• Members 137 posts
    April 6, 2024, 5:22 p.m.

    I really like the first one. The vivid contrast is great. The second doesn't work FOR ME at all. It is too blurry.

  • Foundation 1516 posts
    April 6, 2024, 5:28 p.m.

    Are you sure this is a magnolia. Our magnolia tree looks like this:

    L1010958_b.jpg

    The petals usually fall to the ground under the influence of quite modest blasts of wind.

    David

  • Members 633 posts
    April 6, 2024, 7:32 p.m.

    Yes, but the original tree 😁

  • Members 633 posts
    April 6, 2024, 7:36 p.m.

    Definitely magnolia. Magnolia stellata, Star magnolia. Yours is a soulangiana hybrid, and rather fine too.

  • Members 633 posts
    April 6, 2024, 7:39 p.m.

    I like both 😀 Capturing the movement is tricky, needing just the right amount of wind to balance the shutter speed, and as you say, something solid to anchor the shot. I think I took about a dozen of the daffodils to get a decent one.

  • Members 1648 posts
    April 7, 2024, 7:23 a.m.

    This shot really shouts spring.

  • Members 1648 posts
    April 7, 2024, 7:27 a.m.

    I actually like the first shot with no wind better. I think movement in a shot needs to be balanced with something stationary.

  • Members 892 posts
    April 7, 2024, 9:16 a.m.

    A spectacular set. A different vibe compared to your usual scenes which I enjoyed. Good to see you experimenting with wider ratios which I feel suit landscapes. Love the quarry shots too. 4th shot is a winner.

  • Members 892 posts
    April 7, 2024, 9:17 a.m.

    Ha! I do that to people.

  • Members 892 posts
    April 7, 2024, 9:20 a.m.

    I prefer the dark blue contrast of the first. I think a tighter framed view might work, creating a subliminal feel. Or including something static as a reference to let the eye know the movement is intentional. (Oh, just noticed you already mentioned that).

  • Members 892 posts
    April 7, 2024, 9:21 a.m.

    Magnolia Stellata

  • Foundation 1516 posts
    April 7, 2024, 9:39 a.m.

    Thanks for the explanation: I have never knowingly seen your variety.

    Davi

  • Members 881 posts
    April 8, 2024, 4:43 p.m.

    This one is really colourful with the red and green complimenting each other nicely and the dark blue/black of the water sitting in the middle
    Going into retirement just recently sound like a nice situation, and I can imagine it feels like a busy time :-)

  • Members 881 posts
    April 8, 2024, 4:45 p.m.

    lots of action in that shot !!!
    ...sort of nicely balanced with the two performers and two onlookers

  • Members 881 posts
    April 8, 2024, 4:47 p.m.

    Yes, it does have a certain majesty!
    Very well framed shot, the fog is helping here too

  • Members 881 posts
    April 8, 2024, 4:49 p.m.

    He's a real cute character.
    Very nicely captured!

  • Members 881 posts
    April 8, 2024, 5:19 p.m.

    Lovely fresh spring colours here!

  • Members 881 posts
    April 8, 2024, 5:26 p.m.

    I have three sorts of Magnolia trees in my garden :-)
    The white Star Magnolia, pictured in my original shot is the very first to flower in early spring, then the classic pink one like yours flowers, and later a darker almost purple one that usually flowers much later in the early summer.
    However, this year is crazy and they are all flowering at the same time !!!

  • Members 881 posts
    April 8, 2024, 5:28 p.m.

    Yes indeed, That will be part of my next experiments with this type of windy shot

  • Foundation 1516 posts
    April 8, 2024, 6:13 p.m.

    At this point I decided that visit to Wikipedia was in order, where I learn that there are actually over 200 species...

    The article is worth reading and has some find photos.

    David

  • Members 633 posts
    April 8, 2024, 8:43 p.m.

    Magnolias are one of my favourite groups of trees, especially since they have such an ancient lineage. I used to fantasise about creating a 'Cretaceous Glade' in my previous garden (in response to Jurassic Park😉) but never got around to planting more than just one magnolia. That one was one of the newer creamy yellow flowered garden hybrids, 'Elizabeth' I think, which managed to produce its first flower the year we sold the place 😀 😪