Light for Wildflowers

I returned to the same area as the weekend before. Again on Sunday because the winds were forecast to be lighter than Saturday. The sun was out in full glory. In the afternoon some clouds appeared n the north to add some interest to that light blue sky. I didn't even consider the polarizer for my 14/45mm lens on my Olympus I have had trouble with the darkening around the edges of the image using it. I did use manual settings though ISO 100 F/16 1/150. I know this would be considered harsh light it was about 2:00 p.m. My issue is the colors seem so vibrant and alive in this light, and the flowers are fully open. Some might not be in the magic hours, especially the poppies. So I'm wondering if this (light) works.

Paul

Conventional wisdom flowing out of many pros who honed their craft on Velvia during the 90s was that anything but early/late light was "harsh" and unproductive. And they preached that to the vast numbers of new DSLR photographers after 2k. Well Velvia does sukk in anything but low altitude sunlit so no wonder. Never did like that hue distorting film as a good friend of mine often brought along some rolls in a second 35mm SLR of the day we would later compare with our neutral films. Some other neutral less contrasty films have always done just fine. So overgeneralized nonsense, misleading, and the term harsh is inappropriate. Yes if one shoots most landscapes within three hours of high noon in summer, the light is likely to indeed be harsh. But what about the sweet direct and near direct frontal light say at 7am to 9am or 5pm to 7pm? Too harsh? Or off axis light at 9am to 10am and 4pm to 5pm? Especially with flowers and fall folliage? If when you are viewing a not too contrasty scene or subject with your eyes and it looks aesthetic, well if you have film or a DSLR setup to capture such light in a neutral way, it can look wonderful on capture.

4x5 sheet of Provia exposed about 3pm in early April:

http://www.davidsenesac.com/Gallery_B/05-H3-2.jpg

David,

Thank you for your thoughtful response and I checked out your gallery, it clearly shows that you spend the whole day shooting adjusting to the conditions and the light. David you have a nice website and some very fine images. I'm encouraged. Not that I won't get up at o'dark thirty to get that "sweet" light or stay out in the field until after dusk.

Thank you again,

Paul

Very well composed, Paul. I'm surprised that this was taken in early afternoon.
The light looks good on my monitor.

The light works for me. Flowers like light, so if you want to showcase them... especially the poppies, you have no choice. I also like the way the sweeping ridgeline divides the scene up. Nice work!