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some pix from a trip to see the 2017 desert 'superbloom' in the area around Palm Springs and Anza Borrego. Flowers were out there like crazy. Unfortunately I was somewhat under control of other people's schedule so I didn't catch the most favorable light. Oh well. It'll happen again in 10 yrs or so. If you want to see a few more:
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I really like how the flowers are in perfect focus and everything in the background is a blur, increasing the intensity of the subject.
Is there a technical term for this effect ?
As for the b&w shot... very Mad Max. I like it !
Great work. Thanks for sharing.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
there is a technical term for the out of focus stuff: bokeh. A Japanese word. You get that effect by opening a large aperture, usually, and focusing on a specific subject (i.e., the 'target' flower', or whatever.) How the blur comes out is also a function of the lens. Lenses are said to have 'nice bokeh' or not so nice. The objective is smooth and 'creamy', I guess, vs edgy, busy, choppy, onion-peel looking, etc, and, as you noted, it's to make the main subject stand out. Portrait photographers will often do this too, so the portrait pops out. If you have a 'flower' or 'portrait' mode on your camera dial, that's probably what they are doing - shallow depth of field on the subject by using a big aperture.
I appreciate the explanation.
My Canon S3-IS has a portrait mode, which I've never tried in the ten or so years I've had it.
Experimentation is in order.
Thanks again !
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
Bring a very inexpensive / portable 'light modifyer' with you on these trips.I have a 40" diffusor. Hold between sun and the object to be photographed. Used a flash (off camera) to provide a key light.
Such diffusers also come with various reflective covers. I can fit mine with a GOLD diffuser/reflector or SILVER. Gold is very 'warming' while the silver is 'cooling'.
The link is to B&H with whom I have NO relationship, but use only as an example of what is available.You'll need a volunteer who takes direction to help hold exactly as you wish...
If you want to do a daytrip to Salton Sea, let me know. That place is seriously WEIRD and can still be done before summer 'sets in'. Strange cast of characters and a wasteland ambience.
Love your Beetle pic near Christmastree circle! I've had lunch there many times.
Too much is never enough
Edits: 04/08/17 04/08/17
yeah.. I actually have a reflector. Maybe that same one. I'm just not in the habit of using it much. I should tho. I'll try harder to remember to bring it!
I hear 'ya.
I once-upon-a-time carried my Canon EOS1Dmk2. And several lenses, includine the 100-400L and
a couple 'primes', along with my 24-105L and filters and MORE.
Needless to say, That's a LOT of stuff to carry.
Now? I use a Sony Mirrorless and mainly a 35mm prime. The Zoom I bought is worthless having more distortion than I find acceptiable and other image qualities even worse. Soft Edges? Poor focus snap? SLOW? yep, and more.
But I did keep some of my goodies, including the reflector which really comes in handy for macro out in the desert and portraits where the 'fill' lighting makes a shot.
Too much is never enough
I have been at same place few weeks ago. Unfortunately, since demise of film photography and theft of my film camera, i just had cheap phone camera. Combine that with coming late and taking photos at the middle of the day for blah results (ever tried to wake up spouse when You want to go somewhere?) .
But it was spectacular just being there. I was actually there couple of times recently, some of them to take off-road driving training. That combined with greenery was experience on its own.
Here are just a few photos for those who could not be there to enjoy this rare bloom.
BTW, I am on the market for a decent digital camera. Do you know of photo/camera websites comparable to our Audio Asylum that you can recommend?
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"One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane."
glad you got do see it too.
re: buying used cameras... I've had half a dozen good experiences buying used cameras and lenses from Craigslist sellers. People burn thru cameras gear faster than audio even. You'll need to know how to ck out the items before handing over the money to make sure things work like they need to. Some cameras have data ports that can tell how many shutter actuations have been made so you can be sure you're getting something with some life left in it. Lenses should be free of scratches, dust and mold inside, focus accurately, etc. Don't expect late model cameras or lenses from top manufacturers like Canon, Nikon, Sony to depreciate much tho. But very adequate cameras are out there for a few hundred bucks. Even some new stuff a few years old if your not going for top of the line pro-level gear can be pretty reasonable. What kind of camera are you wanting? Pocket sized? Big DSLR? Compact but good? it's all out there on Craigslist and you get to try before you buy. That's why I do CL vs EBay.
Thanks for the reply, you have mail.
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"One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane."
They're all excellent, but the B&W is outstanding.
Thanks for sharing your work.
my rule of thumb is: 'take enough pix and maybe you'll get one you like'. This isn't the same as 'spray and pray' (hold the shutter and fire off a dozen or so), which can also work sometimes.
I'm familiar with the term 'spray and pray' with regard to firearms, where it also works sometimes .
I've always had a tendency to prefer Black and White photographs, but you really outdid yourself with the one you posted. The bare trees, the heavy clouds, the seemingly endless stretch of highway...
It may have been 97 º when you took that shot, but I feel a cold wind when I look at it.
Keep at it, and thanks for posting your work!
All excellent photos, but the tire one's out of this world. What composition!
I love flowers.
Severius! Supremus Invictus
thanks. Glad you liked it. I picked up a 'new' used lens recently for that kind of shot - it's a Tokina 11-16mm, which is pretty wide angle on my Canon camera. I'm catching on to how to use it. It often looks pretty good to get down close and have an interest foreground subject.
that B&W shot is the stuff of a Steinbeck story, a Dylan tune, a Stan photo.
Most wonderful.
Thank you!
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
I hadn't thought of it that way, but that pile of tires was begging for a photo. Thanks for looking.
at least a Tom Waits song, OK?
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
A guy at work just came back from Anza Borrego. He said it was so windy, he couldn't light a campfire. Wind in the day was tolerable. But, at night... not so romantic with the fiancée, in a tent ready to blow down any moment.
Need to get off work and do some outdoor shots, too!
8^)
Anza Borrego is a very cool place, especially after a wet winter like this. Hope your friend gets another shot at it. I think I remember reading that it's the largest state park in California - maybe in the country. All the other state parks in CA could fit in it, and it's the only one where you don't need a permit or campsite to camp. Just pull off the side of the road. At least that used to be the rule. But not too far off the side of the road. There is also some unexploded ordnance laying about, leftover from when a big part of the desert down there was known as "Patton's Playground" for tank, artillery and other training during WWll.
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