Monday, March 3, 2008

AOL Community Photo Challenge - March into Spring {Advanced}

ADVANCED CATEGORY - MARCH INTO SPRING

This week's challenge is MARCH INTO SPRING...Is spring popping up in your neighborhood? Daffodils and crocuses popping up through the snow? However spring is arriving (or did in the past, if you're still snowbound), share it with us!

This week's Photo Challenge made me take a close look around and, sure enough, there it was!  Spring popping up right there in my yard.  Here is my entry for the March Into Spring Photo Challenge.  The top pic is the official entry, the second one I included because I thought it was a good shot and deserved to be seen, too.  There is still plenty of time to join the Challenge, all are welcome to participate.  Click the Photo Challenge banner above, or right here:  Community Photo Challenge.

I used a new set of close up filters that I recently purchased.  This is the first time I have tried using them.  There are three in the set with a magnification of 1X, 2X, and 4X.  They are stackable, so you could have the equivalent of 7X if you cared to.  For these two shots I stacked the 4X and the 2X.  I found I cold get closer and more detail with these filters than I could with the macro setting on my camera.  I shot some with that setting two, for later comparison, and I really did like the new filters better.  I did not crop these at all they are framed just as they were in my viewfinder.  I also played with contrast, color temperature and saturation when I developed the raw files.

The trip to Athens came and went without incident.  I did not get to shoot any pictures while I was there.  My fault more than anything else, but I'll blame horrible weather on the second day.  I spent the first day driving around the town and walking around the campus of the University of Georgia.  I fully expected to come back the next day and shoot anything of interest I had noted.  However, the skies opened up on that second day and it was not fit for man or beast outside.  I'll plan and execute better next year when we go to the same training seminar.

Well, I'm looking forward to getting around and seeing all the other entries in this week's Challenge.  I'm sure I'll be treated to a lot of good photography!

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those blooms are lovely ,what a lovely picture ..love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

I needed your beautiful roses :)....makes me feel so much better!!!! No snow :).
Betty

Anonymous said...

Lovely Sam, the flowers are just bursting with vibrant salmon color, which is one of my favorite colors!!....Nice composition on both photos.
Marie

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful Sam. I used to have a bush of Camillas that color. You did good. Helen

Anonymous said...

Very pretty!  I'm not playing in the photo challenge anymore cause the same people win all the time.  LMAO... I think I see a winner in this entry!  :)

Anonymous said...

Sam...absolutely beautiful flowers. I love the way the two in the first photo seem to be leaning in and whispering to each other. Wonderful image of spring!
Vicki

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful! Sure looks like "spring has sprung" :-)
Martha ~

Anonymous said...

can I just say you suck!!   LOL  Ok.. ya don't and the pictures are gorgeous!!!  In my neck of the woods it got warm today... about 60 and it started melting some of the ice and snow... it was a bit warm yesterday too.  ... but alas winter is still here and they are calling for a winter storm later this evening with more snow.  I'd be hard pressed to find these beauties anytime soon.  It's not fair!!!!
hugs
d

Anonymous said...

Simply Beee-u-ti-ful Sam!  

~Bethe     http://journals.aol.com/sunnybethe/palm-harbor/~

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Sam........makes me want to touch the petals.  Anne

Anonymous said...

Nice Shots!

Are the close up filters designed especially for your camera? They sound like a nice addition to the shooting arsenal.

Anonymous said...

Great Camelia shot, Sam.  Those close-up filters were sharp all the way to the edges of the frame.  And the detail in the petals is super.
Clyde

Anonymous said...

Oh, my gosh, those filters work(ed) great!  Beautiful, beautiful flower ... and this will sound hokey, but it's beauty, it's essence, reminds me of how you treat each of us here in J-land....

Good luck with this entry!  

Anonymous said...

Gaaahhh ... I meant to say its, its.  Not it's.  lol

Anonymous said...

Oh....very nice texture.   I like the 2nd one best for that reason.  Both are quite lovely though!  I just shot some roses and got a similar...not as good...photo.  
Gotta get me some filters I reckon.

Nance

Anonymous said...

Oh that is so pretty. My grandfather used to grow Camelias..that is some camera you have and you have such a good eye...thanks...be well, Sandi

Anonymous said...

what beautiful flowers!

Anonymous said...

