A Pentax K-5 with the DA* 50-135mm F2.8, a Panasonic GH1 with the 100-300mm F4.0-5.6, and the Pentax Q with the 02 Zoom were used to create these photos. Can you guess which is which?
Showing posts with label flower. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flower. Show all posts
2013/05/29
Flowers + Rainy Day = Rainy Day Flower Photos
A Pentax K-5 with the DA* 50-135mm F2.8, a Panasonic GH1 with the 100-300mm F4.0-5.6, and the Pentax Q with the 02 Zoom were used to create these photos. Can you guess which is which?
2012/09/05
The Obligatory Drops of Water on Leaves Photo
Taken with the Nikon 1 V1 with 1 Nikkor 30-110mm zoom. And here's some more:
The Obligatory Red Rose photo
The Obligatory White Rose photo
The Obligatory Purple Flower photo
The Obligatory Wet Tomato photo
Did a little bit of Lightroom tweaks (strong contrast, clarity, etc...) but otherwise these are pretty close to what came out of the camera. So the V1 does a pretty good job. But most cameras do these days, don't they?
2012/04/15
The Secret Life of Trees, IV...VIII
Now we are getting somewhere! The Pentax K-01 paired with the dreamy DA35mm F2.8 Macro Limited. ISO400, F2.8, 1/640.
This next one may be my favorite of the set, the beautifully abstract out of focus rendering adding drama and suspense to this flower on the verge of bloom.
The DA35 is a wonderful wonderful lens. Makes being a Pentaxian totally worth it.
I've pushed and pulled some levers in Lightroom to increase contrast and add drama. That's easy to do when the starting point is so nice.
I wouldn't consider myself a "serious" flower shooter. No tripods and stuff for me. I prefer to work more fluidly.
Conclusion: Pentax K-01 with DA35mm F2.8 Macro Limited is a potent flower combo. Manual focus with peaking makes it easy.
2012/04/14
2012/04/03
Like trying to photograph clouds (Cherry Blossoms @ Branch Brook Park,Newark NJ)
Like trying to photograph clouds (Cherry Blossoms @ Branch Brook Park, Newark NJ), originally uploaded by john m flores.
Via Flickr:
Photographing cherry blossoms is like trying to photograph clouds. From far away it's an explosion of color and interesting forms, but as you get closer the effect dissipates, until you are under the tree and raise your camera asking yourself, "what can I take a photo of?" The individual flowers are pretty but not stunningly so, and being so close is like being in a fog, not in a cloud. It's an odd thing.
Honestly can't say I was happy with the results of this foray. At first I wanted to blame the Panasonic GH2 and was picking nits with White Balance, sharpness, wrong lenses, etc... But the truth of the matter is that sometimes you go to shoot a pretty place and can't figure out how to wrap your head around it. This is one of those times.
The good news is that my wife really enjoyed the park and wants to go back. So I may get a second chance.
Photographing cherry blossoms is like trying to photograph clouds. From far away it's an explosion of color and interesting forms, but as you get closer the effect dissipates, until you are under the tree and raise your camera asking yourself, "what can I take a photo of?" The individual flowers are pretty but not stunningly so, and being so close is like being in a fog, not in a cloud. It's an odd thing.
Honestly can't say I was happy with the results of this foray. At first I wanted to blame the Panasonic GH2 and was picking nits with White Balance, sharpness, wrong lenses, etc... But the truth of the matter is that sometimes you go to shoot a pretty place and can't figure out how to wrap your head around it. This is one of those times.
The good news is that my wife really enjoyed the park and wants to go back. So I may get a second chance.
Frederick Law Olmsted was here.
Via Flickr:
Strolling through Branch Brook Park and admiring the blossoming cherry trees is a pleasant experience. The paths wind through one picturesque scene after another. It should be no surprise - Frederick Law Olmsted was here. Olmsted, perhaps the most well known landscape architect and park designer of the last 300 years, designed in the British style - highly crafted landscapes that give the appearance of a natural setting when in fact every hill, every valley, every tree and bush has been considered.
For other examples of Olmsted's work, see Central Park and Prospect Park in New York City.
Panasonic GH2 with the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4. I think I was lazy this day because once I put this lens on I didn't take it off. Like here, when we got to the top of this hill overlooking the cherry blossoms below, I could have taken out a wider lens, like the 35mm in my bag (the 21 was with my sister-in-law). Instead, I thought that I'd try to make do with what I had. It's a good exercise, and the lessons that primes are supposed to impart - think about ways to tell a story and compose a scene using what you got. In a similar situation, someone with a standard kit zoom would undoubtedly go as wide as they could and capture as much of the vista as possible. That could work, and I would probably do something similar, but then I'd end up with the same shot as everyone else, wouldn't I?
Strolling through Branch Brook Park and admiring the blossoming cherry trees is a pleasant experience. The paths wind through one picturesque scene after another. It should be no surprise - Frederick Law Olmsted was here. Olmsted, perhaps the most well known landscape architect and park designer of the last 300 years, designed in the British style - highly crafted landscapes that give the appearance of a natural setting when in fact every hill, every valley, every tree and bush has been considered.
For other examples of Olmsted's work, see Central Park and Prospect Park in New York City.
