I haven't had the opportunity for taking pitcures recently; work, family and weather have all taken preference. So, when I saw the weather forecast for this morning was for good weather, and there were no other plans at home, I jumped at the chance to go out with the camera. It was about this time last year that I discovered a local meadow managed by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. It hasn't been ploughed for over a hundred years, has never had chemical fertilisers etc. used on it, and is still managed as meadows would have been for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. This means that it has the most amazing carpet of wild flowers at this time of year. It is perhaps a little early compared to last year but I decided to go and have a look.


2012 Eades Meadow - Sunrise by Birm, on Flickr


2012 Eades Meadow - Morning Meadow by Birm, on Flickr

Both with Nex 5 and SEL 16/2.8. The first uses the Sony fish-eye adapter as well.

The main challenge for me at this time of year is that dawn is so early, 5.30am! I got there just as the sun rose. The meadow was covered in flowers; mainly cowslips, with a lot of green winged orchids and bluebells mixed in. Last year I had been challenged trying to get shots from a low angle using only the angle finder on my A700. It's not just having to almost lie down flat that is tricky, it is avoiding damaging the wildflowers while doing it that is hard. This year I found it easier with the Nex 5 and live view (+ the wonderful MF assist!). The small Nex 5 is also easy to use on a small (Gorilapod) tripod and can be placed right in amongst the flowers. (The next step has got to be remote control from a smart phone etc.)

As I hadn't been doing much picture taking recently I wanted to try out as many lens options as I could.


2012 Eades Meadow - Orchids and Cowslips by Birm, on Flickr


2012 Eades Meadow - Cowslip by Birm, on Flickr

These were with the alpha mount Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro on the Nex 5.

2012 Eades Meadow - Morning sun on the meadow by Birm, on Flickr

This is with the SAL 16-80 CZ.



2012 Eades Meadow - Sunlight on meadow flowers by Birm, on Flickr

This is with the Minolta MD 50/1.4.

Both Nex 5

2012 Eades Meadow - Meadow flowers by Birm, on Flickr


2012 Eades Meadow - Cowslips and oak by Birm, on Flickr

Both with Minolta MD 50/1.4 on the Nex 5. I love the oof area with this lens.

Two hours went by like minutes, and I was soon home for breakfast with the family. Hope you enjoy the pictures

Well done! I especially like the first one made with the fisheye attachment. Looks like a very nice place.

Looks lke the creative juices are flowing.
1st is best for me. Nice balance between foreground and background.

Well worth the effort Birma, the first image is great, they are all very nice actually, I really like the scene with the 16-80, it’s the composition I think and the dof combined with the angle of view, just lovely.
Greg

Beautiful series. The first one for me too.

Ossie

Thanks Henry, JB, Greg and Ossie - all comments much appreciated

I am slowly learning how to get the best out of the fish-eye adapter. Yesterday's shots seemed more noisy when using the fish eye adapter than without. Is this to be expected with the extra glass involved? I can't seem to get Lightroom 3 to un-fish converging verticals. Does anyone do this in LR, or do I need to use another app?

The first one is really terrific. The extra DOF provided by the fisheye has nice effect. I always wanted to take extra wide angle picture with wild orchids in the front. You made a very good job.

Cheers

Marcell

Thanks Marcell

Birma, are you sure it's the first shot which is with the fish-eye converter and not the second?
BTW, I like the first too.

You can see the curves in the front of the picture.

Everyone tends to agree Andy that the first and second images are the best of the lot. I agree, as it immerses the viewer in the scene. It was worth getting up early!

Mark

Great series Birma. I loved the Morning sun on the meadows. It has that tranquil serenity about it.

With best regards,
Sury

Thanks Mark and Sury .

I have gone back to the originals to check Doc and, although I can't be 100% certain, I'm pretty sure the first is with the fish-eye converter, and the second is without.