SJP – Tips & Lessons

Get Out and Photograph Spring – Part II

Get out and Photograph Spring – Part I

My last post was about finding your Spring location and having fun photographing the life in your area.

Today, I will talk about photographing Spring but I will also help you focus on the various techniques I used while photographing Antelope Valley.  I had a comment from another photographer stating that to learn about photography it is good to use your backyard, otherwise you lose aspect of the technical side of photography because the distraction of the location takes over and it will be harder to learn the craft.  Ok, sounds good to me but that is not what I’m talking about in these articles…this is about experiencing Spring and while you are experiencing it,  “Photograph It”.   Working in my studio and office takes about 95% of my photography time…Unless you are a nature photographer, you’re probably in the same boat as me, so with that said,  “GET OUT THERE AND PHOTOGRAPH SPRING”,  :0)  I guarantee you will feel awesome when you’re done!

To give you all a quick overview about the day….my husband and I always go the Antelope Valley in Southern California during the Spring so I can photograph.  While I photograph, Kevin, my husband has fun with his binoculars and finds me great places to photograph!  We are a perfect team…  If you want to read the first part of this article I have the link at top of the page or click on…enjoy!

So let’s get started…

This shot was done with an ISO of 100, Shutter Speed 1/1600, and F-Stop of 2.8.  I did this so I could focus just on the poppy on the right side of the pic.  I wanted the other areas of the photo blurred.  I used my tripod, use yours; if you don’t have one check out my next article in a couple of weeks, I’m going to talk about equipment.

Figure 1 (F2.8 – ISO 100 – Shutter Speed 1/1600)

Kevin found a great patch of amazing bluish purple flowers within the poppy field. To enhance this patch, I kept my f-stop at 2.8, ISO 100, at a shutter speed of 1/2500, yep I used my tripod.  At a shutter speed of 1/2500 you may say, “Why use the tripod?”  First reason, once you have the shot you want, it’s locked and ready to go on the tripod and my second reason is because of the windy environment in Antelope Valley.  I want my area in focus sharp…the tripod will help me do this.

Figure 2 (F2.8 – ISO 100 – Shutter Speed 1/2500)

The next shot I decide to focus on is right below the background mountains.  I used my tripod at an f-stop of 2.8, ISO 100, 1/2500 shutter speed.  Almost all of the time I use the manual mode.  The more you work on manual the easier it will be for you.  I’m a control freak, what can I say! Now, I like my shots with short depth-of-field,  but if I want the shot to be all in focus I use an f-stop of 22.

Figure 3 (F2.8 – ISO 100 – Shutter Speed 1/2500)

Let’s talk a bit about depth-of-field and distractions…Depth-of-field is important when it comes to macro photography.  As you get closer to the subject the less depth-of-field you will have.  It’s not a problem when you use a tripod but I think of this more as a visual aspect.  Remember, when you have a lot of distractions to the subject you will lose the punch of the macro shot.  The distraction in figure 4 is the purple behind the bud but what’s kind of cool about this shot is that the bud looks like it’s sitting on the yellow flower.  Of course this is my opinion…all I’m saying is pay attention to your foreground and background.

Figure 4 (F2.8 – ISO 100 – Shutter Speed 1/1000)

My next example in figure 5 is the same bud but the camera is in a different position.  Just had to show you what a small change in a position can do for the shot…so play with your camera… move it around.

Figure 5 ( F10 – ISO 100 – Shutter Speed 1/60)

Figure 6 & 7 give you the same type of examples.  Just by moving your camera you get a whole different feel to the subject.

Figure 6 (F5.6 – ISO 100 – Shutter Speed 1/320)

Shot with my tripod.

Figure 7 (F3.5 – ISO 100 – Shutter Speed 1/320)

Shot with my camera and a homemade beanbag – Plastic bag with rice in it.

Yes, I was enjoying the wild poppy fields but also like to focus on other areas of the field.  Again, my husband found this amazing area of these beautiful white flowers. I was so excited!!!  If any of you know what they are called, please let me know…

Figure 8  (F9 – ISO 100 – Shutter Speed 1/250)

Sometimes I’m so wrapped up in the colors of Spring I forget about the potential of Black & White pictures.  I decided for this shot to get under the flower, I used my homemade beanbag and went for it!   The color shot is ok, but I really like the black and white…Spring black & whites can be fun too!

Figure 9 (F3.2 – ISO 100 – Shutter Speed 1/3200)

Figure 10 (F3.2 – ISO 100 – Shutter Speed 1/3200) Photoshop B&W

As you continue to photograph your favorite spots in Spring, you will end up with a favorite subject to photograph.  Mine is this yellow poppy.  Most of the poppies are orange, some have an orangey coloration, but the yellow poppies are few.  We only know of a couple of places that have these yellow poppies, so it’s a must to go back to these areas each year.  I will end this article with my yellow poppy and hope that I have influenced you all to Get Out There & Photograph Spring!

Figure 11 (F4.0 – ISO 100 – Shutter Speed 1/640)

Always feel free to comment or send links to your Spring shots!

Cheers,

Janice

All of these photographs are available in SJP’s archives.

