3/10/2010
Bird of Paradise on the Sky
One of my favorite things about visiting San Diego in March is the Bird of Paradise display. They are everywhere around the Marian Village Convention Center and the various hotels I frequent. For this shot, I used the flip-out lcd on the Canon to get low and shoot up, isolating the bloom against the blue sky and white clouds. Other stuff around the bloom dictated the placement in the frame if I wanted it isolated, but I think the leading placement (facing out the frame and closer to the exit edge than the entrance…if you follow what I mean) works for this shot, mainly due to the strength of the subject. It gives it a dynamic tension which I find interesting. In general, of course, I attempt to avoid the leading composition when I can.
Canon SX20IS at about 55mm equivalent. f3.5 @ 1/250th @ ISO 125. Programmed auto.
A bit of Recovery in Lightroom for the sky. Fill Light for the underside of the bloom. Blackpoint slightly right. Added Clarity and a tiny amount of Vibrance. Sharpen landscape preset.
From San Diego 2010.
great photo. I have an old G4 and reallylove the flip out and tilt LCD as I can no longer get down to shoot up. 😉
david
Thanks David,
I can get down if I have to. It is the getting back up that is the killer. 🙂
AH YESSSS,
the getting up is the problem. If I get down it is a 911 call. OH WELL, if you wake up breathing all is well. Big Grin
Great shot of this Bird of Paradise against the clouds and that beautiful blue sky!