Red Brushstrokes

Berries in the wood

I found these berries in the woods an they were surprisingly colourful for the time of year. I wanted to include the leaves and place the berries in a rule of thirds position and I also wanted to use the lines present in the plant. Different apertures were used on the spot but f/8 gave the best DOF/subject isolation ratio. the background colour is from the fallen leaves. I could have brushed off the spiders webs, but wanted to keep the imperfections. Of course I used the tripod and watched the motion of the leaves in the slight wind until they kept still for a few seconds and then I pressed the shutter release.

Photo by Frank Panis

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Sigma AF 150mm macro f/2.8 EX DG HSM
Sensitivity: ISO L0.7
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/2s - f8, aperture priority
Flash: none
Support: tripod
Image: RAW, converted in Nikon CNX 2.1.0.

Papaver rhoeas (common name: Poppy, red poppy, corn poppy, field poppy)

At the end of a shooting session in Sale Park we were on the way back to the car when I noticed this single poppy under a bench. There were no other flowers around it. It was a cloudy day and the light was low. Yet its intense colour was brightening the place up. The texture of the petals and the 'determination' of the flower to bloom in such an unfriendly location captivated me. I took various shots as I wanted the poppy to be really prominent in the photo and the background to be dull and gloomy, just as it was on the day.

Photo by Marina Parha
 
Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Macro
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed: 1/60, f13, Aperture priority
Flash: SB600
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

New Life

Whether it is a spring bloom, a young chick or a newborn animal, I find new life attractive. I noticed this leaf just ready to open up; it was the only one amongst all the green leaves and weathered leaves of a well established plant. The way the stem was turned upwards made it look like it was enjoying the late afternoon sun. 

Photo by Marina Parha

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Macro
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed: 1/250, f8 Manual
Flash: SB600 in TTL/BL
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Common name: Chinese hibiscus, Hibiscus)

This was definitely a photo planned in advance. I had seen this flower forming and I waited to capture it just before it opened completely. I knew from past experience that if you wait till next morning it is simply too late because the flower gradually opens during the night. I took the shot when the petals were half open and chose the photo which showed less flash reflections.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron 180 mm f/3.5 Macro 
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60, f8, Aperture priority
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.