Easter Lilies, Belle Isle Conservatory, Detroit, Michigan
Photographed today on a family trip with my wife Lisa to the Belle Isle Conservatory near Downtown Detroit, Michigan. Since the conservatory is crowded this time of year, as well as it being primarily a trip for family photos – I was sans-tripod. It feels very strange for me to photograph without a tripod – almost to the point of paranoia. For those of you who photograph with one regularly – I think you know what I mean. Fortunately I was able to crank up my ISO on my D700 and with a VR 105 mm lens – it helped alleviate my nervousness. This was only ISO 800.
This particular image seemed to have a certain balance to it that I liked. It is something that can be difficult for me to achieve with often chaotic groups of flowers.
What a nice site.It is full with beautiful shots.It is influenced me resting.
Thanks for sharing of these shots with us.We have need from such sites like this.
lol, I’m with Lana on this one. I wouldnt say I abhor a tripod just too lazy to carry one. I need to get over that too. Although I’d feel like an idoit with one in the sea (when I most need one) 😉
Very pretty, of course. Personally I abhor a tripod, although I really need to “get over it.” I blow too many shots by not using one, y’know? Good thing I’m shooting digital!
Hi Mark – you know I love this photo with the lillies. I have entirely given up on wanting to know these days which software is available and which other equipment. I have realized that in the meanwhile too many people forget about the pure joy of taking a photo of something simple without any schnickschnack. The hunt for the best technical and the most artistic photo has taken over and people forget to see life itself and the pure enjoyment of it.
I am recovering from having been quite ill and realize myself once more that there is nothing more important than health and a pair of eyes to see our sourroundings – now filled with beautiful blooms and blossoms, living creatures small and big, a humming and chirping, sounds that fill the air – all the best that life can offer!
Greetings, Petra
Uh, oh. This kind of sharpness shooting handheld might result in a lonely tripod now and again.
This is mesmerizing. There is something about the lines in it that keep pulling me deeper into the image.
I hear you Mark – I feel guilty when I don’t use my tripod. Handheld or not, the image looks great!
I know exactly what you mean. This time of year I find myself photographing tiny wildflowers that require me to get down with my chin buried in the ground. The tripod just doesn’t cut it with those shots so I handhold. It feels almost unnatural. That said, nice job on the lilies. I just did some lilies yesterday but stuck with Callas – as in lilies not Maria!
Mark, excellant sharpness and detail–seems your nervousness of shooting handheld was unfounded. I’ve found the Nikon 105mm VR to be an excellant lens.
I understand what you mean about the tripod–if I’ve been shooting with tripod for a period I’ll experience strong “tripod-dependency syndrome” when switching to handheld. Luckily for me it passes quickly.