Saguaro Wanderings: Seeing 2012 (#82)

For your consideration: a small surprise, for me at least, and possibly for you too, dear viewer . . .

In my case the revelation came when I was being dropped off from a ride with a friend: as I exited the car my eye happened to catch this quite small, delicate organic structure huddled hard against the curb in front of my housing complex. Given that I was in my normal state of hurried discombobulation, trying to simultaneously check to make sure I wasn't leaving anything behind whilst fishing for my keys, it was a minor miracle to spot this treasure at all.

In fact, I nearly dismissed it in my haste . . . yet some artistic synapse ordered an immediate halt to my trajectory. Perhaps I was moved by the fragility of this disconnected bit of life cast into the caustic environment of a city street . . . whatever compelled me, I stopped in my tracks long enough to delicately retrieve this subject, and carried it to the quiet safety of my abode.

Of course photographing it immediately was the only option; being cast off from its mother plant doomed it to a much shortened vibrant lifespan. Thus the tasks at hand: find my Third Hand tool, set up the tripod, grab the macro lens . . . position the subject . . . determine optimum exposure settings (low ISO for fineness - allowing small aperture for greater depth of field focus [thus the tripod]) . . .

Take some shots, adjust f/stop, recheck focus, framing . . . more shots . . . change subject's "pose" . . . repeat . . . repeat . . . ah yes, that's better . . . you're looking beautiful kid, now try this . . . now that . . . very coöperative model! I appreciate it! Thank you for your time, it's been great!

And now for your surprise, gentle reader: this image was created outdoors in direct late-afternoon sunlight —with the additional aid of my flash (held off-camera).

Yes, indeed: I do love having fun with photons!