Heart Bokeh Experiment

I wanted to try a technique to make differently shaped bokeh (pronounced bouquet), little specular highlights (bright spots) made by the camera lens.  I cut a heart shaped black paper and held it directly on the lens after watching an online video.  At first, I tried leaving it about an inch from the lens and that didn’t work.  I used some bright shiny Christmas ornaments for bright objects.  It is certainly different and might be fun to play with again with different flowers or objects.  It is certainly different.  Usually the bokeh is in the background, not as often in the foreground.

Playing With Tulips

I bought some tulips at the grocery store, not knowing what color they would be.  I like pink, as it was a color that goes well with my skin tone, so I had quite a few items to play with for still lifes.  I even tried the live setting to make a blur.  These were all photographed and edited with my phone, since I still have to work on the Nikon photos.  (I expect the osprey to show up this week to add to my photographic interests.)

Easter bouquet

Spring is Here

That poor groundhog must have been confused.  It is Spring here and winter for much of the country.  There are buds everywhere in Southern Maryland.

Hyacinth




Daffodils 




Weeping willow

Winter iris

More Fun With Roses

Fun with Valentine Roses

My man gave me roses for Valentine’s day and I couldn’t resist playing with them with my iphone and Nikon.  Here are the best iphone pics.

Red with Mirror and plexiglass 




Pink with mirror and plexiglass 


Hammered Dulcimer

Eagles in January

 I love watching the bald eagles come to visit the osprey nest.  It is such a privilege to see them.

What to Photograph in January

Brrr!  It’s cold out!  I don’t walk outside as much except when the weather is pleasanter and not cold and windy.  I even walked in the rain the other day, just because it wasn’t as cold.  This limits my photography a little.  

Here are some ideas I’ve tried for those of us in rural environments.  

1. Do still lifes indoors.  Experiment with colors, shapes and odds and ends around your house like books and shells.  
2. Buy flowers to photograph indoors.
3. Photograph interesting tree shapes and branches.
4. Try ICM, intentional camera movement with long exposures and move your camera or lens to create abstracts.
5. Photograph birds and wildlife that are easier to see in the cold weather.
6. Photograph sunrises and sunsets and clouds.  Somehow they often seem prettier in the colder weather.
7. Learn more about photography from a good book.
8. Photograph snow scenes if you have snow nearby.
9. Try indoor or outdoor portraits.
   
   
   Some roses that a kind woman gave me from church.
   
   
   
   Recent huge flocks of robins.
   
   Intentional camera movement.