Jenny's April Flower Challenge

jennyb

jennyb

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Jenny
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I have hardly picked up my camera this year and need an enormous kick up the backside to get started again.

April is my favourite month (and it only has 30 days). I don't get out and about much because of work and commitments at home, so a project in my garden in April may be just the thing to get me started again.

I was one of the few who completed a 52 challenge in 2010 (although it ended up a 240 in my case). It gave me a great sense of achievement, as well improving my photographic skills quite considerably. I could not have done it without the support of the people on this forum who gave me so much encouragement. I have noticed that quite a few of the 2010ers have started another challenge this year and I will try to comment on their threads as much as possible.

So, my challenge is to shoot a flower a day throughout April.

My rules :rules:

- Not completely sure if I will be able to find 30 different flowers, so I will allow myself to shoot groups of flowers as well as close-ups.

- If I run out of flowers I may have to resort to leaves!

- I prefer to shoot flowers in their natural surroundings but this is so dependent on the weather. So, I reserve the right to shoot indoors or outdoors.

- For the same reason, if I can manage to shoot more than one flower in a day, I will keep the extra shots for days when I can either find no time or the weather is just too bad.

I will be seriously annoyed if this glorious weather deteriorates enough to hamper the challenge.

I will post the photos in this thread and would be very grateful for any constructive criticism. The idea is to improve and suggestions are very welcome.

Jenny
 
MWHCVT said:
Best of Luck in your challenge Jenny, there is nothing like setting yourself a challenge to get the creative juices flowing :thumbs:

Matt
MWHCVT
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Thanks, Matt. If anyone knows anything about challenges it has to be you! I know I have not commented much in your threads, but I have popped in on occasions. My challenge seems tame in comparison to yours.

Jenny
 
jennyb said:
Thanks, Matt. If anyone knows anything about challenges it has to be you! I know I have not commented much in your threads, but I have popped in on occasions. My challenge seems tame in comparison to yours.

Jenny
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:lol: That you take the time to have a look is appreciated :thumbs: talking of which I really must get today's edited up :lol: your still doing a POTD and that is still quite a commitment even when it is for a single month :thumbs:

Matt
 
The challenge has started. The weather was very kind :D

This is not my favourite shot of the day. I was aiming for something with less DOF, but when the little hoverfly(?) landed on it, I thought this was the shot I should post. I have IMO a better shot taken from a slightly different angle but with no fly and a lot less DOF. But, the fly really does add interest.

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Constructive criticism is very welcome.

Jenny
 
MWHCVT said:
That's a brilliant first entry into the challenge :thumbs: a photo that I'd be pleased to have taken :) now I'm not sure but I think that it could stand a slightly tighter crop :thinking:

Matt
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Thanks for your comments, Matt. You are probably right about the tighter crop. That shot was virtually straight out of the camera. I feel it is fairly balanced.

Jenny
 
I can't believe it is only my second day and I am already dissatisfied with my shot for today :( I am now realising that trying to get a decent shot on a work day is going to be difficult, even when the weather is okay!

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I deliberately centred this but now realise I should have pointed the camera slightly to the right to get the vertical bit on the left third, while getting more of the flower at bottom right to balance it. A crop would look odd - I tried it, and so does cloning out the bottom flower.

Nevermind, you live and learn.

Jenny
 
Hi Jenny :wave:
Your April challenge reminded me so much of your 52 in 2010 where you presented a fantastic record of the flora and fauna in and around your garden.
It is fair to say that you haven't lost your touch in presenting lovely photographs. Good luck with your challenge, I will certainly look in regularly to see how things are going.
Iain
 
Hi Jenny, a great challenge this, look forward to seeing it through. Very nice pics so far, liking the celandine a lot. Really like the daffodil as well, all mine have got flattened with snow, wind and rain today!
 
blakester said:
Hi Jenny :wave:
Your April challenge reminded me so much of your 52 in 2010 where you presented a fantastic record of the flora and fauna in and around your garden.
It is fair to say that you haven't lost your touch in presenting lovely photographs. Good luck with your challenge, I will certainly look in regularly to see how things are going.
Iain
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Hi Iain,

Good to hear from you again. Many thanks for your comments. I see you are doing the 52 again this year. I will pop over and take a look as soon as I can find time.

michael23 said:
Hi Jenny, a great challenge this, look forward to seeing it through. Very nice pics so far, liking the celandine a lot. Really like the daffodil as well, all mine have got flattened with snow, wind and rain today!
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Hi Michael,

Thanks for commenting. We have not had any snow and the promised rain has hardly materialised, so there is still plenty to photograph.

