How beautiful it is to watch these purple and lavender flowers all summer, climbing the side of my backyard deck. This image is my last clematis flower of the season. Only my late summer roses are continuing to bloom in the backyard, as the evening temperatures begin to drop.
You know, there is something wonderful about watching the light change as we change seasons. It’s a fact, light is whiter in the summer, in photographic terms, and shadows are shorter. Conversely, light is redder in the winter months. The sun travels a greater distance through the atmosphere, and the light scatters more. But, this light has a positive effect on our photography, giving us beautiful golden shafts of light, and a greater richness too. Clear blue skies in winter mean it is colder and crisper outside. So, don those fingerless gloves and get the cameras out when the temperatures are 32 degrees!
Speaking of flowers, I have to share two of my favorite photographers from history who have beautiful flower portfolios. Imogene Cunningham, a female photographer whose counterparts were Edward Weston and Ansel Adams among other greats in the medium. And, Robert Mapplethorpe, a sometimes-controversial image-maker whose work often shocked the establishment. Take a look at their flowers and see the exquisite beauty in nature. Notice the symmetry and tiny details that their photography reveals. Their work is quite inspiring, and hopefully will inspire you, too, to take a closer look at those blooms in your own backyard!
My “Last of the Clematis Vine Blooms” was shot with a Nikkor 105mm macro lens at f/6.3, 1/250 sec., at 100 ISO. Always on a tripod for these types of shots, and mirror lock-up and a shutter release, for all my students out there who hear me harp on this often!
With the changes in this season, come the colors of autumn! It’s about that time to head into the hills for some vivid yellows, reds and oranges! Don’t forget to pack those fingerless gloves!