Garden Therapy

The Old and The New: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day and Camera Update

I think that I finally have a solution to my camera needs.  Last year (well, really only a few months ago) I wrote about my quest for a new camera and over the holidays I found the solution: a basic point a shoot for my purse and a new macro lens for my DSLR.  So far I’m happy with this solution.  The point and shoot is just a little Canon Powershot SD1200IS that I chose after trying a few different basic slim cameras.  I liked this one best because it’s small, it’s fast, and it takes good pictures.  The photo of the VanDusen Festival of Lights was taken with this camera with no tripod – not bad! 

The much more exciting addition to the camera family is the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens I got for Christmas.  While I really didn’t want to have to switch lenses for different shots, the quality I get with this macro is just so much better for close up shots of the garden.  I used it for today’s Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day shots after our rainstorms cleared and the sun popped out for a brief visit this afternoon. 

The theme for this month’s photos is “The Old and The New”.  I’ve used my old Digital Rebel with my new macro lens to take photos of the evergreens, overwintering veggies, and spent foliage that keep my winter garden interesting as well as the mighty new growth that is already pushing the leaf mulch aside.  Spring may not be here yet, but it already feels like the dark of winter is behind us.  The new growth is emerging from the soil and it can also be felt in the air.  That combined with the building excitement for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics is making these short days full of promise.  So without further ado, here is “The Old and The New”.

Tags: camera, Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, Photography

January 15 2010 06:50 pm | Flowers and Gardening and Photography

8 Responses to “The Old and The New: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day and Camera Update”

1. melanie watts on 18 Jan 2010 at 1:04 pm #

   

   What beautiful photographs. You must be very happy with your new camera lens. Do you have tickets to see any Olympic events?

2. Stevie on 18 Jan 2010 at 9:47 pm #

   

   Thanks, Melanie. I do like my new lens, and my new little point and shoot – I took it around the garden center and created a photographic wish list. I think that was a bad idea.

   No tix for the games…yet. I just never got around to it but I plan to get right into the action as I’m really close to a lot of the venues.

3. Frances on 19 Jan 2010 at 5:02 am #

   

   Hi Stevie, the new macro lens has proven itself with these shots! Crisp clear and real, well done! It does seem like we have turned the corner on winter, even though the calender says otherwise. I am sure it is heating up with activity in Vancouver, that will get the blood flowing faster! :-)
   Frances

4. Dan on 19 Jan 2010 at 4:46 pm #

   

   Oh how I want a prime macro lens! But I also want a 300mm f4, a 10-24mm wide angle & a 1.4x TC. Then maybe an assistant to carry them all… I can always dream :-)

   About the seed trades, I set them up a few ways. First some people comment about liking a particular variety so I offer them in a trade. A few people post trade pages of what they have to offer. I also just ask people if they would like to do a trade.

   If you would like to do a trade drop me a line @ veggyblog@gmail.com and I will send you my list. A few other folks to offer seeds are:

   http://daphnesdandelions.blogspot.com/2009/12/seeds-in-need-of-good-home.html

   http://veggiepatchreimagined.blogspot.com/

5. Kat on 19 Jan 2010 at 7:05 pm #

   

   Wow! Man do I want a macro lens now. You certainly have posted a good “for” argument in those photos. Lovely shots. Looks like you made the right choice.

6. lostlandscape (James) on 19 Jan 2010 at 10:15 pm #

   

   I like your photos! I’ve had that very macro lens for 15+ years now, first on an old 35mm film camera and then on my DSLR. With the old camera I was able to get really really close to plants, and now with the DSLR, which has a smaller image area, the macros can be almost uncomfortably close. It’s an amazing new way to explore the garden, isn’t it? Have fun!

7. Patrice Campbell on 20 Jan 2010 at 8:25 pm #

   

   What beautiful pictures. I need a camera, but with so many options available, I’m frozen in my tracks trying to choose. Seeing your pics makes me want to get back to some research. Beautiful, or did I already say that?

8. Seasonal Wisdom on 28 Jan 2010 at 5:53 am #

   

   Everyone needs a macro lens! Seriously, I love these pictures, especially as they show the reemergence of these plants from the wintery ground. Life begins anew! Thanks for sharing…

   Teresa

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