Tag Archives: thistle

depth of field

One of the best ways to improve your photography is to learn about depth of field (DOF).
It can make ordinary subjects stand out. I shot this dried Thistle last Friday in Flagstaff.
Knowing how to control the DOF, I was able to cause a very busy background to become
a beautiful blur. The color in the background is simply grasses and other weeds.

2009_10_16

(I used Nik and Topaz to bump up the contrast).

Here’s a link to a YouTube video with an excellent description of depth of field:

Understanding Depth of Field

Note: You’ll have more success achieving Depth of Field (DOF) with a single reflex camera (SLR).
It’s difficult to control in a compact camera because they tend to be sharp at all f/stop settings.

instant art

OK…not exactly instant but with just a few clicks of the mouse I have something I really like and I think I will hang. I visualize a large canvas. Before I wast the ink and canvas, though, here’s what I do to find out if I really like it. I print it on plain paper and then put it in a place I’ll pass several times a day. After a week or more of staring at it, I’ll know whether I want to print. Below is a before and after.
2009_05_14
2009_05_14_2

marina parryi and more

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Another first sighting for me. This time it’s a native Dalea which goes by a couple of names: Marina dalea (was Dalea parryi). A bonus was finding a tiny hopper staring at me.

Marina parryi and visitor
Marina parryi and visitor

After seeing the insect on the Dalea, I started looking for others and found a little Crab spider on a New Mexico Thistle next.
Crab spider on New Mexico Thistle
Crab spider on New Mexico Thistle

One of my last photos of the afternoon was the prize of the day! The plant is Odora (Porophyllum gracile) and I think the butterfly is an Azure Celestrina.
Azure Celestrina (a guess)
Azure Celestrina (a guess)

Tech FYI: Canon 24-105, 500D close-up filter (which meant I was close! I’ll take my 180 macro next time)