Images of Scarborough Oct 1st 2011

Taken at 11am 1^st October 2011: A bright sunny day with clear blue skies. Using hand held Olympus E520 camera with 40 - 150mm and 70 - 300mm lenses.

These photographs were taken whilst away for a weekend in Scarborough whilst walking in the public gardens above the Esplanade.

f/5.6; ISO 400; 1/25 second; focal length 42mm (Image Stabilisation ON)

This photo of a decaying leaf has achieved my aim of a narrow depth of field. 

Ideally in bright sunlight a film speed (ISO setting) of 100 is preferred. This would lead to an image as crisp and clear as possible. To achieve this narrow depth of field an aperture as wide as possible is required (f/5.6 or less), which for ISO 100 would require an increased amount of light to reach the sensor for a correct exposure i.e. a slower shutter speed. However for a focal length of 42mm a minimum shutter speed of 1/40 second is required; with image stabilisation on the camera this could be reduced to 1/25 second.

The leaf itself appealed to me as a subject because of its:

• Colour – so grey in contrast to the vivid green of the surrounding leaves
• Shape – almost square, but with indistinct edges
• The holes that you can see straight through
• The concept of decay which in itself will lead to new growth amidst the life shown by the bright green leaves

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f/5.6; ISO 400; 1/40 second; focal length 300mm (Image Stabilisation ON)

I like this photo even though the ladybird did move to the wrong side of the leaf!! – Or did it? The image is very simple with just a few simple lines. The leaf on the left is highlighted and leads you to the leaf at the front which guides you up to the ladybird. The contrast in texture between the two leaves is also interesting. 

f/5.6; ISO 400; 1/60 second; focal length 300mm (Image Stabilisation ON)

This image has a narrow depth of field, and the subject (ladybird) is quite central. The mould spots on the leaf provide an interesting contrast to the green of the leaf. However the image is less satisfying. The wings of the ladybird are reflecting back the sunlight that was behind me, proving a distraction. I also think that cropping to move the ladybird to the left might help.

f/5.6; ISO 1600; 1/60 second; focal length 179mm (Image Stabilisation ON)

I really like this image. The wide aperture has given a narrow depth of field so that the whole focus is the flower yet there is a hint of the leaves behind; the 2 main colours (green and blue) complement each other well. I think the size of the flower is correct – any larger and it would overpower the whole image. At the moment the image is saying “Look at me – simple but beautiful”. Possibly moving the image to the left to include the ‘Rule of Thirds’ might help, but without seeing it I am unconvinced.

However, the use of ISO 1600 could well make the image very ‘noisy’, and reduces the crispness of the petals.

f/5.6; ISO 1600; 1/500 second; focal length 300mm (Image Stabilisation ON)

The high ISO setting has certainly created much noise, and since the wasp was not flying a slower shutter speed with ISO 100 or 200 may have been equally effective. However the fun bit is the 2 small insects to the left – I couldn’t even see them with my naked eye. Close up photography often shows such things e.g. for bird identification.

f/5.6; ISO 1600; 1/160 second; focal length 263mm (Image Stabilisation ON)

Again ISO1600 gives the photo too much noise. However the image is pleasing. It might need cropping to move the leaf to the left. I like the colour range with yellows both top left, top right and central (this effect might be lost if cropped); and the decaying leaf folding over and out of focus. Wasps are an image (by association) of ‘decay’ (as they feed on rotting fruit) and this image I feel shows the beauty of decay.

f/5.6; ISO 1600; 1/100 second; focal length 300mm (Image Stabilisation ON)

Again the ISO gives the image too much noise. The colour range is pleasing – yellows, browns, greens through to black. The reflection from the water helps to focus the eye on the struggling wasp, aided by the two vertical leaves and the pentagonal shape made.

f/5.6; ISO 1600; 1/320 second; focal length 300mm (Image Stabilisation ON)

This could have been a fascinating picture. ISO 1600 gives too much noise; use of a polarising filter may have reduced the reflection (although possibly to the detriment of the image). The colours are subtle and complementary; the wasp doesn’t dominate but is positioned according to the Rule of Thirds. However it is the parallel shadow on the left which gives this photo its interest.

The next three photos are all of a squirrel. They all show movement and give an idea of the type of image I would like to achieve within my own garden.

The settings for all were:

f/5.6; ISO 1600; 1/400 second; focal length 300mm (Image Stabilisation ON)

I like the narrow depth of field, and think the slanting horizontal gives a sense of fun to the picture.

This captures the eye of the squirrel – unfortunately he is not all within range! He stopped!

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This captures his movement – but he was too fast!

Lessons to be learnt.

• To go out and try again
• To change ISO settings more frequently
• Not to assume that movement equates with a requirement for a high ISO setting
• To continue to consider the composition of the photo rather than ‘just shoot and hope’

Health and Safety Concerns.

The photos were taken in a public garden, so my access was limited to this area. I needed to be careful not to impinge on anyone’s personal space, nor to trespass onto private ground. I also needed to be aware of my own safety and the security of my camera and other belongings – not to leave items unsupervised as I concentrated on taking photographs. As always any photographs should not damage the area nor any animals.