Lens-Artists Challenge #358: Live and Learn
You have probably heard someone say that Latin people are hot-tempered. Well, I will not endeavor to change or confirm your beliefs. However, I do find that being hot-tempered and impatient can go hand in hand. It is through photography that I learned to be more patient.
When Tina challenged us “to post about a lifetime of learning,” I initially struggled to decide what I would share. Living is a learning experience. Although I have learned a great deal in my years of working with a camera, there is always more to learn. Please check out Tina’s post and examples for her Live and Learn challenge. As for my response, here it goes.
The featured image was captured at the San Gabriel River after it had receded significantly, allowing me to approach its banks. I wrote two blog posts a couple of weeks ago, featuring photos from the horrific flood in our area. One post was about the San Gabriel River flood, and the other was about Lake Georgetown.
This photo illustrates a technique I learned through experimentation. As someone who doesn’t like to carry a tripod, I wanted to capture the river flow using a long-exposure shot. In those instances, I always try to find a place to rest my camera, but if nothing is available, I sit down and rest the camera on my knees. That is how I was able to use a shutter speed of 1/15 seconds and keep the background in focus.
When it comes to wildlife photography, capturing that special moment can be tricky. Often, you do not have time to compose the shot. At other times, however, you can predict what will happen by having observed your subjects in previous situations. That type of observation applies to the two photos above. When I saw the yellow-crowned night heron on that rock, I figured it was looking for food based on its posture and intense look. I did not have to wait five minutes to capture the shot. Using a shutter speed of 1/2500th of a second, I stopped the action for that complete wing spread.
For the white-tailed deer fawn, I had to be patient and cautious not to scare it. Momma deer was not too far away, watching me. On top of that, I wanted to capture that pose and not the others I captured with its head turned down and behind his body. Patience paid off.
Landscape and wildlife are not the only nature subjects I enjoy photographing. It’s no mystery to most of you that I love photographing wildflowers, too. Although macros can reveal beautiful textures, I enjoy looking for unusual angles to show what most people do not see when they look at Texas Bluebells and other wildflowers.
With storage prices being so cheap these days, I confess that I am a hoarder when it comes to photos. I have seen and used many new software programs that have transformed some of my mediocre photos and low-resolution images into surprisingly presentable images. Therefore, I seldom throw away a photo I capture. Just because this macro was not in focus is not a reason to discard the image. That is when experimentation and creativity can take center stage. So, with this out-of-focus Leavenworth’s Eryngo image, I created an abstract using Luminar Neo. The process was very experimental. I duplicated the photo and rotated it horizontally. After merging the two layers, I duplicated the merged image again to complete the symmetry I had envisioned in my mind. I added some warm tones outside the flower to get a kaleidoscope-like abstract.
I want to thank everyone who commented and responded to my challenge last week. I hope you got as much benefit from your forest bathing as I did by looking at your beautiful photos.
This week, Tina proposes we show “some of the things you’ve learned about photography or any subject you choose.” It’s a great challenge, and I’m looking forward to your responses. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, John returns with a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Abstracts, Landscapes, Leavenworth’s Eryngo, Lens-Artists, Macros, San Gabriel River, Texas, Texas Bluebells, White-tailed deer, Wildflowers, Wildlife, and Yellow-Crowned Night Heron. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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SoyBend
What a unique shot of the heron, Egidio! It’s funny, yet fascinating.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Siobhan. I’m so glad I was able to get it.
Pepper
These are wonderful. I need to learn about patience from you. 😉
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Pepper.
PR
Patience and Experimentation – the right ingredients for success! Lovely pictures, Egidio..
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your kind words.
Leya
Oh, the heron, Egidio – patience did pay off grandly! If I can say so…You must have been very pleased with that one. A great series of how to do and done. I loved them all – you are a great photographer.
Egidio Leitao
Ann-Christine, many thanks for your wonderful words.They’ll carry me through the weekend. Much gratitude.
Amy
The bird image is so stunning!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Amy.
