitting here going through your images via your portfolio section. Wow... your flower images are just superb! This one in particular I find exceptional.
5 Jun 2008 2:04pm
Konica Minolta MAXXUM 5D
1/125 second
F/7.1
ISO 800
150 mm (35mm equiv.)