Petite Fleur Bleue

We have a whole pot of those little blue pansies, and they are so delicate, yet I hadn't managed to get a good shot of them previously. But I am quite happy with this one - I like the composition, the sharpness all through the flower, as well as the blurred background with other little pansies providing some nice blue hue

I'm also still very happy with my new D750 body - so fast, and great focus, exposure, etc. Coupled with my trusted macro lens (the Tamron SP AF 90mm 1:1, 1st generation) images keep piling up in my LightRoom library!

"Petite Fleur Bleue" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

As always, this image is also posted on my +500px page: https://500px.com/photo/123923427/petite-fleur-bleue-by-gilles-royer

And one my FaceBook page, here: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianLightSeeker

Thanks for your visit

Droplet on Pink

I haven't posted for a while here, so here we go. This is my latest photo. Taken in the garden, a few droplets on a new pink daisy plant. 

I kept a very shallow depth of field, to keep the focus and clarity on the foreground droplet, that acts like a magnifying glass to reveal the texture of the flower's petal. I didn't crop the photo to leave the yellow heart of the daisy in the image, I think it creates a balance in colour, and is soft enough not to be too distractive

"Droplet on Pink" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

As always, this photo is also available through my +500px page, at the following link: https://500px.com/photo/123716041/droplet-on-pink-by-gilles-royer

And now you can also look at my new Facebook page (and share a like or comment) at: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianLightSeeker

Thanks for stopping by!

Spring is here!

With Spring (officially but not technically) kicking into gear here in Melbourne, the garden offers growing opportunities for my macro / close-up shots, with buds, blossoms, flowers and trees all enjoying the warm rays of the sun.

So this is perfect time for more in-the-field testing of my new camera, the Nikon D750. Full frame and as light as my (9 year old) D200! 

Below are a few shots that I've taken over the last few weekends.

"Peach Blossom" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

"L'Arome" (c) Gilles Royer 2015 

"Purple Cornflower" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

"Splash of Pink" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

These have also been published on my +500px portfolio: https://500px.com/groyer

And please also Like my +Facebook page dedicated to photography: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianLightSeeker

Thanks!

"Looking Back"

Today was such a beautiful sunny day in Melbourne, I just can't wait for Spring to be here, with its warmth, longer days, and plenty of beautiful flowers and bugs in the garden!

But whilst we wait for this, the gazanias in the garden still give me plenty of opportunities for macro photography - it's amazing how many shots I could take from the same flower, yet very different angles provide different backgrounds, colours, and light reflections

This one taken from the back of the flower, with a few water droplets on the petals. The colours under the flower are darker and more purple than the front (pink) of the same - look at my previous posts for other variations.

(c) Gilles Royer 2015

As always, I've posted this on my +500px gallery: https://500px.com/photo/119106251/looking-back-by-gilles-royer

as well as on my (new) Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianLightSeeker

Have a great weekend!

"Elegance in Pink" posted

I've taken those flowers many times before - they are beautiful pink gazanias and grow in a pot in our back garden. I've shot them across seasons, in different lights, different times of days, but the difference with this one is that I'm testing my new toy - a Nikon D750. 

I'm really excited about it! I also went during the week to take photos of Melbourne city by night - but more of that in a future post. 

The camera is really good (as expected!) and it's amazing when I compare it to my (old now) D200 - about the same size, yet the D750 is a full frame camera, packed with twice the number of pixels, a bigger and tilting screen, better sensor and AF system, etc. Plus I get to use again all my old FX lenses, especially my 28-70mm f/2.8 and my 50mm f/1.4

Anyway - enough about the camera. I hope the skills of the photographer also play their part in getting a great image :-)

"Elegance in Pink" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

As always, I've posted the photo also in my +500px gallery at the following link:
https://500px.com/photo/118305531/elegance-in-pink-by-gilles-royer

And you can also now discover my Facebook page dedicated to all things photographic: http://www.facebook.com/AustralianLightSeeker

"Moss & Flowers" posted

I'm still going through my stock of photos taken during my last trip to Europe, so keep looking for them! This one was taken in my parents' garden, a combination of moss and wild pink flowers, creating an interesting vegetal microcosm.

I've edited brightness and saturation, given I shot in RAW format. The shallow depth of field also created a more interesting image, creating a blurry foreground to anchor the photo, and a dark pink uneven background, to enhance the central pink flower (yes, there's nothing like breaking the rule of thirds I believe and put you key subject near the centre!!).

"Moss & Flower" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

The photo is also available in my +500px page: https://500px.com/photo/117524571/moss-flower-by-gilles-royer

And now on my new +Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/AustralianLightSeeker

"Pink, Green & Bokeh" photo

Going through my stock of images from my recent trip to Europe... This one again from our rental house in the lovely town of Arundel, in West Sussex. 

