THE HIDDEN WORLD

Lately I've been using my camera to explore the world of macro photography. What I love about macro photography is that sometimes you discover things in the shot that you didn't even notice until you uploaded the picture to the computer. You also gain a new perspective that helps you focus more on the shape and color. When taking this picture below, I didn't even see the bugs. But looking at the picture on a large computer screen, I could even see their little wings.

The black dots are tiny gnats on this Variegated Yucca

We have a Red Barberry bush beside our driveway that is absolutely huge, and this time of year it is gorgeous.

Red Barberry bush

The color right now melds into a beautiful pinkish-red from afar. But when you get in close, the tone changes and you can really see the leaves as individual colors.

Close-up of Barberry leaves

Focusing on only red, brightly-lit leaves and getting in even closer, the camera reveals a resulting color intensity that is very striking. In this picture below, my camera lens was about 1/2 inch from the leaves.

A study in pink

Light and shadow play a major part in the color that is perceived by our eyes. The close-up of the Barberry leaves looks very different from this one below, because of the lighting.

A bit in the shadows

You have probably guessed by now that I was walking around the yard, looking for anything that would lend itself to extreme close-up. I came upon the Kale plants that we have in the back yard, which are still living despite having endured below-freezing temperatures. The leaves are actually looking the best they have all season. You can see the intricate design of the leaf in this picture below.

Close-up of Kale leaf

Photographing the tops of the Kale leaves from just an inch or so shows the curly frills that are the hallmark of this type of Kale plant.

Curly-leaf Kale

Moving on around the yard, I noticed another good macro photography opportunity. The picture below is of a piece of driftwood we found on a beach in California. You can use your imagination to transform the swirl in the middle into a bubbling witch's cauldron, or perhaps a spiral galaxy out in distant space. Or you can just see a knot in the wood.

What do you see?

Speaking of space, this picture below looks like it might be stars in that far-off galaxy. But in reality, it's just a close-up of a piece of obsidian, a type of volcanic rock.

In a galaxy far, far away

You can use macro photography to reveal the hidden beauty in almost any object. In the picture below, the camera enables you to see the beautiful coloring from which these beans get their name.

Cranberry Beans, similar to Pinto Beans

PARTING SHOT

This week's parting shot has been relinquished by Summer Girl so that I can mention something that has been on my mind lately.

What a difference a year makes. Last year this time we were still down at Dad's, taking care of him while Linda's sister and brother-in-law took a much-needed vacation. We all had no idea what the near future would bring. We left there on November 2nd, saying goodbye to Dad for the last time. This is the last picture I took of him.

And on that note, I leave you until next week.