Leaf Thread

[Wombat]

Hi Folks

Have been wondering for a while where to post shots of leaves. They don't really seem to fit with the flower thread and they are not always that abstract. So here is a new thread for all you budding :D leaf enthusiasts who are lurking out there.

I'll make a start with a tricolor geranium leaf.

regards
Wombat

[gstafleu]

Good idea, wombat. Here is my contribution, I guess you could call it "budding leaves":
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/leaves1.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

I take photos of leaves also. thanks for starting the thread. I call this one, "Horns a plenty" hope you like

[Bald Eagle]

This one is naturally like this, must like the airflow.

[Bald Eagle]

not a flower, but lots of color.

[Bald Eagle]

Not a rose, but quite thorny.

[Wombat]

Hi gstafleu and Bald Eagle

Many thanks for your contributions and for joining the "green party". Great shots just showing how much diversity there is in plant world.

Here is my contribution for today - a fern leaf.

Canon A80, handheld, macro mode, ap. f/2.8, exp. 1/400s, exposure compensation -1/3.

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Here's a part of a leafy bush that I posted previously...
(The whole thing was posted in a droplets post)

[Wombat]

Here's a part of a leafy bush that I posted previously...
(The whole thing was posted in a droplets post)

Thanks for your shot - I remember the other one very well - I think it was an excellent example of gutation "crying leaves". That should have everyone rushing off to Google the word!

Here is a sedum otherwise known as the ice plant.

regards
Wombat

[gstafleu]

A back-lit leaf:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/backlitLeaf.jpg

[gstafleu]

A windmill of leaves:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/leafMill.jpg
(well, with a little imagination, that is)

[Wombat]

A windmill of leaves:
(well, with a little imagination, that is)

No imagination required - an apt description and a great capture of these soft leaves you can almost feel the texture. I like the backlit ones as well - now there's an idea.

I'll add a couple of fern leaves.

regards
Wombat

[meillana]

sunrays...
(anyone care for mangoes? :) )
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1020943.jpg

[meillana]

well.... not exactly leaves. hope you won't mind.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1030194.jpg

[Wombat]

sunrays...
(anyone care for mangoes? :) )


What a lovely shot meillana - excellent and interesting composition and the backlighting captures exactly the beatiful effect of dappled light - very atmospheric. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks also for the shot of the seeds - I love the diffuse background shading from white to green a great foil to the seeds themselves.

I suppose I should have made the thread the no-flowers thread :) Any and all shots of leaves, bark, twigs, shoots, mushrooms, lichens, roots, seeds, pods, etc. most welcome.

Here is one of my very first shot taken in macro mode. How my photographic skills have moved on with all the help and inspiration from this list.

regards
Wombat

[meillana]

thanks for such kind words wombat.
like you, having been immersed into this forum with great advise and eye from such a wonderful community, my eyes have now been truly open. thanks to all.
and, in as much as you've opened up this thread to include those you've mentioned.... ;)

here's a shot of a mango tree with creeping water vines....
was on a recon of an area to be developed (am an architect-planner by profession) and it was drizzling, thus the lack of blue sky... would've been perfect but alas.... (needs some PP tho)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1030139.jpg

[AllanC]

think this might just fall into this thread

[DiJ]

I just love these leaf pictures. Heres one of mine taken with a canon A80.

[Wombat]

meillana

So pleased you are enjoying yourself - this really is such a friendly forum full of some excellent photographers with lots of new ideas and views that they are only too willing to share.

AllanC

Thanks for the shot of the gorse? I really like the repeated symmetry of these thorns and you have caught that really well. If you really browse your shot it surprising how many shades of green there are - from almost yellow right through to almost blue.

DiJ
Thanks for the aloe? Yellow and green against blue - yummy and very sculptural. Interesting to know you also use a Canon A80 and to such good effect.

My PC is having some downtime for a few days but I will be back soon. Here's my contribution a very young Gunnera leaf. These plants are tremendous growing leaves up to 10 feet tall and several feet across - this is only a baby just out of its bud but was already 2 feet across.

Thanks everyone for sharing.

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Purple Smoke Tree!
It's got a fancy name - but this will do
G

[aparmley]

Ok... attemping something here... I want to see if it works.. don't curse me if it doesn't!

Leaf (http://Parmley.smugmug.com/photos/24697307-M.jpg)

[Bald Eagle]

and a little color. hope you like.

[Bald Eagle]

I liked this one.

[Geoff Chandler]

BE - as ever you've managed to find and capture a couple of really interesting shots. Great job!

[wall]

Great pics everyone. I'm suprised at the vast variety of foliage on these pages. It's quite a lesson in botany.

Don't know what kind they are, but I thought these were a bunch of pretty leaves with sunlight filtering in from above.

F/4; 1/125 sec; ISO 80
http://img212.echo.cx/img212/8249/p1000339edb9hn.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

BE - as ever you've managed to find and capture a couple of really interesting shots. Great job!
Thanks Geoff, very kind words and its very much appreciated.

[Geoff Chandler]

Been working in the garden - took the camera out with me...
Interesting leaf - anyone know what it is???

[DiJ]

Mint leaf? Nice capture BTW.

[Geoff Chandler]

Mint leaf? Nice capture BTW.
Thanks again Dij - I 'm not sure - it certainly isn't an actual mint
It's planted with some little blue flowers in a pot, they are about 1cm across so that might give you a bit of scale - so the leaf isn't very small like a mint.
I liked the colouring and pattern.

[toast_the_most]

Hello! I tried to take an interesting picture of a leaf - here it is. Not quite sure what I think. Comments appreciated.

Dave

[wall]

Hey Geoff, I think I've found your leaf. I believe it's a Siberian Bugloss.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/23417/

[Geoff Chandler]

Hey Geoff, I think I've found your leaf. I believe it's a Siberian Buglass.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/23417/
You've got it by the looks of it - that gotta be the one - thanks for that.

[aparmley]

Heres a leaf trying to hide...
1/250 sec; f/5.6; ISO 400; 300mm

[Wombat]

WOW folks. Haven't you been having some some fun in my PC enforced absence. Great shots everyone and a real eye opener for anyone who thinks leaves, etc. are boring. Wonderful compositions with a great deal of artistitic eye in choice of colour and form. Thanks for sharing all your shots.

aparmley - really like the hiding leaf the constrast of green and brown, shrivelled and juicy foliage really makes your eyes wander around the shot.

Bald Eagle - as always great selection of colour and form - it must be quite a responsibility living up to your reputation

Geoff C great colours and definition on what "we all knew" was Siberian Bugloss and the smoke bush aganist a neutral background is a real charmer. Was that a sheet of paper or a concrete wall?

Wall - another of your super shots using lighting to produce a really exciting and dramatic effect.

toast the most - what a very effective composition using just green objects. The surrounding verdant green moss really frames the two leaves. Did you blur the corners of the shot in post-processing or was it due to depth of field?

Don't think I missed anyone out. Here is a thistle flower in its bud - "wi-cked".

Regards
Wombat

[wall]

Thanks for the kind comments, Wombat. This thread really shows that you can find beauty in the most ordinary of things. It's about time people stepped back from all the flower photos and took a look at the plants that they sprout from :) .

Here's another leafy contribution:

F/8; 1/50; ISO 50
http://img160.echo.cx/img160/4286/img0460r1ed2lx.jpg

Whatda ya think?

[Geoff Chandler]

WOW folks. Haven't you been having some some fun in my PC enforced absence. Great shots everyone and a real eye opener for anyone who thinks leaves, etc. are boring. Wonderful compositions with a great deal of artistitic eye in choice of colour and form. Thanks for sharing all your shots.
~~~~~~~~
Geoff C great colours and definition on what "we all knew" was Siberian Bugloss and the smoke bush aganist a neutral background is a real charmer. Was that a sheet of paper or a concrete wall?
~~~~~~~~
Regards
Wombat
It was neither - just the patio in the background, the angle of the shot etc threw it right out of focus. ;)
Thanks for the comments

[Wombat]

This thread really shows that you can find beauty in the most ordinary of things. It's about time people stepped back from all the flower photos and took a look at the plants that they sprout from :) .

Here's another leafy contribution: Whatda ya think?

Another great shot I like the way you have composed the shot on the angle and from the end of one leaf - makes it seem such a long way to the centre and really draws your eye in.

Here's another shot - this time of Geranium robertianum [herb robert] whos leaves always turn this beautiful flame colour in summer.

