Wandering Camera – April Linky Party

Camera And Photo Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

 

Welcome to this month’s Wandering Camera linky party – the April Edition.  Thank you for sharing a little bit of your world with us by linking up in March.  I am also loving those photography and camera experiments you are doing.

I kept the link-up open for little over a week the last couple of months, but my wonderful friends posted about Wandering Camera even after the link-up was closed.  So, to give ourselves a little more time, I am extending the link-up to two weeks.  I can’t thank you enough for your support!

March was a month of rain and wind with intermittent sunshine.  Spring came early for us and I discovered the world of wildflower photography while enjoying being outside. However, by the end of the month, I was brutally reminded of my allergies.  It will get a lot worse as Spring comes into full swing, but I will try to keep myself distracted with photography as much as I can.

The latter part of the March photos is concentrated around wildflowers.  They are so pretty, you can’t blame an outdoor girl like me for admiring them.   Here’s my photo set from March in chronological order.

 

Photo Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

1. Lord Vader is unhappy with my Lego progress

2.  Brownies

3. First signs of spring

4.  Rain-soaked fence

 

Photo Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

5. Wine field in the rain

6. Street light reflecting on the wet sidewalk

7. Rain clouds make for beautiful sunsets

8. New pencil case with my little Viking penguin Olaf

 

Photo Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

9. Start of a herb garden

10. Charlie cuddled up on a rainy day

11. Downpour

12.  Flooded creek

 

Photo Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

13. Sitting beside my relaxed friend while listening to the patter of rain and reading

14. End of our walk

15. Pink wild radish

16. Redwood Violet

 

Photo Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

17. Spring Vetch looking like pink butterflies

18. Old Man Of Spring – I love his crazy “hair”

19. Home-made granola for those long hiking days

20.  Captured raindrop

 

Photo Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

21. Coming down again

22. March knitting

23. Strange red-yellow sunlight filtering through the clouds

24. Teasel

 

Photo Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

25. Yellow Owl’s Clover – they are tiny!

26. A happy and healthy Montague on his new quilt

27. Larkspur – I call them pixie hats

28.  Sun dog

 

Photo Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

29. Western Blue-eyed Grass flower

30. Painting of a Stone building

31. Found a duck pond during a lunch-time walk

      Cat Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

Can’t help but share a little sneak peek at my new block

 

Spring has either arrived for some of you or on its way to the more patient among you, bringing more flowers in April and May.  I have learned a few things about flower photography over the past few weeks, so I thought I’d pass them on to you.

 

Wildflower Portraits

If you have just a few flowers blooming here and there like I had in March, it’s nicer to take portraits of them.

 

The Flower

Try to pick a flower that is unblemished and not damaged by bugs.

 

Lens – Zoomed-in

Start with zooming in to take a photo of a flower stalk, you can photograph pretty flower clusters that way.  If you wish to aspire higher, you could try taking photos of a single flower using macro photography.

You can set your point-and-shoot camera to the macro setting which is often marked by a little flower icon.  That will enable you to get closer to your subject, in this case the flower.

 

Lens – Macro

For those of you with cameras capable of using interchangeable lenses, you can purchase this Macro adapter from Opteka for approximately $25.00.  It screws on in front of the lens and turns it into a macro lens.  It’s a great and inexpensive way to get your feet wet in the macro world.

Even with auto-focus turned on, use your eyes to find the plane (surface) of focus while using this adapter.  Try to focus on the centre of the plane as much as you can.

 

Aperture

This one is for cameras with manual settings.  You want to use a really high aperture value if you want sharp photos.  Set your camera’s aperture value between F11 – F16.  Higher the better.

 

Shutter Speed

With manual setting cameras you can set the shutter speed as well.  When you are looking through your lens you will notice that the flowers move A LOT with the gentlest of breezes!  So you want to set the shutter speed to at least 1/250.

 

ISO

Since you are restricted by the need to set your aperture and shutter speed really high, the only thing you can play with to get brighter photos is the ISO value.  Move up the ISO if you need to.  In good light hours you can use 400 or even 800 to get nice photos without any noise or graininess.  (Read more about ISO on the March post)

 

Light

Petals are translucent, so you might battle with over-exposed flowers if the sun is behind the flower.  If the sun is facing the flower, then you will cast your own shadow on the flower since you are sitting between the sun and the flower.  Try to find a flower facing perpendicular to or at least at an angle to the sun.

Flowers in partly-shaded areas work well.  Overcast days are also great.  You will need to go up on ISO, but every angle is open to you.

 

Time

On windy days you will need to be especially patient.  There are pockets where the wind slows down enough for you to focus and take sharp photos.  Take multiple shots.  Many of them will be out of focus or the flower will have moved out of the frame by the time you press the shutter.

Use the zoom-in feature while reviewing the pictures on your camera to make sure you are happy with your work.

 

Now you should be all set to go out and capture those lovely colours and shapes of the Spring wildflowers around you!  Don’t get bogged down in the details, remember to enjoy the flowers and have fun!

 

Now it’s your turn to share your photo posts.  I always look forward to seeing them.  Every photo is special because it suspends a moment and everyone sees the world around us differently!  So don’t compare and contrast, just have fun and see the world that only your eyes can see!

 

Badge to share on your post and website

Camera And Photography Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

 

You can add any number of links to your posts from the previous month.  The posts should have photos in them, with a story or anecdote. Your project photos (quilting, sewing, painting, knitting, etc.) are most welcome.  You can also write a new post to link up.  Please do not link up posts that are older than the previous month, they will be removed.

