Rose Bush

We'd just come back from walking the dog and notice the late afternoon light on the Rose Bush.

The first shot, before I remembered to turn down the ISO from 6400 - but as it happens, I quite like the effect. Unlike the previous shots that were monochrome with a tint added, this is original colour, left a tad cool, but colour none the less.

A bit more editing - darker along the bottom on the right, a tad more local contrast in the spouts, and just a whisp of raising highlights in the same area. Oh yes, and a tad more toning.

Kettles

More with the Velvet 56 - I'm really liking this lens - especially if there are specular highlights that can be flared - in this case stainless kettles in an industrial kitchen.

Death Valley Floor

Found on the ground in a mostly deserted town in Death Valley. Shot on a Phase One that was part of the workshop.

Garden In Snow

First Snowfall

Soft light, flare prone Velvet 56 lens, Sunflower in snow.

Lensbaby Velvet 56 - Cotoneaster

I'd never been fully satisfied with the Lensbaby Composer, except in one situation - where I used it for close work with an extension tube - this eliminated the distorted edges and came closer to the dreamy look I wanted. Recently though, I was made aware of the Velvet 56 and it seemed to have several characteristics I was looking for - the right look and the ability to do close work without adding extension tubes. This shot was made in our back yard.

Discovery WIldlife Park

As close as I'll ever get to a safari and a very pleasant experience, Bring you chain link fence filter. This was shot while it was still foggy, the fence close enough and the lion far enough for the fence to blur out, 300 mm. f5.6 on the Pentax 645Z, oh yes, and ISO 6400.