Regards
Wombat

[Bald Eagle]

Wombat, those shots are fantastic. Thanks for the mighty praise. Nature places it there, i just try to make it interesting.

[gstafleu]

Wall, that's a great "drop shot." Wombat, I like that fall preview. I could use both some refreshing drops and some fall coolness, as it is 34C here! So thanks for posting some virtual refreshments.

Here is some more leafiness, "Keys at the End of the Tunnel":
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/mapleKeys.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

Very nice, great shot, I call mine "what a plant would look like after a dye job"

[wall]

Wombat - you have nice colors in your shots, as usual :)

:cool: A cool looking plant you got there, BE. I like your "keys" shot too gstafleu. Backlit leaves are always very pretty.

It has been overcast quite a bit here in Vancouver and we've had sporadic light showers, so I'll be posting a few more "drop" shots for those unfortunate enough to be enjoying summer already :D .

Meanwhile, here's a photo of a curly leaf from a plant whose name I forget. It turned out to look more like art than a leaf, so I decided to frame it. Hmm... maybe this should go in the "abstract" thread instead...

F/3.5; 1/60; ISO 50
http://img296.echo.cx/img296/5643/img0584ed3b8dc.jpg

[Geoff Chandler]

Wall - nice water droplets on your leaves, Wombat - great autumn like colours,
Gerard - good close up - sycamore? BE - what can I say! - where did you find that? it's lovely - great shot with the dye effect, Wall - superb swirl effect shot.
Here's todays humble offering from me

[Geoff Chandler]

Ok here's one more

[Wombat]

gstfleu - great "keys" - brimming with light and all those shades of green.

bald eagle - where do you find these plants - the green and yellow bicoloured leaf one is really odd but what a photographic opportunity well captured.

wall - that spiral leaf is a stunner and very nicely composed - really traps the eye and makes it follow the lines.

Geoff C - you must win the laurels on this round. :D

Thanks to all of you for your contributions.

I have attached one called "mish mash". I was inspired by all your excellent examples of shooting against the light. There really isn't any compositional element, just a busy shot lot of green and red-brown leaves against a blue sky - but I really like the contrasts - thanks for the idea.

Regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

gstfleu - great "keys" - brimming with light and all those shades of green.

bald eagle - where do you find these plants - the green and yellow bicoloured leaf one is really odd but what a photographic opportunity well captured.

wall - that spiral leaf is a stunner and very nicely composed - really traps the eye and makes it follow the lines.

Geoff C - you must win the laurels on this round. :D

Thanks to all of you for your contributions.

I have attached one called "mish mash". I was inspired by all your excellent examples of shooting against the light. There really isn't any compositional element, just a busy shot lot of green and red-brown leaves against a blue sky - but I really like the contrasts - thanks for the idea.

Regards
Wombat
Haha - thanks for the comments
Well I like the mish mash - never mind composition - interesting mix of colours and lighting.

[gstafleu]

Gerard - good close up - sycamore?

No, just a Maple, Canada's national tree (well, at least the leaf appears on the flag).

Here is an MLS (Massive Leaf Shot, meaning it has a lot of them). What I'm trying to capture here is the very tender greens you get when evening light hits young spring foliage. That is always a magical time of year, and it lasts all too shortly:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/springFoliage.jpg

[Geoff Chandler]

Yep ! Lovely shot!!
Maybe we should do some more like that - we already do loads of up close shots.
What about gardens? Maybe parks? etc
Just another idea
Geoff

[wall]

Gerard, as always, your outdoor landscape shots are fantastic. Nice job!

A new thread for gardens, parks, and large-scale vegetation is a good idea.

[the bald eagle`s chick]

Beautiful pic. Makes me want to go for a stroll (well almost anyway). Wonderful scene.

[the bald eagle`s chick]

I found this the other day and could not resist the shot. Bet someone else wished it had not wound up where I could find it.

[gstafleu]

Thanks for the kind words folks, very encouraging.

[meillana]

bec... gerard.... amazing shots! cool :cool:

[wall]

More drop shots, as promised :D

F/2.7; 1/100; ISO 50
http://img124.echo.cx/img124/1448/img0636edf30ib.jpg

[Geoff Chandler]

Wall - Droplets look great!
This one is from a bush in the back garden..

[Geoff Chandler]

Whilst snapping this morning - this tiny fella landed. Too small for my cameras without extra close up lenses, should be in the small world thread but not really worthy of it! He's about 1/2cm long!! I took it at 200mm with the A-200 in macro with a touch of additional digital zoom (shock horror!!). I came back armed with the C-740 thinking I might get a tiny bit closer/larger image but as soon as I got down to 3cm away he mad a jump for it & flew off. So sometimes the wacky 200mm type macro can have its uses. Will be better when I add a close up lens.

[gstafleu]

More drop shots, as promised

Good drop shot, Wall. I like the acentric composition.

[Wombat]

Thanks for sharing all the recent contributions. Enjoyed everyone.

Here are some red maple leaves.

regards
Wombat

[wall]

A great looking maple leaf. Just in time for Canada Day!

Here's some other leaves from the same plant as the swirl shot. Taken just after a little morning rainshower, I found this angle created a soothing and peaceful composition. I just wish I had a bit more DOF.

F/3.5; 1/50; ISO 50
http://img210.echo.cx/img210/8666/img0581ed20cs.jpg

[aparmley]

Wombat - Thank you for your kind words! great color on the maple leaf

Wall- love the shots with the water drops - those are my favorite.... great angles and color captured!

[Wombat]

Here's some other leaves from the same plant as the swirl shot. Taken just after a little morning rainshower, I found this angle created a soothing and peaceful composition. I just wish I had a bit more DOF.

You really have quite a talent for composing beatiful shots - those angles and swirls really add so much expression. Regarding the DOF - I think it really is fine with the sharp focus matching the centre of interest. The fuzzy drops on the right only make my eye go searching inwards which is the natural thing to do. Only in my opinion, of course. ;)

Thanks Wall and aparmley for the kind maple leaf comments. I have attached another one from the same tree. I was attacted to the way the leaves appear to be dancing or flying inwards; or maybe its just me. :) The green grass is a nice foil to the purple just a pity the grass is too much in focus. So much to learn.

regards
Wombat

[aparmley]

OH yea, I like the green grass showing through, adds contrast and helps focus the eye on the leaves... Another thing too with the way the picture is laid out and the colors, you could manipulate it into some interesting absract digital art.

[snowrdr]

Here's a shot from today... :)

[Bald Eagle]

Who knew leaves could look so awesome, here are a couple from today, hope you like

[Bald Eagle]

one more. :)

[Geoff Chandler]

BE - fascinating leaves!!

[Wombat]

snowrdr - great tranquil shot of the water lily pads especially with the two resting insects. I like the low angle used to great effect.

Bald Eagle - as Geoff said, fascinating leaves and as always beautifully captured .

Using another of the ideas from this thread [old dogs can learn new tricks :) ] here are some cordyline leaves taken from above and cropped with the middle off centre. Probably belongs on the abstract thread.

regards
Wombat

[Bald Eagle]

Geoff, thanks for the kind words, it is always appreciated
Wombat, excellent composition and a great shot. it could go in either thread.

[Bald Eagle]

heres a new one, hope you like, a Bromeliad, dont pay any attention to the flower buds in the middle, i asked them. to move, but, they wouldnt.

[explorer]

a leaf or a flower? :D

http://www.pbase.com/explorer/image/39607866.jpg

[Wombat]

[QUOTE=explorer]a leaf or a flower? :D QUOTE]

Quite a remarkable thing - quite alien and well captured in your photo - thanks for sharing.

I am still trying out some of the many photographic ideas this thread has generated. Here is one of vine leaves and their shadows.

regards
Wombat

[rinume]

Hey I am so glad someone started a leaves thread ... now that is one thing that is in abundance in my garden ;-)

Great shots everyone!!! Now who woulda thought leaves could look so good!

[wall]

Now who woulda thought leaves could look so good!

I was suprised as well. At first I was skeptical about the survival of this thread, but the pics keep getting better and more interesting.

Wombat - great work with the shadows!

[rinume]

Ok so its a fruit lol....but hey there are leaves in there, too ;-)
It's a Chicko Tree.
http://www.dotsndashes.com/floral/leaves/chicko.jpg


This one looks like its been water painted. Some leaves just have such lovely patterns.
http://www.dotsndashes.com/floral/leaves/waterpaintedleaf.jpg


This is what I call ageing gracefully ;-)
http://www.dotsndashes.com/floral/leaves/ageinggracefully.jpg

----------------------------------
Canon S2 IS

[Wombat]

I was suprised as well. At first I was skeptical about the survival of this thread, but the pics keep getting better and more interesting.
Wombat - great work with the shadows!

