Fruits of my labour

[Grumpy John]

The last 18 months have been very difficult for me, and, for personal reasons the last 2 months even more-so. I have had no desire to venture out with the camera, so I turned my interest to the garden and my endeavours with the shovel and fork are starting to show results.
All images taken with my Tokina 100mm Macro. I purchased this lens over the Canon 100mm Macro as it was ~ $500 cheaper. Not having image stabilisation has proven to be a bit of a problem for me in close up work. I'm now saving up for the Canon 100mm Macro, lesson learned.

#1 Blueberry.

Make: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Exposure Time: 1/800 sec
F Number: f/8
ISO Speed ratings: ISO 1250
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Focal Length: 100 mm
35mm Equivalent: 160mm
Lens Model: Tokina AT-X M100mm PRO D F2.8 Macro



#2 Nasturtium

Make: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Exposure Time: 1/800 sec
F Number: f/8
ISO Speed ratings: ISO 1250
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Focal Length: 100 mm
35mm Equivalent: 160mm
Lens Model: Tokina AT-X M100mm PRO D F2.8 Macro



#3 Orange.

Make: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Exposure Time: 1/1250 sec
F Number: f/8
ISO Speed ratings: ISO 1250
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Focal Length: 100 mm
35mm Equivalent: 160mm
Lens Model: Tokina AT-X M100mm PRO D F2.8 Macro



#4 Passionfruit.

Make: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Exposure Time: 1/640 sec
F Number: f/8
ISO Speed ratings: ISO 1250
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Focal Length: 100 mm
35mm Equivalent: 160mm
Lens Model: Tokina AT-X M100mm PRO D F2.8 Macro



#5 Passionfruit.

Make: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Exposure Time: 1/1600 sec
F Number: f/8
ISO Speed ratings: ISO 1250
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Focal Length: 100 mm
35mm Equivalent: 160mm
Lens Model: Tokina AT-X M100mm PRO D F2.8 Macro



#6 Strawberry.

Make: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Exposure Time: 1/5000 sec
F Number: f/4
ISO Speed ratings: ISO 1250
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Focal Length: 100 mm
35mm Equivalent: 160mm
Lens Model: Tokina AT-X M100mm PRO D F2.8 Macro



#7 Strawberry.

Make: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Exposure Time: 1/2500 sec
F Number: f/8
ISO Speed ratings: ISO 1250
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Focal Length: 100 mm
35mm Equivalent: 160mm
Lens Model: Tokina AT-X M100mm PRO D F2.8 Macro



#8 Thyme. This image seems very soft, it seems as if the lens missed focus entirely.

Make: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Exposure Time: 1/6400 sec
F Number: f/4
ISO Speed ratings: ISO 1250
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Focal Length: 100 mm
35mm Equivalent: 160mm
Lens Model: Tokina AT-X M100mm PRO D F2.8 Macro

[HansE]

It is a different beatiful world. I like the passion fruit and the last one best even though there may have been a little movement.

[HansE]

Passion fruit flower that was

[Isac]

They are all quality images John. The lens seems to be OK but like you say, needs a bit of stabilisation. Can you see in DPP where the focus was?
It's rather strange that yesterday I took a photo of a passionfruit flower - non fruiting - that was growing in a patch of mixed vegetation at the lake. It looked a bit tired but still had good colours and form. I haven't seen them for a long time. They are very intricate with delicate components. Here's a lowdown for those inclined.

[K1W1]

Love the shots but for me for macro I would be saving for a tripod rather than a lens with stabilisation. You can’t focus stack for example with hand held shots and focus stacking becomes very important with the narrow dof you gave to play with with macro.

[Grumpy John]

Thanks for your input K1W1, I already have a good tripod which I have used for a few Focus stacked shots. The thing for me is that a tripod is not always a viable option when I'm out in the real world and image stabilisation would help to counter the effect of my shaky hands.

[wigz]

Excellent shots John. #1, #2 and #8 are my favourites here.

I’m sorry to hear you have had a tough time, but it’s good to see your work in the garden is producing results.

[Grumpy John]

Thanks for the kind words Alan, I think #1 is my favourite, just for the subtle colours. The COVID restrictions have been tough for me, plus there is a family dynamic going on at the moment that is not helping my mental health. Things are on the improve now that we are allowed more freedom of movement in Victoria.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day GJ

Heaps of thoughts here John ~ from personal experience, it aint funny to be going thru family issues ... wobbly hands - yes it describes me too thus my use of the monopod for much of the time with the big camera ... covid lockdowns etc. - well they seem to be decreasing in severity, so hopefully you can 'escape to the country' sometime soon

Phil

[Grumpy John]

Thanks for the kind and encouraging words Phil. The planned trips out are more weather dependent now, rather than being dictated by government mandates. I'm planning a visit to Melbourne's famous laneways in the not to distant future.

[Grumpy John]

#1.
The chili's are are starting to flower.



#2.
It's going to be a good year for the passionfruit.

[HansE]

I will have to hit you up for some gardening advice. I have a bunch of seedlings that have sat at the germinated stage the Chili peppers reminded me The other ting is the Kiwi fruit I'm trying took 5 weeks to germinate and is just standing there not doing anything

[Grumpy John]

70 days from pollination to picking for the passion fruit Hans. That's a long time to wait.
I had almost given up on the passion fruit, then all of a sudden there was fruit everywhere, don't give up.

[HansE]

I like all of those. You also have to remember you are the most important person in your life and you have friends. Wishing you health happines and pleasure! As well as ripe passion fruit.
Hans

[Grumpy John]

Thanks for the kind words Hans, most appreciated. Life is starting to return to normal and I'm looking forward to more good days with the camera.

[Grumpy John]

First (ripe) strawberry for the season. Maybe strawberries and passion fruit on the pav for Christmas day.

[Isac]

Lovely colour on that strawberry John! Perhaps a bit of selective clolour in PS could be on the cards?

[Grumpy John]

Something like this?

[Isac]

Yeah! I see it's not 100% B/W in the BG. What was your method to get that loook?

[Grumpy John]

I selected the strawberry using Object Selection Tool and inverted the selection. Then I created a B/W layer where I played around with the sliders till I found something I liked. I then changed the blend mode to saturation and dropped the opacity to %84.
I can send you the PSD if you want to have a play around.
I think that the slight colour in the background is quite effective.

[HansE]

Makes the re look even stronger. Would also look good on a portrait i reckon.

[Grumpy John]

Just for you Hans.

[HansE]

Haha- I was thinking red lips on a lady but I hope you ate that strawberry!

[Grumpy John]

I did, and it was delicious.

[Grumpy John]

Or this?

[HansE]

With kisses sweeter than wine?