I see you are also doing a 52. I will be visiting to see how you are getting on.

Jenny
 
michael23 said:
Hiya Jenny, 3 very nice pics there, liking the oof background with the Muscari and the Vinca and Pear Blossom are nice too
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Thanks, Michael, your comments are much appreciated. I also like a shallow DOF but sometimes it is difficult to achieve and keep the subject in focus, too.

Jenny
 
I think this challenge is going to become more difficult now that the weather has deteriorated.

This is a Cuckoo Flower, so-called because they flower around the time the cuckoos return to the UK. However, I don't think anyone told the cuckoos that the flowers are out. I have not heard any yet.

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Jenny
 
I heard a Cuckoo when I was down at Knebworth at the weekend so I'm sure that they're making there way :thumbs: it's brilliant to see that your challenge is still going really strong, I know your struggle as I sit hear thinking on what should be my POTD for today, as I look out and see grey and rain :bang:

Keep up the great work :D

Matt
 
MWHCVT said:
I heard a Cuckoo when I was down at Knebworth at the weekend so I'm sure that they're making there way :thumbs: it's brilliant to see that your challenge is still going really strong, I know your struggle as I sit hear thinking on what should be my POTD for today, as I look out and see grey and rain :bang:

Keep up the great work :D

Matt
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Thanks, Matt. I will keep my ears open for cuckoos if they are around.

ChickenDipa said:
Some lovely shots, and a great idea for a challenge.

I really like the daffodil shot. They all have really nice DOF and colours.
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Thanks for commenting, Alex. I am trying to vary the DOF and angle of the shots, but I am needing some new inspiration!

Jenny
 
In an attempt to try something different, I thought I would try the Raynox to capture those little curly stamens on the humble dandelion. They have always intrigued me. You can only see them in macro shots.

When I took this shot today, I was amazed to see all the pollen sticking to the stamens - impossible to see with the human eye. It is not surprising that so many people suffer from hay fever if a single dandelion has so much pollen. There must be masses of it floating around.

So, not the best shot in the world, but I am including it here for interest value.

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Jenny
 
michael23 said:
Hiya Jenny, I really like that, great detail from the raynox there, a very good pic for your project.
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Thanks, Michael. I love macro and wish I could afford an MP-E 65. Until then extension tubes and Raynox will have to do.

MWHCVT said:
Very well captured there Jenny, I'm really enjoying your challenge :thumbs:
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Thanks, Matt. Glad you like it. Flowers are not everyone's cup of tea.

Jenny
 
Struggling again. The weather is changeable with sunshine and showers, but most importantly more wind which makes outdoor flower photography difficult.

I have tried on several occasions to shoot this Berberis shrub but don't seem to be able to get a decent shot. They are tiny flowers but there are so many of them the whole bush seems to glow orange. I wish I could capture the effect. Instead I have had to resort to a close-up.

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Hoping for more inspiration tomorrow.

Jenny
 
I like that, it is a very nice flower, my mum and dad have one in there garden, but I think it's the thunbergii strain. Just noticed I missed your pic of the lady's Smock, that is one of my favourite flowers, I have a couple in my garden, but they have not flowered yet. We seem to have a reasonable day here with morning sunshine, hopefully you will have a decent day too.
 
Hi Jenny. I'm really enjoying the challenge and the pictures. I'm fairly new to all this and was just wondering what equipment you use to capture theses pictures as I have been experimenting recently with flowers but my shots need a lot of improvement!!