Sam that is a beautiful photograph I almost felt I could put my hand out and pick that Camellia ~ Sorry the weather turned bad and you didn't get any pictures in Athens ~ Hope the training seminar went well for Paulette~ Ally x

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous Camellia's Sam.  Yes Spring is showing in NC too.  The Red Buds and Cherry's.......ah and my allergies!
Too bad about the weather in Athens...could have gotten some sweet shots I'm sure.
Take care,
Sharon

Anonymous said...

fabulous photos...
connie

Anonymous said...

Great color...so cheerful...nice job.

B.

Anonymous said...

the pictures are beautiful, spring has made a mark on our garden with buds on the trees and daffs and crocus flowers brightening up the place.
Debbie
xxx

Anonymous said...

Very lovely!  Linda

Anonymous said...

beautiful.
gina

Anonymous said...

Wow these are great!
Very nice!
Linda :)

Anonymous said...

I love the detail in those petals!  So much so, that I am inspired to ask you what kind of camera and filter set you are using.  I am in the market for a camera right now, and am taking suggestions.  I used to be a pretty good photographer when I worked for a newspaper and would love to get back into it.
Thanks!
Lori

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures :)

Gretchen

Anonymous said...

Oh m'gosh Sam!  That second one is just lovely.  Bummer on Athens...I forgot to mention a really neat little walk-up coffee stop on a corner there...tiny place, and the line goes down the sidewalk (my beloved Starbucks is just around the corner too!). ;)  C.

Anonymous said...

The second o ne is the best I think. Athens is besutiful isn't it?

Anonymous said...

 I love the photo.  It is so hard to shoot pick or yellow.  You did a great job.  

                        Julie

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh....you have flowers......I'm sooo jealous! Beautiful pictures of course and now I'm off to search my yard for anything that resembles signs of spring.
Rebecca

Anonymous said...

I actually prefer the bottom picture - I've never been able to grab a good close-up shot of anything, no doubt due to the cheap equipment I have :)

Dan

http://journals.aol.com/slapinions/Slap-Inionscom

Anonymous said...

Lovely, beautiful photos! Hope you are ok. Sorry I have not visited for ages. Laine xxx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/elainey2465/laines-world/

Anonymous said...

Great job with the pics, Sam!  I am so glad Spring is in the air!  Sorry you didn't get the photos you wanted on your trip.  I know how disappointing that can be.

Have a great weekend!~

Susan

Anonymous said...

You got such nice depth of field with the stacked filters.  I had some of those for my old olympus and there was definately a sweet spot.

Beautiful images.  We have NO spring color here yet.  Thanks for sharing some of yours.

Kat

Anonymous said...

fantastic photos, really clear and the colour is amazing! I would love to paint these!!! take care mrs t xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mleppard06/eternity

Anonymous said...

No Spring in my neighborhood, especially not today.  We had snow!  Did you hear?  Yes, snow.  It didn't stick but it swirled around and looked just dandy.  But it was cold and I'm not much good in the cold.  I ended up snuggled in bed for a nap instead.  It was great!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pictures, Sam - I really love the colour of the flowers. Yes, spring is slowly arriving over here also.
Always, Rose~*

Anonymous said...

Wow these are absolutely stunning Sam!  Such detail - excellent.  CATHY

Anonymous said...

These are wonderful shots Sam, I love camellias! The detail in the petals is so good, a worthy entry for the Photo Challenge! Jeannette xx  

Anonymous said...

very beautiful Sam! thanks!
Happy Easter!
hugs,natalie

Anonymous said...

Really, really nice shots, particularly that second one. I'm a little envious because we haven't quite seen that much outdoor life just yet. Good job with the filters, looks like an old master at work!

Hope everything is well, my friend. Talk to you soon!

Jimmy

Anonymous said...

So that is what filters are for... lol... I got some with my camera when i bought it, but had no clue what to do with them.  I learnt something ;)

My Girl's middle name is from those gorgeous flowers (Camille).  I thought about Camilla, but didn't like the flow, not to mention all that drama across the pond that I didn't want her name to automatically make people think of.  (I know, I'm a little nuts.. lol)

Anyway, I love the detail on the second... and wondered if you second guessed yourself after you submitted the first one?  And I agree with Jimmy... we are not even close to having that kind of color showing up around here yet!  Just a tad envious on that front  :)

I can't wait to see what your camera shows us in the summer!

Cat~

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to stop by and let you know I'm still popping in. When are you going to update again?

Dan

http://journals.aol.com/slapinions/Slap-Inionscom

Anonymous said...

Just stopping by to say hi Sam and see if I missed a 'regatta entry'.  But I see I did not.  You must be working fast and furiously at the marina and so ... I say to you ... Happy Spring and Happy Summer! (well, okay, it's on its way)