IN THE FIELD: Ahh Shade
I was out shooting wildflowers yesterday and came across wild columbines growing near some large pine and maple trees.
I set the camera and tripod up for a nice composition and initially, the situation wasn’t looking good. It was late morning and the flowers were in direct sun and with all that harsh bright light, the color of the flowers was washed out.
But, I had my handy dandy 22 inch collapsable 5-in-1 reflector/diffuser with me to save the day. While kneeling on the ground and looking through the viewfinder, I metered the scene for a good exposure and then held up the diffuser to shade the flowers. The difference in readings was three to four stops.
There were two ways to remedy the situation. Choose the desired aperture and then turn into a contortionist and try to meter the scene for the proper shutter speed while holding up the diffuser. Or hold up the diffuser, use aperture priority, and let the camera decide on the appropriate shutter speed.
After I had my settings were I wanted, I held up the diffuser to shade the blossoms and to soften the light, and with my other hand, tripped the shutter with the electronic cable release. Using the self-timer would have worked also, but I like the instant response of pushing a button and the photo is taken. I took several shots using manual exposure so I could dial in a little underexposure and also used aperture priority. Both results were good.
When I left in the morning it was a bit chilly and breezy, but by the time I found these Columbines, it had become hot and calm. A six foot diffuser would have been nice to shade me on the way home.
Lovely colors, David, and great brokeh.
Thanks Gracie, I shot this with my 35mm 1.8 lens.
Great shot, David. It shows what can be accomplished with a little extra effort. 🙂
Thanks Bob, It was kinda awkward kneeling and brushing against a small juniper…itchy!
Great shot and love the lesson on how you did it, sounds like you needed an extra pair of hands, sorry I couldn’t be there.
Thanks Bulldog, an assistant would have been handy!
enjoyed the lesson and like the trio of colours
I was able to include just a hint of the sky in this one. Sometimes you have to be a contortionist!
Excellent, David, both the shot and the instruction!
Glad you enjoyed this Ted! I have to say I never saw columbines this tall…3 feet at least!
WOW! This is great shot. Fascinated me Thank you dear David, have a nice weekend, love, nia
Thanks Nia, glad you enjoyed this! Have a great weekend too!
Very pretty. Lovely shot!
Thanks Meanderer, I don’t know how these columbines got there…birds I guess, but there were only a few plants. A nice surprise indeed!
It turned out great!
Thanks Fergie, it sure would have been easier with a spare set of hands!
Gorgeous colours and background! Another lovely image. If you have some spare sunshine, please send it over!
Thanks Jo, it’s been a really pretty week weather wise…rain Sat, Sun, and Monday and then sun and temps in the 70’s till now. I’ll send some your way!
A six foot diffuser to shade you? I suppose you could try a golf umbrella! Nice work with your diffuser on the columbines. That intense blue is really lovely against the dappled green background.
Yes, I suppose a golf umbrella would be more practical…duh. The color really caught my eye as I walked past…like little blue beacons!
That’s a beautiful shot, and I love your method!
Thanks Montucky, maybe I should bring my chiropractor with me…a built in assistant and no more worries about back injuries from all the weird positions I find myself in! ha ha
I like this shot a lot. I have some columbine in my garden but haven’t really liked the images I’ve taken so far. I think your position and and background is perfect in this one. You’ve motivated me to get out the tripod and experiment some more!
My chiropractor was loving me for this one…plus junipers and bare legs don’t play well together…itchy itchy! Glad I inspired you Tricia!
all that effort to take a picture of a flower 🙂 it all worth it though, it is wonderful 🙂
The extremes we photographers go through…guess ya gotta do what ya gotta do ha ha! Thanks Kristina!
Great shot and tip!
Thanks T, always trying to help out fellow photogs!