Green Fingers

I took around 500 photos while I was in California recently. Most of them are of plants. Today, I post yet another example of the flora that grow in southern California.I believe that nothing in nature develops accidentally and when I look at this I wonder about the purpose of all of the parts of this fern and of their design. Maybe a fern expert could chime in. Or maybe I could look it up on Wikipedia. . . .

Linear Green

I am in California for a few days and because I am using my iPad and iPhone for work and connectivity, keeping up with this blog is a little more challenging - especially the photo editing. But I'll try to do my best.This photo was taken a few blocks from my aunt's house and it is like alot of green things I post - it is very green.But aside from that, I really like the luminescence of this photo. I probably took 40 photos of this plant and they are pretty redundant. But, as usual, my photography wasn't so much about what I got as it was that I was out seeing and seeking. And it was a perfect southern California morning, with temperatures heading into the high 70s. :-)

Vortex

As my photography has "matured," I would say that one of the biggest differences is that I spend considerably more time looking for lines, shapes and patterns when I look through the viewfinder. I guess I like symmetry and these fern leaves seem to have plenty of that. Plus, there are at least four layers of lines in this photo, each less distinct. Among other things, it gives the two dimensional digital file you are looking at the illusion of depth.Another thing I spend more time with is using the right lens, focus and aperture to manipulate what the viewer will see. In this case, I used a telephoto lens and a medium aperture to make the top right corner blurred and the bottom left quadrant fairly sharp. In the end, I like this blurry upper part of the photo because it looks a bit like a vortex from which the central leaf is rising.Do I really think this much when I take a photo? Not really. The kind of analysis you are reading today usually occurs much later - when I am "thinking" about what I was seeing when I took the photo.Canon 5DII 1/60s f/5.6 ISO400 102mmSubscribe to A Photo A Day by Email

The Underside of Life

I visited the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul this past weekend and enjoyed stepping from the cool, October air into tropical humidity. There are many photo opportunities, including a room filled with many types of ferns. I don't know what the name of this particular fern is but from the other side, it was one of the least interesting. But the backside was amazing, as I hope you agree.I always feel good when I see something that many others don't see because I think that this ability is what helps define a "photographer." And I keep working on becoming a better photographer.