Over-exposure, memory and cyclamen

click photo to enlarge
I use a computer diary to keep track of what I'm doing and when. I also use Windows' built in "sticky notes" that mimic "post-it" notes for lists and "to do" items. By and large these two aids supplemented by my wife's calendar and diary mean that we have most things covered. That's not to say that events and activities don't, very occasionally, get missed: we are only human!

What I'm not good at - actually, I'm hopeless at - is keeping track of photographic approaches that I mean to use more. Things such as motion blur, my "lines in the landscape" project (see recent post), photographing from very low viewpoints, over-exposing appropriate subjects, and much else. I really need to establish a way to make sure I shoot in these ways at least once a week. What happens at the moment is that, out of nowhere in particular, a little light bulb occasionally comes on in my head and I think - "try this one with some positive EV".

That happened recently when I was photographing the cyclamen that we grow in our garden room and in the front porch. I've tried a few approaches to photographing the plants and I've been reasonably happy with my shots. However, I haven't yet produced the "Wow" shot that I think must be possible with these very showy blooms. But, looking through the viewfinder at some pink specimens of the plant the lightbulb glowed once more saying "try an overexposed shot", so I dialled in +1.0 EV. I liked it! When I reviewed the shots on the computer I increased the effect a little more. The combination of over-exposure and the macro lens wide open at f2.8 has produced a "dreamy" look that appeals to me. It's not my usual style, and it isn't the elusive "Wow" shot, but I like the water-colour, wet look of it and it's something I'll try again.

photograph and text © Tony Boughen

Camera: Canon
Mode: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 100mm macro
F No: f2.8
Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec
ISO: 125
Exposure Compensation:  +1.0 EV
Image Stabilisation: On

Cyclamen petals

click photo to enlarge

There are 20 species of cyclamen that collectively flower during every month of the year. Combine this with the striking, colourful, five-petalled flowers, the beautifully figured leaves and the reason for their widespread popularity becomes obvious. I've photographed them on a couple of occasions and each time managed to secure an image that was different from my usual flower shots. One of the blog posts - of a plant that had gone a touch "leggy" due to too much warmth - was where I first used the Marc Chagall quote that I repeated the other day. The other was a semi-abstract image of a single flower head reflected in a mirror.

We've had cyclamen as indoor pot plants for years, and we've valued the fact that they are not only long-flowering, but also provide winter colour for our window-sills in the cooler rooms of the house. However, there are species of cyclamen that will grow outdoors in the garden too, and a couple of years ago we planted some in our rockery. They are thriving, though whether through the activity of birds or due to weather and gravity, some of them have moved downhill and are flowering in the edge of a lawn.

The photograph above is a macro shot of some of our blooming indoor cyclamen. It was taken hand-held, rather speculatively, but turned out better than I expected. Reviewing the shot as it filled my computer screen the petals looked like turbulent waves on a pink sea. Reproduced on a small scale it has less impact, but still offers something I think.

photograph and text (c) T. Boughen

Camera: Canon
Mode: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 100mm
F No: f6.3
Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec
ISO: 2000
Exposure Compensation: 0 EV
Image Stabilisation: On

Cyclamen flower

click photo to enlarge
Quite a bit of my spare time recently has been in the garden taking up a paved area and some concrete, as well as removing some low walls. There's a couple of weeks hard labour left in substituting some new work, making borders, and planting them. Consequently my time for blogging and taking photographs has been drastically reduced.

Casting around for a snap or two the other day I settled on the indoor plants - see yesterday's post. One of the house plants that we invariably have on display is the cyclamen. In fact there are usually several in a range of colours. I've tried to photograph these interesting plants before, but, from my many attempts I've only posted one shot. I seem to have had a photographic block as far as the cyclamen goes, and I can't really explain why. It has delicate, colourful blooms, with petals that are twisted rather like the blades of a propeller, and the leaves are marked with attractive patterns. It should make an easy subject. However, with past experience in mind I approached the plant with no expectation of achieving anything worthwhile.

But this time I did produce one image that I like. It's a close-up of a single bloom reflected in a mirror. That reflection makes for a subtle symmetry that appeals to me, and also gives greater emphasis to the twist of the petals. But, the thing that improved the shot most, to my mind, was going closer and framing it with the edges of the petals cut off. Unlike yesterday's shot the outline is not something that catches the eye, rather it is the spaces that are left at the edge of the frame.

photograph & text (c) T. Boughen

Camera: Olympus E510
Mode: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 35mm macro, (70mm/35mm equiv.)
F No: f7.1
Shutter Speed: 1/20
ISO: 100
Exposure Compensation: +1.0 EV
Image Stabilisation: Off

The beauty of flowers

click photo to enlarge

Art is the unceasing effort to compete with the beauty of flowers - and never succeeding.
Marc Chagall (1889-1985) Russian-born French painter

I've always admired this quotation - in fact I've used it before - because it not only shows the humility of a great artist like Chagall, but it also embodies two truths: one about flowers and another about art.

It's no accident that when a person's bodily needs have been met he turns outwards from himself and gazes upon the world. Mankind has an innate desire to make sense of creation, and to find the deeper truths that we feel lie hidden within. Religions provide the answers for some. For others it can be science, philosophy or art. And for many it's gardening! And I say that not entirely in jest. When Monet had done with painting landscapes, allegories and nudes, he found that his garden provided the inspiration for his greatest works. The beauty of nature - and flowers in particular - is difficult to surpass, though it's certainly a worthy objective for any artist to try to do so.

These cyclamen live on my kitchen window sill. They have provided interest and beauty for the past several months, and I shall be sorry to see the flowers disappear. Mindful of John Keats' words in the poem "Endymion", "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever", I took them down, and arranged them against a dark backdrop to emphasise those lovely pink flowers. I took some shots using flash but this image taken with available light was the best of the bunch!

photograph and text (c) T. Boughen

Camera: Olympus E510
Mode: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 35mm macro (70mm/35mm equiv.)
F No: f18
Shutter Speed: 1.0
ISO: 100
Exposure Compensation: -1.3EV
Image Stabilisation: Off