Close-up Photography with 12mm lens

I always enjoy photographing with my Zeiss 50mm Touit Macro lens and so decided to try 'close-up' photography with Phil's 12 mm Zeiss lens. Although it won't focus close enough to give a macro image (1:1), for larger subjects it does give very pleasing 'in habitat' images and, of course being Zeiss, it is a very bright sharp image. Does anyone know if it is possible to use a very short extension ring to bring the focus point closer? The smallest ring I have is 11mm and the focus point is too close so can't focus.

Warm Temperatures and Wildflowers

Our recent high temperatures (16 degrees yesterday ) are having an effect on the flowering plants including many of the wild species in my garden. I record every year what is out in my garden on March 21st and spring has certainly been getting earlier and earlier. This year, flowering is also extending into the late autumn. There were hoverflies around today and even some active greenfly on some plants.

Infrared Tales (Tails?) of Toft

However long you (ewe) wait, there is always one that will not face the camera!. These sheep in the field next to our bungalow are always inquisitive if you stand at the gate. Images taken with my SonyRX100-converted camera - no great clarity but I do like the other world feel to the images. The These are RAW files with no profile or colour changes made - just adjustment to 'Tone' and 'Presence' sliders in the Camera Raw panels of Lightroom. I think this would only work on a very dull day.

Lichens and Fungi in Toft Wood

 I am just coming to completion of a book I have been working on for some months to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the planting of our local Toft Wood. As well as receiving lots of interesting contributions for people in the village and further afield, I have tried to document its more obvious wildlife. I hadn't enough suitable lichen images so, in one of the bright intervals, I wandered down to the wood and captured the amazing world of the lichens there. Afraid I don't know the species   I was pleased to also find four impressive fungi not previously recorded, Wood Blewits, White Saddle, Laccaria laccata and Crepidotus spp.  

Experimenting with Lighting

You can tell we are back in lockdown when I start looking for photographic projects. I decided to photograph vegetables with chiaroscuro lighting using off-camera flash diffused through tissue paper. The first six are my favourites.