Tag: flowers

A mishmash of Close-ups with a bit of Black & White

Published on by bushboy4 Comments

CMMC – November Close Up or Macro
CBWC – Black & White Circles and Curves

I picked these

Published on by bushboy31 Comments

The Lens-Artists Challenge #125: You Pick It

This is an interesting challenge due to Tina’s opening inviting us into the challenge with “This week it’s all up to you – you get to choose your subject and to share whatever it is about it that you find interesting. Personally, I’ve chosen last week’s introduction to the concept of Wabi-Sabi, particularly as it relates to art and photography, as my topic.“

Wabi-Sabi has me intrigued as my initial though was to just bung up a couple of flowers and say I picked these.

But no, I had to go down a bit of a Wabi-Sabi rabbit hole of discovery. This definition was quite good “Although Wabi-sabi can be hard to define, we can translate its simplified meaning to “rustic simplicity” or “understated elegance” with a focus on a less-is-more mentality, while “taking pleasure in the imperfect”.”

When looking for Wabi-Sabi perhaps “Wabi-sabi is a cracked and glued together ceramic bowl (check the concept of kintsugi); a funnily shaped, home-grown tomato; a dinner created from leftovers; falling cherry blossom; a worn wooden hallway and an elbow patch on your favourite jumper. Therefore, it’s an appreciation of all that is simple, modest and imperfect. Yet, loved deeply.”

So where to from here. Want to find out? Let’s have a go at my interpretation of Wabi-Sabi through a photographers eyes

I added this one for a bit of Zen fun

From the website – https://japanahome.com/journal/wabi-sabi-how-to-embrace-this-ancient-japanese-philosophy-at-home-and-life/

Wabi- sabi and Zen 

Wabi-Sabi’s roots lie in Zen Buddhism, which a Chinese twelfth century monk (Eisai) brought to Japan. Zen stresses austerity, communion with nature, and above all, reverence for everyday life as the real path to enlightenment. To reach enlightenment, Zen monks lived ascetic, often isolated lives, and sat for long periods of concentrated meditation.

In Zen philosophy, there are seven aesthetic principles in achieving Wabi-sabi:

Kanso — simplicity

Fukinsei — asymmetry or irregularity

Shibumi — beauty in the understated

Shizen — naturalness without pretension

Yugen — subtle grace

Datsuzoku — freeness

Seijaku — tranquility

wabi sabi tea ceremony

Thanks Tina for taking me to Japan and back for a while

Look for the shadow

Published on by bushboy21 Comments

The 2020 Photo Challenge #45 – November Theme/Technique: Black and White Photography

From Jude’s tips – “What is important though is the composition. Try using a square format to emphasise the composition especially if there is a distinct pattern formation. When you take a picture in monochrome you may have to make different decisions about how you compose the shot.

“One sees differently with colour photography than black and white… in short visualisation must be modified by the specific nature of the equipment and materials being used” Ansel Adams

You can use Monochrome Mode on your camera, or turn colour photos into black and white with your favourite post-processing application.”

This week's assignment - Look for shadows and textures. Carefully choose your images so that you can angle the light to create a sense of depth with the shadows.

This is October 2020

Published on by bushboy48 Comments

How late am I getting this done? So many things of no consequence happening and I am being very slack in sorting photos and getting myself together.

This may be a bit haphazard and not quite concise with the flow and descriptions but I just wanted to get this post out for my own piece of mind. Admittedly I did get a bit wayward with trying to get things together for Becky’s wonderful #SquareKind photo challenge.

On a personal note, I saw the Neurologist in October and I saw the MRI of my brain. It was fascinating to see the slices and was very happy to see there wasn’t anything untoward. But as I thought, she reaffirmed the legal requirement that I don’t drive a vehicle, that includes the farm ute, ride-on lawnmower as well not operate a push mower, chainsaw, power tools or climb ladders. Well that stops me from doing about 80% of my life. It’s for my own safety and the safety of others. Social isolation and Covid lock downs are almost mainstream but now I am in Neuro Lock down as well as my normal social isolation due to living in a almost remote location.

Enough of that, let’s get started. All sitting comfy with some refreshments to hand as you should know by now I do post a lot of photos which summarises what I saw and found in My October 2020. Have a bit of a listen as you scroll too. I am sure you may enjoy a song…..

