During my visit this week I was disheartened to see the devastation the cold weather had done to the gardens. Completely removing all life that was present the previous week, leaving stems and branches bare. I wasn’t able to get any snow or crystallised plant images this week like I had previously hoped either as all the ice had quickly melted. Therefore, this was the first week I had to hunt for life as it was scarce. Nevertheless, I continued searching throughout the grounds until I found plants that where still thriving in the harsh condition, focusing on trees and bushes rather than delicate flowers. Through leaving slightly earlier today, I was able to get home before the traffic to efficiently filter through and send my images. Giving me instant feedback, with Lynsey loving my Wollemi photographs, as they have an extreme sharp formation. I do feel each week I am improving as I am learning more about the plants as well as macro photography. I have found that shooting on a high shutter speed alongside continuous shooting, as allowed me to capture some great compositions without being tied to a tripod. However, this can be a bit more time consuming as the slightest blow of wind can ruin the shot. Causing me to take a lot of repetitive pictures to ensure I have got my subject in focus.
Since starting my placement, I have also changed my perception about overcast days, as before starting this placement I anticipated good plant photography demanded bright lighting. This is not always the case as cloudy days can enhance the delicacy of miniature plants, giving the photographs a naturally gentle atmosphere.
My favourite images from today have got to be the Viburnum Tinus series. As the intense shallow depth of field creates a naturally toned gradient backdrop, creating a painterly feel. The lighting highlights the buds, surrounding the plant, keeping our attention locked within the frame. Overall, I have continued to enjoy each week and even though there was not a lot of flowers to focus on, I feel proud of the images I have captured.
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