You have all heard of the saying ‘The best camera, is the the camera you have with you!’ - Well for the most part, this would be the camera on your mobile phone.
As I have been downsizing my camera gear (From my heavy Canon 5d MK iii to my Fuji XT-3) I thought about my macro images, and how I was going to still do macro on occasion without all the gear.
So, I did a little searching on YouTube and came across a fellow ex-South African Liesl Huddleston, who now resides in Dallas, Texas
Do yourself a favour, check out her brilliant YouTube channel - not only is her work sublime, but she has the most amazing voice, and tells her story in the most captivating way! (and the accent is great too!)
I was so impressed by what Liesl achieved with her phone and a moment macro lens, that I ordered one to try out! Well, needless to say, I was blown away!
The lens itself is about 20cm in diameter and fits snuggly onto your phone, and weighs a couple of grams - talk about down sizing!!
I had been wanting to photograph moss - but to showcase the moss, as a tiny forest and this mobile set-up with the moment macro lens was going to be the perfect way to achieve this. I practiced in my garden, and managed to get a portfolio of images I call ‘Le petit forêt’ - Loved how these turned out!
Our camera club had planned to meet out at our local botanic park in the Perth hills, called Araluen, as the annual tulips were out in full bloom - I thought, what a perfect spot to look for moss, in the lush gardens of the park.
I got there early, the park opens at 9am, met up with a few of the club. then got lost in the immense beauty of the place, and the bustling crowd of visitors to the park. I wondered around photographing the tulips and the trees, and then found a bench and rested with my flask of hot milo.
As I sat, I noticed the low lying sun started to peer through the trees and dust the floor of the woodland with the most incredible amber light. I noticed how the ground was lighting up, so took a closer look and saw the moss, and saw these new elfin-like shoots stretching up to meet the golden glow, shimmering with delight!
Well, out came the mobile with the macro lens and my series called ‘Ambre’ was born!
Hope you enjoy the images as much as I enjoyed taking them!
Till the next adventure!
