Last Saturday it had rained for the better part of the day, but near sunset the clouds started breaking up. I ran to a favorite spot to see if the sunset would turn into something interesting. By the time I got to the spot the clouds had come back. So I decided to play around with a handful of nearby flowering trees.
They were dripping wet and the light was fading. Would have been nice to see them lit up by the setting sun, but you take what you get.
As it got darker, I thought I’d play around with the built in flash on the camera, something I haven’t done much. I’m not all that happy with the end result of those, I have no clue how to control the flash or if it’s even possible, but it’s the first step up on the learning curve.
It’s a shame the flowering trees don’t stick around that long. A few days later the petals were already withering and falling off the trees. Would be a nice treat for the eyes to see this color all summer.
Jim McClellan
10 May 2015Nice shots, Ken.
Ken G
11 May 2015Thanks Jim. Was glad to get to see all those flowers before they started to die off.
bob
10 May 2015gorgeous colors. lovely shots. I can almost smell them. Since you are going to learn to use the little cam, and the flash, carry a few white napkins with you in your car or your pocket as you wander. tear off small sections of the napkin and using a single ply of it, place it tightly over the flash, holding it with your fingers to the side of the flash, and shoot. it will soften the glare of the light nicely doing the close ups and macro work. Don’t shoot a lot light this as the flash may overheat. But we don’t rapid fire shoot with flash on these cams anyway. The meter in the camera will balance the exposure.
Ken G
11 May 2015I did forget to mention the smell Bob.
I thought I read that I can turn down the intensity of the flash, but I’m sure I would have had to go through 20 menu choices to find it and then the moment is lost.
Mentioned on Facebook about making a small sleeve I can slip over the flash that will tone down the intensity. We have a mini photo studio at work. I may have to do some scrounging for material.
Walt
11 May 2015Cool pics, Ken, and a beautiful tree. Our tulip magnolia just blossomed 2 days ago, and today with the wind and thunderstorm. all too many blossoms have already fallen. Talk about the fragility of life!
Ken G
11 May 2015Thanks Walt. I normally head out into the woods looking for flowering trees, but neither my time nor the weather has cooperated this spring and I’m afraid I may have missed it already. My parents have a big magnolia in front of their house. Was always surprised at how quickly it lost all it’s flowers. That big old tree lights up the whole street with pink and white for a few days at least.
Howard Levett
12 May 2015I’m beginning to think that photography has become a big focus of your outdoor walks. You’re doing a great job Ken.
Ken G
13 May 2015Thanks Howard. I don’t seem to have the time to sit down and write, plus it’s at the point where it’s too nice out to be sitting in the house. So I carry the camera around and take random shots of things I find interesting. Not always successful, but now and then I find them appealing.
Mary Anne's Alaska
14 May 2015WOW! Such vibrant color! Incredible that seemingly every space on the branches is covered with flowers.
Ken G
14 May 2015I came on them at the perfect time Mary Anne. Was there the other day and now they’re nothing but green. I do wish the sun would have cooperated that day. Would have really lit them up.