Thank you for your kind comment which is greatly appreciated.

I have also been surprised at the response and the wide variety of leaves and leaf compositions. If has certainly taught me a lot of tips and tricks about leaf photography. Additionally it has made me look more carefully at my surroundings, which must always be a good thing. As an example here are some backlit leaves which I would never have considered before being inspired by the contributions to this thread.

rinume - thanks for your fascinating group of contributions - that water colour leaf is so beautiful.

regards
wombat

[wall]

rinume - I like your multicolored leaves.

Wombat - wow, thats even better than the last one!

"Details"
http://img149.echo.cx/img149/5048/img0635ed2fb.jpg

[rinume]

Thanks for the encouragement, guys!!

Wombat...amazing shot!
Wall: Lovely Green!

Here are some more .... hey shouldn't this be a sticky thread, too :) ?

'Look Ma, I had my dinner ;-)'
http://www.dotsndashes.com/floral/leaves/dinner.jpg

Unfolding
http://www.dotsndashes.com/floral/leaves/unfolding.jpg

[Wombat]

Thanks Wall and renume

Wall - I really like the lighting and composition of your last shot. It really has captured the veins and contours in a shot that is also very well composed.

rinume - great ideas here, well captured and with imaginative titles. Do you use macro mode for these? I would love to see the second one closer cropped highlighting all those lovely veins in the right hand curling bit - only my view of course ;)

Here's another type of "aginst the light" shot I am playing with. I find blue sky is much more forgiving than white cloud i.e. far far less of that awful fringing. Still early days.

regards
Wombat

[rinume]

Thanks Wombat!
Yep Macro or Super Macro depending on the shot.

Hmmm ... that's a thought ... I will try a close up of the leaf ... just hope it hasn't uncurled by now lol.

Its so hot and humid here that I can only take so many pictures before I have to run inside for a shot of cool air. Which is of course sad since there are so many shots I wanna take.

[rinume]

I was going thru some old pics and came across these. Taken with my old Olympus 460Z at the Botanical Gardens in London.

Ignore the flowers. They are just showing off ;-)

[rinume]

Here's another taken with the Olympus 460Z

[Wombat]

Thanks rinume for sharing these super shots. Those victoria lilies have some "great" leaves. Both shots have an amazing sharpness that I know I struggle to get with my A80 on this type of shot. Is this typical of the Olympus 460Z which I presume is a digicam?

Here is another of my shooting into the light experiments. I don't usually resort to sepia but it seemed to suit the three distinct tones quite nicely. I also used a double dose of the sharpness button which has added a bit of an abstract feel. Still learning. :)

regards
Wombat

[Bald Eagle]

a lot of great shots on this thread, here is my humble contribution, hope you like.

[Bald Eagle]

one more. hope you like.

[rinume]

Yep it was a digi cam. A great little camera though only 1.3 MP ... yep its that old lol. But it took great little pictures on auto mode (especially outdoors) ... it had some manual options as well but I never bothered to use them. Oh well now its sold ... hey don't make me regret that ;-)

Wombat: The sepia mode is perfect for that picture. Gives it a very interesting look.

Bald Eagle: Great shots. Amazing detail. I so struggle to get that extremely blurry background on your second pic ... may be some day I will get the hang of it :)

[Wombat]

Yep it was a digi cam. A great little camera though only 1.3 MP ... yep its that old lol. But it took great little pictures on auto mode (especially outdoors) ... it had some manual options as well but I never bothered to use them. Oh well now its sold ... hey don't make me regret that ;-)

The shots are even more amazing and are both a credit to you and the camera. Pleased you liked the sepia look - I felt it had a look of those old contact prints people used to take.

Here is a shot inspired by Wall's wonderful curving leaf shots. Actually, it went went completely wrong; as I was attempting to capture the shot just using the light transmitted through the leaves. Before I deleted it forever, I fiddled around with sharpening and altering the saturation and the attached suddenly appeared. I have no idea how or why it happened - just a happy accident that is still well out of focus. Think I will keep it.

regards
Wombat

[pbt1234]

Leland Cypress . . . .

Love the photos! Thanx to everyone for sharing.

pbt1234

[wall]

Here is a shot inspired by Wall's wonderful curving leaf shots. Actually, it went went completely wrong; as I was attempting to capture the shot just using the light transmitted through the leaves. Before I deleted it forever, I fiddled around with sharpening and altering the saturation and the attached suddenly appeared. I have no idea how or why it happened - just a happy accident that is still well out of focus. Think I will keep it.

Oooh, backlit curved leaves. Now thats an idea I have to try out :D

[Geoff Chandler]

Spectacular leaf shots everyone.
Here I return to a plant I have posted before - previosly covered in water droplets - now it looks like some kind of flowers may be on the way...
Tweaked a little in curves to give a bit more contrast.
A-200, 1/60th, F4, ASA100, 178mm 35mm equiv, -0.7 ev

[gstafleu]

Here are some more backlit leaves: Linden at Midnight
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/greenBlack.jpg

[gstafleu]

And in the on-going series "back-lit leaves"... a back-lit corn leaf:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/backlitCornleaf.jpg

[gstafleu]

I just noticed I somehow managed to become a Senior Member. To celebrate, here is a leaf basking in the evening sun:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/eveningLeaf.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

[QUOTE=gstafleu]I just noticed I somehow managed to become a Senior Member. To celebrate, here is a leaf basking in the evening sun:
welcome to the Seniors Club ;) here is a leaf to celebrate.

[gstafleu]

Great composition that last one, BE. It merits a place in abstracts as well.

[Bald Eagle]

Great composition that last one, BE. It merits a place in abstracts as well.
thanks, here is a new one as well, its not quite a bug, but its a reflection of one, hope you like.

[Wombat]

Thanks to everyone for sharing yet another batch of wonderful leafy shots.

gstafleu - congratulations on reaching Senior status and you don't look a day over 25. :) Thanks for celelbrating the event on the leaf thread - you captured the warm of the evening sun beatifully highlighting the leaf's veins and other structure to perfection. A miniature verdant landscape. The linden leaves are just WOW.

Bald Eagle - thanks for your two imaginative [as always] shots. Love the bright light in the centre of the first and the bug's shadow. The elongation of the shadow reminds me of that wonderful film "The cabinet of Dr Caligari" so your must be a very senior member. :D

pbt1234 - thanks for the leylandii leaves - our first conifer and a really fine shot with excellent depth of field and detail. I always find I only get one bit of these "into the distance shots" in focus.

Geoff C thanks for your "favourite" plant - it must be reaping in the money as an artist's model. Really looking forward to the flowers and the fruit/seeds. By the way does it have a name? I have certain plants that I revisit on a regular basis - it is so interesting to see them grow and change and "capture" them.

Here is a shot of a clematis seed head in celebration of gstafleu reaching Senior status.

regards
Wombat

[Bald Eagle]

Wombat, thanks for the kind words, (I think) what were we talking about? ;) oh yeah, pictures. Here is one for you young whippersnappers :rolleyes: , hope you like.

[gstafleu]

Thanks for helping celebrate my Senior Status everyone. Here is my LOTD (Leaf Of The Day):
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/variegatedLeaf.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

[QUOTE=gstafleu]Thanks for helping celebrate my Senior Status everyone. Here is my LOTD (Leaf Of The Day):
Love the LOTD. great shot and wonderful colors.

[Wombat]

Thanks gstafleu and Bald Eagle for your LOTDs - what a fascinating range of colour and form and so well captured.

Here are some rose leaves as my contribution.

regards
Wombat

[wall]

Great pics, everyone.

Here's a hairy leaf.
http://img191.echo.cx/img191/9292/img0634r1ed7fy.jpg

[Geoff Chandler]

Wombat - returning to my , as you call it, 'Favourite Plant' - yes it is interesting to watch
the progress! BTW - it's a Sacred Bamboo.
BE - Love your celebration leaf - very colourfull & nicely done.
Gerard - brilliant examples - keep them coming.
Wall - ditto
in fact everone - keep it up - I could never have believed the leaves would have 'rustled up' such enthusiasm.
Took some pictures this evening - pretty low light - but never mind -
here's the first...