Some beautiful sharp details in the pink flower, contrasting with a blurry background, but can still recognise the contours of the leaves.

"Pink, Green & Bokeh" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

I've also posted it on my +500px gallery, at the following link: https://500px.com/photo/115361063/pink-green-bokeh-by-gilles-royer

Cheers!

My new page on Facebook!

I've finally succumbed to the Facebook wave. Call me an early adopter ;-)

This page: http://www.facebook.com/AustralianLightSeeker will be dedicated to my passion for photography, including my own photos, photos I like from other great artists, and anything else that is related to the previous 2! 

If you have time, have a look and let me know what you think

"Blue Cornflower and Rain" photo posted

A beautiful blue cornflower, shot in the garden. After some rain, it was glad to find a bit of sun to warm up...

"Blue Cornflower and Rain" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

I've also posted it on my +500px portfolio, at the following link: https://500px.com/photo/114664767

Thanks for visiting

"C'est beau une ville la nuit... Bruges" photo

From the ever giving stock of photos from my recent holidays in Europe, this one comes from the beautiful city of Bruges, where I stayed for a few days. One night, armed with my tripod, I went for a big walk, and enjoyed the city without its hordes of tourists, and its illuminations. A beautiful city to discover after the sunset indeed.

This is an ultra classical view of Bruges, taken from the most popular spot - I had to wait a few minutes to get a premium location for me and my tripod, but it was worth the wait.

I had to do a bit of editing, as the strongly illuminated belfry tower in the back was overexposed, compared to the rest of the image. You can also glimpse the moon crescent, just above the roof of the left building. I'm quite happy with the result, translating well the ambiance of the place.

"C'est beau une ville la nuit... Bruges"

As usual, I've also posted it (and made it available for sale) on my +500px portfolio, link below:
https://500px.com/photo/114074025/c-est-beau-une-ville-la-nuit-bruges-by-gilles-royer

Thanks for stopping by

"C'est beau une ville la nuit..." photo

Breaking with the series of macro shot, but still from the stash of photos taken during my recent holidays to France, this is a more classical shot of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral.

I was staying in a hotel nearby, but hadn't taken my tripod, so I had to push the ISO to 800, and lean on the edge of the nearby bridge, to reduce movements. I'm quite happy with the result. A bit of post edition, to one the shadows and make the yellow hue of the lights on the cathedral pop out a bit more.

"C'est beau une ville la nuit..." (c) Gilles Royer 2015

I've also posted it on my +500px portfolio, at the following link:
https://500px.com/photo/113980917/c-est-beau-une-ville-la-nuit-by-gilles-royer

"Portrait of a Lupine Flower" photo

I'm on a roll, continuing to go through photos from my recent holidays in France and England. This one is from the little cottage we stayed in, in the town of Arundel (West Sussex), in the back yard. 

It's the detail of a Lupine flower, with selective focus showing only the inside of the petals, with some little 'hair'

"Portrait of a Lupine Flower" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

As usual, this is also posted in my +500px gallery, at the following link: https://500px.com/photo/113351803/portrait-of-a-lupine-flower-by-gilles-royer

Please let me know what you think of it, as well as any suggestions for improvement. 

"Nearly There!" photo posted

Continuing with the macro shots taken during my stay in Arundel (West Sussex, UK), this one is the flower of a spring onion, about to pop out:

"Nearly There!" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

Also posted on my +500px gallery, follow the following link: https://500px.com/photo/112972761/nearly-there-by-gilles-royer

Thanks!

"Bathing in the Spring Sunlight" now posted

Change of country, but still from the (large) stock of images taken during my holidays in France and the UK. We are now in the town of Arundel, West Sussex (England), where we rented a cottage for a few days. The back garden offered also ample opportunities for macro photography, and we were lucky to have a beautiful English spring weather. 

"Bathing in the Spring Sunlight" (c) Gilles Royer

Also, posted on my +500px gallery at the following link: https://500px.com/photo/112637575/bathing-in-the-spring-sunlight-by-gilles-royer

Thanks for your visit

"The White Nigella" photo posted

At the risk of becoming boring, I'm posting yet another photo of a beautiful Nigella flower, once again part of the series taken on my holidays - yes, that what happens when you're on holidays: you can take thousands of photos as you have all the time in the world!!

This one is a white one, and the beautiful spring sunlight catches the petals beautifully, on an angle. 

"The White Nigella" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

I've also posted it on my +500px page, at the following link: https://500px.com/photo/112540975/the-white-nigella-by-gilles-royer. So far, it's not doing bad, not as good as the "Floating Nigella" one I posted yesterday though. 

Let me know what you think...

"Floating Nigella" posted

I continue posting photos taken during my holidays in France and the UK, offering plenty of opportunities for macro photography of beautiful flowers bathed in the light of spring. 

