Weeds if not wanted, flowers if wanted. Perspective is everything!
Tag: flower

What is it about old German folding cameras? I have a number of them and, while they can feel clunky compared to point-and-shoot cameras, or DSLRs (or mirrorless), there is something just so wonderful about using a film camera.
This is a cropped 6×9 image from my Zeiss Ikon Ercona, ca. 1950 and serviced by Jurgen Kreckel. His cameras are well worth their costs, high or low.
I have problems figuring out how to go up or down with a camera-top viewfinder. My brain doesn’t seem to “get it” but maybe I’ll get the other half to logically explain it to me. He’s good at that.
So, out for a walk to check out the camera – I bought it last July – and trying to become familiar with the camera, and guestimating exposures. Some good pictures resulted, and some dogs. I’m better at guessing exposure factors for 100 speed film. I used a roll of 120 Portra 400 film as my test roll.
Whenever I get film back, I am always so pleased. I really do prefer it to digital, hands down, but digital has its place, too. This Ercona was fun to use, a bit of a pain, too, but whenever you have something new in hand, or something old, there is always a bit of a trial-and-error period. This happens even if you have shot with the camera before.
A rose by any other name, and shot with any camera, is pretty sweet – even better when you like your photo!
This is a beautiful amaryllis which my mother-in-law had sent to me for a Christmas present. It’s called a “Naomi,” which pleases me no end! It’s a rather stunning one, I think (much like its namesake); a bit short, but with 6 flowers on each stem. It’s also a lovely pale salmon, more pink than orange.
Gifts like this really do “keep on giving” because I have been enjoying it for several months now!
It’s been a busy few weeks it seems, to the point nothing is getting posted! So, back at it with some images in C-41 black and white, Ilford XP Super 400 and the Bronica SQ-AI 80mm f2.8 Zenzanon PS lens (for you techies out there!).
I took these in particular because the gazanias are a two-toned variant, in yellow and an orangey color. I wondered how they would look with the orange lens filter I had on. I wonder if the contrast would have been stronger if I hadn’t used the orange filter, but still, I think they turned out pretty good! The overall contrast is pretty nice even if not as strong as I had hoped for on the flowers.
Vining petunias trail down the sides of pots. I never put them in the ground. Snails and slugs devour them, and there is some kind of virus that is in the local soil that kills them off. So, in a pot, away from slimey critters.
A rather invasive plant, Jupiter’s Beard, also known as valerian, is a favorite plant of mine. It sort of wanders around neighborhoods, settling in, then blowing its seeds into new places. I have no idea why it is called “Jupiter’s Beard” but I think it is a great name for a plant!
A close-up taken using the X100V. SOOC, too.
As a ground cover, Vinca Major is wonderful for shady areas. Soft, long vines with brilliant leaves and purple flowers make for a lovely display. It’s always been a favorite of mine.
Happy Easter!