I had no expectations for photographing today. I didn't think that there would be that much difference from my shooting the day before but since I felt like being in the woods anyway off I went. I ended up taking 390 shots for ultimately five pictures and that isn't a complaint.
What struck me today was how magical this whole process is. I went to one of my regular spots, where there are a lot of violets, and found a clump that I had photographed before and there was one lone yellow blossom left and it was in good shape (a lot of the other flowers are becoming quite worn). Since I already have quite a few shots of violets I was just going to admire it and take a few shots. Soon after I started shooting the sun moved a little lower and cleared the forest canopy and began to back-light the flower and a portion of the leaves. I started going crazy, getting different frames and basically shooting non-stop while the light was so great. One reason I take so many shots when I am shooting macro, besides getting differently composed shots, is that the depth of field is unbelievably narrow. The challenge of focusing is two fold, one, I'm shooting hand-held so there is a slight motion just from my clicking the shutter and then if there is any breeze at all the moving flower makes it even more difficult to get good focus. So, for safety, I just shoot and shoot knowing that I can throw away bad shots when I get home.
It was a great day and I appreciate the grace that attended my efforts, the unexpected sun light on the violet and finding, on my way home, the jack-in-the-pulpit (picture above), again beautifully lit by the setting sun.
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