Kip’s Comments - June 25, 2023
Dripping Neck Strap
For the first time this season I found fragrant water lilies in close enough range for photography. As often happens when I photograph water lilies, there seem to be so many options for images of the pretty white blossoms. And, time after time I go home with very similar compositions to what I made the last dozen times.
Today I was well on my way to repeating history - producing water lily images that nearly matched previous water lily pictures. This time though, I stopped what I was doing and put in more effort to be creative. Let me walk you through my process.
My first image was taken with my long lens. That composition accurately recorded the blossom with some of the sky reflecting in the water, and really was not all that good.
Fragrant Water Lily with Raindrops - Image 827012
For all subsequent water lily images I switched to a different blossom, used a different lens, and added a polarizing filter to cut the glare. By switching to a different blossom I was provided with an entirely different view that included much of the yellow center of the bloom. This view almost appeared to be looking down into the blossom and I don’t like it.
Fragrant Water Lily with Raindrops - Image 827023
I decided today I was in the mood for a more side view of the lily blossom. But, as I composed my images I seemed to concentrate on including the yellow center since that is what I always do. As a result, I had another accurate water lily image that left nothing to the imagination.
Fragrant Water Lily - Image 827038
After viewing this photo on my camera screen, I realized what I needed to do. I needed to get lower yet… low enough to eliminate any view of the yellow center of the blossom. To go lower with my camera and lens I wrapped my camera strap around my hand and used the back of my hand to know when I was as close to the surface of the water as it was safe to go. When my hand was wet, I then pressed the shutter release and recorded the view I had in my mind. I left with a picture that is clearly a fragrant water lily blossom, but also something that makes you think about what the rest of the bloom looked like. The water drops certainly added a nice effect.
Since I am sharing aquatic plant images, I will include a couple of views of pickerelweed. The plant is challenging to shoot in many creative views. My choices were close or closer.
Pickerelweed - Image 827169
Pickerelweed - Image 827179
