Meadowsweet

[David Paterson]

This is the sort of close-up which is possible with the 50mm f1.8 AFS G, at closest focus. The image has also been cropped somewhat.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria isn't an easy plant to show at close range since the inflorescence is so three-dimensional. You have gotten away pretty well with this capture, though.

I like the delicate balance of the creamy white flowers and the green background. Details seem to be captured well for a non-specialist lens too. A little blurring on the left side could be wind?

[David Paterson]

Thanks, Bjørn. At 100% view, nearly the whole flowerhead shows some slight degree of wind disturbance - either that or my shaky hands. I was trying for the (n+1)th time to see if I could get along with an expensive Gitzo monopod and RRS head that my son gave me, a few years back. Unfortunately, I can't.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Wind is the most likely culprit as only part of the inflorescence shows a tendency to double contours.

Have you considered using flash for such subjects? It is the great equaliser and if used judiciously, can improve sharpness remarkably well without adding too much of its own character to the scene. Nikon has a long tradition of excellent flash systems and flash support for their cameras.

[David Paterson]

Have you considered using flash for such subjects? It is the great equaliser and if used judiciously, can improve sharpness remarkably well without adding too much of its own character to the scene. Nikon has a long tradition of excellent flash systems and flash support for their cameras.

Now I have a confession to make. I was accustomed for many years to using vast amounts of powerful studio-flash equipment, but I have never come to terms with the type of kit you mention. My one and only Nikon flash is an SB-10 (!!) which is probably valuable as an antique; I did also have a big 3rd-party "hammerhead" flash, but this no longer works. Actually, the SB-10 is a testament to Nikon's backward compatibility - it works perfectly with both the D800 and D600.

I hear what you say, and I'm sure you are right, but these days I am all about disposing of kit, and carrying less, rather than buying and carrying more.   

[Akira]

Indeed I always wonder where to focus whenever I'm attracted to the flowers of this look.  You seem to have chosen the focal point (plane) so that both bugs are in focus, consciously or subconsciously.

In any case, this is something to refer to, for sure.  Thanks for sharing, Dave!

[Mike G]

Mr Paterson you are very annoying because every time I see one of your pictures i realise how mine are such so much crap.

Super stuff Dave, grrrrrrrrrr   

[Bjørn J]

Good photo of a familiar plant. I used to make tea of it, and it has also been used for brewing beer.

[David Paterson]

Thank you all for your comments.

Akira - I tried to find a camera position / angle where the edge of the flowerhead was in focus all the way round. I didn't manage this perfectly, but nearly so.

Mike - don't say that! Your pictures are not crap! And I have spent literally a lifetime (50 years actually) taking photographs more-or-less every single day, and I don't suppose you have had that advantage.

Bjørn J - Mayumi sometimes wonders about making wine or cordial usign meadowsweet. She has made both, in the past, using elder-flowers, and both were delicious.

[Mike G]

Dave, you are right my affair with photography has been on and off since the sixties, but I am my own worst critic!

I have also made countless gallons of wine mainly from gooseberries(out of a tin), if you can eat it you can make wine from it. Even in one case twelve bottles exploding in an outside cupboard. 

[Akira]

Akira - I tried to find a camera position / angle where the edge of the flowerhead was in focus all the way round. I didn't manage this perfectly, but nearly so.

Dave, that's a good point and advice.  I'll keep that in mind whenever next opportunity emerges.  Thank you!