Rupali
Every image is special but the bird image got my full attention. Patience pays off.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Rupali. I’m blessed to have seen and photographed that moment.
thesimlux
Such lovely photos! Great eye and mastery of your optics! 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you kindly for this feedback. Much appreciated.
JohnRH
Great photos all, Egidio. Patience pays off. Love that heron shot!
Egidio Leitao
John, yes, patience paid off. Thanks for your kind words.
Sofia Alves
I couldn’t agree with you more, Egídio. Learning all the time, especially when it comes to photography. I love your heron shot, fantastic!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Sofia. That heron was wonderful!
norasphotos4u
Great examples – I love the bluebells!!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Nora. I like that shot, too. The light through the petals made a big difference.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
A beautiful selection for the challenge Egídio and it’s so lovely when your patience is rewarded with your wildlife photography too 😊
Egidio Leitao
Xenia, yes, the rewards are numerous. Thanks for writing.
Toonsarah
It was really interesting to read about the different things you’ve learned, and they certainly pay off! That heron shot is fantastic and I love the angle you’ve used for the wild flowers one 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, I struggled trying to focus on just a few things. Photography is an on-going learning experience. Thanks for the feedback. About the wildflowers, I am always curious to see what they look from the ground up.
margaret21
Wonderful photos with the background of your learning being really interesting. Those bird’s wings were phenomenal.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Margaret. I’m happy you liked it. I was thrilled to capture those wings open. They are so beautiful.
photobyjohnbo
That’s a great idea to create an abstract from what might have been a “problem” photo. I especially like the wildlife photos. I, too, seldom carry a tripod, so I often try to find a strong support to brace the camera for a long exposure when I want to blur moving water.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the comments, John.
I. J. Khanewala
Thanks for that lesson on long exposure. Another time when you want utterly steady hands is when you are doing extreme telephoto. In both cases I try to brace myself against a tree, stone, wall (whatever is around) and hold my breath. I’ll have to try out your technique.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, I.J. I often use your “bracing” technique right here at home. I hold my camera against one of the deck posts to keep my hands steady.
Steve Hyde
Great post Egidio. Your comment on storage struck a chord with me. Modern processing software has changed so much since I started out with digital images. I’m using PS and Topaz to work on images I gave up on 15 years ago, some of which now feature in my blogs where they were once written off. I’m glad i still have them and wished I’d saved more over the years
Egidio Leitao
Indeed, Steve. There are so many resources out there to help with old photos. I have several shots from the Camedia camera that I rescued with current software. Every time I think about trashing a photo, I think of those I saved and still use nowadays in my blog. Thanks for the comments.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Interessante, Egidio. La foto del cerbiatto è la mia preferita. L’airone è pure stupendo!
Egidio Leitao
Grazie mille, Luisella.
bushboy
These are great Egídio especially the Heron dipping for a snack
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brian. I appreciate your compliment.
Anne Sandler
Wonderful post, photography and suggestions Egidio. I’ve never thought of using my knee as a tripod. Although getting up might be a little difficult!!
Egidio Leitao
Anne, thank you. I have to be careful when I get down, too. Sometimes, my blood pressure meds can get me light headed if I stand up quickly.
Tina Schell
Terrific as always Egidio. I loved the way you slowed down the water which offers a better idea of its transformation during/after the storm. Both of your nature images are stunning. I see we’re in the same deer season as the fawns are quite plentiful here as well. Mamas are so protective! You caught this one perfectly. The bird’s wings are simply glorious!! Beautiful post from start to finish with some great tips on your process.
Egidio Leitao
I was thrilled with the bird photo, too. I always enjoy when I get to see their wings fully open. Thank you so much for your feedback and great ideas.
Rebecca Cuningham
The time lapse of the raptor is amazing!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Rebecca. I was so pleased with that heron’s photo.
Writing to Freedom
I admire your patience, knee as tripod technique, and editing skills Egidio. I’m a lazy photographer: autofocus, point, shot, and minor edits in Google photo.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Brad. Well, your techniques — lazy or not — seem to work really well.
Writing to Freedom
Thanks. 😊