Macro Photography at Trebah

I enjoyed my last visit to Trebah Gardens so I have decided to return to complete a photomicroscopy assignment. I was instructed to photograph an area of the gardens using macro technique. Below are some of the images that I produced from the Beach path....through the rhododendrons, bamboozle, gunnera and hydrangeas. I used a Nikon D200 and 60mm macro lens with macro flash kits.
(ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ABBI HUGHES)

These images show a series of water droplets on different varieties of plants and shrubbery. Above represents a colourful abstract  image that examines macro photography and uses the natural lighting creatively to display the plants composition . The plants name is unknown to me at present but I will carry on my search to identify it.

This image was photographed on a tree in the bamboozle. Once again I am unsure of the identity of this tree but will find out in due course and update you. I loved the way the light caught the droplets and shows their curves and direction of movement. The colour of the bark, I feel, is striking and emotive.

This is a photograph of lichen (Niebla homalea) that grows on rocks trees and shrubs in coastal areas. It is not my favourite macro image but I was excited by the way the lichen appeared to be wrapped around and protecting a water droplet. It was found in an interesting location, hiding between the rhododendrons so I logged it.

This next image of moss was found on the sidewalk opposite the gunnera fields. I used a shallow depth of field to enhance colour and to pinpoint attention to the important part of the image. I feel this creates an interesting subject where the viewer is left questioning what the object is.

This is a photograph of snow drops (Galanthus) that have been just been planted and ready to come out for spring. I particularly like this image as droplets are suspended between the shoots by a single spider web.

This is a photograph of a pair of earwigs (Dermaptera) interested me as they also had water droplets on their backs. I had to be patient and wait for them to stop moving to get the image in sharp focus on both the earwig and the droplets seen on its back. I also like how the focus has created a central viewpoint with a blur circling the subject.

The next two images are close ups of a gunnera plant. Using macro photography has enabled me to tell a different story from a new perspective.

The last macro image a took of the day was of the dying hydranger plants. When decaying they leave a beautiful exo-skeleton that i have captured using a shallow focus.

Whilst investigating these gardens I took small samples to look at through the microscope and investiagte further. I will post some more images of these up soon.

Location : Trebah Gardens

Weather: Wet, strong winds with heavy rainy spells

Date: 12th January 2011
Time: Afternoon
Map Reference: SW767273

Abbi