This is another shot from the Nigella flower, which I fell in love with! The structure is so complex, yet very delicate and light. And there are multiple colours - blue, white, pink. Endless opportunities for photography! 

This one was has a selective focus, leaving most of the foreground and background slightly out of focus, and blurred. Overall, it's like it's floating in the air, in front of my camera. 

"Floating Nigella" - (c) Gilles Royer 2015

I've also posted it on my +500px gallery, at the following link:

I'm very pleased as it already has a score of 99.2, nearly the best of all times for me, and at the top of the macro category!

Thanks for reading

"Nigella Bella #2" photo posted

Another shot taken in my parents' garden, in France, of those beautiful Nigella (also known as love-in-a-mist) flowers. Their structure is so complex and intricate, they make for great macro subjects. This one is another blue one, but I've also got white and pink ones to come.

"Nigella Bella #2" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

I've also posted it on my +500px gallery, at the following link: https://500px.com/photo/111371919/nigella-bella-2-by-gilles-royer

Let me know which of the 2 versions (refer previous one here: http://australianlightseeker.blogspot.fr/2015/06/nigella-bella-posted.html) you prefer

"Nigella Bella" posted

Continuing with my holiday shots, this one is taken in my parents' garden in France, and is a Nigella. I love those beautiful flowers, so intricate yet delicate, they make perfect subject for macro photography in Spring. 

Not sure they are growing in Australia, but I'll have to check when I'm back, to put some in the garden!

"Nigella Bella" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

You can also view it on my +500px portfolio here: https://500px.com/photo/111256995/nigella-bella-by-gilles-royer

"Psychedelic Bokeh" posted

Back from my holidays (within the holidays!) in the UK, where I spent a few days in the beautiful of Arundel in West Sussex

We rented a beautiful old cottage, with a little back garden, full of blossoming wild flowers, so I felt obliged to get my camera and my faithful Tamron macro lens and got a few shots. 

This first one is of a little pin flower, shot against some green foliage. The aperture of f/4 helped to separate the flower from its backdrop, as well as highlight the beautiful bokeh, which in my eye has a near psychedelic effect... but I'll let you judge:

"Psychedelic Bokeh" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

I've also posted it in my +500px gallery, at the following link: https://500px.com/photo/111168895/psychedelic-bokeh-by-gilles-royer

Thanks for stopping by!

2 new photos posted

Just posted these ones on my +500px gallery, taken in the garden today. It was a beautiful Melbourne autumn day, and when the sun decided to pay a visit, I grabbed the camera for a few shots. 

First one is a baby chrysanthemum:

"Lumière d'automne" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

The shortcut to 500px as follows: https://500px.com/photo/107243673/lumière-d'automne-by-gilles-royer

The second one is the last stage of a lettuce flower (refer to previous posts for the photo of the actual flower), with the addition of a few water droplets:

"Fleur de Laitue - Final Stage" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

The shortcut to 500px as follows: https://500px.com/photo/107244785/fleur-de-laitue-final-stage-by-gilles-royer

Have a great weekend!

"Lest We Forget"

Today is ANZAC Day in Australia, as well as in many Commonwealth countries. Popular to the fields of Flanders where war tranches were fought during WWI, poppies became the symbol of the war veterans.

This poppy shot was taken a while back, in Giverny gardens (France), also known as the Monet gardens, on a bright day.

 

This is in honour of all soldiers who fought for their countries' freedom

Lest we forget is usually added at the end of the Ode of Remembrance at ANZAC services. The ode is originally called "For the Fallen" and was written by English poet Laurence Binyon.

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal,
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation,
And a glory that shines upon her tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables at home;
They have no lot in our labour of the daytime;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known,
As the stars are known to the night.

As the stars will be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

"Lest We Forget" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

Lest we forget...

Note: I've also loaded this photo on my +500px gallery: https://500px.com/photo/106441241/lest-we-forget-by-gilles-royer

"Fleur de Laitue" posted on 500px gallery

This one is not a special flower - this is shot from an overgrown lettuce in a pot plant, around the garden. Seeds started to grow (the purple buds) and then little yellow flowers appear. They are actually very nice and elegant flower, and I like how they contrast with their purple background.

I wanted to give it an overall softness, so I did a bit (never too much) of editing in Aperture, just to bring out the colours a bit more and reduce the overall contrast.

"Fleur de Laitue" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

The link to the same on my +500px gallery is below:
https://500px.com/photo/106335617/fleur-de-laitue-by-gilles-royer

Have a great weekend!

"Floating..." posted on 500px

Just posted another photo from the series I took a few weeks back now, in Canterbury Gardens, not too far from home.

I'm not quite sure what species of flower this is - maybe a fuchsia? But I found it beautiful and delicate. The shallow depth of field reinforces the impression that it just floats in the air.