[Geoff Chandler]

Noticed the buds are turning into the beginings of flowers

[Geoff Chandler]

Also - the leaves are changing colours again - they were quite red last year and they are turning from green to red...

[Geoff Chandler]

Finally - here's a closer shot from the same plant...

[Wombat]

Thanks Wall and Geoff C for more excellent shots of leaves.

Thanks also Geoff for the name of your plant - sacred bamboo. I really like the series of shots of its development - it feels like one of the family.

Here's one of just ordinary bamboo after the rain stopped.

regards
Wombat

[gstafleu]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Geoff, that is an interesting "Sacred Bamboo Review". Wombat, that is a nice jumble of leaves, and a drop shot to boot.

So, has anyone ever wondered how leaves manage to just keep hanging? Simple, they are stuck to a clothes line:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/leavesClothesline.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

Fantastic posts everybody, This bud is for you.(lol) its actually only 1/4in in size. i just liked it. hope you do too.

[aparmley]

Some very interesting shots here, I like this thread, good colors in here... Here is something I caught on the fourth...

[Wombat]

Thanks to everyone for their new contributions.

gstafleu - great idea - the clothes line - and great composition and sharpness of detail.

Bald Eagle - that is one tiny flower. I like the composition with the halo of leaves and very nice detail on the unopened petals. It looks like it is going to be a gourd or squash when it grows up?

aparmley - lovely composition with those sweeping curves and water drops which really lifts the shot.

Here is another of my experiments "shooting through the leaves towards the light". These are purple beech leaves that are, surprisingly, a lot less purple in transmitted light.

regards
Wombat

[Mika]

Once again, great colourful posts here.

Photo of unknown plant.

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1434/lehti7eq.jpg

-Mika

[rinume]

Oh WOW! So many more great shots!!

Mika: Love your composition ... makes me love the shape of that leaf :)
gstafleu: LOL Now I know how they hang on ;-)
Wombat: Purple, eh! Very pretty array of colors ... ummm non purple colors though LOL. It has a very nice abstract quality about it as well.
aparmley: Water drops look lovely on those leaves.

I think I'll just spray some on my leaves now since I never seem to find any waterdrops ;-)

Finally took some more photos:
Baby Leaves (I would have liked to get closer but this was way in and I was already holding away other leaves so I thought I'll leave the branches alone and just get the shot :))
http://www.dotsndashes.com/floral/leaves/babyleaves.jpg

Sun Spots
http://www.dotsndashes.com/floral/leaves/sunspots.jpg

[Geoff Chandler]

aparmly - great droplet shot on your leaf
BE - nice little bud shot
wombat - nice to see a more conventional bamboo - I must say mine
bears little resemblance to a normal one. - Also, I really love that back lit
shot - beautiful colouring
mica - whatever is that? it's lovely - great shot
rinume - what is that fantastic orange leaf??
2 pics of a fern attached (hopefully) slightly different lighting: - 1st one with fill in flash and - 0.3ev both f3.5 - non flash one at 1/13th sec
- Hmm - just tried it - I'll post the second one seperately

[Geoff Chandler]

Not sure which you'll all prefer of the two - be interested to see...
They're nothing special - but I thought I'd try anyway

[rinume]

Out of the two I prefer the second one ... its softer and has a more natural feel to it.

The orange leaf is from a croton plant. The same plant has leaves that are green and pink, brown and orange, and all sorts of lovely combinations. Here's another leaf from the same plant:

Standing up to Say Hi (hey looks like it no lol)
http://www.dotsndashes.com/floral/leaves/hi.jpg



And another variety of croton
http://www.dotsndashes.com/floral/leaves/frills.jpg

[Wombat]

WOW folks - what great contributions you have all added to this thread. So many shapes, colours and textures all beautifully captured - thank you everyone for sharing.

Geoff C - I agree I think the non-flash fern has it for looking more natural.

Here's my contribution for today - Pineapple mint. I was a bit puzzled why the centre looked out of focus until I realized that it is hairs giving a fuzzy appearance. Canon A80, handheld, macro mode, Ap. f/4.0, Exp. 1/500s, exposure compensation -1/3.

Thanks again
Wombat

[gstafleu]

Wombat, those purple beech leaves are an excellent backlit jumble, the composition works very well.

Geoff, I like the first one, the colors look better to me. The second one has a slightly bluish-washed-out look. But maybe that is the natural color?

Rinume, that is a great bit of variegation.

I have two LOTDs. First, the following looks to me like a parent proudly showing its offspring, so I have decided to call it "Parental Leaf":
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/parentalLeaf.jpg

Second, Wombat isn't the only one who likes back-lit leaves. Here we have a back-lit leaf plus flower cluster:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/backlitLeafFlowers.jpg

[Geoff Chandler]

Gerard - I reckon the blue/green washed out look was due to the low dusk light and not much colour saturation - but it IS slightly more true to the actual colour.
Jumping across just now from the Flower thread - I explained I have taken a load of pics in my Mum's garden - here's the first of some of the leaves I took there...

[Wombat]

gstafleu - great backlit and frontlit lime leaves. What an amazing contrast between the two just showing how much light effects the subject. Great photographs with amazing detail and considered composition.

Geoff C - a really crisp shot and nicely composed - they look like a bit like one of the small Alchemilla species that I seem to remember have silver hairs on the edges of the leaves.

Here is a sprig of a conifer with "flowers" and a new shoot.

regards
Wombat

[pbt1234]

Got this after a short rain.

pbt1234
Panasonic DMC-FZ20

[Wombat]

Got this after a short rain.

pbt1234

The leaves and the water droplets are beautifully captured - looks just like the real thing :) . What a great example of what is referred to, on this thread, as a "jumble of leaves". A great phrase for those shots that are like a mosaic with no specific focal point but which just invite the viewer to browse [should that be graze :D ] randomly.

Thanks for sharing,
regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

I meant to say, Gerard - that back lit leaf is something else! lovely shot.
More from my Mum's garden...
Apparently - this is the nearest it has ever come to flowering

[aparmley]

Geoff - Great shaprness on that last one, very nice.

Wombat - Thank you, that is an interesting idea, shooting leaves towards the light.. I will have to give that a few attempts..

[gstafleu]

Wombat, that is a well-framed conifer shot. I don't remember too many conifers in this thread, a lack that needs remedying.

pbt1234, that is a nice combination of jumble+drop shot. Do you have an image editing program like Photoshop Elements? If so, try sharpening your image, as the last step after resizing it, using Unsharp Mask, and e.g. amount=100, radius=1. You may find that the images look a bit crisper that way. But without it it is still a nice shot.

Geoff, that is a great, err, whatever it is :) from your Mum's garden. Nice DOF and good details in the hairs.

For my LOTDs I have two samples of radial leaves.

First, Radial Leaves With Bug:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/radialLeavesBug.jpg

And then some shiny radial leaves:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/radialLeaves.jpg

[pbt1234]

Thanks gstafleu. I have Photoshop, but try to never touch up photos unless they are bad. Will try this and see what happens. Thanks again for the advice and the comments. BTW - nice shots to you as well.

Thanks for the kind words Wombat. I enjoy getting comments - good or bad.

pbt1234

[Wombat]

Thanks to you all, once again, for another bunch of excellent leaf shots.

As the sun is very strong I am still playing with shots into the light. Here is one from today of some overlapping leaves that caught my eye.

regards
Wombat

[gstafleu]

Wombat, you caught a nice pattern.

Here are my LOTDs. First, some drop leaves:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/dropLeaves.jpg

And some crossed leaves:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/crossLeaves.jpg

[gstafleu]

Here is my attempt to increase the conifer content, a panoramic Alberta Spruce twigs forest:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/panoramicAlbertaSpruce.jpg

[Wombat]

Thanks Gerard for the great leaf shots - you really have this off to a fine art. The conifers are a particularly welcome addition - they really are tricky to capture.

Here is my LOTD - "Leaf Fringe" :)

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Stunning leaves everyone -
Here's something a little different...(from Mum's garden - I'll get back to mine
or even get out a little soon) :)
(As always A-200 unless otherwise stated)

[Wombat]

[QUOTE=Geoff Chandler]Stunning leaves everyone -
Here's something a little different...(from Mum's garden - I'll get back to mine
or even get out a little soon) :)
QUOTE]

Great shot Geoff. I call these totty grass - think they are Briza maxima. It is something I have on my list of seeds for next year. As you have found out they are so photogenic and you have captured their fascinating form so well.

Here are a few sweet chestnut leaves as my LOTD - think I should have cropped off the torn leaf :( .

