Nature's Beauty
(Flowering Garlic Chive)

 

I photographed these flowering Garlic Chive flowers in Youngsville, Louisiana. The botanical name is “Allium Tuberosum” (commonly referred to as Garlic Chives, Chinese Chives, Oriental Garlic and Chinese Leek). Allium Tuberosum has strap-shaped leaves unlike either onion or garlic, and straight thin white-flowering stalks that are much taller than the leaves. Both the leaves and the stalks of the flowers can be used as a flavoring. This plant also taste more like garlic than chives.

 

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Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G lens, Exposer: 1/250s at f/7.1, IOS: 400, Focal Length: 105mm, Exposure Mode: Manual, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Spot, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Unknown, Lighting: Off Camera Speedlight (Nikon SB-800), Date: 08/16/2012 at 4:42 pm, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Nik Software, Color Efex Pro 4

 

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Nature's Beauty (Periwinkle)



The Periwinkle (aka: Vinca - Latin: vincire “to bind, fetter”) is native to Europe, northwest Africa and Southwest Asia. Avid gardeners in Asia, Europe, India and the United States have been cultivating Periwinkles for centuries. Periwinkles had also been grown in the past by herbalists in the belief of their medicinal properties. Periwinkles grow best in warm climates.

 

See the following Wikipedia link to learn more about the Periwinkle (Vinca).

 

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Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G lens, Exposer: 1/125s at f/4.5, IOS: 200, Focal Length: 105mm, Exposure Mode: Manual, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Matrix, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: 0.8 Meters, Lighting: Off Camera Speedlight (Nikon SB-800), Date: 06/27/2012 at 7:10 pm, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Nik Software, Color Efex Pro 4

 

Copyright © 2013 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Nature's Beauty

The above Daylily (Hemerocallis) was photographed in Youngsville, Louisiana at the home of my sister-in-laws (Denise). Denise has been successfully cultivating and hybridizing Daylily for many years. Daylilies are a perennial plant. The name Hemerocallis is derived from the Greek words “day” and “beautiful”. A Daylily bloom will typically last for only one day. However, a new Daylily bloom will continue to open on cut stems for several days. Depending on the species of Daylily they can grow in USDA plant zones 1 through 11.

 

See the following Wikipedia link to learn more about the Daylily.

 

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Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S VR NIKKOR 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/30s at f/5.6, IOS: 280, Focal Length: 120mm, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Pattern, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: 0.79 Meters, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 08/07/2009 at 9:03 pm, Post Processing: ACDSee Photo Editor 2008

 

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Nature's Beauty

 

I photographed the above Purple Coneheads in Youngsville, Louisiana. In post processing I decided to increase the contrast of this image in-order to give it just a little-bit of a surreal look. When photographing Botanicals (plant-life) you need to take the time to walk around the plant to find the best angles. There may be many. Photograph them all. You also need to look beyond your subject to find the best backgrounds to enhance your image. In the above photograph I used the tall grasses as a backdrop. If you take a little time to study your subject and the surroundings you may find that half of the work has already been done before you even start post processing.

 

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Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G lens, Exposer: 1/125s at f/9.0, IOS: 400, Focal Length: 105mm, Exposure Mode: Manual, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Spot, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Unknown, Lighting: Off Camera Speedlight (Nikon SB-800), Date: 08/16/2012 at 5:24 pm, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 & Nik Software – Color Efex Pro 4

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Shades of Gray

Botanical photography is mostly recognized for the stunning colors and textures that flowers and plant-life in-general produces. But, I find that sometimes even flowers can look exceptional in a monochrome format. The above photograph was processed using Adobe’s Photoshop CS6 and Nik Software’s Color Efex Pro 4. The original RAW image from my camera only required modest adjustments in Photoshop CS6. I used two Presets in Color Efex Pro 4 to further enhance this image. The first preset I selected is called Big Sky. This preset is a somewhat high contrast preset, I then chose the B+W preset. The B+W preset is exactly what you would expect it to be, an excellent black and white preset which complimented the Big Sky preset nicely. Nik Software’s Presets allows you to try preconfigured setting and then you can make further adjusting from the selected preset. You can also combine presets for even more creative imagery. Nik Software brings value to Adobe’s Photoshop and Lightroom products.

