Flowers Flowers Flowers Everywhere

It's spring in the southern US and the flowers are blooming. It has been an unusually wet spring and every thing is green and flowers offer great contrast. This post is about where do I find flowers to photograph. Here is my list (in no particular order).


1) Around the house - we have iris's, gerbera daisies, and other flowers around the house. This is certainly the most convenient.
2) Along the roadway - I have photographed many wonderful flowers along the roadway. When I spot something interesting, I pull over where it is convenient and safe and walk back to the spot where the flowers are located. Some of my favorite roadside flowers are bachelors buttons, red and pink clover, thistles, and many others.
3) Home and garden centers, nurseries - most keep there flowers out all the time and they are accessible for photography. I usually go early in the morning on a Sunday when they are not open and take some shots.
4) Entrances to housing developments - Many housing developments have beautified the entrances with flowering plants. Again - I find early morning to be less busy and the best time for photographing in these locations.
5) Businesses - Many business complexes have nice landscaping including flowers. I have found many nice flower opportunities here.
6) Cemeteries - After a deceased person is interred, many times flowers are left on the grave. I have payed my respects to people I don't know and photographed the flowers that were laid on their grave.
7) Public gardens - this one needs no explanation.
8) Private homes - just stop and ask
9) Churches - Some churches have flowers in their landscape scheme.
10) Main Streets - Nowadays, flowers are quite common.

I am in no way suggesting that you trespass on private property to photograph flowers. You have to determine the risks involved at any location. I have successfully photographed flowers in all of the locations above.

Be discreet and don't destroy anyone's property or flowers. Go out and photograph some flowers.

The Importance of Notes in Nature Photography

I have discovered more than once the importance of taking notes and multiple shots in

nature photography. In my case it is usually flower or plant photography. The number one reason is that it gives you a chance to identify the subject. Even if you think you will know by the image, it is wise to record the following:

1. Time of year
2. Plant size
3. Flower color/unusual features
4. Location
5. Leaf structure
6. Soil type (clay, sandy, marsh, etc.)

There may be other features that are important. You can't record too much. Presently I am working on a cyanotype of a beautiful purple/blue flower. Unfortunately I do not know what type of flower it is. I do not know where I photographed it. Even if the image turns out magnificent, all I can do is label it "Purple/Blue Flower". Wish I had taken notes.

blue

blue, a photo by HWPhillips on Flickr.

Blue flowers on white background. The actual flowers are a blue/purple color.

Review of Nanguang 5400K LED Video Light Lamp for Camera DV Camcorder Lighting

I purchased 2 Nanguang 5400K LED lights for use with my DSLR from Amazon here. I received them very quickly. They are $20 lights, so I didn't expect much. They lived up to expectation. They are very basic units that are not designed for durability. I had to disassemble one unit to replace the on/off dimmer knob which had come off. Fortunately the tiny screw used was still inside the unit. While I had the unit apart to replace the knob one of the wires broke so I had to resolder it. Crappy build.

Pros: Cheap, good light, accepts AA cells, hot shoe mount
Cons: Cheap build, very fragile - not professional quality at all.

I already had a Sima  led light for my camera. The design and build on it were much better.

Ok for occasional use.

Storage/Protection for 4x5 Burke and James Orbit or Similar

I've had my Burke and James Orbit for about a year now. No real way to store it, so it sits around in various places. I have looked at toolboxes as a possibility but with the awkward size of the camera I haven't found one that would work. Yesterday I was in Lowes and saw a canvas tool bag that would almost work. Today I went to Walmart and found a duffel bag with wheels that will work. Below are some pictures. I added some cardboard on each end to give it a little more protection. With the wheel assembly, the bottom is stiff and has good support for the camera. It does have lots of extra space for film holders and other stuff. For now, I am storing my homemade pinhole camera in it as well. This is not a solution for a professional who uses a camera like this day in and day out. Since I don't use my 4x5 that much - I think it will work well.