Last June, I attached a Canon macro lens to my Fuji via a piece of transparent hose giving a lens that acts like a Lensbaby in being able to move the focus point but also produces soft diffuse image due to the light coming in via the hose. Here are a few garden images taken with the Hosebaby today.
Last Tuesday, I took part in the monthly wildlife survey at a chosen area of Paxton Pits. This time it was the edge of one of the disused gravel pits and an area of meadow which was flooded all winter. There was a huge abundance and diversity of insects and other invertebrates so I could only record a fraction of the species. Here are some of the more photogenic subjects. The Green leafhopper comes in two forms - the first with jade green wing cases, the second with blue .
As Saturday was a sunny day, I decided to have a play with more cyanotypes (see previous attempt last July here) The first of the three images shows the coated paper with specimens and various added substances - salt, paprika etc; the second after exposure before rinsing and the third when rinsed and dried. I think I probably exposed some for a bit too long to get the subtle tones - the 4th image shows the exposed brown state - interesting that the veins show on the leaves before washing but not after. I will try on a duller day for comparison.
It was great to meet up with Alistair, Bev and Rowan after too long a break due to Covid restrictions. Alistair very expertly punted us up to the Granta from Mill Lane and then down as far as St Johns before returning. The river was very busy but the swans with their 7 cygnets didn't seem to worry about all the punts and people provided bits of picnic were being shared.
