Macro Special Effects by Nature

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Most of the time, no camera movement is necessary for this effect in the Tehachapi Mountains. You would quickly go broke renting wind machines to photographers in Bear Valley Springs. We can always count on a slight breeze, at least, and the gusts occasionally threaten small structures and rearrange garden furniture.

I had become fond of macro photography before we moved here and, occasionally I get a tad frustrated by the still relatively new-to-me conditions. Fortunately, I also like to experiment with photos like the one above. Yesterday, I had gotten in a little shooting before the slight breeze gathered strength, then decided to stick around for something different. After all, the Red Harvester Ants hadn’t found me, and I was giving their bed a wide berth. Since my enemy and I were coexisting peacefully, I let the wind show me a few tricks.

Of course, the downside of this session is that I now want a neutral density filter for my 100mm macro lens. The desire for more gear is a lot like the wind in the Tehachapis: a constant.

Out of Touch

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Normally, during periods when I don’t post I am at least reading and posting comments at the sites of other bloggers. Not so during my most recent moving-in week. I wasn’t even taking time to read my e-mail and that is highly unusual for me. Over the next couple of days, I have plans to take breaks and treat myself to some blog-browsing.

There is one positive thing about not keeping up with fellow bloggers. When I do begin my rounds, I am apt to find not one, but several posts at some of my favorite sites. Somehow, the motivation to linger longer at a particular stop makes the visit even more delicious. It is not just the delayed gratification. It is the difference between a brief chat with a friend (during which you are quickly exchanging recent updates) as opposed to settling in for a leisurely visit and savoring a rich collection of topics. Or, reading a good novel by rushing through a few paragraphs at a time compared to settling in for a few hours to totally lose yourself in the characters whose lives you are following.

When I have time to keep up with the latest, I lack the discipline to delay gratification. Instead, I eagerly rush to check for daily tidbits and miss the quiet moments of quality time spent with the thoughts of a friend. Perhaps my brief absences aren’t such a bad idea, after all.