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Thanks Wombat
I reckon your OK to leave the damaged leaf in - more like real life I guess
here's another from Mum's garden...Some detail lost in the resizing - I like the almost furry texture on this one

[Geoff Chandler]

Here's a close up of part of the leaf :-
(Sorry, I seem to have made the page wide with this one - didn't want to reduce the size - although I had to use a lot of compression - it was a crop though)

[propwash]

Stunning leaves everyone -
Here's something a little different...(from Mum's garden - I'll get back to mine
or even get out a little soon) :)
(As always A-200 unless otherwise stated)


Geoff,

Am I the only one who thinks that plant looks like it's growing rattles for rattlesnakes? What kind of plant is that?

[Wombat]

Thanks Wombat
I reckon your OK to leave the damaged leaf in - more like real life I guess
here's another from Mum's garden...Some detail lost in the resizing - I like the almost furry texture on this one

Another lovely shot with excellent detail and colour - I seem to recall this leaves feel quite sticky? This thread really shows what we miss by not looking at leaves closely enough. There is a whole new world just waiting for us - well it would be if my eyesight was what it once was. Thank goodness for digicams.

Here is a mosaic shot of some leaves - no idea what they are - I just liked the way each rosette has found its own "personal" space.

regard
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Geoff,

Am I the only one who thinks that plant looks like it's growing rattles for rattlesnakes? What kind of plant is that?
propwash - I Don't know - I will have to ask Mum! Interesting thought though. Thanks for the comment.
Wombat - nice mosaic!

[Wombat]

Geoff,
Am I the only one who thinks that plant looks like it's growing rattles for rattlesnakes? What kind of plant is that?

I think they are Briza maxima a type of grass. Really like your idea of growing rattles for rattlesnakes.

regards
Wombat

[aparmley]

Here is my first attempt at catching light coming through the leaves... the hole in the leaf was emitting the suns rays, I thought that was kinda neat...

[Bald Eagle]

Here is my first attempt at catching light coming through the leaves... the hole in the leaf was emitting the suns rays, I thought that was kinda neat...
Its better than neat, its awesome, great shot. here is a close-up of one of mine.

[meillana]

love the close-up BE....
@aparmley... cool!
we somewhat have the same colors for my humble contrib below...
backlighted bamboo

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1060252.jpg

[Geoff Chandler]

love the close-up BE....
@aparmley... cool!
we somewhat have the same colors for my humble contrib below...
backlighted bamboo

meillana - great shot, love the silhouete affect, have you tried playing with it in a graphics pakage?? I would imagine you could have some fun with the colours. Nice one!

[Geoff Chandler]

Here's the first of mine for today
Back garden job (I must get out more!!!)
A-200

[Geoff Chandler]

One more - not sure if this is Leaf thread or Flower thread!!!
Hope you like anyway - It's growing in our rockery.

[Wombat]

aparmley - what an inspired shot - WOW

baldeagle - love the detail in this shot - looks like fields with the roads and tracks between.

meillana - backlit bamboo beautifully captured. This backlit sub thread is really running thanks to everyone's wonderful contributions.

Geoff C - two really well composed and focused shots - thanks

I never cease to be amazed at all you people producing such quality shots from the humble leaf. I have learnt so much about using light to differing effects from this thread - thank you all.

I very simplistic and rather stark shot of leaves from a tulip tree. Not very well photographed but I liked the leaf shape.

regards
Wombat

[meillana]

@geoff.... never thought about that. let me give it a go.
@wombat...
thanks for the kind words to both of you.
i'm also really inspired by everyone's contributions here.
am glad to have joined this forum.

[Bald Eagle]

wow, this is a very fast moving thread, i turn around and more beautiful leaves appear, here is my attempt after the rains, hope you like.

[Wombat]

So pleased to hear that you enjoying this thread as much as I am :)

Here are some coleus leaves.

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Wombat - very colourfull! Also like the shot against the sky!
BE - nice sharp close detailed pic!
This one, form Mum's garden - is a very young leaf...

[Geoff Chandler]

So here's an older leaf from the same plant...
Suprising how different they look

[Siberian]

Hi Everyone - am brand new to digicams & to this site. Am still getting used to my Canon Powershot A510 but am really impressed with what it can do. Hope I can get the same sorts of results (in time) that I see here! Feel free to give constructive criticism - would appreciate hints'n'tips from anyone.

Siberian

[Geoff Chandler]

Your're off to a good start - a nice camera and a good Site Forum to share experience on - hopefully we'll see some more of yours very soon....
Your shot is great, so don't worry about posting. Now go and experiment and see what you come up with. Try closer shots maybe, if it's on this leaf thread, try shots that don't show the whole picture so it makes the mind and eye think more about it, or - like some - maybe a bigger wider view - anyway enough of my chit chat, thanks for the post and keep them coming
Geoff :)

[meillana]

welcome to the forum and this thread siberian!

my contribution for the day.... a hurried one and only shot so i did a bit of processing for the black background and tweaked the highlights, brightness and contrast
hope you like.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1060644_r.jpg


and whoa! i'm a senior now. :)
never thought i'd hit the century mark that fast.... goes to show how much i enjoy being with you guys and learning a lot through this forum!

[Bald Eagle]

Geoff, I love ths shots you're taking in your Mum's garden, excellent, great job.
meillana, I love this one for the simplicity of it, great colors, sharp lines and great composition as well.
Here is my effort for today, this is what is left over after the bloom for this particular plant, hope you like.

[Bald Eagle]

and this is what it looks like just after the bloom.

[Geoff Chandler]

Geoff, I love ths shots you're taking in your Mum's garden, excellent, great job.
meillana, I love this one for the simplicity of it, great colors, sharp lines and great composition as well.
Here is my effort for today, this is what is left over after the bloom for this particular plant, hope you like.
BE - Thanks for the kind comments - still got a few more to post from mum's.. Your shot intrigues me, almost looks like some kind of square nut... What size spanner fits it? Great shot though! Love it.
meillana - been enjoying your pics - that latest one is a great shot - I like the close crop so that you only see part of the leaf, whatever tweaking you did - it's come out very well.
Geoff

[Geoff Chandler]

Another interesting clump of leaves ~ from Mum's

[Geoff Chandler]

Returning to my Purple smoke tree again - the leaves are getting more red arond the edges...

[Geoff Chandler]

& here's just one Leaf ...

[Wombat]

Thanks for so many new and wonderful shots.

Welcome Siberian and thanks for the rue leaves very nicely captured in a super sharp shot.

meillana - great choice of cropping and beautiful detail and colour of all those veins.

Bald Eagle - that is some crazy flower remains - looks like a chunk of chocolate. :) Square flowers must be cubist photography. Love the DOF and that atmospheric background.

Geoff C - A great set of shots - hawthorn and smoke bush doesn't the latter have such wonderful colours - expertly captured as always.

Here are my BOTD - berries of the day. Just spotted these bathed in a patch of sunlight.

regards
Wombat [Leaf Chief] :D

[meillana]

oh my, i'm speechless. thanks for the very kind words wombat, BE and geoff.
this is the solitary "cut" leaf that's been on my officemate's desk for quite some time now. managed to put up a black matte board behind it now.
i still prefer the close in-camera crop of the original tho.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1060669.jpg

[Geoff Chandler]

Less glam - some dying leaves on the Cleome Sparkler: -

[Wombat]

meillana - I like the close-up as well. However, the original is a super shot as well - great colour, composition and so sharp. The black background really highlights the intricate shape.

Geoff C - great colours on the cleome and the "wear and tear" really adds character - excellent capture.

Here are some acacia tree leaves shot into the light. Canon A80 in auto mode - a real point and shoot shot.

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

We've got this grassy long leaf thingy growing in a pot in our kitchen, neither of us can remember it's name, maybe we'll call it Fred! Anyway - it suddenly developed these new growths - rather like a spider plant does - in fact it is a bit like a spider plant but more contained.

[Wombat]

We've got this grassy long leaf thingy growing in a pot in our kitchen, neither of us can remember it's name, maybe we'll call it Fred! Anyway - it suddenly developed these new growths - rather like a spider plant does - in fact it is a bit like a spider plant but more contained.

I can't recall the name either but seem to remember that if you cut the spider bit off and invert in a saucer of water it grows roots and becomes a new plant - perhaps it's called Freebie :) although Fred is a really good name.

Here are some geranium seed pods - you can see why the plants are sometimes called cranesbill.

regards
Wombat

[gstafleu]

Wombat, nice composition with the V formed by the two branches.

