West Head 2x2: Carnivorous Plants

[ATJ]

On the walk we saw quite a few sundews in the boggy areas on the side of the track. There were two species, Drosera spatulata and D. peltata. The former have a rosette sort of shape while the latter are upright with almost Hydra like leaves. The leaves have sticky hairs which attract insects to them. The insects get stuck and are broken down providing nutrients for the plant. This allows the plant to live in poor soil and still get the required nutrients.

I think I like the look of the upright ones better, but the rosette ones are easier to photograph.

I'm glad I got a shot with a flower, but I'm annoyed by the piece of grass in the background.

All shots with D300, Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D, SB-800, collapsible soft box.


Drosera spatulata


Drosera spatulata


Drosera peltata with flower.


Drosera peltata

[stubbsy]

Fantastic work Andrew - #2 is my favourite and you've really brought these guys to life.

[surenj]

#2 has a great 3D feel. How much is on camera flash (with softbox I assume) contributing to this shot?

Really love the waterdroplets and composition in #4.

[DebT]

#4 for me - I like the upright , just enough light to make the moisture drops sparkle
DebT

[Matt. K]

Andrew
You really nailed those suckers! Those images are excellent!

[biggerry]

#2 has a great 3D feel.

I agree, the difference is quite pronounced between the first two images, the angled composition makes it soo much better imo!

I love number 4, however i think it needs to be appreciated at full res to get the max effect of the droplets. Anotehr option would be to crop the OOF area and just work with the in focus droplets, ie remove the bottom and left portions of the frame. Nonetheless a eye catching image!

[ATJ]

Fantastic work Andrew - #2 is my favourite and you've really brought these guys to life.

Thanks, Peter.

#2 has a great 3D feel.

Thanks, Suren.

How much is on camera flash (with softbox I assume) contributing to this shot?

All the lighting is coming from the soft box. It was shot at ISO 200, f/11 and 1/125s which would have been fine for full Sun, but it was overcast at the time and the soft box would have shaded it from even that.

Really love the waterdroplets and composition in #4.

They are actually droplets of sticky gunk from the plant itself which it uses to lure and trap insects.

#4 for me - I like the upright , just enough light to make the moisture drops sparkle

Thanks, Deb.

#2 has a great 3D feel.

I agree, the difference is quite pronounced between the first two images, the angled composition makes it soo much better imo!

Thanks, Gerry, The trade-off is less of the image is sharp because of the shallow depth of field.

I love number 4, however i think it needs to be appreciated at full res to get the max effect of the droplets. Anotehr option would be to crop the OOF area and just work with the in focus droplets, ie remove the bottom and left portions of the frame. Nonetheless a eye catching image!

[biggerry]

yep, that cropped version rocks imo

The trade-off is less of the image is sharp because of the shallow depth of field.

true and I guess it depends on what the image is going to be used for comes into play here, however the two images together would work very well in a field guide of sorts!

[surenj]

Thanks for the lighting info Andrew.

That crop looks great! Nice eye for spotting that Gerry.

[colin_12]

These came out well Andrew. Nothing like kneeling in the mud for a good pic.