A backlit bunny showing off his ears in the morning light.
I’ve been trying to capture the morning light with backlit sea glass for my photography project. I’ve been observing how light changes throughout the day.
The past two days, I walked with my camera in the early morning. Normally I take photos sitting down at home. The camera is a little bulky to carry on my walks compared to my iphone. But I managed because I was inspired to capture a gorgeous Texas Purple Sage in the morning light that’s on the other side of the neighborhood from me.
It’s a massive plant. Since I was using my macro lens that is for closeups, I couldn’t get far enough away to photograph the whole plant. Also, the sage is on the west side of a two-story house and was in the shade when I walked over.
Along my walk to the sage, I spotted so many beautiful instances of backlighting on plants like the Firestick cactus above and the Staghorn below.
My favorite is the following series of an agave. I took a photo of the whole plant and then got closer — and closer.
Last but not least, a chipmunk munching away on a blossom of a Golden barrel cactus.
Do you notice changes in light throughout the day and throughout seasons?
Which photos do you like and why?
Hmmm. I don’t notice it seasonally, but i.do know so e days are way brighter. I love the first agave shot. Gorgeous
I notice it’s brighter too, or maybe the sun is lower in the sky in the mornings. Plus we had a couple weeks of cloudy thunder and lightening storms, so it seems brighter now that it’s clear.
I’m glad you like the agave. I have a friend who paints and she said she might paint the second agave. She does large abstracts.
Just gorgeous
😊
I notice light changes much more now given that I live in a basement! The angle of the sun is lower so if I’m inside the room literally darkens and then brightens depending on cloud cover throughout the day. I don’t always know what the weather is really like outside either unless I go upstairs. I feel like I need a weather camera connected to my phone sometimes, just to know how to dress 😉 The bunny gets my vote this morning. Just enough sunlight to highlight those long whiskers!
That’s interesting. You have such changes with weather throughout the day that your basement room darkens and gets brighter. I have noticed the sun is lower, too. Since I sit at a table next to a window, I have to lower and raise the blinds throughout the day. I’m glad you like the bunny. Usually they take off so quickly I can’t get a decent photo.
The bunny…the ears…the backlit shot. Stole my heart. Lighting…yes, yes! Definitely feeling the shift in sunlight and where/when I need to close/open blinds, turn on lights. I don’t mind it…it feels like the softer season is coming, drawing me in to nesting. xo! 💝
I’m glad you enjoyed the bunny, too. I am doing the same right now with the blinds. Lowering them as the sun peaks over the horizon shining onto my laptop.😊
Sending morning hugs to you! 🌞💝🌞
And back to you! 💕
These pictures are so beautiful! I love that Texas Sage.
The Texas Sage is amazing. I’ve found four other ones in the neighborhood, but this one is the biggest and it’s on the curb. I need to go later in the day and get more photos of it.
Beautiful photos, E.A.! I love the chipmunk on the cactus… how incredible that they can navigate around all the thorns to get to a little treat.
I was so excited to capture the chipmunk photo. He was standing there forever with his back turned to me. Finally he moved a little to the side. I wonder how they manage the thorns, too. I have never touched them, but maybe they are softer than they look?
It’s such a great shot! They’re pretty agile little critters and I can tell you from experience that the barrel cactus thorns are not kind 😅 so my guess is he climbs up like precarious steps on a ladder. However he managed, it’s quite impressive!
Thanks! Also, thank you for warning me about the thorns. Now I don’t need to try them out for myself. 😉
I just learned something new. It’s not a chipmunk. It’s called a Harris Antelope Squirrel. https://animalia.bio/harriss-antelope-squirrel#google_vignette
Learn something new every day!
Very cool! Thanks for sharing. I had no idea!
I posted that photo on Next Door and found out!
Oh Elizabeth – I especially love the bunny and squirrel photos although all are lovely!
Thanks! Those are especially cute!
Very nice
Thanks!
lovely!
Thank you so much!
Incredible photos, Elizabeth! I’m partial to that chipmunk but all are amazing. Love how you pick a technique and then show it to us in different ways!
Thanks! I was really happy to get that chipmunk shot. I like him, plus the background. I learned from my professor to get my sea glass photos backlit. Then I began seeing plants and creatures in a different light. Literally!
I just learned from a neighbor that it’s not a chipmunk. It’s a Harris Antelope Squirrel. It sure looks like a chipmunk to me!
Love teh backlight in the bunny’s ear. Very cool how you did that.
Thanks! I didn’t do that. The sun and bunny did. Fortunately he stood still long enough for me to get a decent picture.
Oh take the credit. It’s all you. Without you taking the pic, we never get to see it!!! Ha, ha.
Okay, if you insist! 😅
I like the photos with animals in them the best.
The animals are more interesting than plants, aren’t they?
Those bunny ears 😁 The agave progression is quite good. Isn’t it good to discover something new. Your Harris Antelope Squirrel is a careful climber on cactus
I am learning how much difference the light makes to photos. I’m glad you enjoyed the bunny and the agave. I was surprised when I saw that progression. I’m also surprised to learn my chipmunks are squirrels!
Your photographs are beautiful Elizabeth. And I think the show of light and dark gives more definition to
Them
Yes, the morning light works wonder. In the middle of the day with the light overhead, the same things look flat. Thank you!
Light angle in photography plays a very important part. You’re most welcome
Thanks! So true.
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😍😍😍
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They’re all gorgeous, Elizabeth. It’s hard to choose, but I love the light in the bunny’s ear in the first photo.
Thanks so much! That bunny seems to be the favorite.
🥰
😊
I like the ones of the cactus, but all are good! You have a wonderbar of models in your area!
Thanks! 💕
These are all excellent, EA! The first agave image is especially eye-catching for the geometry when you are not looking directly at it (ie as it scrolls into view while looking at the image above it).
Thanks! I was so pleased with how the photos turned out. I never know until I see them on my laptop. Also, I was experimenting with a macro lens I got two years ago and have barely used.
The bunny ears remind me of Peanut and Biscuit—more ear than anything else!
I can see the difference in how the light comes through our front doors, from season to season.
Gorgeous Texas Sage—love the vibrant purple.
Yes, I can see the difference in light now too. Plus, I see the resemblance to Peanut and Biscuit. I’ll have to go back and get more photos of the Texas sage.