Geoff, I like the composition of Fred. You got all the important bits in focus and the background blurred. Also the flower-thingies seem to mostly alternate with the leaves. Very considerate of Fred to dress up that way :). The geranium pods form a solid diagonal, well done. BTW, in Dutch these are sometimes called "stork bills," same idea.

We're having a dry spell here in Southern Ontario, so most leaves are starting to wilt a bit. Not so the corn, though, it quite likes it, which gives me another opportunity for an "against the light" shot:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/cornLeaves.jpg

[Wombat]

Wombat, nice composition with the V formed by the two branches.

Geoff, I like the composition of Fred. You got all the important bits in focus and the background blurred. Also the flower-thingies seem to mostly alternate with the leaves. Very considerate of Fred to dress up that way :). The geranium pods form a solid diagonal, well done. BTW, in Dutch these are sometimes called "stork bills," same idea.


Thanks Gerard for the very kind remarks that are much appreciated. I really liked your maize leaves nicely framed by the over-arching leaf. It is amazing just how much life and detail backlighting can add to a foliage shot - all those greens.

Here are some leaf shadows.

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

On Page15 of this thread - second post down - I posted this plant, it is flowering a bit now: -
Hope you like...

[Geoff Chandler]

The flowers are pretty tiny - but heres a much closer squint - couldn't decide if I should post this in the Flower thread - but it started out as a leaf post so I am continuing here...

[gstafleu]

Today a siple LOTD: Leaf with Snoozing Snail:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/photos/Flowers/leafSnail.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

Wow, fantastic new additions, here is my humble contribution for the day, the look of the Leaf caught my eye, hope you like.

[Geoff Chandler]

Wow BE - that Conjures up all sorts of imaginitive things
What a clever shot!

[Wombat]

Excellent contributions - thanks to everyone for sharing.

Gerard - I do not appear to be able to view your snoozing snail shot.

Here are my LOTD - not sure what they are.

regards
Wombat

[gstafleu]

BE, great shot, it looks like a pair of glowing antlers :).

Wombat, you caught the shine green very well. BTW, my university server seems to be up again, so the snoozing snail should be viewable now.

For my LOTD I have the following, which is mostly leaves, although a flower seems to have snuck in:
http://photos22.flickr.com/26702421_62b38b2d80_o.jpg

[D Thompson]

Thought I would try one here.

Dennis

Canon 20D, EF85 f1.8, 1/500 @ f8, ISO 400

[Balrog]

hmm .. this isn't a leaf, really, but I didn't think it qualified as a flower yet, either ... "My best bud" ;)

[Geoff Chandler]

Geoff,

Am I the only one who thinks that plant looks like it's growing rattles for rattlesnakes? What kind of plant is that?
Just spoken to Mum who says she knows it as 'Quake Grass'
~ I have re-posted the image - does anyone else have any other names for it?...

[Wombat]

Just spoken to Mum who says she knows it as 'Quake Grass'
~ I have re-posted the image - does anyone else have any other names for it?...

I think my previous reply may have got lost - I know it as Quaking Grass but usually as Totty Grass - which I think is a corruption of tottering. I am pretty sure that it latin name is Briza maxima.

Great shots everyone - lovely waterlilies - still cannot capture these and am very envious.

Here is a little fern growing on a wall.

regards
Wombat

[meillana]

hi everyone, took a trip down to the site yesterday... during a storm that is!
luckily, the rains held off till we were just about set to leave. my LOTDs....

mimosa... this one stood out from all the rest.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1070039_r.jpg

grass blades...
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1070027_r.jpg

banana leaf.... (hmmm.... i think i should adjust the contrast-brightness settings for this one)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1060984.jpg

[Wombat]

Hi Meillana

Thanks for the lovely trio of shots. The mimosa is my favourite; the symmetry and subdivisions are almost hypnotic. Are these the trees that have fluffy yellow flowers?

Here is my LOTD. A wisteria leaf highlighted by a shaft of sunlight.

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Most of the time my wife is not too interested in the pics - I guess I am a bit too much!! Once in a while she will grab the camera and say -
' I want to take one!' - Here's the sort of result she gets..
without any faffing around!!!

[gstafleu]

That's a great no-faffing shot, my compliments to your wife :). Where was it taken?

[Wombat]

Geoff C - a great shot from your better half :) One of my favourite leaves is Gunnera - although not quite one for pot on the patio :D .

Here is a leaf of Plume Poppy (Macleaya Cordata) another of my favourite leaves. It was a very sunny day and has resulted in a bit of a stark shot.

regards
Wombat

[Wombat]

Here is another shot of the plume poppy with shadows - perhaps it should have been on the abstract thread.

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

That's a great no-faffing shot, my compliments to your wife :). Where was it taken?
Ha Ha ~ Thanks Gerard... I'll let her know you said so. It was taken at Groombridge Place - which is in Kent (If I remember right, Sussex & Kent next to each other & this is close to the borderline). We visited a short while ago.
Oh well, since I'm here - I took another leafy bush pic in the front garden a few days back - Escallonia - it's got dark green leaves and it was a sunny day - so I thought it looked too dark and tweaked it, now I don't know which is best - so I am posting the before tweak and after for opinions. My Mother reckoned the orig was best (here below)...

[Geoff Chandler]

Hey Wombat - you managed to get in while I was composing - Thanks for the complement, I may even post a pic of my lovely lady sometime... I like your Plume Poppy - stark is OK!
OK - here's the tweaked Escallonia pic (only slightly, I don't often do harsh changes)

[Wombat]

OK - here's the tweaked Escallonia pic (only slightly, I don't often do harsh changes)

I like the dark version - you really have captured the spirit of this plant - wonderfully dark green leaves and super glossiness. A great shot.

By the way I really appreciate your comments and musings regarding your shots and tweaks. The motivation, philosophy and thought processes involved in the taking shots are really enlightening. I am convinced my photography has improved as a result of listening to all you folks and your thoughts.

Here is a "not quite according to plan shot" - the idea was good but the leaf blemishes and general quality let it down. However, I will store the idea in my onboard organic computer for another day. Naturally we all like to exhibit our best work on this forum but perhaps a "not quite according to plan" thread would really be very educational.

Thanks everyone
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Thanks for the prompt response - seems like natural is often best.
As far as the 'not quite according to plan shot' idea for a thread - well who knows what that might turn up ...could be interesting. great idea - your baby if you want to start it then...?
Returning to the reds chat - next time I decide to take a wonderfull red bloom I will take 2 - the second one I will maybe try reducing the Saturation onbord and possibly also nudge one notch away from red on the digital filter and see how that fares. It is tricky though as the problem isn't always there - so I will try to educate the eye to recognise when it happens.

[meillana]

Hi Meillana

Thanks for the lovely trio of shots. The mimosa is my favourite; the symmetry and subdivisions are almost hypnotic. Are these the trees that have fluffy yellow flowers?

Here is my LOTD. A wisteria leaf highlighted by a shaft of sunlight.

regards
Wombat

hi wombat,
theyr'e actually low-lying creepers which we call locally as "makahiya" (pronounced "mc-ka-hee-yah").. in english parlance, "shy" - these leaves actually close when you touch or brush them.
regs,
meillana

great series of shots everyone!

[D Thompson]

Canon 20D, EF85 f1.8, 1/160 @ f11, ISO 400

Dennis

[meillana]

great reflection on that shot dennis...

my LOTD's

stormy weather in subic... everything drenched including me (except my pany)

these one peeked into the sunlight...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1070197.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1070256.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1070255.jpg

comments welcome

[meillana]

how about a crop of the first?
a bit grainy but i love the softness of it

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1070197_r.jpg

[Siberian]

Hi Everyone - have been busy taking more pics, inspired by all the great photos I see on the forum, particularly on this thread. This is just one of my favourites - will post more soon.

Siberian

[Geoff Chandler]

The brocoli leaf is great - and a good idea - why not take other salad leaves??
I'll leave (leaf?) that to everyone here for the time being - I'm off camping, chat to you all in a few days (hopefully I will collect a few more piccies while I'm away!!)
Geoff :cool:

[Wombat]

Great leaf shots everyone - thank you for sharing your shots.

meillana - thanks for the information upon your "shy" plant. I do know the one you mean - we call it the sensitive plant. Great fun when you can get the leaves to close up on stroking them.

Here is are some leaves of a Fatsia bush. No flash was used the leaves are just very shiny.

