Natural Patterns in color: A Captivating lichen on a rock in Vacaville

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When conditions are bad for botanical photography, patterns and textures sometimes save the day.

A couple weeks ago I went to the Browns Valley Open Space Preserve in Vacaville. Yes I had a sprained ankle and no, I should not have been there. But I was and I had a camera with me.

I was not surprised to find the lichen pattern of the FEATURED PHOTOGRAPH on the rocks I intended to climb, precisely because I had seen similar lichen in another nearby park. And although I have photographed similar lichen patterns before, I could not resit this one.

In order to photograph patterns, it’s important that they are illuminated by soft, even light. Also, make sure that you have a shutter speed that is consistent with your lens’s focal length (twice the focal length number is often a good shutter speed), and narrow aperture (at least f/8 but this will vary according to your distance to the subject, lens etc). A tripod may come in handy. The FEATURED PHOTOGRAPH (f/4 1/250s, ISO 220) was taken in the shade, handled, with the camera on a tripod. The Nikkor 40mm f/2.0 turned a very sharp and detailed image.

I invite you to look at other natural patterns in color I have on my pixels website.

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8 responses to “Natural Patterns in color: A Captivating lichen on a rock in Vacaville”

  1. Steve Schwartzman Avatar

    Lichens are fun to photograph, no question. Ten years ago we spent a day at the Field Museum in Chicago, where I was pleased to find a room devoted to exhibits about lichens.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

      Those exhibits are rare…

      Like

      1. Steve Schwartzman Avatar

        Seeing a whole room devoted to lichens surprised (and pleased) me. I don’t know that I ever saw a room like that in any other natural history museum.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. shoreacres Avatar

    I love seeing the brown and the blue-gray together; they complement one another beautifully. The brown lichens look like cut velvet. By any chance did you touch them, to feel the texture?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

      Yes I did! Very nice to the touch.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Steve Schwartzman Avatar

        Maybe some future version of the Internet will be able to convey the feel and scent of something along with its image, and people will feel sorry for us that we were so limited.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. howg2211 Avatar
    howg2211

    I love natural patterns and textures and this is a great photo and example of why I do! It almost looks like an aerial photograph.

    Like

    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

      Yeah I get that it looks like it almost. Thank you.

      Like

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