Visions and Nature Image: Wood Anemone | Editors Pick
Posted on March 16, 2013
NatureScapes.NET Macro and Flower Gallery : Editors Pick
Wood Anemoon
St. Flour L’Etang| Auvergne, France
Its March and today we had snowstorms as if we are in the middle of Winter. Normally I would already cowl on the flour to look at the first flower buds or even the very first flowers. This image is from last April (2012), lets hope Spring will arrive soon …..
Some feedback so far:
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nice colour pallette … an overall outsanding dreamy effect…nicely done.
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Pretty wide-open look, nice textured background, lovely foliage.
I’ll think spring for you! We just had 6 inches of snow, but it’s melted now. -
Very nice.We are just getting Spring-like here in the Southeast
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Fantastic soft color and light , sweet image
- Somehow I missed this one! Congratulations on EP! The neutral tones in the BG with hints of grass is lovely & I like the way the flower is just peeking out!
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A beautiful representation of this spring beauty – you had me all excited for a moment until I read this was from last year. It’s the same over here, snow all week, and now rain – spring seems to have gone missing this year
Other editors picks so far (2013):
- Snow waves- Landscape Forum
- Like a frame -Landscapes forum
- Falling snow – Landscapes Forum
- Lake with mist- Landscapes forum
- Abstract gras scene – Macro and flower forum
Nature Photography in Your Own Backyard
Posted on June 6, 2012
by Kristel Schneider
Nature Photography in your Backyard sounds easy but you still have to walk around and look for the right light, different angles and backgrounds to create an interesting image.
Yesterday afternoon I decided to remove the dust from my Sigma 150mm macro lens. I noticed that lately I was stuck to my 300mm L 4.0 lens for close-up photography so I made myself walk around with the Sigma lens and I looked for a nice insect or a nice flower.
This little Crab Spider (Thomisidae) was waiting for its next pray. I did not see the spider at first because it was white and sitting on a white flower.
For me ‘the white on white’ was interesting so I looked around for some nice soft background light. I turned and turned to get another flower in the upper part of the frame to make the composition complete. 
The white little spider has two orange/red stripes and while I was looking for different angles I noticed an orange Lily nearby. In my mind this could be a nice repetition of the two colors and the white from the flower against the orange background would provide a nice color contrast. While waiting for the little spider to move into the right position on the flower I walked around and tried out different angles and positions.
Both images were taken with a Canon 5DMII -Sigma 150 Macro lens, natural light.
Nature backyard photography tips:
- Look for an interesting subject (flowerbeds, insects, different details, water movement, etc.) and study it.
- Think about different compositions.
- Look for the right light (natural light or fill flash, reflectors)
- Look for a nice background color and/or elements.
- Walk around your subject and try out different angles.
A study of nature patterns
Posted on March 31, 2012
by Kristel Schneider
During my photography workshops I always mention that to take an interesting photo requires certain skills. A very important one is to have an eye for details, color and structure. A good exercise is to look at patterns and details in nature. You can go to a forest or in my case a mountain field with lots of rocks.
I just looked at pattern and details on rocks and little stones. Before you know it you get sucked in all the nice color contrasts and then the goal is to focus on a nice frame.
Here are some examples of my study of nature patterns. All taken with a Canon 5DMII – Sigma 150 macro lens and a tripod.
Autumn Photography
Posted on November 11, 2011
Autumn Photography
by Kristel Schneider
Autumn, one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. A season full with colors and atmosphere .
Every year the Autumn season makes a photographer’s heart go faster and every year is different. This year the season was late, the climate was too warm to bring out the nice autumn colors on the trees. But when the trees finally are at their best, photographers have to act quick because the top season does not last long. Rain and wind can destroy the scenery overnight. The sun is not always required for Autumn photography an overcast day and mist are great weather conditions to get these colors popup.
TIPS for successful Autumn Photography:
– go out even if the weather is cloudy and grey
– get up early to get the first light even in combination with mist.
– use a polarization filter, the colors get more intense and the filter is also very useful for
wet leaves reflection .
– look at your white balance settings, try out different modes.
– when taking photos of mushrooms look at your background to create a nice color
contrast.
Even the late Autumn colors (red/brown tints) are nice to capture in landscape photography. So although this year may not have been the top Autumn season, even now, in November, it is still nice to go out and enjoy some mushrooms and the late season colors.
New autumn workshop/tour dates available for 2012.
Interview Kristel
Posted on May 28, 2011
Nature photographer Mike Moats has interviewed me about Macro Photography for his Blog: Tiny Landscapes.
You can read the interview here.
Visit Kristels website: click on logo
Visions and Nature 