floral

Change of key

/ mikeosbornphoto / 13 Comments

Low key yellowA glorious English summer’s day at the Chelsea Physic Garden in London. Floral shots are everywhere.

This is a case of a single shot and two takes. The first (below) is saturated with bright yellow and green, almost luminescent. I decided to try again, winding down the exposure compensation. The shot above is still bursting with life, colour and summer – but is deeper, richer in tone.

The high key shot has quite an artistic feel to it, with bold brush strokes. I can’t decide between the different qualities of the two photographs. Which do you prefer?

High key yellow

Dusk lavender

/ mikeosbornphoto / 10 Comments

It’s been a beautiful summer day and the light is gradually fading into darkness. I’m at the walled garden in Ravenscourt Park, enjoying the sight and scent of some lavender bushes. They’re now in full bloom in the green spaces and gardens of west London.

Shortly after taking this shot, I was asked to leave by park officials who were locking up the garden for the night. It was quite easy to ignore them…

Dusk lavender

The walled garden

/ mikeosbornphoto / 23 Comments

This little gem is literally around the corner from my new home. I’ve been there many times over the years, but it’s now part of the neighbourhood.

At the moment, the walled garden in Ravenscourt Park is bristling with blooms and is a real oasis of natural calm. Visitors amble through the gates for a tranquil few moments, while young couples steal some time to themselves on the sheltered benches that line the old walls.

Such a small space can produce an unexpected array of shots. You have to be very discreet to attempt any candid shots, and I largely failed in that pursuit on this warm, sun-kissed evening.

Summer was alive and well, and a far cry from some of the photos I captured here in the grip of the icy winter.

Click first image for the full gallery experience

Here’s a selection of related posts you might also enjoy:

Anatomy of a rose

Park moments

Waterlilies

A photographic quandry solved

/ mikeosbornphoto / 21 Comments

Choosing between a colour shot and converting black and white is often a dilemma. And recently I wondered if it was wrong to drain all the colour from a beautiful floral macro. Maybe this is the answer…

This shot was taken in Crystal Palace Park in south-east London. I’m still not sure which version I prefer. They both have their own qualities. What are your thoughts?