To learn more about Nik Software’s Presets go to: Nik Software

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Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens, Exposure: 1/250s at f/7.1, ISO: 400, Focal Length: 105mm, Exposure Mode: Manual, Metering Mode: Spot, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Unknown, Lighting: Off Camera Speedlight (Nikon SB-800), Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 & Nik Software – Color Efex Pro 4, Date: 8/16/2012 at 4:42 pm

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Nature's Beauty

The above flower is commonly referred to as a Hibiscus (Disambiguation). There are several hundred species of Hibiscus that grow in warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions of the world. The generic name is derived from the Greek word (hibiskos), which was given to Athaea officinalis. Many specimens of Hibiscus are used extensively in landscaping because of their flowers and size and also because they tend to attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Many countries around the world serve tea made from the Hibiscus flower. Hibiscus tea is known for its color and tangy flavor. The tea is a natural diuretic and it contains vitamin C and minerals. It can also be used as a mild medicine. Hibiscus flowers are often used as a garnish. They are also edible and can be candied.

To learn more about Hibiscus go to the: American Hibiscus Society and the: International Hibiscus Society.

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Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR Macro 105mm f/2.8G lens, Subject Distance: 1.12 meters, Exposure: 1/125s at f/8.0 – Manual: Matrix Metering, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 105mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Nikon SB-800 Speedlight (off camera), Date: 06/27/2012 at 06:15 pm, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Nature's Beauty

The above flower is commonly referred to as a Blue Butterfly (Rotheca Myricoides) which is from the Butterfly Bush. Its common name is obviously derived from the flowers look and shape. The Butterfly Bush is a fast growth evergreen shrub that can get up to 10-feet tall and wide and its leaves are 3 to 4-inches long. It is a partial shade plant that requires regular watering. The Butterfly Bush was originally native to East Africa but is now enjoyed in many warm regions of the world.

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Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR Macro 105mm f/2.8G lens, Subject Distance: 0.79 meters, Exposure: 1/125s at f/5.6, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 105mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Nikon SB-800 Speedlight (off camera), Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Date: 06/27/2012 at 07:12 pm

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Nature's Beauty

I have decided to start a series called Nature’s Beauty. In this series I plan on featuring botanicals, landscapes and wildlife images.

The above Purple Conehead was photographed at the home of Denise Files in Lafayette, Louisiana. Denise is quite the gardener and my sister-in-law. I only had about an hour to photograph her gardens because the afternoon sun was setting. The plant-life in her gardens is so extensive I could have easily spent hours photographing her floral plants. Please note that I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to plant-life names. But, I will endeavor to provide plant-life names and background information when possible.

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Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR Macro 105mm f/2.8G lens, Subject Distance: 0.89 meters, Exposure: 1/125s at f/4.5, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 105mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Nikon SB-800 Speedlight (off camera), Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Date: 06/27/2012 at 07:01 pm

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Royal Poinciana

During a trip to Waikoloa Village on Hawaii's Big Inland I took the above photograph of this Royal Painciana. The Royal Poinciana were not as full of flowering blooms as I wished but, sometimes you have to work with what you get. One of the best parts of this image beside the red of the blooms and the different shadings of the green leaves was the blue of the sky. I obtained this nice blue sky by using a Circular Polarizer filter. As I have stated in past blogs a Circular Polarizer filter can make the sky in your images a more natural and truer blue by reducing the harsh light from the sun. A Circular Polarizer is also great for reducing the glare and hotspots from reflective materials such as water and class. To use a Circular Polarizer filter is very easy. Just turn the Circular Polarizer filter until the image in your view finder is at its darkest. I have a Circular Polarizer filter for each of my lens.

Delonix Regia (Royal Poinciana): A native of Madagascar, but grows freely in many other places such as Hawaii, where it is also known as the Flamboyant Tree, Mohur Tree and Red Flame. It blooms in about July or August usually and can reach 40-80 feet, spredding out to the side as well as high.

See the following Wikipedia link to learn more about the Royal Poinciana.
 

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Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, Subject Distance: 5.96 meters, Exposure: 1/80s at f/5.0, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 58mm, Filter: Circular Polarizer, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: ACDSee Photo Editor 2008, Date: 07/28/2010 at 10:32 am

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved