Seeing 2011 (#105)

For your consideration: scenery of the before-and-after variety — within the same time-frame are to be found two stages of a poppy's development.

Subtly and particularly unusual about this specific image is that it was recorded not with my 100mm macro — normally the lens of choice for such subjects . . . but instead with the current Big Gun in my inventory, the 70-300mm telephoto. Due to the multiplier effect of my camera's APS-C sensor the effective focal length employed in this photograph is 320mm, a measurement far more commonly associated with long-distance shots than for intimate close-ups.

Taken on an overcast day, the resulting muted indirect lighting was ideal for evoking a natural glow from the petals.

While processing this offering it occurred to me that regardless of man's impressive progress in the realm of technology, we're still quite a long, long way off from reaching the gentle, amazing elegance of nature's own production efforts such as this.

California Poppy, #1388

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: April 24, 2011; Canon 20D; f/8 @ 1/640 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 400; Canon EF f/4-5.6 L IS 70-300mm USM @ 200mm

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