I've always had a fascination with closeup images. It seems to me that in life, we typically keep our distances, not wanting to encroach on anyone or anything. By getting closer, we can observe a whole new world of sights and sounds. Getting closer is not all that easy. First, you have to change your perspective. You need to find the level of your subject. Then you need to get close. Focus becomes key and that means paying attention. Putting the main subject infocus while allowing the background to "blur" signals your attention to detail.
Last summer, when I got out my old 85mm lens and decided to look around the yard for things to take pictures of and found this flower in a large vase on the deck. I tried a few hand held shots and then got out a tripod to make it more steady. The lighting is natural as the deck is on the north side of the house and like all north light, it is usually pretty good. I tried stopping down the lense to get just the right exposure and focus.