AS usual, lets start with a wonderful sunrise

The Spangled Drongos were awake enjoying the morning

Rufous Whistlers sang in the morning

A Red-backed Fairy Wren had his morning bath

The female Satin Bowerbird dived right in

A White-faced Heron stood guard in the morning protecting the nest high in the tree

A Yellow-faced Honeyeater came for breakfast on the Honey Gem Grevillea

Two White-naped Honeyeaters debated whether to grab a snack or have a bath

The Striated Pardalote looked for food on my verandah.

This Satin Bowerbird has set up home in my garden.

The old swimming pool, now a bit of a dragonfly and frog haven, attracted the attention of a Scared Kingfisher who decided that this was the place to have a bath.

The first of the Rainbow Lorikeets turned up in the garden to check it out for Summer.

Rainbow Bee-eaters were a splash of colour for a Spring morning

Only a mother could love a baby Noisy Friarbird

Sometimes King Parrots like to hang about in the garden

We went to one of our favourite spots for a bit of a look around to see the fire recovery and have a picnic. Raspberry Lookout is just up the range from my place and a favourite spot.

The Banksia trees had a good burn but this helps the seeds germinate as they pop open and scatter with papery like seed that blow on the wind. Children’s stories talk of the Banksia men. They do look a bit scary don’t they

It was good to see that a lot of the vegetation was growing. I love the colours of the new growth of the Trigger Plant.

The Native Lilac False Sarsaparilla were flowering quite well. I also have this species on my place.

The Trigger Plant flowers attracted a Native Bee

IN my garden, the Stingless Native Bees filled their pollen sacks from the Hippeastrums

A Large Yellow Butterfly came for a visit to the Bottle Brush flowers

Common Grass Blue Butterflies were everywhere in the garden this Spring

The first of the Caper White Butterflies arrived in late October and many more were here a few days ago. They love the Pentas flowers in my garden

It is always lovely to see Orchard Swallowtail Butterflies in the garden. One of the largest butterflies that I get here

I think this may be a mosquito being a pollinator on a Daisy in the garden

Some of the succulents are getting ready for Summer

The Roses at my besties place looked a treat over Winter and Spring. I have too many animal who love to eat the leave and flower buds as well as the flowers for me to grow Roses here.

By the end of October, the Grevilleas have finished their Spring flowering and are setting seeds

This year my Begonias had a very showy flowering.

Another not your usual pollinator, a fly on the Marigolds this time

This tiny Grevillea, called Billy Bonkers, flowers have some attendant ants

The Stingless native Bees like the Dietes flowers too

Agapanthus in the garden had a great flowering this Spring

The bees loved the Cornflowers in my besties garden. I love the radiant blue of Cornflowers.

I wasn’t sure if thge Lolly Bushes would have survived the fire but they have bounced back and the flowering was quite wonderful. Yes the flowers smell like lollies.

Looking inside of the Orange Hippeastrum

Red Dragonflies were all around the garden

After watering the garden one morning, this spiders web attracted my attention with sparkles in the morning sun

After a bit of rain, I went to check to see how much water went into the dam. I noticed one of the Cape Lillies in the middle of the dam looked a bit different. Nestled in among the flower was a Dwarf Green Tree Frog.

Our Moon has risen in the afternoon. I love the blue sky and our Moon

Thanks for visiting and taking the time to have a look at my October. I would like to know if you had a favourite photo. I’ll try not to be so tardy for My November. Have a great day or evening depending on what side of the world you are.

So much purple

Published on by bushboy28 Comments

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Purples and Violets

So many I couldn’t stop. Made into a gallery so to save your poor scrolling finger.

Time to focus

Published on by bushboy29 Comments

The Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #121: Focus on the Subject

Patti has given some tips so maybe I should see how I go using these ideas for inspiration

Using Leading Lines & Repeating Patterns – “The lines and patterns help draw us into the scene and guide our eyes towards the subject.”

Using Selective Focus – This technique helps the viewer focus on the subject

Using Colour – “In this case, the colors help draw our eyes to the main subject of the image.”

Using Contrast & Focusing on the Eyes – “Contrasts in color, patterns, textures, old and new, fast and slow (for example) can help guide our viewers to focus on the subject.”

Freezing the Action – “Our eyes are drawn to action and speed.”

Framing the Shot with Arches, Doorways, etc. – “A final technique to draw attention to our subject is to use doorways, arches, tunnels, and windows to create a frame around it”