I’m not a very good gardener. So in our garden we keep it simple. I keep my eye out for native plants that don’t need a lot of care. This year we tried two patches of wildflowers in our garden. One worked really well and the other is struggling. I think the patch that is struggling just doesn’t get enough sun. The patch that is doing well has produced some beautiful coneflowers:
ISO 200 50mm 0ev f/3.2 1/40
In order to get this photo I used my tripod. These flowers are only somewhat protected by the house, so any breeze will blur the photo. I could have overcome this by shooting at a higher ISO and shutter speed, but in this case the color is better if the ISO and shutter speed are low. It is a subtle difference, but in this case it mattered to me. I settled on an f-stop of 3.2. That left enough in focus and blurred out enough of the background. So, I was happy with this version of the photo, but I did want to create something a bit different:
ISO 200 50mm 0ev f/3.2 1/40
The theme of this week’s photo challenge by WordPress is carefree. So, I wanted to create a slightly dreamier looking version of my original photo. I used Photoshop to do my editing. I have applied an oil paint filter to the photo. Then I used the high pass filter with soft light. The result you see above is more mellow than the original photo. Ironic isn’t it, that I had to do more work to look carefree?
Cheers!
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Very nice. I agree, sometimes carefree takes more work. An oil paint filter in Photoshop. What will they think of next? I admire people who can master that amazingly powerful software.
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Yes, it is quite the program. I will be taking a class on it this fall.
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Yes, we also like the native plants and your photos are lovely.
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Thank you 🙂
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I would love to have these Coneflowers in my garden too. Great shots PJB and thanks for sharing. 😀 *hugs*
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They’ve done very well for us this year and it’s nice to have them around to photograph.
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Wild, beautiful and definitely carefree! 🙂
PS: A new photo challenge – you are welcome to participate! http://esengasvoice.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/eses-weekly-shoot-quote-challenge/
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Thanks, I’ll have to stop by and have a look at what you are working on.
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It worked, you created something very lovely.
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Thank you!
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Coneflowers are really pretty and your pictures are great!
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Yes, I they remind me of summer, so I like coneflowers. Thanks for your kind comment.
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My cone flowers don’t do as well as yours. What’s your secret?
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Neglect, haha, just kidding sort of. These coneflowers I got from a local grower and so I am wondering if that made a difference? Sort of like they were born and raised here so they are use to the conditions. I think also that they really liked the sun spot they were planted in. Other than that, I would say luck, because I don’t have great soil and I am not that great of a gardener.
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Gorgeous!
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Thank you, I like this little spot in our garden.
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Beautiful photos. I love your coneflowers. They remind me of Shasta daisies we had up north, but they didn’t have that lovely pinkish color that yours do.
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Thanks, I love Shasta daisies as well, another lovely little flower that reminds me of summer.
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Very nice! I also really like the choice of filter – well done!
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Thank you very much!
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I appreciate the tutorial SO much! I’m just a recreational photographer, I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m learning. Many of my photos are of the flowers on my property and we have had more cloudy, windy days than sunny and still. I’m anxious now for a day that is dry enough to try a photo with your settings.
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Thanks, I really appreciate your comment. If you try some shots and blog about it, feel free to come back and comment, leaving a link to your post. I’d love to talk with you about it.
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I’m taking you up on your generous offer. I took a photo that I would appreciate input about. It can be 95 degrees and sunny, but most of my flowers are in the shade along my property. I think I’m on the right track, but there is room for improvement. http://peacelovegreatcountrymusic.com/2013/08/22/rumi-flowers/
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It’s a nice shot, and I left my 2 cents worth of opinion there 🙂 Thanks for the link, hopefully others will see it and go take a look.
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It IS ironic, but the results are worth it!
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Thanks 🙂
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These used to be my favorite flowers when I lived up north…never tired of them…great shot.
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Yes, it is just one of those flowers that remind me of summer…
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Rose colored echinaceas! They’re beautiful.
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I like these a lot!!
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Thank you 🙂
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