"Agapanthus Dream" posted on 500px gallery

Whilst the sun is out, I continue my collection of flower macro shots, this time finding a bunch of agapanthus around the corner from where I live. Those purple flowers are beautiful, and form balls of flowers, contrasting with the green of the plant itself.

This one is a bit closer, and is taken this afternoon in natural light - quite a harsh sunlight, but creating a beautiful soft, dreamy effect.

"Agapanthus Dream" - (c) Gilles Royer 2014

The link to my +500px gallery is as follows, if you have time please come and visit: https://500px.com/photo/92579873/agapanthus-dream-by-gilles-royer

Thanks again for stopping by!

"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!

"Chrysanthemum Heart" posted

Went into the garden this afternoon, and shot this macro of the heart of a pink chrysanthemum. I cropped it to remove some of the background at the top, and focus on the yellow centre

"Chrysanthemum Heart" (c) Gilles Royer 2014

The link to this photo in my +500px gallery is here: https://500px.com/photo/91855361/chrysanthemum-heart-by-gilles-royer

"Boats... an impression #3" posted on +500px

The third in the series, shot in Sandringham (Victoria, Australia) back in August. This series is inspired by the Impressionists, although this one is more after Georges Seurat because of its 'pointillism' feel - I know it's a far shot, but you get what I mean, I hope!

I edited a bit the photo in Aperture, to crop its format, and boost the light reflecting on the sea, and achieve more of a blue monochrome impression.

The photo is below, and I've also posted to my +500px gallery here: https://500px.com/photo/91272997

Boats... an impression #3 - (c) Gilles Royer 2014

For reference, this is my previous blog with the first 2 versions of the boats on the Port Phillip Bay. I think I prefer the B&W version. Let me know which one you prefer:
http://australianlightseeker.blogspot.com/2014/09/boats-impression-2-versions-posted-on.html

Thanks for your visit

"Another Day at Work" posted on @500px

Here's another shot of the patch of daisies, that is situated near my house. I've taken quite a few photos of those, and posted them on my 500px gallery - they make for very nice spring images. 

This particular one was taken whilst a bee was busy pollenating, already with a nice crop - look closely at her 'ankles' and you'll see she has a nice collection of pollen ready to take back to the hive.

"Another Day at Work" (c) Gilles Royer 2014

Here's the link to my 500px gallery: https://500px.com/photo/89779663

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!