Valensole Plain 2012

Lavender Fields, Valensole Plain by Phyllis D. Peterson, 2012

I'm up to day three of my photographic journey through the Provence area of France.  It wouldn't be a trip through that area of France without the obligatory photograph of the lavender fields of the Valensole Plain. (I just love writing those words. I think it conveys the specialness of the place.) But don't be fooled. These lavender fields bloom for only 2-3 weeks. Our visit was specially timed to be at the lavender field when they were in bloom. This is an important cash crop for the French. As we found out when we visited the town of Sault, they sell the lavender blossoms and scent in their markets and worldwide.

As photographers we are all aware of the popular scene of neat, clean purple rows stretching into the horizon. How do you capture the scene without being boring? First of all, not all the rows were neat and clean. You had to find rows that were mostly purple. It was difficult because we were at the beginning of the two week period of bloom, so there were distracting green and white plants mixed in. We were lucky in that there were field of bright green fields to break up the color, and bordered by fields of wheat.  The trick is to shoot down the rows to show the perspective of converging lines in the distance. And, because it is a landscape shot needing focus in the distance you have to plan to set your aperture small (larger number) like f/16 or f/22. If you use Aperture Priority, the shutter speed will adjust and you just need to tweak it with the Exposure Compensation. Focus into the scene about 1/3 of the way in and you will get good focus, front to back.

We went to the market at Sault and took pictures of the lavender that was for sale. Of course, I brought home some lavender fragrance bags for my drawers at home. The fragrance brings me back to that place and time.

Precarious position

I have a few photos that I have taken from almost the same spot on a stream in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountain Park in April.

Somehow I got up the nerve to stand out on a rock in the middle of the stream. I managed to get my tripod and camera up on the rock. My bag stayed on the side, nice and dry.
I set my lens to 50mm and my exposure to f/16 at 4.0 sec, and ISO 200. I knew I wanted the image to be clear from foreground to background.

Mountain stream looking one way

I turned around and took a picture of the stream going away from me. The settings for the following picture were almost the same: 45mm, f/22 at 6.0, and ISO 200. Of course I used a polarizing filter for both of these shots.

The most spectacular scenery you can find up in the mountains is often not the mountain vistas.  (That's a quote from me.)

Another Smoky Morning

Morning Dew

The photo seen above was taken at Cades Cove in the Great Smoky National Park early one spring morning. The mist still covered the ground in the park. What I was trying to achieve was the effect of sun glittering off the dew drops on the grass in the foreground. It did not succeed in my mind. The sun causes a huge jump in the histagram off to the right but so what. I have seen photos where the sun is in the photo with the mist below. I'm not sure this photo succeeds.

Morning Dew#2

Above is a similar photo after cropping and post processing in Color Efex Pro. I think I like the cooler effect better.

Photography in Florida

On a trip to Florida last week, I wanted to capture some sunset photos of a marsh nearby to where my father lives in a skilled nursing facility. I had an urge to explore the area. A short drive down a road marked "Dutton Island" and I was on my way.

I had seen the Dutton Island Preserve sign many times in all the years I have been coming to Fleet Landing to see my parents. I knew I wanted to capture the sun setting on the swamp land of that part of Florida. My brother, Tom, assured me that I could catch the sunset from that side of the island. He went to high school in Jacksonville Beach and was familiar with the area.

I took my tripod with camera attached and I also carried a bag which held a few other cameras. I left my car locked in the parking lot just before 5 pm.  The pathway around the island was fairly well marked and I came across picnic tables but no other people. I made it to the edge of the island and the last place that pictures could be taken of the sunset.  I set up my camera and shot away.

Soon, I needed to move to a new spot and even considered walking in the mud but thought better of it. I could just imagine trying to remove my tripod from a foot of mud. You see, the tide was out and I made the best of whatever shots I could get which showed the reflection of sun in the water.  It was fun and I lost track of time.  Soon it got quite dark and I knew that I had better high-tail it back to the parking lot or I might get locked in.  However, I came across a scene of trees dripping with spanish moss and palm trees and they were lit from below with the sunset. I had to take the shot and I carefully set up the tripod and took 2 shots.  Then I grabbed the tripod and moved as fast as I could go. It was getting dark in the woods as I went away from the sun.

As you probably guessed, the gate was locked when I got there. There was a young girl on her cell phone. She said that the gatekeeper had been there 5 minutes before me and asked if she was the owner of the car. When she said she was not, he locked the car in.  I had to call for someone to pick me up.

So, the moral of the story is: Definitely visit Dutton Island. And, you can even go at sunset. But do not stay until Dusk. You will get locked in.

Happy Photographing!
Phyllis Peterson