And today, a further harbinger of spring: hazel catkins. It seems, in a way, strange to think of these being a step towards hazelnuts. But hey, there’s all spring and summer first!
My Sunday Photo: 19 February 2017
Tag Archives: gardens in winter
My Sunday Photo: 12 February 2017
Just today, I found this advance on last week. It seems all the more like spring being not far away. There’s definitely something about flowers that typifies the triumph of gentleness in adversity. Three days of sleety rain didn’t stop these crocuses from putting in an appearance!
My Sunday Photo: 5 February 2017
Yes, it’s that time of year again – almost spring! I’ve always loved snowdrops, and I probably post a picture a bit like this every year. This time, I’ve given you the whole frame – the image hasn’t been cropped after capture. Also, this picture was taken with a prime (fixed focal length) lens, actually a 100mm macro.
By the time I arrived to take this shot, the winter afternoon light was already fading. I wound up the ISO setting to 3200, selected f/5 and shot at 1/15 of a second – relying on a dose of help from the camera’s shake reduction system!
I’m mentioning this as an example of what I’ve tried to explain before: newer and more expensive equipment won’t improve your skill as a photographer, but what it can do is extend your scope. One particular improvement noticeable on recent camera models, both DSLRs and others, is that good image quality is attainable when using high iso speeds – a great advantage in low light conditions!
My Sunday Photo: 29 January 2017
The continued erratic weather patterns are still giving us surprises; I found this flowering currant in bloom just today. It seems that in winter these days, we aren’t left entirely without flowers, even though there are sometimes very few. I have a few dianthus blooms and winter pansies braving the cold!
My Sunday Photo: 22 January 2017
Witch hazel, or hamamelis mollis is one of the lovely shrubs that flower in winter. This one is in my dad’s garden; the flowers have a characteristic sweet scent. A very cheering sight on a dull winter day, and actually quite easy to grow.
My Sunday Photo: 15 January 2017
Looking around rather dejectedly (the dull weather wasn’t helping) I came across this clump of shoots – probably from daffodil bulbs. I know this isn’t much to look at in itself, but it was enough to cheer me up somewhat; a promise of better things to come!
My Sunday Photo: 1 January 2017
Wednesday last week began with a heavy white frost. This provides great opportunity for outdoor photography; frost does amazing things with the shapes and lines in plants, and bright sunlight at a low angle gives added punch. You just have to brave the climate, and get out there quickly!
Alphabet Photography Project: V is for Viburnum
One of my favourite flowers because of its scent, the tiny florets of viburnum (about 5mm across) are very appealing to the macro photographer. I found these on the last day of January – a lovely combination of flowers, water, and sunshine!
My Sunday Photo: 24 January 2016
Just two days ago (22 January) I found snowdrops had already put in an appearance in my father’s garden. I never seem to get tired of looking at flowers, somehow…!
My Sunday Photo: 20 December 2015
I took today as something of a photographic challenge; warm, but dull and wet weather persisted. Indeed, the climate over the last week or two has reminded me of that phrase further quantity of ditto so beloved of auctioneers when compiling catalogues. Nothing looked the least bit (ahem) seasonal.
In the local natural scene, there was little of note to observe. Only grass, I thought…
Wait a minute! Yes, grass. Including this tall ornamental kind I spotted nearby. But how do you depict a grey, blustery day in an interesting way?
On impulse, I tried combining natural light with flash, to give a sense of movement with a touch of sparkle. Maybe the best Christmas decorations are alive. We just have to look for them.
