Springtime!

This past Friday was the Spring Equinox. It was also another snow storm. That didn't stop us from heading out to Planting Fields Arboretum State Park. One of the best values as a New York State resident is purchasing the Empire Passport, which allows unlimited entry to all of the state parks. We take advantage of it, just by our visits to Jones Beach over the summer.

First Day of Spring!
Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/400sec, 320ISO, 40mm

Snow was still covering most of the grounds, and the trees haven't awoken from their winter slumber. However, the greenhouses on the property both have most of their plants in bloom.

Dangling Texture
Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/160sec, 400ISO, 40mm

There were two greenhouses we visited, the first was the main greenhouse, which housed cacti and succulents, houseplants, ferns, orchids, amongst others. There were so many different orchid blooms, so these are just a small handful of the photos I shot.

Orchid
Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/160sec, 400ISO, 40mm

The lighting conditions outside were grey and overcast, though not to dark. It created a nice soft light inside the greenhouses. In the main greenhouse, I also used an LED ring light attached to the front of my shorty forty. 

Tower of Orchid
Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/125sec, 640ISO, 40mm

All shots are handheld since monopods and tripods are not allowed in the greenhouses. 

Orchid
Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/160sec, 640ISO, 40mm

The struggle was to keep a fast enough shutter speed to have sharp photos, but have a small enough aperture to get as much depth of focus when shooting near macro photos. 

Orchid
Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/160sec, 640ISO, 40mm

I wish I had taken pictures of the nameplates, so unfortunately, I am unaware what each of these orchids are named.

Orchid
Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/160sec, 640ISO, 40mm

That is something I should work on, as I often forget the names of the animals after a trip to the zoo as well.

Orchid
Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/5, 1/160sec, 640ISO, 40mm

I have always enjoyed greenhouses. It has always been cool to see exotic flora.

Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/5, 1/160sec, 640ISO, 40mm

After the main greenhouse, we visited the Camillia House with its many roses.

Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/5, 1/200sec, 640ISO, 40mm

There was a sign outside this greenhouse that lighting equipment was prohibited, so I did not use the LED ring light. I still need to use it as more before I make a decision, but so far I am a little unimpressed. I was hoping it would be a little brighter than it seems to be.

Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/5, 1/200sec, 640ISO, 40mm

Once again, I failed to take note of the names of each of these flowers.

Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/200sec, 640ISO, 40mm

I also noticed that a circular polarized lens would have helped a lot in these conditions, as it would have eliminated the reflections off of the leaves and petals.

Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/200sec, 640ISO, 40mm

Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/125sec, 640ISO, 40mm

Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/125sec, 640ISO, 40mm

Canon 60D, EF40mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/125sec, 640ISO, 40mm