Sunday, December 13, 2009

Experimenting with My Camera -- Christmas Cactus

I've been playing with the digital camera, trying to figure out how to use the flower close-up feature.

No, don't be silly. I haven't read the instructions yet. I like to figure things out for myself.

I practiced a little today by focusing on the blooms of my Christmas cactus plants. Since they consistently refuse to bloom the week of Christmas, it was now or wait until spring when they come back for a second round of blooms.

Here they are. I like this one the best:


The color is a bit too pale on this one. Too much flash, I think:


It's obvious I also need to pay more attention to the background. I may try all of these against the same dark background I used for the white flower. Maybe that would also help with the lighting.


I'm guessing this gorgeous red will really pop as well.


So, back to the drawing board. If I do better on the next try, I'll put up the new ones for comparison.

Okay, now back to work. I'm supposed to be writing. I'll bet none of you can procrastinate as well as I can.

7 comments:

Jemi Fraser said...

I love Christmas cactuses - I know it's cacti, but it always sounds silly to me :)

Have fun with your camera!

Patricia Stoltey said...

Hi Jemi, Welcome. I never say cacti either. From one procrastinator to another (according to your blog post), I'm avoiding working on the end of my novel. Seems like we're in the same boat. Let's grab our oars and row like crazy.

Mason Canyon said...

Oh, when it comes to being a top rate procrastinator, I'm right up there with you. Why do something now that you can do as well in 5 or 10 minutes .. right? The photos are beautiful. I totally understand about not reading the instructions, beside half the time they're written so you can't make sense out of them anyway.

Jeanie said...

I'm needing a new camera, and I've never read the instructions for the one I have. Wait a sec, maybe if I read the instructions I won't really be needing a new camera. Your pictures are great...in fact they have me back to thinking that I really do need a new camera.

Carol Kilgore said...

Beautiful! I love plants but both thumbs are black as coal. My sister and husband are both wonderful gardeners.

Jean said...

Check Out 5 Best and Inexpensive Digital Cameras as Christmas Gifts at http://www.thinknearn.com/2009/12/14/5-best-and-inexpensive-digital-cameras-as-christmas-gifts/

Pam said...

Here it is after 1:00 and I'm procrastinating going to bed! No, actually I have been reading your blog and all the cool stuff. You have done a fine job on your photos. I like the ones with the light backgrounds myself because of the light and texture. My cats are chirping at me, I'd better get to bed.