Sunday, June 18, 2017

Field Study


"Attention is the beginning of devotion."
                                                                                       ~ Mary Oliver 

Two summers ago I spent many early mornings wandering the beach at our local state park. Unintentionally, I fell into a photography project: photographing items left behind. It is amazing what people leave behind, my favorite being a bottle of Love Potion that I found by the fishing dock.

Last summer my project was of a more personal nature - walking the nine mile road (in sections) between my parents home and the town where I spent my growing up years. I wanted to walk it so I could pause and reflect at each place along the road that stirred a memory.


I fully expected to be back at the beach this summer continuing my lost and found project, that is until I started this #30dayadventureflowers project.


Tuesday morning I found myself on the Meadow Loop at one of my favorite county parks. The Meadow Loop is a lovely, quarter-mile paved walk that meanders through the wildflower meadow in front of the visitor's center. I have already photographed all the flowers in my own garden many times. My peonies are now only petals scattered on the wind. I was looking for fresh inspiration. That's when I remembered this loop and thought it would be the perfect place for a field study. The parking lot is right next to the loop, so I could easily use my tripod and switch between cameras and lenses without having to lug everything with me at once.


I started with my Canon 70D with 55-250mm zoom lens and my tripod. Using a tripod helps so much with composing the shot, sharp focus and the thing I needed the most - slowing down. Shortly after setting off on the loop, I noticed this dragonfly positioned perfectly on the flower stalks. I set up the tripod, zoomed in on him, used live view to manually focus and suddenly I had my favorite photo of the day. I took my time walking the loop, looking and more looking, some shooting.


First loop completed I had two choices: I could go home, even though I had only been there a half hour, or I could take another camera and walk the loop again. Since my arms were a little tired from carrying the tripod, I decided I would stroll the loop this time with only my iPhone. I struggle with flower photography and my iPhone, craving shallow depth of field and unable to obtain it. I began to think; What else can I do? Then I remembered the Slow Shutter app on my phone, that I have had for a year or more and never used. Taking the technique that Kathleen Clemons used in her Creative Live class, I began to look for things I could pan in slow motion. There is a wooden footbridge that crosses a marsh of cattails (long vertical lines), I thought I would give that a try. I started at the sky and swiped down the tree line and then the cattails. I also tried just the cattails. Personally, I needed the layers of color instead of variations of one. When processing the photo later, besides brightening and adding more saturation, I felt it needed a little more so I added a texture in the Distressed FX app. Perfect pairing!


I have never been attracted to abstract art, but this might become my new addiction. This is a metal footbridge in another part of the park. Again I paired it with a texture from the Distressed FX app.


As I was walking with my iPhone, I noticed things I hadn't my first time around with my tripod. Back at the car once again, this time I decided to grab my Canon 6D with the Lensbaby Velvet 56 for another completely different look. I walked this last loop a bit faster since the mosquitoes had finally found me.

I was very happy with everything that I captured on my three laps of the Meadow Loop, but I knew I wanted to see more, practice more. I am making it a goal to get out to this same loop once a week throughout this summer; trying to do three laps each outing, using the three different camera options. I can't wait to see what I discover. 

13 comments:

Peggy said...

Your photos are an inspiration to me as I often say there is nothing new to photograph where I live. You have shown me that I need to stop and look and really try to see. The dragonfly is my favorite too. I think your post processing adds so much to your pictures.

Lynne said...

Let's begin with this I like!

"Attention is the beginning of devotion."
~ Mary Oliver

Amazing what you are creating . . . with your iPhone.
I think I'd enjoy Meadow Loop . . . (without mosquitoes)
Really liked that pic . . .

Karen Lakis said...

It's amazing how many different things you see each time. I think it would be fun to find a special place to photograph at different times of the day, month, year... I love your many views of the same place!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea, and a lovely post. You got such a nice variety of photos using your three different cameras. I recently remembered I had the Slow Shutter app and played a bit with some motion blur panning. I'm not into abstract either, but that was fun!

Cathy H. said...

Love the idea of walking the pathway three times with different camera. I need to try this! Looking forward to more walk with you!

Nicki said...

You are blessed with a treasure trove of areas to explore and you outdo yourself each outing. Fantastic group of shots.

Sandra said...

I love the different kinds of shots you have chosen to share here. My favourites are the two different ones of the dragonfly. The second one in tones of blue-grey is beautiful. I have been on the same walks with different lenses and the results are often surprising!

Amy said...

Outdoor walks are so worthy, there's always something to be found each time...

Masha said...

You're such an inspiration to me and I love your photography, I especially love the dragon fly.There is always so much we can find in our own back yard if we only set our mind to and pay attention. Thank you

Unknown said...

These are really wonderful, Sarah.
I especially love the first two.
Wonderful colors and softness.

Carola Bartz said...

This is a very interesting project and I hope you will show us more photos throughout the summer. The dragonfly shot is amazing. I almost never use my tripod and really don't like to schlepp it around with me - yes I'm lazy when it comes to that. I compliment you on taking and using your tripod.

Suburban Girl said...

Love the editing on the images. And the dragonfly is really good.

Anonymous said...

Love the idea of walking the pathway three times with different camera.


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