Friday, May 20, 2022

Myosotis and Taraxacum

Sunday was overcast, which can be a pretty good time to photograph flowers. You don't have to worry about uneven lighting and overly bright highlights. I was drawn outside by the lilac bush, which was blooming, but they were completely washed out in those conditions. However,  the dandelions (taraxacum) and forget-me-nots (myosotis) looked good way down there at ground level.

Yes, although dandelions are an unwanted weed for the most part, they can be photogenic. I found one right next to a little patch of forget-me-nots and thought the two would contrast nicely. Complement might be the better word.


Then I focused on another little clump of the forget-me-nots. I like the heart-like shape of this patch.


In both cases I used a wide aperture to keep the background blurry, but with macro photography the depth of field is tiny, and that threw many of the flowers out of focus as well. So, I kept changing the focal point and then combined the different shots in post. Both of the above photos are, thus, a combination of 7 different images. I more or less accomplished what I wanted to with the second photo, but the farthest of the forget-me-nots in the first photo remain unfocused. It still came close to what I envisioned, however.


20 comments:

Marie Smith said...

Both a beautiful shots. I didn’t realize dandelion flowers were so pretty! They are in abundance on the lawn however.

Patio Postcards said...

Beautiful close up photos. I like the colour & texture contrast of the two. I have one surviving clump of Forget Me Knows & far too many Danelions ... I may have to fake the union of the two (col) to capture similar.

Christina said...

I love both dandelions and forget-me-nots. Lovely colours. Your photos are as ever exquisite.

Marcia said...

And I thought you were going to enlighten us about some disease! I have never heard the Latin names for those tow flowers. That is one gorgeous last photo(s).

Barbara Rogers said...

Quite nice composites...which I would never have guessed!

Vicki Lane said...

Beautiful shots! And now I need some forget-me-nots to complement my dandelions.

Ed said...

The top one is my favorite.

gigi-hawaii said...

The forget me nots are my favorite.

Boud said...

I love dandelions and discourage my neighbors from pulling them. They're vital for pollinators. And forget me nots are wonderful flowers. Thank you for the pictures.

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

Well, AC, I can tell by what you wrote that you are a perfectionist (like many "real" photographers.) but I love both of the photos. The bright yellow in both photos was lovely set next to the soft blue. I guess with Mother Nature as the artist you can't go wrong.







RedPat said...

Great shots.

Tabor said...

I have never combined images and really must learn how to do that. When DOF is off that is a good way to get the composition that you wanted. I do love the two flowers together.

William Kendall said...

Wonderfully taken.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Dandelions are great photo subjects and much maligned wildflowers too. I like the matching of the yellow and blue (Ukraine colors). The forget me nots in a heart was a lovely image.

DJan said...

I love that first one of the dandelion and forget me nots. Beautiful.

DJan said...

I love that first one of the dandelion and forget me nots. Beautiful.

Joanne Noragon said...

Nice work. You make the dandelion friendly.

Jenn Jilks said...

Nicely done, as always. You work so hard at this.
I still don't have forget-me-nots!

Jeanie said...

I love shooting on overcast days. You got some wonderful clarity there.

Margaret said...

I love the dandelion one; it's at a perfect bloom stage for the photo. I've said this so often, but you have an incredible and creative eye.