Tag Archives: flowers

Photo of the Week – Betty Rembert

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Grasshoppers Beware! This Lady is Waiting for You.

Common Black and Yellow Garden Spider- Argiope aurantia

Common Black and Yellow Garden Spider- Argiope aurantia

What is required to make a common garden creature the subject of an interesting photo? A very strong focal point in sharp focus without a jumble of distracting objects, a composition that pleases the eye and a background that doesn’t interfere and confuse. It all comes together in this image. The soft focus on the delphinium buds also serves as a frame to help define the colorful and contrasting spider.
Betty used a Canon 5D fitted with an EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens zoomed in to its maximum focal length. The ISO was a low 200 and the shutter speed 1/40 sec. No tripod was used but good camera technique produced tack sharp focus. It’s worth taking a look at a cropped version to see the fine details, particularly the gray hairs which give the impression of tight wool knitting. Fascinating! Click here.

Photo of the Week – George Rembert

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Nature’s Quiet Fireworks.

George Rembert - Bursting Milkweed Pod

George Rembert - Bursting Milkweed Pod


This image goes back to November 1980, a Canon A-1 35mm SLR and color print film. A dry milkweed pod was brought into the house and placed on a table covered with a piece of dark green wool. The camera was mounted on a tripod and two flash units were connected to fire simultaneously. The shutter was set to 1/60 sec (the standard flash sync speed) and the correct aperture determined using a flash light meter. It would be the flash duration, not the shutter that would stop the action. The focus was set. The seed pod was then opened, the pressure inside the pod quickly forcing the seed out and the room air currents moving the seed away. There was time for only one shot before the scene was a jumbled mess. Fortunately everything worked as planned to produce this image-with an added good shot of luck.