Colour Impact

Another post on flower photography, again shot in a simple small studio setup. This was one of my first attempts shooting indoors under 'controlled' conditions. This time I used a Gerbera flower on a white background. I was drawn to this particular subject because of its bold colours and beautiful symmetry. Again, natural light was used coming from a window to the left of the flower as we look at it, and a small reflector was used to the right of the flower to fill any harsh shadows. A white background was employed as I felt this suited the subject and showed off its colours to best effect. This image has been quite successful for me, winning a distinction in a national competition, printed in a national publication, and also selling on craft sites. It's amazing what you can achieve with a bit of space, a few camera accessories, a bit of imagination and of course a beautiful subject... Go on, give it a go.

Nikon D200 with Nikkor 105mm F2.8, tripod and cable release.

  

Yellow Lily

As well as photographing landscapes and the Natural World around me, I like to photograph flowers, both in a studio setup and also where they may be found growing outside, both in the wild and in the garden. Most of the posts I have shared so far have been of naturally growing specimens from around Lincolnshire and Norfolk. However the Calla Lily featured below was shot in a simple studio setup with natural light, some subtle fill flash and a black background. Using a tripod to set up the composition I was happy with, I then looked at the lighting and introduced a flash to the right of the flower to lighten shadows caused by the natural window light that was coming from the left. It was important for me to show the vibrant yellow colour of the flower against the dark background as it would show off its lovely clean curves. I purposely left a black border around the whole of the Lily as this card has been sent to stock sites where potential clients will be able to alter the dimensions to their particular requirements.

Calla Lily

How Rude!

It's been a very frustrating few days since arriving in Norfolk on the 30th December. It's difficult because you're trying to get back into a routine with work but certain companies you supply images to don't return from the Christmas festivities until the first full week of the New Year. That means this year things don't really settle down until the 6th January. I have images awaiting QC with stock agencies and other possible business replies that I haven't received yet. So I've tried to keep busy with landscape photography but to be completely honest the weather has been truly awful, mainly because of the wind. The water around the coast is too choppy to allow me to capture the images I want at present and the long range weather forecast isn't much better. The only thing left to do is to wander around Wells and see if I can shoot any street scenes, people, places, unusual things. I noticed that a sign on the side of a cottage in the village had been tampered with, most probably on New Year's Eve as I hadn't seen it before and I walk past it most days. I imagine that the people that own the property haven't seen it either otherwise they may have cleaned it off. Juvenile humour admittedly but it did bring a smile to my face.

Fuji X100

If you are curious, it should read 'Luggers Cottage'