Lotus photography, William Land Park

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June and July are the months when local Sacramento photographers go crazy  about the lotus flowers at the William Land Park. Although I have photographed many for the third year in a row, I am finding it difficult to pick one I would like to share. However, I do feel a little more enthusiastic about the photos I took of the lotus leaves dancing in the wind. 

Summer is a low time for photography. Harsh light, long days, heat waves, haze, expensive gasoline, expensive lodging, crowds, fire, smoke. I long for the soft light of the autumn, the cool, clear and clean air.

Location: William Land Park, Sacramento, CA, USA;

Equipment: Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm F2.8G;

Settings: 200mm, f/3.2, 1/4000”, ISO 250;

Tips: Unlike the leaves in two of my previous posts, Anatomy of a monocot leaf and Branching patterns, which were illuminated from behind with the help of a speed-light, the lotus leaf above was completely illuminated from behind by the sun. The wind was blowing on the leaves and they were dancing with it. I used a fast shutter speed to freeze their movement.

If you are fascinated by leaf photographs, take at my leaf portfolio.

 

8 responses to “Lotus photography, William Land Park”

  1. Michael Scandling Avatar

    Beautiful. I love the natural back light. And I long for winter skies over a stormy Pacific.

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

      Thank you. I have been thinking about going to Sonoma for the foggy ocean on 100 F days but staying home has been more motivating so far… it’s hit or miss with the fog there.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Steve Schwartzman Avatar

    You’ve got some excellent pictures in your chloroplast portfolio, with its emphasis on patterns and lighting. In this post you mention not liking harsh light, but that can lead to stark pictures playing shadows off against light.

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

      Thanks you. It is correct what you wrote about harsh light and the very picture on this post was taken with harsh light.

      Like

  3. indianeskitchen Avatar

    Such a beautiful picture I love the lotus and their flowers.

    Like

  4. Celebrating the sunflower season – It is all about the light Avatar

    […] photography in Sacramento  goes through seasonal cycles. In the summer, besides the Lotus photography at the William Land Park, photographers fiercely chase the abundant sunflowers in the nearby fields. After all, California […]

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  5. The Dogwood flower season in Sacramento (California, USA) – It is all about the light Avatar

    […] year I wrote about one tradition among photographers from the Sacramento area, photographing Lotus flowers at the William Land Park in the summer, but I somehow managed to skip the Spring’s Dogwood flower season in town. Every […]

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  6. Celebrating the sunflower season in 2023 with an image from 2021 – It is all about the light Avatar

    […] in Sacramento is seasonal. In the summer, there used to be Lotus photography at the William Land Park, in addition to chasing the abundant sunflowers in the nearby fields. The pond has been drained and […]

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