Macro | Moore Images Photography

I began photographing the Cherry Blossoms around 2006. It is a photographic rite of passage for most DC photographers. Capturing these beautiful flowers with landscapes in the background becomes more difficult each year. I took my iconic shot “Sunrise through the Jefferson Memorial” in 2007 and looking for new creative shots is always my goal.

I was scheduled to do an engagement shoot and it was cancelled at the last minute. It worked out well because this was the peak day for the Cherry Blossoms. This unexpected free time was an invitation to exercise some creativity.

I carried the latest Canon camera and a great lens. Yet, I pulled out my iPhone and used the Instagram app. The simplicity of the device freed me of the complexities associated with a full-frame DSLR. It ironically became my best image.

Last year was a disappointment. A cloudy day greeted me after I arrived downtown at 6:00 AM. The dreary sky robbed me of a memorable sunrise and my camera began to malfunction. This year I avoided the sunrise and went to the Tidal Basin an hour or so before sunset. Since, this is the most popular time around the Tidal Basin, the challenge is finding people-free spots so no one photo-bombs my images. Getting up close, capturing details using the Macro function makes this an easier goal and the sun’s soft colors would reward me with beautiful images.

People travel from around the country to see the flower show. Capturing images apart from the basin can be keepers as well. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is very rewarding. The waterfalls are beautiful and adding people to the image provide great results.

As the light fades, my favorite time of day appears, Twilight. It also signals my time to depart. Before I left, I used my flash to softly light the blossoms with the Jefferson Memorial in the background. It capped a satisfying evening for me.

-Roger

I’m in the first few days of this year-long challenge. With four down and 361 more to go, the adage, “One day at a time” has never been truer. My plan is to provide periodic updates highlighting the photos taken.

The first image came to me a few weeks ago as I was looking at Deborah’s jewelry collection. She has an array of costume jewelry of many colors, shapes, and styles. They all hang from multiple wooden sculptures and meshed together it is quite a visual display.

The second group of images represents a spontaneous concept. I looked outside one morning and noticed the frost covered everything. It is always dreadful to look outside and see the car covered with frost. It indicates we have to spend 10+ minutes letting the car run with the defroster blasting. The alternative is to feverishly scrape a small hole to see out the driver’s side and make two clearings for the mirrors and hope the rest quickly melts while driving. The latter is never a good idea because it’s not safe and the car is freezing!

There is another way of viewing frost. It provides delicate dressing to the leaves and shrubbery that dare to withstand the bitter winter temperatures. Prior to melting away in the early morning sun, the small crystals adorning the flora display beautiful patterns. My neighbor had their small Christmas tree in the recycle bin. However, the small pine needles were covered with these frozen decorations. I captured other frost-covered greenery as well.

Flowers with dew drops on them are a beautiful site to behold. I enjoy photographing flowers that appear to have the morning dew on them. I’m not one for getting up in the morning to photograph it. So, I fake-the-funk by spraying water on them. However, frost represents the winter equivalent and it makes everyday shrubbery very photogenic.

Jesus says in Matt 6:28-29 that the lilies of the field were dressed more beautiful than Solomon, the richest man in the world. Although I didn’t photograph any lilies, the frost-covered plants I captured, were impressively dressed.

-Roger

Tag: Macro

The Cherry Blossoms

PhotoChallenge 365 Part I