Spring flowers

[Davejl]

The crazy weather that we've had in the U.K. this winter means that some of the flowers in my garden are coming out weeks earlier than usual. This is certainly not in response to the sun, which I seem to recall was a sort of yellow ball thing that used to appear in the sky. Something must have scared it away.

Canon 70D, Sigma 105mm macro

[chauncey]

Not sure if I like the focus point...

[Wavelength]

Nice colors..i think a bit OOF or something....If possible must reshoot this nice pair.....

[DanK]

I agree--a pretty pair, but not enough in focus.

[Davejl]

Fair comments re focus. I decided to post this because of the colours. The problem is that the flowers are very small (the blue one is less than 9mm across) and comparatively deep. They are also growing in an awkward spot near to the ground, and the conditions were very dull and windy. I tried initially using off-camera flash, then resorted to ring flash, then gave up on flash. This was shot at F8 and ISO 800. In retrospect, I think should have gone for a higher ISO. Some of the hairs down inside the blue (is it blue?) flower are sort of in focus, and the veining of the petal can be made out. If I wait for more favourable shooting conditions, the flowers will probably be dead!

However, having since read my 70D manual, I might have another go with flash and a smaller aperture. I hadn't worked out how to use the flash exposure compensation, which is set differently to on my previous Canon.

This flower is pulmonaria, commonly called "soldiers and sailors" because of the red and blue colour. The red (pink) flowers turn blue.

[xpatUSA]

. . . . Some of the hairs down inside the blue (is it blue?) flower

According to my HSB color-picker, it's hue inside is about 249 degrees (color circle-wise) which is just slightly on the magenta side of blue.

[Davejl]

Thanks Ted.

I have endless discussions with family about what colour flowers are if blue, mauve, purple, pink, blue edging in the direction of mauve etc!

[Geoff F]

I suspect this scene will require a bit of focus stacking to obtain sufficient focus depth; but that means having suitable editing software.

Generally speaking, I prefer a long exposure on a tripod instead of flashing at flowers; but, when that isn't an option, I would recommend setting the camera with manual settings (eg 1/200 F11 Iso 400/800) then varying the flash exposure compensation as required.

[IzzieK]

You and I, Dave -- flash exposure compensation is a bit of an alien subject to me so I shoot without flash. Nice try on the flowers though OOF. Call it abstract so you'll get away with it.

[Davejl]

I like it Izzie. Abstract it is. Certainly couldn't do any focus stacking techniques in my garden: several of the crocuses blew over in last night's winds. One endless conveyor belt of Atlantic storms this winter. I think all my garden shots are going to be abstracts!