Cereus Peruvianus

[kasey]

i just found out what variety of cactus this was through the photos. i was given a 4 foot piece of it a few years ago by a friend, it had broken off in a wind storm. it has done well and now is probably 9 feet tall with some side arms coming at the bottom. it has been blooming this past week and i was surprised to find that it is a night blooming variety. we would find a bloom open in the early morning that was closed and wilting by 7 or 8 a.m. needless to say to get the photos i had to get out there early. i used one reflector panel to diffuse the sun coming in from the left side of the bloom as it was blowing highlights. used another to reflect some light back into the bloom and for this macro did not have to use the flash as i did on the others i took.




the other shots can be seen here
http://www.pbase.com/kclanin/image/101985423
and
http://www.pbase.com/kclanin/image/101856047

the bloom is easily the size of a dinner plate so impressive.

exif info: 1/20s f/16.0 at 300.0mm iso400

[KodiakStar]

Wow, love the shot, the detail, and the "depth" it has in the center of the flower

[kasey]

Originally Posted by KodiakStar

Wow, love the shot, the detail, and the "depth" it has in the center of the flower

thanks, kodiakstar. i've only had the lens a few months, it's big, it's heavy, but it sure does take nice images. glad you liked my photo of it.

[KodiakStar]

I can't wait until I can upgrade to a similar lens. I have a 35mm which is great for playing with flowers, but bugs are so hard to do!

How far away were you for this shot?

[kasey]

Originally Posted by KodiakStar

I can't wait until I can upgrade to a similar lens. I have a 35mm which is great for playing with flowers, but bugs are so hard to do!

How far away were you for this shot?

this isn't a macro lens, it has a minimum focusing distance of 4.5 feet so that's just about where i was.

the only macro lens i have now is the sigma 180mm, nice for doing some things as you don't have to get so close.

of course most any lens can be turned into a macro with extension tubes.