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It's Bluebell Time
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It's Bluebell Time

by David Thomas

Gallery: FloraPosted April 11, 201171 views8 comments
Just a year and 20 miles from Virginia Bluebells posted in 2010 (in Manassas, Virginia, but I forgot to note the photographer's name). Native to much of the eastern United States, but special here with their botanical name of Mertensia virginica. They bloom for only a week or so before dying back into the woods. These are in a secluded patch along Goose Creek, Loudoun County, just two miles from home.

It was almost noon, but I tried to capture the way the overhead light gave the blossoms a luminous quality, snd infused a few with the deep pink of the buds.

Canon 7D, 90mm Tamron macro lens, ISO 400, 1/500 at f/5.6, modest crop to take out a few peripheral distractions. Hand held lying almost flat on the forest floor. Comments welcome, of course.

Dave Thomas
Leesburg, Virginia

Comments

8 comments
Comment posted by Steve Kennedy on April 11, 2011 at 5:06 PM
This is a very nice image David! You did a great job handling the near noon light. I like the diagonal line made by the blooms in focus. I also like the POV and your choice for DOF.
Registered on March 9, 2009, 79 Posts, 676 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Lowe on April 11, 2011 at 6:34 PM
They do have a nice glow. Good job. :toast:
Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments
Comment posted by Pat Sampson on April 11, 2011 at 7:59 PM
David,

I like everything here except the bright green leaf. For my tastes it tends to overpower the blooms, especially given the subtle capture and processing there. Great job of using the light to your advantage on the blooms.

pat
Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on April 11, 2011 at 8:22 PM
Dave:
You have done a great job in this bright lighting and use them to advantage to show the delicate petals.
I echo Pat's comment about the green leave with the hard shadow - this can easily be overcome with PP.
Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments
Comment posted by Bernie Kasper on April 12, 2011 at 12:17 AM
One of my favorite wildflowers David..I love your usage of the light as well, nicely done !!

:toast:
Registered on June 5, 2005, 251 Posts, 3734 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on April 12, 2011 at 11:10 AM
it lightened my heart just to see these. A very nice image, you handled the light well and your dof is excellent
Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments
Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on April 12, 2011 at 11:39 AM
These are such beautiful flowers and you did a nice job of capturing their beauty. I agree with Pat about the green leaf. These flowers deserve to have all the attention!
Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 12, 2011 at 8:19 PM
I like the pov and the transparency of the blossoms. Good job.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments