I’ll show more of my road trip pictures tomorrow because instead, I’d rather share these photos that I took after today’s rain.
I came home from work, determined to walk despite the weather but luckily the rain began to cease and I was able to take a good long one with George. While I was walking, I saw all sorts of beautiful sights. So after I was done, I headed out with the macro lens on the camera and the tripod.
I guess my thought was that I would take some photos and maybe one of them would be worthy enough to enter as a submission in Pioneer Woman’s latest photography group assignment.
Alas, I didn’t end up with anything worth submitting, and please don’t tell me that I did. This week’s assignment is “Macro” and you all know how many macro photos I take, but have you seen the competition over on her site lately? It’s daunting, I tell you. Lately, I haven’t even been entering. But I decided that’s just silly. And plus, it’s fun to see the other submissions in the Flickr group pool.
When I have time, that is. And I haven’t had a lot of time lately.
When we came home on Sunday, the first thing I noticed when I went out in the yard were the blooms on my beloved lilac bush. This is the bush that’s still hanging in there after being split in half by the old cherry tree that came down on it last fall.
For these photos, I used Florabella’s Antique (warm) texture coupled with Pure Milk, an overlay. They’re both from Set 1 of her Fine Art Textures. Soft light blending mode was used for all photos, at different opacity settings for each.
I thought this one was really cool. But my husband said no, it really wasn’t. He told me that the leaf in the front ruined the photo.
But I’m posting it anyway, despite the fact that I completely agree with him. And now I’ve ruined it for you, too I guess. Maybe you wouldn’t have noticed it if I hadn’t said anything.
But I think my favorite photo is this last one below.
I just really like the colors.
Lost is on tonight! And Glee follows it. Actually I’ll miss a half hour of that show and am wondering if Tivo is something I need to look into. And then there’s the book I’m trying to read, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, a novel by Stieg Larsson that looks pretty darn interesting. And all of my favorite blogs to catch up on . . .
There’s just not enough time in the day, is there?
Until tomorrow, my friends . . .
All photos taken with a Nikon D80 and the Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm Macro lens.
35 comments:
I absolutely LOVE the last photo! I agree about the macro of the leaf with droplets that was ruined by the leaf in the foreground...but I get the same way about pictures; sure they're not "perfect" but they're still beautiful and I feel I need to share them, so I'm glad you shared them with us. :)
Oh and now I know what the bush is by my front door (I don't own the place)--lilac! I took some pics the other day when it was about 60% bloomed but this morning when I walked out with the dog--OH MY the lovely scent!
I agree that PW's contests are becoming intimidating! I still enter... but my oh my... I don't think my photos compete at all either! And we are all still going to tell you that yours DO! - especially the last one C'mon... consider entering it!
K~ Well, I'm no critic & believe that each photo is beautiful to someone for some reason. Your photos are always very peaceful & dreamy...they make me smile. I just got photoshop CS4 (it does not make me smile...yet!). Love the lilac...that bush sure has a thing or two to prove.
Yay Lost & Glee! Enjoy your evening "ooohing" at Lost & singing along with Glee!
C~
p.s. Tivo rocks!
Well, I love that first lilac shot.. You'd better enter the loop. Or else...
oh man....i saw the competition over at pioneer woman and told myself "forget about it sister".....
but honestly, your photos are so fresh....the rain droplets are amazing !
do you use a 50mm or 100mm ?
anyhow....no macro competition for me, but i've been busy framing a few photos for a shop who wants to sell my pictures....tomorrow i have to drop them off...oh i hope they like them !
Oh, I like the last photo very much. But I confess I'm leaving a comment about the book you're reading. I bought it and before I could start it, someone told me that the first 50 pages were slow. Tru, dat. But after that 50 or so pages, the story really takes off. Maybe you're already way into it, in which case, I wonder if you had a similar experience.
So it isn't perfect, that doesn't mean it isn't good. It's real and .that. is what counts.
The last one looks like crystal!
Oh, I think the first and the last one are PW worthy...no doubt! I say, go for it...I got a picture in on Group one for the first time and never thought that would happen!
(under the blue muse). You go girl, your photos are amazing!
That one that your husband said no to is actually my favorite, and you're right. I wouldn't have noticed or focused on the leaf in front if you/he hadn't mentioned it. Those two larger droplets almost look like eyes.
wv: hetrog. The hetrog is a mysterious creature sometimes visible in macro shots of wet leaves. They do not like to be criticized and when they are they wither and retreat and throw up other leaves to try and camaflouge themselves. Kate has done an excellent job of capturing the spirit of a hetrog on her post today.
I hear you on the intimidation factor at PW's... seriously amazing images! But yours are fabulous too - my personal fave is the first in this post. Don't know why... did you end up entering any? (I don;t own a macro - am a one-lense wonder!)
