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Wilhelmina

Sunflower

DMC-FZ200

Aperture f/4 ISO 100 Shutter 10/6400 Focal Length 1080/10

upload_date

Nov, 2015

Views

520

Likes

+23

Awards

People's Choice in Love of color Photo Challenge

Peer Award

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Choice

Superb Composition

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

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Top 20 rank week 1

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Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo whilst visiting the Charente area of France. I am a self taught photographer but have recently found a camera club in order to improve my skills and to learn more about the mechanics of my camera.

Time

When I spotted the field of sunflowers and stopped to capture a few shots, it was about 1750 hrs on the 1st August 2014.

Lighting

The sun was still shining quite brightly even at almost 1800hrs so I was conscious that I did not want any glare in my photos, however I noticed that the way that the light was shining through the petals of this flower made it look like sun flares coming off the sun. I therefore wanted to try to capture this illusion.

Equipment

I used my Panasonic DMC-FZ200, ISO 100, F/4, 108mm. This was a handheld shot.

Inspiration

I like to take photos of ordinary things from different angles almost making look like something else. It was the sun backlighting the flower which reminded me of part of the reason why it has earned it's name. The way that the wind was blowing the petals made it look like the fire flares on the sun itself.

Editing

There was no post processing of this particular photo, I was lucky that the sun did the work for me.

In my camera bag

Before joining the photo club I only carried my camera, now I carry a lightweight tripod. Some +1-+10 close-up filters, a remote shutter control and my latest edition is a neutral density filter as I am learning how to take photos of moving water.

Feedback

In the past I was always told to keep the sun behind you when taking photos, this photo shows you that it is still possible to take a nice shot when the sun is indeed almost directly in front of you. Despite the intensity of the light it has actually highlighted the sunflower causing a lovely effect. My advice would be, sometimes you have to break the rules to get the effect you want. Just give it a try, you may well be pleasantly surprised by the results.

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Wilhelmina

Wilhelmina

Sunflower

Behind The Lens

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