Orchid No. 8

ORCHID, CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN, GLENCOE, ILLINOIS, MARCH 6, 2016

Pentax K-3
Tamron 90mm macro
1/125 sec. f16
ISO 1600

It was back to the Orchid Show at the Botanic Garden yesterday for more captures before the show closes soon. Many of the specimens are wilting already, but not this one. I used a high ISO because tripods were barred and hand-holding the camera was required.

Orchid No. 7

ORCHID, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, MARCH 5, 2016

Pentax K-01
Pentax 35mm f2.4
1 sec. f22
ISO 200

I bought this orchid at a local florist just for the purpose of taking it home and photographing it on the dinner table with a black velvet background. Lighting came from the big windows a few feet from the table. In my opinion, the best orchid photography is done in the studio where conditions can be carefully controlled.

Orchid Show No. 6

LADY'S-SLIPPER ORCHID, CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN, GLENCOE, ILLINOIS, MARCH 3, 2016

Pentax K-3
Tamron 90mm macro with 1.4x Pentax extender (126mm)
1/180 sec. f8 with off-camera flash
ISO 6400

I somehow mis-set the ISO for this shot extraordinarily (and unnecessarily) high, but a little work with Lightroom saved the photo for Internet use. Also helping was my new Pentax electronic flash, which works through the lens with the camera settings to provide the right amount of illumination.