Get Out There and Photograph Spring –  Part I

Starting your search…

Hello everyone,

My plan for this week was to talk about Macro equipment but my time fell short for the blog so I thought today I would discuss photographing Spring outdoors.   As I was writing this article I realized that it became large, at least for me.  I like my information short and sweet.  No books here!  So I have decided to make this a two set article.  Today, I will talk about starting your search for a Spring location and the next post will be about various ways to get up close and personal!

Every year in Southern California we have poppies that bloom in our desert in Antelope Valley during the months of late March into April.  The flowers will end up dying because of the extreme heat in our deserts…  but every year they bloom again in that short period of time, giving our deserts a beautiful spring shower of color.  Unfortunately, I have allergies so I do pay for the fun and beauty of the season…. that’s ok because I have so much fun macro shooting outdoors.  I hope to inspire you all to get out and photograph and, sorry I had to say it…   “Smell the Flowers”!

Think about the areas in your town, city, and state, trying to make it a ritual to attend every year at the place of your choosing.  This is how you learn about the location…the way the wind blows in the area, the lighting of the fields, etc… If you can’t think of a place, Google your area, you may be surprised to find a cool place to go.  You don’t need to go far but I do suggest you get away from your own back yard garden…this is part of the whole process, get out of your environment!

Of course I will be focusing mainly on macro shots today and I would like to remind you to respect the environment; it is a whole different world down in Macroville.

Kevin (my husband) and I have been going to this poppy field for years so we know some really cool spots to photograph.  One suggestion is if you see water or a dried out waterway, stream, or whatever you want to call it…go to that area. You will find life…where there is water or was water…there is life!  As we drive down the dirt road in Pic 1 we observe the best locations for that variety of macro life.

If  you want to view the Pics up-close, click on them, to return bag to the blog use your back arrow key on the web bar.

Pic 1

Pic 2 is one of the locations we stopped at…this is a snap shot just to show you where some of my macro shots were completed.  The location looks ok until you get up close!

Pic 2

My husband, the awesome observer that he is, noticed a poppy sticking out from everything around it; it was the King of the territory!  I shot it eye level and blurred some of the shot to make this single poppy pop.

Pic 3

I also wanted to focus on the life around the poppies, so with pic 4 I made sure that the poppies were in focus and blurred the other areas of the shot .  You can do this with your aperture.

Pic 4

Just to remind you all, I rarely hand hold a macro shot.  I set up my tripod or bean-bag and go for it.  Keep the camera stable!  I use my remote control cord and adjust the focus manually, basically everything is manual; for me it’s so much easier to work with when I macro.  If you have a point and shoot…still put it on a small tripod.  I have linked some goodies to this blog to help you read about point and shoots and DSLR’s (Digital Single – Lens Reflect Camera).  If you have a DSLR camera, purchase a macro lens!  You will absolutely be happy with your work, I promise.

Next, move in on your subject and really have some fun!  See how close you can get  :)

Pic 5

Also, try to take a photo of a main subject and focus on just that.  My next post will have more ideas for you to play with.

Pic 6

While I photograph, my husband explores.  We make an awesome team… He found a wonderful patch wild flowers with poppies (see Pic 7).  I was so excited…I found a perfect area to set up.  I started my macro mode and noticed that a bug peaked out from a poppy petal and was watching me.  It didn’t move…I couldn’t believe how he/she was observing me, these bugs move all the time.  It’s actually hard to photograph them.  I said to myself….hurry Janice….hurry, you’re going to miss the shot.  I focused on the bug and was amazed to see the pollen all over it.  See Pic 8 for the actual picture of my buddy and Pic 9 is cropped so you can view it better on your computer.

Pic 7

Pic 8

Pic 9

So get out there and photograph your Spring location!  I always feel revived after our trips… and I have my photographs to remind me of the wonderful trip we had.  I highly recommend you get out there and photograph Spring!

Also….

Remember, Pic 9 – Respect the macro world – there is life out there even when you can’t see it!

In a couple of weeks don’t forget to look for “Get Out There and Photograph Spring –  Part II”

Various ways to get up close & personal…

Cheers,

Janice

As most of you know Janice and Kevin enjoy taking time to hike around California.  Janice will photograph while Kevin roams around helping her find new things to shoot.  Recently they went to Antelope Valley in Southern California to enjoy the California state flower, the Golden Poppy.  These are some of her photographs of the day.  They are available in her archive.

She recommend the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve.   Taken from their website:

Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat.  The duration and intensity of colors and scents vary from year to year, affected by differences in winter’s precipitation.  Wildlife includes gliding hawks, singing meadow larks, lots of side-bloched lizards zipping across the trail, gopher snakes and rattlesnakes.  If you’re lucky, you may spot a coyote or bobcat.  Benches located along the trails make good places to sit quietly and watch for wildlife.  Numerous burrows around the trails may house mice, gophers, kangaroo rats, beetles, scorpions, or snakes that have taken them over.

Facilities
The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center, offering a short video, wildlife and plant displays and gift shop, will be open daily for the duration of the wildflower season.  Nearby, shaded picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with an interpretive display and a serene view over the valley to the San Gabriel Mountains.

Tours
During the wildflower season, free guided public tours are offered if staff is available at:
10 AM & 2 PM weekends
11 AM on weekdays

A couple more photos:

We at SJP wish you all a happy Spring!