Posts Tagged ‘blooms’

2016 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Butterflies LIVE! at Lewis Ginter Botanical Graden ©TimeLine Media
Butterflies LIVE! at Lewis Ginter Botanical Graden ©TimeLine Media

Richmond, Virginia

During a free weekend, we visited the 2016 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Butterflies LIVE! was open in a special collection, so we made the trip to Richmond. Given that this was our first visit to this garden, we were really impressed! My uncle is an excellent gardener so he was excited about looking at their displays in particular the irises.

Flowering plants at Richmond Virginia Botanical Graden ©TimeLine Media

Flower photography compared to other genres of photography is both difficult and easy. Why? Your subject does not move. In order to get different angles, you can move yourself and work the scene. Second, this subject has great colors to work with! Similarly to a model with colorful dresses, flowers have many combinations to work with. On the other hand, it can be difficult to master flower photography. Since it is easy to see the beauty in a flower, and because they are plentiful, there are so many examples out there! To standout, you would have to have many factors come together to make a flower photo stand out. Sine this was just a family trip to the gardens, I do not think any of these are anything to write home about. I did have some ideas for future visits – hopefully I’ll get some before the flowers go this season!

Flowering plants at Richmond Virginia Botanical Graden ©TimeLine Media
Flowering plants at Richmond Virginia Botanical Graden ©TimeLine Media
Flowering plants at Richmond Virginia Botanical Graden ©TimeLine Media
Flowering plants at Richmond Virginia Botanical Graden ©TimeLine Media
Flowering plants at Lewis Ginter Botanical Graden ©TimeLine Media
Butterflies LIVE! at Lewis Ginter Botanical Graden ©TimeLine Media

This weekend, there were butterflies on display in a section of the garden. Given that this was the first time I have been in an indoor butterfly garden, it was a bit unnerving for me! Once I got used to the very thin, flying creatures in the room, I was able to attempt some photos. Even though these are not as prevalent as flower photos, I still did not get anything that notable. I did enjoy the day with the family, and that was goal for the day anyway!

Butterflies LIVE! at Lewis Ginter Botanical Graden ©TimeLine Media
Butterflies LIVE! - image of butterly in Richmond, VA exhitibit ©TimeLine Media
Butterflies LIVE! at Lewis Ginter Botanical Graden ©TimeLine Media

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2016 Cherry Blossoms

2016 Cherry Blossoms and the Washington Monument ©TimeLine Media
2016 Cherry Blossoms and the Washington Monument ©TimeLine Media

Washington, DC

Late March 2016 – the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin were in full bloom. Since this is a regular occurrence, it is an annual event for me to arrange. As can be seen in the photos, I am not the only one with that idea!

2016 Cherry Blossoms and the Jefferson Memorial ©TimeLine Media
2016 Cherry Blossoms and the Jefferson Memorial ©TimeLine Media

I am a sucker for these beautiful blooms. For one thing, they are highly publicized when they are ready to flower, so everyone has plenty of time to plan. Although the crowds get larger every year, they are still worth going through the hardship to see.

Washington, DC Tidal Basin cherry blossoms full bloom ©TimeLine Media
Washington, DC Tidal Basin cherry blossoms full bloom ©TimeLine Media

They also signal the end of a long winter in the light of springtime popping up in the gardens around the blossoms. Undeniably, they add so much to the urban photo made of our nation’s capital. Moreover they signify a peace between the USA and Japan that is rekindled every Spring.

Washington, DC Tidal Basin cherry blossoms ©TimeLine Media

You can easily spend hours at the Tidal Basin in order to see the blossoms in different light. As the sun dips in the horizon, the colors will change for the most part. With the easy walk in the city, it is worth taking the time.

Washington, DC Tidal Basin cherry blossoms in the early evening ©TimeLine Media
Washington, DC Tidal Basin cherry blossoms in the early evening ©TimeLine Media
Washington, DC Tidal Basin cherry blossoms in the early evening ©TimeLine Media

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Cherry Blossoms Part 2

Washington, DC Sunrise Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media

Tidal Basin

The time for the cherry blossoms decorating our streets has now passed. I had a note to go back and post more from this time since I made a lot of images by the Tidal Basin in downtown DC. It was the latest that the blossoms reached their peak with the extended winter that we had in this area. Luckily, we were treated to a great display that was perfect for photographers from sunrise to sunset.

Peak Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Peak Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

These images were from sunrise by the Jefferson Memorial. There were many other photographers right around me, but everyone was very careful to stay out of everyone’s shots. I staked out a place high on the hill in between some cherry trees to attempt the often-done Memorials through blossoms. This is the first time I had attempted it so early in the morning. I will be making an effort to do this every year from now on!

Washington, DC Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Washington, DC Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

Washington, DC

The golden light just before sunrise was especially strong in this area. With the height restrictions on buildings in Washington, DC, it allows for sunlight to reach the monuments and memorials without being obstructed. This particular morning, the clouds were kind to stay away for a little while after the sun broke through the horizon so everyone that was there this morning had perfect light. The strong orange sky was complimentary to the pink blooms making for a different color combination.

Washington, DC Sunrise Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Washington, DC Sunrise Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

Later in the day, the blooms are against a bright blue sky background. Most cherry blossoms images have this combination – classic and very good on film!

Fisheye Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Fisheye Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

Now different flowers are starting to bloom in the area. Azaleas, dogwoods, and soon the roses will start to bud. I’ll be sure to have my camera lenses cleaned and ready for them!

Macro Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Macro Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

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