Andy
 
michael23 said:
I like that, it is a very nice flower, my mum and dad have one in there garden, but I think it's the thunbergii strain. Just noticed I missed your pic of the lady's Smock, that is one of my favourite flowers, I have a couple in my garden, but they have not flowered yet. We seem to have a reasonable day here with morning sunshine, hopefully you will have a decent day too.
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Hi Michael,

Thanks for the comments. Apparently there are about 450 different strains of Berberis. The Thunbergii does not have pretty flowers but the leaves are a very pretty red colour, so I have one of those as well. The reason I plant so many of them is because I have a huge problem with deer which eat most things. However, they never touch the Berberis!

It is interesting how many common names there are for Cuckoo Flower, Lady's Smock, Milkmaids, Meadowcress, etc. I think they are very pretty.

Jenny
 
andyg said:
Hi Jenny. I'm really enjoying the challenge and the pictures. I'm fairly new to all this and was just wondering what equipment you use to capture theses pictures as I have been experimenting recently with flowers but my shots need a lot of improvement!!

Andy
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Hi Andy,

Thank you for your comments. I am glad you like the photos.

I have a Canon 40D. For flowers I sometimes use my 60mm macro lens often with a 25mm extension tube. However, I also use a longer lens (70 - 300mm) at the longer length with the extension tube. This allows you to throw much of the background out of focus and isolate the subject.

I sometimes use flash but more often outside, I try to reflect a bit of extra natural light onto the flower. I use a piece of cardboard wrapped in kitchen foil. I don't recommend taking flower photos in full sun. Bright overcast is by far the best.

Jenny
 
Thundery showers on and off all day with sun in between. I managed to pop out between the showers and snap this one. I am not sure what kind of blossom it is. It is an ornamental tree which we planted a few years ago. The blossoms are a creamy colour rather than white and they are tinged very slightly with pink. Very pretty.

I am pleased with this shot. It was a bit lucky because it was quite breezy, and I managed to take it just as the wind dropped for a moment. If you look closely you can see the raindrops. It had only just stopped raining.

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Jenny
 
It is proving to be very difficult trying to find time to take/post a photo a day.

Many people may know that I have an obsession with bluebells (hence my Avatar). I have been deliberately holding off taking a bluebell shot for this challenge otherwise we could have ended up with 30 bluebell shots this month.

I could hold off no longer . . .

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They have still not reached their peak yet this year, so I can guarantee I will be posting more.

Jenny
 
michael23 said:
Lovely bluebell Jenny, still waiting for ours to come out here.
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Thanks, Michael. Our bluebells seem to have stalled since the weather has cooled off again.

MWHCVT said:
That Bluebell is stunning :thumbs: I think that you've really done it justice :thumbs: and I really do luck forward to seeing more of them :thumbs:

Matt
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Thanks, Matt. There will definitely be more!

Jenny
 
A bit grey today. A lot of the flowers were all closed up waiting for the sun to appear, which it did very briefly.

This is a flower (weed) which I find rather intriguing. Most of them seem to get eaten by animals before they flower fully but this one must have been overlooked.

You may call it Cuckoo Pint or Lords and Ladies. The central rod, which is apparently called the spadix, is usually a purple brown colour. Strangely this one was green. Maybe they mature to purple?

Here is today's offering . . .

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C & C is very welcome.

Jenny
 
Hi Jenny!
just had a look through your challenge, you've done a terrific job with all of them very refreshing. I'm liking the last, and it would look nice on a canvas and hung up.
Did you uplight it?

Graham
 
uniquegardens said:
Hi Jenny!
just had a look through your challenge, you've done a terrific job with all of them very refreshing. I'm liking the last, and it would look nice on a canvas and hung up.
Did you uplight it?

Graham
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Hi Graham,

Many thanks for commenting. Glad you like the shots. I was quite pleased with the last one. I tried all sorts of things but this was the only thing that I thought worked.

I could not take the shot outside because it was under a holly bush! I brought it in and tried various shots with flash, but they only resulted in harsh shadows. I really wanted to show light shining through it so I abandoned the flash and used natural light from 2 windows, one behind and the other to the left. I think it worked.

Jenny
 
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