Crocus cancellatus

Crocus cancellatus I (Family: Iridaceae; light purple variety)

These two pictures (I and III) were first taken with the eye and then with the camera. The flower made a striking contrast being on a ground covered with dead pine needles. The light purple color of the flower against this dull background felt like a call to take a picture. The flower itself couldn't show a better color combination. Light purple with orange and light blue with yellow. Since those are complementary colors the picture would definitely be eye catching - as was the flower. The only way to take this picture was by shooting the flower from above at an angle. Those two shots were the best among then 10 or so I took that day.

Photo by John G. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5700
Lens: set at 56.7 mm
Sensitivity: ISO100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/7.3, AP mode / macro setting.
Flash: fired
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.

Crocus cancellatus II (White variety)

This Crocus flower is a loner. In this case it was almost impossible to miss it. A white spot in the middle of a sea of brown pine needles. The bright orange stem of the plant was used in antiquity as a color dye especially for textiles. I don't know if this species is endemic in Greece (it would really surprise me) but it is definitely a very beautiful flower only seen during October - November.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/160 sec - f/8, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected (TTL/BL mode)
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.

Crocus cancellatus III

See description above (photo I). 

Photo by John G. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5700
Lens: set at 56.7 mm
Sensitivity: ISO100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/7.3, AP mode / macro setting.
Flash: fired
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.