:-)
BB
Love the last pic as well, but they all are special.
Absolutely beautiful photos! I don't have a macro lens yet but am also enjoying the submissions on PW's site.
Pioneer Womans photo contests are tough. So many applicants!
Guess your husband tells you like it is. Glad you agree with him. Darned that little leaf.
The last photo is very sweet.
That last picture is perfect. I love it.
I hope you have a fabulous evening...
Marla @ www.asthefarmturns.wordpress.com
great shots....we've had a lot of sunshine here
Submit a photo! Yours are always worthy :)
I love the last photo and the photo with the rain drops on the leaf with only the middle section in focus! Lovely. I'm reading a book title "Solemates" about a couple who hiked the Appalachian Trail. It makes me think of you, or maybe I can visualize some of your images along the trail.... :)
Ok I won't say it but....
They're beautiful photos.
I'm looking into a new camera and Nikon D3000 is one or D5000. I guess the 3000 replaced the D80..I'd like to know if you love it. I have a Canon Rebel but hate the weight of it..
Wonderful shots!
I love your photos, particularly the Lilac. Living in Florida, we have no Lilac bushes; they don't grow down here, and I sorely miss them. People try to get you to believe a Crepe Myrtle can take the Lilac's place---NOT! Anyway, I love all things Lilac.
I don't have a Macro lens, and haven't bothered entering the PW group assignments; way too many people over there nowadays.
Get a Tivo, girl!!! They are the greatest if you enjoy your TV. I am not a late nighter, so the Tivo--or DVR in my case--is a lifesaver!!!!
I really loved The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo!!
No not enough hours in a day sometimes.
We luv our dvr that came with the satelite system. Without it I would miss most of my favorite shows at this time of year, since it's usually dark before we get in and that makes it about 8 to 8:30 pm.
Okay.. he is wrong .. why do these men think they know about focal points .. GAH . .its super shot .. tell him I said he and ToonMan need to Shut The Front Door ...
it didnt rain here ..
I'm so envious of your lilac bush. I LOVE those delicious smelling flowers. So pretty to look at too.
I'm also envious of your camera, your house, your dog, and your talent. But, who's keeping track...?
I actually disagree with the shot with the leaf not being cool. I don't think the leaf in front draws away from the focus of the droplets, and I like when there is a little more in a picture than the one object in the center. I think it make the photo more interesting. So, even if it might go against a photography rule, sometimes rules need to be broken.
*sigh* I miss our lilac bush, which was crowded out by a wild rose... your photos are beautiful, and I love the processing! And wow, those photos in PW's contest are amazing! And I totally think yours are, too! :)
I didn't even notice the leaf in front and think it is a beautiful macro.
I think you should enter the last picture, though - I love azalea blooms, and they are hard to capture.
I was fortunate enough to have a picture selected for the first time, in Group 2, and I didn't think it was really worthy. Everyone has a chance!
I know you said not to say so...but I'm going to anyways:)...I think you should definitely enter one of your pics...my favorite is the last one too....the pics on PW are great but so is this...
..as for tivo...I couldn't live without my digital recorder anymore...not only to we not miss any shows we like but we zoom through every commercial...making the shows that much shorter and enjoyable...and we can relisten to those English accents in Masterpiece Theater until we think we understand what they are saying:)
All of your photos are worthy... Not just saying, and I DO love the texture you chose too. Our property is totally in need of some lilac bushes. Hardly seems proper not to have one.
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
(looking for more time in my day too)
Macro flowers with water droplets....it doesn't get any better. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the leaf shot~ that you think is ruined. That one is my fave~ But all of them are AWESOME!
LOVE them all but that last one is absolutely wallable!!!
I went back over to PW on flickr and looked at some of the photos. Yours are just as good as most and better than some. Most of what makes a photo "good" or "not good" is in the eye of the beholder. Don't under estimate yourself or your talent and ability. But by that same token, don't go play with them if it's not your thing (and I don't play there cuz it's not my thing). That said....you might check out Sunday Stills at http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/
a few less participants and still fun.
The photos are absolutely stunning. I guess it depends on the competition and only you knows whether they are good enough. But my eyes tell me they are beautiful.
CJ xx
To my common eye they are all great!! It looks like you have such a talent.
Your photos are always beautiful, I especially like the lilacs. PW must have a really hard time picking winners because all the entries look like winners to me!
We saw beautiful forsythia (?sp) blooming in Indiana and I did not take one photo; don't know why I didn't think to since I have wisteria, azaleas, bridal wreath, etc photos taken here at home!
Linda (GillLink)
Loved your pictures, as always! You are a very inspiring photographer and blogger.
Yes mam, Tivo is the answer ... you can watch what you want to watch, when you want to watch it, commercial free!
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