As I continue my explorations into ICM photography, I am also in the process of photographing some local wildflowers. In the end of the spring, when the invasive grass turns brown along with everything else, I hope I will have a small gallery showcasing a local selection of wildflowers in their full color.
For the moment, a black and white composition portraying the Tufted Poppy,Eschscholzia caespitosa, seemed appropriate, since right now everybody else on social media is showing them in their full luminous orange hue. The California poppy is the official state flower and is very abundant now, covering hills and valleys. The photo above, entitled Tufted Poppy, 2021, is a welcome addition to myGeoGalleries’ offerings.
And since I refuse to take myself too seriously, I proudly present my fashion- conscious outfit when i go out chasing flowers. I am allergic to pollen and a spring day in the field is a dangerous endeavor for me. By covering my airways and hair, dressing in layers that I can peal off when I am driving, showering when I arrive home and taking anti-histamine, I usually get through the spring without a single allergy attack.
Location: Stebbins Cold Canyon Natural Preserve near Winters, California, USA;
Equipment: Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 105mm F2.8; diffuser;
Settings: f/5.6, 1/2500 s, ISO 320;
Tips: One irritating thing about this flower is that it only opens fully in full sun. To photograph it properly, chances are that you will need to use a diffuser. For this angle, I laid down on the ground, while the flowers were on a slope. Pay attention that the background is not glowing otherwise the background will steal the thunder of your image. I added grain to the black and white photograph.
It is all about the light 
Love the mask! I learned last year that an N-95 helps me deal with my allergy attacks. Whatever works, right! I love your photography, and I’m glad you’ve found a way to make it possible even during allergy season. 🙂 (This is another reason why I’ve never become too involved with plein air painting.)
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Thank you. I don’t need PPE grade mask, but a screen between pollen and I makes a lot of a difference. I wish I could move to the desert 😉
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I tried going out with a simpler cloth mask, and it wasn’t so effective. The N-95 works wonders for me. Fortunately, since my husband is in the health care field, he was given a good supply to use. He thought of me and my allergies at once. 🙂 It makes such a difference!
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Beautiful poppy!
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Yes, beautiful short season here!
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Very nicely done. I like the careful arrangement of the stems and flowers in your frame. Clean, simple and elegant.
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Thank you!
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Simply stunning photo. Love that composition. The allergies suck I’m sure.
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Thank you! Hey, this year and last year no one looked at me like I’m crazy or asked me why I’m wearing a mask 😂.
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My sympathies on the pollen allergies. Looks like you have a system for addressing it though!
I can relate to your comments on flowers that only open in full sun. We have quite a few spring ephemerals here that behave the same way. I’ve had more than a few compositions I’ve had to walk away from because of those bright backgrounds I couldn’t diffuse.
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Lol I my photography mentor used to say “ it’s about the background “ 😉
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yes, I’ve encountered the same philosophy, it can ruin things for sure
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You struck a good balance by having flower “echoes” in the lower part of the image but not in the upper part, where they might well have distracted from your primary poppy in the foreground.
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yes it might have.
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Love both pictures. I now understand that ‘double masking’ means to wear one on top of your hat!😬
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LOL that’s what it means!
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A fresh approach to a flower that is usually identified primarily by it’s colour. I love the composition.
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Thank you.
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