Panasonic GH2 with the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4. I think I was lazy this day because once I put this lens on I didn't take it off. Like here, when we got to the top of this hill overlooking the cherry blossoms below, I could have taken out a wider lens, like the 35mm in my bag (the 21 was with my sister-in-law). Instead, I thought that I'd try to make do with what I had. It's a good exercise, and the lessons that primes are supposed to impart - think about ways to tell a story and compose a scene using what you got. In a similar situation, someone with a standard kit zoom would undoubtedly go as wide as they could and capture as much of the vista as possible. That could work, and I would probably do something similar, but then I'd end up with the same shot as everyone else, wouldn't I?
2012/04/02
Cherry Blossoms at Branch Brook Park, Newark NJ (Panasonic GH2 withSuper Takumar 50mm F1.4)
Cherry Blossoms at Branch Brook Park, Newark NJ (Panasonic GH2 with Super Takumar 50mm F1.4), originally uploaded by john m flores.
Via Flickr:
My wife is the flower photographer. I feel like a hack compared to her. We'll go out, shoot the same thing, and have completely different photos. She sees things that I don't. It's as simple as that. But hey, I'm willing to take a swing and see what comes out.
My wife is the flower photographer. I feel like a hack compared to her. We'll go out, shoot the same thing, and have completely different photos. She sees things that I don't. It's as simple as that. But hey, I'm willing to take a swing and see what comes out.
Cameras Aplenty at the Cherry Blossoms of Branch Brook Park
Via Flickr:
Here's a little known fact - there are more cherry blossom trees in Branch Brook Park in Newark New Jersey than the much more famous cherry blossoms in Washington DC. Even on this dull day the park was filled with families, couples, and people of all ages admiring the beautiful trees. They come armed with cameras - dSLRs, point & shoots, and cell phones - and snap away at the beauty around them.
Taken with the Panasonic GH2 with the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4. This is a potent combination. The lens is a bit soft wide open but sharpens up nicely stopped down along with improved contrast. The GH2 is cheap-feeling besides the Pentax K-01 but it's a highly functional tool; after sitting dormant for well over a month, it took no time at all re-familiarizing myself with the control layout. The EVF is chock full of valuable shooting information, but it's a little coarse and the color is off a bit. And just a note about the control dial - many people suggest that two control dials on a camera suggest serious intent. The GH2 has one with a press-to-toggle feature. Works fine for me. Seriously.
Here's a little known fact - there are more cherry blossom trees in Branch Brook Park in Newark New Jersey than the much more famous cherry blossoms in Washington DC. Even on this dull day the park was filled with families, couples, and people of all ages admiring the beautiful trees. They come armed with cameras - dSLRs, point & shoots, and cell phones - and snap away at the beauty around them.
Taken with the Panasonic GH2 with the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4. This is a potent combination. The lens is a bit soft wide open but sharpens up nicely stopped down along with improved contrast. The GH2 is cheap-feeling besides the Pentax K-01 but it's a highly functional tool; after sitting dormant for well over a month, it took no time at all re-familiarizing myself with the control layout. The EVF is chock full of valuable shooting information, but it's a little coarse and the color is off a bit. And just a note about the control dial - many people suggest that two control dials on a camera suggest serious intent. The GH2 has one with a press-to-toggle feature. Works fine for me. Seriously.
2011/08/23
Sunflower
Via Flickr:
While I really like the macro shots, this (and the others like it) may be my favorites of the set. The bright colors, the dynamic movement, and the blown out backgrounds give these shots a very graphic, almost illustrative feel to them. In my mind's I see a triptych or larger collection...
Panasonic GH2 with the Pentax DA35 F2.8 Macro Limited.
Heart of a sunflower
Via Flickr:
You ever have one of those 5-10 minute stretches where you feel like you'e really got something going on photographically, where with every other breath you think, "ooh, here's another thing I can try!"? This was one of those times. With the macro lenses and the sunflower in full bloom, a whole new world of creative possibilities opened. There are plenty of shots of sunflowers, of course, but most are the iconic shots - a field of them, or just one its full glory. Most don't get past that, but the macros opened up a new world.
And to come back inside, load up the photos, and see that you've got some good ones....woot!
Heart of a sunflower
Via Flickr:
This was taken hand-held with a swaying flower and swaying photographer. Were I less impulsive, I would have brought out the tripod and braced the flower for the shot. Still, plenty sharp. Taken with the Panasonic GH2 mated to the Pentax DA35 F2.8 Macro Limited.
Sunflower
Via Flickr:
This was taken with the Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro fro Pentax K-mount. It's a very nice lens, and on M43 it's a 180mm F2.8 with decent DOF. Wow.
Sunflower
Via Flickr:
The cats are real jealous - a second sunflower has bloomed in the yard and I've been taking plenty of photos of it instead of sleeping cats. Most recently, I've used a set of Pentax K-mount lenses, the legendary DA35 F2.8 Macro Limited and the well-regarded Tamron 90 F2.8 Macro. Both are great performers and benefit from the added reach of the M43 sensor. This shot, taken with the DA35, was a bit challenging as a light breeze was rocking the tall flower back and forth. Add to that my normal swaying - something I suspect we all do but don't notice until we're trying to hand-hold a macro shot - and it was a bit of hit-or-miss proposition. AF would have struggled here. So I used the magnified focus and when I saw the image snap into focus I would trip the shutter. No have press, no exit. Just click and try again. I'm pretty happy with the results.
2011/08/18
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Taken with the Panasonic GH2 with the 100-300mm zoom. I've found this an odd but potent combination for shots like this as the long focal lengths help create depth of field, even with this DOF-challenged sensor. Lens-based image stabilization helps nail the shot.