Sunday, October 14, 2012

Mum's the word

We stopped by Home Depot to get mulch for the beds and trees this afternoon. Smitten with the mums on display, I retrieved my new camera, which is my new bff accompanying me everywhere, and shot these with the 400mm lens, hand held. We're still getting to know one another and I'm still trying to think of a good name for her, but overall I am happy with the new purchase. I was almost starting to regret buying the 5D MKII with its full frame sensor (a cropped sensor gives you more reach with lenses X 1.6; i.e., a 400mm lens becomes a 640mm lens). BUT, here's where the major difference is: the full frame sensor lets in more light and the quality is superb. So while I was debating if the loss of the extra reach was worth it, I am now convinced that it definitely is.

Processed with a Shadowhouse Creations texture

Sorry, I don't know the origin of this texture; it was one of the first ones I downloaded years ago. 






About the LSU vs SC game: my ears are still ringing and my right arm is bruised thanks to the inebriated, overzealous fan who stood next to me. Every time LSU made an awesome play, he'd grab my arm and shake me like a rag doll. Thank goodness LSU only made two exceptional plays or I might have a concussion. LSU won, yet I am the one bruised and battered. What the heck? Oh! And with 92.5k fans pouring out of the stadium, I ran into my first cousin. What are the odds?

I am headed out to my dad's for a few days, so I won't be around to comment on blogs or post until later in the week. Y'all have a good one!

Sharing with


Ni Hao Yall

35 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

love the clarity in these and cool dof! i do believe you chose well - especially because you have the skills for it. :)

enjoy time with your dad. be safe!

April said...

Fantastic photos!!! Your new camera is awesome. I don't understand your technical description but I love the effects you captured. Well done! Hope you enjoyed the game inspite of your neighborly fan's excitment.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

You're right about the light Gail, it makes these look sensational, giving so much definition.

Have a relaxing few days away.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I'm not as knowledgeable about photography as you or probably most of your readers are, so I tend to just look for what is pleasing to my eye, rather than to analyze the technique used. These all look lovely to me, but the one that really caught my eye was the fourth one...with the orange flowers in focus in the foreground and the out-of-focus purple flowers in the background.

Hope you have a great visit with your dad.

The Cranky said...

Beautiful photos!

Here's hoping that your poor, bruised self has a wonderful visit with your father! *hugs*

Kaili Williams said...

Beautiful shots! I love the texture it creates.

Evelyn S. said...

Lovely mums, Ma'am! (I thought of you while watching the LSU game.)

hootnonny said...

These are great! You did the right thing!

Have a nice visit w/your dad.

rebecca said...

Gorgeous colors Gail! Thanks so much for linking up this week. :)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful mums -- and I'm sure your camera is great, but I think a lot of the reason the pix are so good has to do with its operator!

Phil Slade said...

Great colours and captures Gail. What about some shots from those games you go to - guess its not soccer?

Stewart M said...

Nice captures - long lenses on pictures like this give you great control of DoF.

I think the full frame issue may be heading around the corner at me - Nikon (the cameras I use) have just released one which is within the $$ range I can think about! Oh, what fun!

Stewart M - Australia

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Nice shots- mums are so perfectly fall-ish!
Have a fun visit with your dad.

Amy Burzese said...

Great mum shots. Full frame is what attracts me. I want to work on wide landscapes and want 24mm to be 24mm, not 38mm.

Anonymous said...

The mums are lovely. Have a nice visit!

Tricia said...

What pretty mums. You've captured them so beautifully, Gail! Hope you have a nice visit with your dad :)

Dianne said...

I love mums, especially the purple ones
fabulous shots

Brian King said...

Gorgeous shots, Gail! Even with a good camera, it's still the person using it that makes the difference.

Ellie said...

I think by the looks of your pictures your camera was a great buy. They are lovely shots.
Have fun visiting your dad. :)

Lisa Gordon said...

What a wonderful series.
Have a great time with your Dad.

Kittie Howard said...

You were at the game! I'm purple and gold with envy. Oh but I was worried for a bit! Sorry about dat fan. SEC football has its challenges.

Your photos are amazing. The camera was definitely worth the investment.

renae said...

Gail, I have those exact plants in my yard (that I inherited from the sellers last year) They bloomed last year but this year are amazingly huge and gorgeous.

I too loved that Pink Stoned Ring in my post. I felt I had to start off with a BANG!

Dave said...

You have photos of a nice selection of chrysanthemums Gail. - Dave

Starla said...

Incredible shots! I need a "Understanding different Lens for Dummies" manual! Your jargon is like a different language to me, LOL!! BUT! I would love to learn and also how to add textures, etc to my pics!!

Are you giving lessons?!!

Arti said...

Wow! Those are cool captures. The brightness of the flowers makes me almost smell them!!! Have a happy week Gail :)

Barbara said...

So beautiful! I'm glad you had your camera with you! Love that you ran into your cousin amid all those people.

EG CameraGirl said...

Super shots! I'm glad you are becoming better acquainted with your 5DII.

Unknown said...

Hello my friend. I am finally back in blogland. Oh how I have missed it. Love your photos. Such bright and happy flowers. Have fun on your visit with your Dad..

Hugs~

Shug said...

Enjoy yourself at your dad's...it's always good to get away for a few days.
the pictures are so clear! love em'
shug

Thistle Cove Farm said...

I'm sorry but I'm sitting here laughing about the fan who kept shaking you like a rag dog...OUCH! If you'd hit him upside the head, he'd have been outraged!

Suzan said...

All your shots are lovely, lovely, lovely, Gail! You take the most amazing shots and have a very talented eye!!

A Creative Grace said...

Ooh, some great colour combo's there with the mum macro's..I think it always takes time to find your way around the new equipment, extra light does always make for top quality though and these pics are wonderful :)

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

A new camera! Congrats. I need to upgrade to a camera with a faster sensor, which takes me to a full frame, but then the fps are slower which defeats the purpose which is to shoot sports in low light. I might change my mind, but am holding out until next year, hoping Nikon will fill the void with a new camera. (Of course I want a 400 mm lens too, but ...) Have a great day.

Patrice said...

I just love mums, and I love seeing them in bunches during the fall - beautiful color!

LindyLouMac said...

I am afraid you loose me completely when you come over all technical Gail, have fun with your new purchase.