7. March 2010 by David.

I liked the contrast of the blossom in front with the out of focus orchard in the background.  While your main focus is the blossoms the background gives it context. Hope you enjoy. This was actually taken a couple of years ago with a point and shoot camera.

Keep clicking

Dave

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6. March 2010 by David.

After all the rain we’ve had you almost need galoshes to get into the orchards. However it did provide the opportunity for this shot. I liked how the dirty water actually changed the color of the blossoms in the reflection.

Keep Clicking.

Dave

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4. March 2010 by Friedhelm.

It is raining a lot these days and most people in California are happy about it. In between rain storms are great photo opportunities because the mix of clouds and sunshine creates a challenging and interesting light and background situation. I created this image using a 15mm super wide angle lens on a full frame sensor camera. I was basically laying on the ground in the creek bed to get as much sky as possible and to block the houses out that are standing in the background. You have the feeling of a country image which was shot in the middle of Merced on my (almost) daily exercise walk.

Enjoy and happy photographing!

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25. February 2010 by Friedhelm.

After the fog burnt off this morning beautiful late winter or early spring clouds appeared. This created the opportunity for some awesome images. For this image I used a 15mm lens on a full frame camera. The camera was tripod mounted and pretty much down on the ground. There was no way looking through the viewfinder or even to use live view. I had just a vague estimate what kind of image I would get. I know I had to block the sun out as much as possible and I had to avoid the roof of the house. I set the camera on a 10 sec. timer and then I had to get out of the way as quickly as possible. Camera setting: 15mm, f18, 1/50sec., ISO 100

Enjoy and happy photographing!

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23. February 2010 by Friedhelm.

I photographed these blossoms after sunset. The red sky provided an excellent background. Sometimes I forget that I live in such a beautiful state. I used an old Minolta MD Rokkor lens with extension tubes that I connected to my Canon DSLR. Camera setting: F16, 4sec., ISO 100. I was lucky that there was no wind blowing.

Enjoy and happy photographing!

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20. February 2010 by David.

This is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the valley. The wildflowers are starting to bloom and the almond trees are in full swing.

The bees were in full swing when I got to this orchard. This is one of the flowers that  hadn’t been visited yet. I also learned that I am not allergic to bee stings. Many years ago I was stung by a wasp and as the doctor said I had a ‘beautiful reaction’.

f11 @1/20sec, 75mm with extension tubes, ISO 200

Keep clicking

Dave

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13. February 2010 by David.

Here are a couple of photographs I took in a recent trip to downtown Merced. For a small town there is actually a lot of activity going on. The wind was blowing slightly so some of the tips on the palm tree are slightly blurred.  I just liked the contrasts, lines and lighting of the staircase and wall.

Keep clicking

Dave

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9. February 2010 by Friedhelm.

Last week I interrupted my routine and walked with my camera at a different place. I know a few friends that often photograph around bear creek and their images inspired my to do the same; however I decided to drive a little bit outside Merced, CA and walk through the orchards along the creek. I came along some amazing trees. The roots were growing into the river bed. I was able to get this image with my 200mm prime lens. Camera setting: f16, 1/13sec., ISO 100.

Enjoy and go out photographing!

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3. February 2010 by Friedhelm.

As I mentioned before, it is a good idea to take your camera with just one lens from time to time. I did this exercise with my 85mm portrait lens. During my exercise walk I took a closer look at the bark of an Eucalyptus tree and discovered this incredible natural composition that I just had to frame with my camera.

Enjoy and be creative with your camera

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31. January 2010 by Friedhelm.

I went back to the tree and this time I took a different set of lenses and a reflector with me. The white reflector helped me tremendously to direct the light where I wanted it to be. Sometimes a little tool makes all the difference in the world. Camera setting:  f20, 1/15sec., ISO 100.

Enjoy!

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