The experimentation continues. Moved from one to multiple gradients and some selective blurring. Then just for fun I added a contrasting colour – in the form of a ladybird. Photoshop certainly is enjoyable now that I have gotten over my pre-conceived notions.
Photo 1: Clematis and Ladybird final image
Photo 2: Clematis after shading and blurring
Photo 3: Original Clematis photo
I recently posted a collage of photos making up the South African flag to celebrate Freedom Day and someone has asked me about the images I used – so here they are for those who are interested. I tried to use flowers that reminded me of SA so there are white hydrangeas, yellow gazanias and a red protea. The only blue flower image I had that is common in SA was the Chrysanthemum. Apple trees grew in the yard at my childhood home so I used them for the green. The black and white image of the hand in the black section is my son’s taken while we played with a torch during Earth hour while the rest of the house was in darkness. This process got me into the experiment with gradients as I needed to colour match the photos and the flag.
Photo 1: Red Protea
Photo 2: White Hydrangeas
Photo 3: Blue Chrysanthemum
Photo 4: Green apples
Photo 5: Yellow Gazanias
Photo 6: Shadow hand in black and white
Photo 7: The final SA Flag collage image
Every artist would like to create something unique. Something special and memorable that draws one nearer and is intriguing. In my quest to find that special something to make my images unique I keep experimenting. Today’s experiment is with radial gradient fills. Some of them I like, some of them I don’t but nothing ventured means nothing gained.
Photo 1: Peach pink Rose
Photo 2: Blue Chrysanthemum
Photo 3: Orange Rose
Photo 4: Deep Pink Rose
Photo 5: Blue Iris
Photo 6: Pale Pink Roses
Photo 7: White Rose on Purple
The 27 April is Freedom Day in South Africa and is marked with a public holiday. On this day in 1994, the first democratic and non-racial national election was held in the country. Today marks it’s 20th anniversary.
It was a highly emotional event for many as for the first time, everyone aged over 18, of any race, was allowed to vote. The ANC (African National Congress) was voted into power and Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected President of South Africa on 10th May and a new national flag was introduced.
Freedom Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm by all South Africans and tributes are paid to all those who sacrificed their lives to gain liberation. South Africa still has its struggles but it has a beautiful heart and its people are lovingly known as the Rainbow Nation.
Photo 1: South African Flag collage
Another lovely addition to the garden is this hybrid tea rose. It has the loveliest pinkish-yellow-orange shading when it starts to bloom and then becomes the palest yellow to deep pink as it peaks.
Photo 1: Tea Rose in bloom
Photo 2: Tea rose and bud
Photo 3: Tea Rose opening
Photo 4: Tea Rose new and old
Photo 5: Tea Rose single
Photo 6: Tea Rose
Photo 7: Tea Rose and company
Usually I am focused on getting as close as possible to my subject. Occasionally though, even for a close-up photographer, when one is outside there are scenes that just have to be captured. I was looking back at some of photos taken in the UK and found these.
Photo 1: Woodland Bluebells in Heron’s Ghyll
Photo 2: Woodland Windflowers in Uckfield
Photo 3: Windflowers in the woods in Uckfield
Photo 4: Poppies on the South Downs
Photo 5: Poppies in the Rain on Ditchling Beacon
Photo 6: Buttercups in a Maresfield Meadow
Photo 7: Reflections in a pond in Richmond Park
Photo 8: Oxeye Daisies in Uckfield
Some buds never flower. If we are fortunate enough to bloom, we should do so with all the enthusiasm and vigour we can muster.
Happy DNA Day! National DNA Day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953. In honour of the Father of Genetics, Gregor Mendel, I am re-blogging my post on sweet peas.
The nearby Tassajara Creek offers wonderful photo opportunities and while I was out trying some scenic outdoor pics I came across this bloom. It reminded me of the Horse Chestnuts I had seen in the UK only the flowers were packed much closer on the stalk. After some research I found out that it is Aesculus Californica, California Buckeye aka California Chestnut. The fruits are poisonous, and they were used as fish poison by the Pomo, Yana, Yokut and Luiseno peoples (Kroeber, 1925). Nifty fishing method…As I walked away from the tree, a Swallowtail Butterfly also made it’s appearance and I was fortunate enough to get a shot of it.
Photo 1: Buckeye in Bloom
Photo 2: California Horse Chestnut
Photo 3: British Horse Chestnut White
Photo 4: British Horse Chestnut Pink
Photo 5: Buckeye along the Creek
Photo 6: Butterfly on Buckeye
Photo 7: And another butterfly pic just for fun
Striking Gazanias are also native to Southern Africa and are sometimes called African Daisies. My preference is for the striped versions as those are the flowers I recall from my childhood but this little patch of white and yellow was still delightful. They only open in full sun and that is when they thrive.
Photo 1: Sun-loving Gazanias
Photo 2: Patch of Gazanias
Photo 3: Single Yellow Gazania
Photo 4: Single White Gazania
Photo 5: Gazania Trio
Photo 6: Gazanias blooming
Photo 7: Gazania cluster
