Category Archives: macro

Hold On Daisy

Posted by Mike on

Floral, Midday, Macro
Haiku

The walk on Friday evening was along the Mohawk River trail. Although it was a beautiful day, the trail was surprisingly empty. This works to my advantage as I stop quite frequently to capture an image. Less people means less stares at the weird guy in the weeds.

I like walking this trail even though it offers less opportunities than the Sculpture Garden trail. This trial allows me to hear the water flowing in the river. And after a long week at work, that was exactly what I needed. The calming sounds of the babbling water… OK, every once in a while you can hear a car horn or city sounds, but I tune those out… focus! We are enjoying the sounds of the water…

I finally reach a section with a few more weeds along the edges. There are also more flowers. Don’t ask me to name them, I don’t know. I suppose if I’m going to take their picture I should get their name first. It would be the polite thing to do.

Then I spot Daisy! She is all alone. A touch of sadness washes over me. I love photographing daisies but I realize their season is up. This one I have to get right. Plenty of angles, changing light, there, that’s the one. Hold on daisy…

Hold On Daisy

Stand defiantly
In a sea of strange embrace
The last survivor
Hold On Daisy
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/500s, f/2.8, ISO 200

It’s Your Time

Posted by Mike on

Floral, Midday, Macro
Haiku

When I slow down and take the time to be more self-aware I realize my photography has shifted slightly. I’ve always explained myself as a landscape photographer. I chase the rising and setting sun. I drive to the locales for the grand vistas. I still do that, but now I am interested in the details.

The macro lens has spent more time on the camera then any of the other lenses in my bag. I love exploring the myopic view of my surroundings this lens provides. I can show the intricate textures in the petals of a daisy or the amazing detail of Queen Anne’s Lace before it opens to the world.

After chasing the full moon on Saturday morning I was determined to use my weekend to explore. The walking trails in the Griffiss International Sculpture Garden have become old friends to me. I especially enjoy the varying foliage as well as the patches of planted flowers. I was happy to find a particular flower bed in full bloom. And yes, I was the photographer laying in the grass as the other walkers passed by… no worries, I’m OK, the angle is better from down here.

It's Your Time

Changing paradigm
A friendly hand extended
Reach out, it's your time
It’s Your Time
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/1250s, f/2.8, ISO 200

To Me

Posted by Mike on

Thoughts, Ramblings and Introspection
Haiku

What does my photography mean to me?

A simple enough question. I’ve been thinking about the answer for the better part of a day. Let me back up…

I started reading Rick Sammon’s book Photo Therapy Motivation and Wisdom, Discovering the Power of Pictures. I’ve read a few of Rick’s books and something about the title of this one grabbed me. Maybe it is because I’ve been having a conversation with myself about my photography. It might be because I’ve been thinking differently about the images I have been creating. Whatever the reason, I wanted to explore this one. Rick asks that the reader take it slow, digest each chapter and don’t rush to the end. Each chapter in the book ends with an assignment. The first chapter asks the question at the opening of this post.

I’ve written numerous posts about this topic in the past. Re-reading those posts is enlightening. I can follow the changing thoughts within myself and even the changing direction. I can also see that I rarely follow through completely on stated objectives… I guess I’m better when I let if flow naturally.

To answer the question, what does my photography mean to me? It is my escape, the medication for my ills and my therapy. That isn’t to say it doesn’t frustrate me at times, confound me at other times and make me want to throw in the towel. During those moments I step back, take a breath and let the images come to me naturally.

Yellow Bright

High noon, summer light
Reaching to the rays of life
Warm embrace, shine bright
Yellow Bright
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/2000s, f/2.8, ISO 200