"Floating..." (c) Gilles Royer 2015

And here is the link to the +500px page: 
https://500px.com/photo/105473511/floating-by-gilles-royer

Thanks for your visit!

"Pink Cornflower #2" posted on 500px

Following yesterday's post, this continues the series of cornflower photos, taken in my garden. This one is a darker pink, against a grey background.

"Pink Cornflower #2" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

And the link to the +500px gallery is here: https://500px.com/photo/104671651/pink-cornflower-%232-by-gilles-royer

Thanks!

"Pink Cornflower" posted on 500px.com

This is taken today, under a beautiful early autumn afternoon light, in the garden. My wife planted a few of these, with multiple colours, so I can enjoy taking photos of them (plus, they really look nice in the garden!). This one is pink. Keep looking for other colours as I'll post them over the coming days / weeks

"Pink Cornflower" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

Hope you have a great weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

"Bye Bye Summer" photo posted

Here in Melbourne, we have to say bye to summer, whilst spring is in full bloom in the Northern Hemisphere. I'm just taking opportunity of the five early autumn sun and the few flowers left in the garden to add to my gallery of macro photography.

This one taken just a few hours ago, late afternoon

"Bye Bye Summer" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

It is also posted on my +500px gallery: https://500px.com/photo/103123121/bye-bye-summer-by-gilles-royer

Hope you enjoy!

"Splash of Red" posted on my 500px gallery

This is a close-up of a gladiola, under artificial lighting, in my improvised garage photo studio.

"Splash of Red" (c) Gilles Royer 2015

It is also available on +500px at the following link:
https://500px.com/photo/103108843/splash-of-red-by-gilles-royer?from=user_library

Thanks!

"Morning Tea in Canterbury Gardens"

This is taken in Canterbury Gardens, not far from home. For more information on those beautiful gardens, please refer to my previous posts here and here.

"Morning Tea in Canterbury Gardens" by Gilles Royer, (C) 2015

Thanks for your visit!

Discover... Canterbury Gardens (Victoria, Australia) - Part 2

Earlier on, I posted my first article about Canterbury Gardens, Victoria. If you haven't read it yet, have a look at the following link: Discover... Canterbury Gardens (Victoria, Australia).

Today I continue with the series of photos I took. All of them, as usual, also posted on mu +500px gallery (http://500px.com/GRoyer). All of these were taken on the same day, about end of morning, with a strong sun / light. 

I really love those gardens. They are close to home, and offer unlimited opportunities for macro photography, having so many different species of flowers and bushes in a concentrated area. I haven't visited the gardens in autumn, but I will. Wait for the next post!!

So without any further ado, here are the photos. Hope you enjoy.

Please note all photos are copyrighted, so if you want to use or buy them, please drop me a line!

Discover... Canterbury Gardens (Victoria, Australia)

With my passion for macro photography growing, I try and find new sources of shooting, the garden at home offering only a limited selection of flowers, plants and bugs. I decided to look into some gardens around the area, and discovered Canterbury Gardens, in Canterbury, Victoria.

They are situated off Canterbury Rd and Mailing Road, as per map below:

As per the Boroondara Council website (http://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/our-city/parks-gardens/popular-gardens):

"Canterbury Gardens, located at 190B Canterbury Road, Canterbury, are an example of the Gardenesque style of gardens from the early 1900s.Today, a selection of established trees from this time survives but few of the original smaller plants still exist. The park features rolling lawns, specimen trees and superb, colourful displays of perennial borders and annual beds.The gardens are situated on an area of former market gardens and farms. In the 1850s W Creek, or West Creek as it became known, traversed the property and passed under a long culvert at the lowest point of Canterbury Road. This has since been sentunderground leaving the valley dry.The land was fenced in 1903 and named Canterbury Reserve after Viscount Canterbury the Governor of Victoria (1866–1873). Since the 1940s Carols by Candlelight has been held in the gardens, and it is a popular venue for local residents' celebrations – the setting is ideal for weddings – and recreation throughout the year."

They are quite small in size, however, near the western entrance (off Chaucer Crescent) is a beautiful area with many different flowers, as well as a whole display of roses. There are also further beautiful bushes on the perimeter of the park, offering additional flowery bushes, visited by bees, butterflies and other insects.

This is a great opportunity to catch many varieties of macro and close-up photos, and even though I went around lunchtime on a very sunny day, I still managed to get a few shots (some of them posted on my +500px gallery - https://500px.com/GRoyer/sets/discover_canterbury_gardens): 

I would highly recommend this little garden if you are in the area, either for a photography trip or just a nice stroll along the shadowed alleyways. Definitely worth a visit, and, in my case, another few visits. I'm also interested how the different trees and bushes will change with the seasons, offering no doubt endless photographic opportunities.

Please let me know if you have similarly discovered gardens like these, especially if you are a fellow photographer.