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!

"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!

"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

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!

"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!

"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!

"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!

"A Flower's Genitals" posted on 500px gallery

Yesterday, I took a few shots of petunias in the garden. With summer here in Melbourne, the flowers my wife planted are in full bloom, and petunias of all colours are ready for me to take their portrait.

This one is a macro of the centre of the flower, showing the genitals of the petunia. That's what you call a nude portrait in flower photography, I guess! 

It was shot in full sunlight, about 4pm, and I also added the fill-in flash, so this gives to the surrounding petals a high key effect that I didn't mind at all, giving emphasis to the centre, yet showing the purple lines in the petals.

Let me know what you think...

"A Flower's Genitals" - (c) Gilles Royer 2014

And here is the link to the photo on +500px gallery: https://500px.com/photo/92502149/a-flower's-genitals-by-gilles-royer

Have a beautiful weekend!

2 new photos in my gallery!

Today, I posted not only one, but 2 photos in my +500px gallery, both taken in the back garden this afternoon - a beautiful sunny spring day here in Melbourne.

First is a shot of a geranium, taken against the bright blue sky, from underneath - quite unconventional composition, but I'm happy with the high key effect, and the pastel tones in the petals

"The Back of a Geranium" (c) Gilles Royer 2014

The link to 500px is here -> https://500px.com/photo/86031959/the-back-of-a-geranium-by-gilles-royer

The second one is one from many shots of bees in the lavender - this one turned out quite sharp, with a nice glow of light reflecting on the shiny black parts of the body

"Afternoon Tea" (c) Gilles Royer 2014

The link to 500px is here -> https://500px.com/photo/86034809/afternoon-tea-by-gilles-royer?from=user_library

Happy spring!

"Portrait of an Hoverfly" posted on 500px.com

Today I was playing outside with my daughter when I noticed a little bug on her. Coming closer, it was an hoverfly, that wouldn't move out. Upon closer examination, I quickly found that this was because of a broken wing.

I went to get my camera - the fly still on my daughter, not scared at all by the "bebete" (French for little bug / insect) - and came back to take a few shots. This one is my preferred one, and one of the few with focus spot on on the eye:

"Portrait of an Hoverfly" (c) Gilles Royer 2014

I also posted it on my +500px gallery under the following link:
https://500px.com/photo/85330385/portrait-of-an-hoverfly-by-gilles-royer

This was a great opportunity to take a macro shot of that fly, otherwise, I don't know how to get those close-ups of flying insects - they don't stay very long on one spot!

If you have any tips on how to take insect macros, please share them!

"Pink Camellia #2" posted on +500px

Another shot of the blossoming camellia in the garden

"Pink Camellia #2" (c) Gilles Royer 2014

I've posted it in my +500px gallery, under the below link:
https://500px.com/photo/84836501/pink-camellia-%232-by-gilles-royer

"White Azalea" photo posted

This shot of a white azalea, taken in my front garden yesterday, under natural light, has been posted on my 500px gallery (http://500px.com/photo/84103847/white-azalea-by-gilles-royer) as well on the Kujaja.com site (http://www.kujaja.com/en/photo/39575)

Hope you enjoy. If you do, please leave me your comments / impressions

"White Azalea" (c) Gilles Royer 2014

"Azalea Explosion" posted on 500px gallery

Just posted on 500px (http://500px.com/photo/83878055/azalea-explosion-by-gilles-royer) this shot of an azalea, grown in my front garden, and taken in my improvised garage studio

Hope you enjoy!

"Spring Has Arrived!" photo posted

Down Under, in Melbourne, this is Spring time - perfect season to get a beautiful strong light, as well as heaps of flowers and blossoms. 

Below is an example of this - a blossoming tree, taken just around the corner from where I live. I love the pink colours and tones, contrasting with the blue sky.

"Spring Has Arrived!" (c) Gilles Royer 2014

I've also posted the photos in my 2 active galleries:

• 500px.com -> http://500px.com/photo/83235135/spring-has-arrived!-by-gilles-royer
• Kujaja.com -> http://www.kujaja.com/en/photo/38422

Please let me know your views

"Lost in Bokeh" uploaded on 500px gallery

This is shot over the weekend in the garden - Saturday was a beautiful sunny winter day (winter has been too long and cold this year in Melbourne, bring us spring!), so I ventured in the garden.

This was effectively a weed flower in one of the pot plants, but is still very beautiful, and the contrast of the yellow on the green background worked quite well.

"Lost in Bokeh" (c) Gilles Royer 2014

The more I use my Tamron macro lens (the 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro), the more I like it. It's an excellent package for a reasonable price, and produces very nice bokeh in backgrounds. 

And here is the link to the 500px gallery:
http://500px.com/photo/80905223/lost-in-bokeh-by-gilles-royer

Thanks for stopping by!