Please make sure to include the badge or a text link back to this site on each post that you link up.  You can also add the badge to your blog. I am happy either way as long as you link back :-)

** Linked posts not including a link back will be removed in fairness to other participants. **

Spread a little encouragement amongst each other.

I will leave the link-up open for two weeks.

Wandering Camera is a monthly event that will run on the first Thursday of every month.  The next post and link-up will be on the 5th of May.  If you follow me via email, bloglovin or facebook, you will get a reminder.

Have fun!!

 


21 thoughts on “Wandering Camera – April Linky Party

  • Connie April 18, 2016 at 09:03

    Beautiful photos Soma and thank you for all the great tips!

    Reply
  • Alycia April 14, 2016 at 10:00

    I like how you grouped your photos. And thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  • Kim Sharman April 13, 2016 at 04:43

    More wonderfully helpful photography hints, Soma….thank you. So many lovely photos here. I love them all. The flooded river, the downpour, Montague and Charlie looking ever so aristocratic and the reflections on the wet sidewalk; this one reminds me of a Thomas Kinkaide painting. Oh…and love the dramatic clouds in the sky. As for you new block, it looks amazing.

    Reply
  • susan April 12, 2016 at 18:52

    Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos!

    Reply
  • Jayne April 12, 2016 at 07:31

    It’s always a treat to see your photos and what others share too! Thank you!!

    Reply
  • Janine April 10, 2016 at 12:09

    I’m glad to see Montague looking so well and comfy! And your flower photography is exquisite. I also love the duck picture. Thank you for your photography tips :)

    Reply
  • Wendy April 10, 2016 at 07:09

    You take such beautiful photos Soma, I never tire of having a look at the new photos you share. Such clear shots, with beautiful colour and contrasts. They all seem to tell a story. Even Darth! He does look annoyed ha ha! I’ll be referring back here often this next month to absorb all your informative tips for photographing flowers … um, none of which are out just yet :( Maybe I’ll find something out in the woods, but I think I’ll have to be looking a lot closer at the flora this next month. Thanks so much for helping us along.
    Wendy

    Reply
  • Cheryl April 9, 2016 at 06:29

    Beautiful pictures! I will never tire of seeing your beautiful kitties. Great photography tips too!

    Reply
  • Christine April 8, 2016 at 07:57

    I discovered your wonderful blog thanks to Lara of http://www.buzzinbumble.com. Thank you for this fun party! Greetings from Greece.

    Reply
  • silvana April 8, 2016 at 07:04

    oh my! The pictures are awesome! And thank you for sharing your knowlegments about camera and pictures for us! Hugs from your brazilian friend!! XXXOOO Sil

    Reply
  • Kathleen April 8, 2016 at 06:06

    I always love the quietness of the atmosphere after a good rain. Number 6 reminds me of that.

    Reply
  • Kaja April 7, 2016 at 13:24

    I really like the cumulative effect of a month’s worth of photos , and the range of subject matter. Some good tips – if it ever stops raining I am going to try them out – thank you.

    Reply
  • Dixie April 7, 2016 at 11:42

    O, my such a wonderful batch of photos! The wildflowers are so beautiful. I love seeing the new shoots and sprouts coming out or up on those rain soaked days.
    Charlie and Montague are so sweet. They definitely know how to relax.
    Looks like there’s been a few great days for ducks and intrepid photographers. :^) I’m happy that you are getting much need rain though. Thanks for sharing and for the helpful tips!

    Reply
  • Lara B. April 7, 2016 at 10:54

    Soma, your photography makes me want to pack up and move to where you live. Everything is so beautiful! I get a kick out of the variety of what you aim your lens at too. Each “suspended moment” is precious!
    Thank you for all the amazing advice on how to take wildflower photos. It is all so much more than I have ever give a thought to. I hope to put it to work when our Springtime starts to show, Right now we still have a lot of snow on the ground. I am sorry that you suffer so much from allergies and hope you feel better quickly!

    Reply
    1. Lara B. April 7, 2016 at 10:56

      PS – I think I saw part of a Dandy Lion too! LOL

      Reply
  • tubakk April 7, 2016 at 10:14

    I love this time of the year when we can see pictures of beautiful spring flowers. I love that viking book cover, a bit Norwegian.

    Reply
  • Carol S. April 7, 2016 at 09:30

    I’ve totally enjoyed seeing the photos in your Wandering Camera series. I love your flower pics!

    Reply
  • Mary April 7, 2016 at 08:47

    Your photos are just amazing, Soma. Do you ever have duds that you through out?

    It is so much fun to come here and learn about settings on the camera that have always meant nothing to me. I can’t wait to go out and try something new.

    Reply
  • Linda aka Crafty Gardener April 7, 2016 at 08:03

    Lovely collection of photos. I love using the macro lens/settings on my cameras. Good tips, thanks.

    Reply
  • krislovesfabric April 7, 2016 at 07:44

    Hehehe, I agree with Patty…that Lego one is a treat! You have some gorgeous scenery but I think that my faves are the ones of your contented kitties :) Speaking of which, is that a kitty nose I spy?? brilliant application of stripes/whiskers if so!

    Reply
  • Patty April 7, 2016 at 07:29

    Your photos are wonderful and I particularly like the ones with the sky in them. So gorgeous. That said, a favorite is the one of lego DV. It just speaks to me. :-)

    Reply
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