Geoff C - have a great break camping, look forward to seeing you back online.

regards
Wombat

[gstafleu]

Siberian, that is an interesting leaf. When I first saw it I thought it was the leaf of the red beet, I know that one has red veins.

Wombat, very nice Fatsia leaf. Excellent colors and you caught the shine on the leaf very well.

It's been a while since I had an LOTD, it is more an LOTW by now, but here is "Leaves in the Hole":
http://photos23.flickr.com/28048541_74a6586259_o.jpg

[Wombat]

Wombat, very nice Fatsia leaf. Excellent colors and you caught the shine on the leaf very well.

Thanks Gerard for the kind comments - I was so pleased to "catch" these leaves in such good condition - I think they must have been quite new.

Your "leaves in the hole" shot is a a real beauty. Congratulations on spotting this opportunity and for the excellent clarity, composition and exposure. I think it would really would make a great framed enlargement - would have it on my wall anyday.

Here are some leaves - a Plectranthus plant I think. I was attracted by the grey hairy surface which imparted a subtle velvety sheen.

regards
Wombat

[Wombat]

Here are a couple of green pinecones and some needles.

regards
Wombat

[Wombat]

Another of my "vine leaf with shadows" series.

regards
Wombat

[Wombat]

Here's another one of a geranium leaf - I was attracted by the colours and shape of this one.

regards
Wombat

[Bald Eagle]

Very nice Wombat, very sharp and clear. here is a new one of mine, a backlit leaf, hope you like.

[Geoff Chandler]

Just back - actually at work, so no pics yet.
Gerard - great shot in the hole. Like that one.
Wombat - I like your shadows series - good idea.
Also like the colourfull one.
But great pics allround - from everyone, looking back..
More soon
Geoff

[Wombat]

Very nice Wombat, very sharp and clear. here is a new one of mine, a backlit leaf, hope you like.

Thanks BE and so good to hear from someone :) I thought everyone had left the planet for good.

Yours is an excellent photo of a backlit leaf. I haven't tried this close-up backlit technique that you use to such great effect. I think of them as "leaf maps" with all the roads and plots of land.

Here are a few coleus leaves. I think these would be a great one for your technique.

regards
Wombat

[gstafleu]

Wombat, nice geranium leaves. I especially like the second one.

BE, great minds are obviously thinking alike, here is what I did today...

It has finally rained here, so the leaf-liveliness situation has improved. A plant with big hoof-shaped leaves grows in this region. Here is one seen in its normal aspect:
http://photos21.flickr.com/29134035_82d98e5644_o.jpg

Here is a leaf from the same plant, but now back-lit:
http://photos22.flickr.com/29134045_838fd704eb_o.jpg

"Leaf map" is indeed an appropriate name for this. There are roads, hills, valleys, rivers...

[meillana]

excellent "leaf map" gerard!

[Geoff Chandler]

Your all posting great shots - this thread seems to be taking off!
Gerard - love the back lit leaf.
Wombat - lovely Coleus leaf
BE - I like this back lit idea - we should take some more - great stuff
- Well, I have just got back and done a night shift at work - so before I slide off to bed I am popping i one shot from my holiday - saw this and thought of everone here. Should be posting more soon - just sorting through 300 odd pics...

[Wombat]

Thanks for your contributions and kind words.

Gerard - are you and BE working together :) that is another great "leaf map" as you say the whole landscape is there.

Geoff C - I really like the red and green of your Hypericum shot - very vibrant and energetic.

Here is a Alchemilla leaf with water drops.

regards
Wombat

[Bald Eagle]

Wombat, thanks for the kind words, love your leaf and water drop look.
Gerard, You're right, we both had the same idea, love your leaf map as well.
Geoff, thank you as well for the words of praise, and I like your leaf shot as well.

[Siberian]

Thanks for your kind words - turns out on closer examination that the purple-veined leaf was from a Brussels sprout plant! Same family I suppose...

Have been busy taking more pics - as have you all 8-) I'd never have realised how much variety there is is nature until I started looking for photo opportunities!

Let's hope you like these - I've been inspired by the 'droplets' shots too...

Siberian

[Bald Eagle]

Thanks for your kind words - turns out on closer examination that the purple-veined leaf was from a Brussels sprout plant! Same family I suppose...

Have been busy taking more pics - as have you all 8-) I'd never have realised how much variety there is is nature until I started looking for photo opportunities!

Let's hope you like these - I've been inspired by the 'droplets' shots too...

Siberian
Both excellent shots, my favorite is the second one, great job.

[gstafleu]

Geoff, nice berry shot, good colors. In the flower thread you can see I had a similar idea. I suppose, going by raw surface area, the leaf thread is more appropriate :-).

Wombat, that are some interestingly shaped drops on the Alchemilla leaf. Maybe that is because the leaf is hairy?

Siberian, I agree with BE, the second one is my favorite. But the fluffy one is quite interesting too. It almost looks sculpted.

Here is my LOTD, a leafy contraption. I have no idea what it is, was, or will be!
http://photos23.flickr.com/29351732_6f84ee355d_o.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

Gerard, excellent shot, very crisp and sharp,. It is now an excellent capture, it was just a plant in a field, It will be remembered long after its gone with your great capture of it. very well done.

[Geoff Chandler]

More leafy stuff - this beside or tent at Wareham Forest Tourist Park
- just one of the trees: -

[Geoff Chandler]

As it is still the same subject - I am posting this here - close up of the berries.

[Siberian]

Thanks for your kind words :D It's great to have positive feedback! Think I'll try just one pic at once this time... haven't got the hang of having both pics appearing on post fully formed! And how do you get to put text between them? (feel free to tell me to read the FAQs if the info's there :rolleyes: )

Siberian

[gstafleu]

BE, thanks for the kind words, it is always encouraging to hear that someone likes your pics.

Geoff, more nice berries. I especially like that last one, it looks as if they are stacked in a heap, like apples in the market.

Siberian, that is a good leaf, well-composed by having it go along the diagonal. If you attach a pic (as opposed to pointing to one that is already on another web site), then a) only one will show (more than one shows as links), and b) you cannot put text between them.

Now for my LOTD. Did you know there is something like Young Leaves Love? Here is "Leafy Lovers", two leaves, arms around each other, sitting on their branch, looking at the setting sun...
http://photos22.flickr.com/29534037_9989af30ad_o.jpg

[Geoff Chandler]

BE, thanks for the kind words, it is always encouraging to hear that someone likes your pics.

Geoff, more nice berries. I especially like that last one, it looks as if they are stacked in a heap, like apples in the market.

Siberian, that is a good leaf, well-composed by having it go along the diagonal. If you attach a pic (as opposed to pointing to one that is already on another web site), then a) only one will show (more than one shows as links), and b) you cannot put text between them.

Now for my LOTD. Did you know there is something like Young Leaves Love? Here is "Leafy Lovers", two leaves, arms around each other, sitting on their branch, looking at the setting sun...

Gerard ~
Thanks for your kind comments.
Love that back lit romantic leafy shot! Quite an inspiration.
I must look out for back lit leaves as you see the veins and details in a very different way ~ thanks!
Now I'm back from my mini holiday there are several new things in my garden
I must get around to sharing ~ watch this space!
Geoff

[D Thompson]

Gee, you miss a few days and just all kinds of great shots. My hat's off to all! Thought I would offer one.

Dennis

Canon 20D, EF85 f1.8, 1/800 @ f8, ISO400

[pbt1234]

Great shots everyone - my favs of course are wet leaves and light shown through the leaves. Keep 'em coming cause we all enjoy!

pbt1234
------------------------
http://www.sitekreator.com/mikewhite/index.html
Panasonic DMC-FZ20

[Geoff Chandler]

Got a Vinre in the back garden - transplanted last year from our old house - heres a leaf

[Geoff Chandler]

Here's an old dying leaf from the same vine: -

[Geoff Chandler]

Finally the fruit - very hard to get these - too much other stuff in the way!

[Rachel Robbins.]

This thread is great. I've been looking through it for a while. There are some beautiful shots here!

Today's hike provided me a leaf and seed shot that I particularly liked. This is with the Canon Digital Rebel XT with a Sigma 28-70 lens. (Until I can get more and better lenses, that's what I have for now.) 1/500, f4.0, 57mm, ISO 100.

http://frogplusfrog.com/random/spirals2_050730.jpg

[Siberian]

Looks like people have been busy! Rachel, the above pic is great - such delicate feathering on the tendrils. Geoff - the mottling on the multicoloured leaf is so vivid!

Here's another of mine - a dogwood leaf. I just love the shape of it, and this pic (to me) looks like some leaf-nymph is in the foreground with her arms spread. Well, that's the mental picture that sprang to mind when I saw it in my viewfinder :D

Siberian

[Siberian]

Just a thought - anyone else got a thing for leafy foodstuffs? Here's a lettuce I captured on the same day as the purple-veined Brussels sprout (or it might be a cabbage - not sure) :rolleyes:

Siberian

[gstafleu]

Geoff, good vine series. The colors on the dying leaf are very nice, almost fall-like.

Rachel, that is a very nice shot. Excellent light and subtle colors. I hope we'll see more from you.

Siberian, both your dogwood and lettuce turned out very well. The dogwood gives an idea both of what the leaves and the whole plant look like.

Here is my LOTD, "Leaves Spring Eternal":
http://photos22.flickr.com/29993168_f36f24fd4e_o.jpg

The had been cutting down shrubbery, but it didn't take long for things to start growing again :).

[gstafleu]

This tree is starting to make berries, but they are not yet ripe or ready to take on the world, so the tee is keeping them under its wings. "Shielded Berries":
http://photos22.flickr.com/29998012_c7e6f7dc6c_o.jpg

Same tree, I liked how the berries were hanging from the ceiling:
http://photos22.flickr.com/29998034_b7d97779ca_o.jpg

[meillana]

@rachel.... that looks so elegant.
great pics everyone. wanted to share my short adventure in the forest.
1 leaf pic and obviously some the entire tree...
walking through the forest was an enriching experience. didn't know how to take shots given the low-light. i hope these would do justice and hope you like it.

creeper...
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1080169_r.jpg
auto.macro-f2.8-iso200-1/15s-6mm

entwined....
don't know if these were in fact two trees joined/enmeshed by vines...
i loved the lattice-like ensemble it provided.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1080146_r2.jpg
auto-f2.8-iso80-1/60s-6mm
(sorry for the small resampled images)

banyan tree....
this was a medium-sized behemoth with the trunk size around around 3-meters wide. vertical panorama achieved thru panorama maker software.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/BanyanTree2.jpg
bottom pic auto-f2.8-iso200-1/60s-6mm
top pic f3.3-iso80-1/125s-6mm

tree-tops
enchanting shot of the tree-tops what with the nestling of greens
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/meillana/P1080136.jpg
auto-f2.8-iso100-1/60s-6mm

sky wound up badly in the above pics imho.
feedback/comments most welcome!
(obviously need to learn manual exposure)

[Geoff Chandler]

While we were away recently - my F/I Law tended the garden and planted a few things - this is a Coleus, nothing special about the pic - it's natural as it is not played with, even got a hair or whatever across it (which i may or may not bother to clone out later!) ~ just t show nt everything I take is up close and in your face.

[Geoff Chandler]

~then some good friends brought us round a tall tomatoe plant and a chilli - here's the chilli - I couldn't avoid the tomatoe leaves beside it...

[Geoff Chandler]

Flower or leaf??? Hmm

This is the flower on the chilli - but there are leaves in the pic!!!

[Rachel Robbins.]

@rachel.... that looks so elegant.

Thanks, meillana - I really liked the way the tendrils spiral, and yeah, elegant is a great word for their pattern. :)

I love the leaves that seem to be walking up the tree trunk in your first shot. Great pattern!

[Bald Eagle]

WOW, there are sooo many fantastic shots, here is a humble photo of a leaf right after a rainstorm, hope you like.

[Wombat]

Hi Leafers

Glad to be back after an unscheduled break and pleased to see you have been having a great time posting more shots. Hello to the newcomers and thank you everyone for such excellent contributions.

It seems that there are quite a few lurkers watching this thread. Don't be shy - post a shot - fruits, vegetables, leaves, seeds, twigs, bark, nuts, buds, etc. everyone is welcome.

Here's my leaf of the day - not sure what it is but I liked the pattern and colours.

regards
Wombat

[gstafleu]

BE, that leaf looks like it is covered in jelly!

Wombat, nice colors and composition.

As my LOTD I have a pair of fern leaves:
http://photos21.flickr.com/30736843_c1159f66d8_o.jpg

[Wombat]

Gerard - thanks for the kind comments.

Here is one of my fern shots. It didn't go to plan - as the foreground is out of focus and the background in focus - but I kind of like it. Bet I couldn't do it again if I tried.

regards
Wombat

[gstafleu]

Wombat, I also like that one. It is almost an abstract.

My LOTD is nothing special, just a nice oval leaf I saw:
http://photos22.flickr.com/31032191_7ce42bd87b_o.jpg

[Wombat]

Wombat, I also like that one. It is almost an abstract.

My LOTD is nothing special, just a nice oval leaf I saw:

thanks Gerard. That is one very subtle shot of the oval leaf - so much detail and light/shade effects. It only goes to show just how much we miss until it is photographed.

Following on from Siberian's super vegetable leaf shots - here is a swiss chard leaf with some fun colours and pools of water.

regards
Wombat

[gstafleu]

A very juicy leaf indeed, Wombat. I like how that main vein sort of curves away into the distance.

My LOTD is slightly different. A bug is spinning some sort of web in order to produce more bugs, so this really is a bug nursery:
http://photos23.flickr.com/31298120_eb96833204_o.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

Wombat, WOW, fantastic captures.
Gerard, excellent work. very well done.
Here is a different look at Leaves, Through a Raindrop, hope you like.

[abhinav]

leaves.. sorta
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/Abhinav/Sandiego052.jpg

[SamPhilly]

A wee bit blurry (also, first time trying digital zoom), thought it was a nice shot with the sun setting.

http://www.the-shelleys.com/sitebuilder/images/Leaves-600x425.jpg

[Wombat]

Gerard - a great shot of the bugs web - the silver against the blue sky is very effective.

BE - that leaves in the raindrop is inspired and as usual beautifully executed.

abhinav - your spikey leaves against the sky against the sky is just the sort of shot that would have caught my eye as well. Great composition.

SamPhilly - I really like the composition - with the central leaves to the rear and the side wrapping around to the front. There are some lovely shades of greens and yellows. I have the same problem with digital zoom and have to say I have disabled it altogether. I think that digital zoom only electronically enlarges a portion of the shot and therefore the quality tends to suffer as there are less "pixies :D per inch". Must be like cropping the shot before it is taken? I know I used to get a lot of camera shake with digital zoom but that will be my age.

Here's a bramble/blackberry shoot. Canon A80

regards
Wombat

[Bald Eagle]

Thanks for the kind words Wombat. That is an excellent shot, very crisp and clear, very impressive, well done.

[Geoff Chandler]

~ not much happning for me of late on the leaf front - but I'm still watching this thread and there are some great leaf shots appearing! :)

[SamPhilly]

Thanks for the nice words Wombat, I turned off the digital zoom.

No worries Geoff, the wildflower preserve is on my calendar...will be able to get you some leaf photos. :)

[Wombat]

This is a white shoot on a pineapple mint. They don't last very long as they lack chlorophyll and tend to shrivel up and die. Canon A80.

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Samphilly - thanks - I'll keep my eyes open for your piccies
Wombat - great pineaple mint shot.
Here's a snap of our Parsley as it's starting to die off...

[Wombat]

Here's a snap of our Parsley as it's starting to die off...

Amazing how different parsley can look in close-up. The colours are great and reminded me of the colours in the attached - leaves of a japanese Acer. I think these are young leaves, however.

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Great shot wombat -
Just posting this one (A-200 as usual) - before posting the flower on the flower thread...
Just noticed when Rachel (Minigini) photographed these recently - the leaves have litle red bumps on them - you don't really notice it normally untill you take a close up look...Can you guess what it is?

[Wombat]

Just noticed when Rachel (Minigini) photographed these recently - the leaves have litle red bumps on them - you don't really notice it normally untill you take a close up look...Can you guess what it is?

Thanks for the kind remarks - pleased you are enjoying my contributions.
You are going to have to put me out of my misery regarding the red bumps.

Probably an abstract but here is a back-lit Cordyline leaf - these are a one of my favouite leaves to shoot. Canon A80.

regards
Wombat

[Geoff Chandler]

Wombat ~Dyslexic senior moment!! - I keep forgetting the name of the flower - check it on the flower thread - there's one of it there with the blue background
Then come back and put me out of my misery!!!
I like your abstract!